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The 22 Best Things To Do On Catalina Island

A panoramic view of Catalina Island showcasing the iconic Casino building overlooking a harbor filled with boats, clear blue waters, and surrounding hills, highlighting things to do on Catalina Island.

Today you’ll learn about the endless things to do on Catalina Island.

Called “a hidden paradise in Southern California”, Santa Catalina Island is the embodiment of relaxation and fun. The chewing gum billionaire William Wrigley Jr. purchased the island in 1919  to build a unique travel destination. 

Before we start with number 22, let’s talk about the different ways to get there.

Your best option is to take the ferry:

  • Catalina Express leaves daily from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point.
  • Catalina Flyer, the largest passenger catamaran on the West Coast, leaves daily from Newport Beach. 

Both high-speed ferries take about an hour to get there. 

Other options:

There are helicopter services available from Long Beach and San Pedro, you could charter a boat, private planes can go to Catalina’s Airport in the Sky, or you could sail there and rent a mooring on the island. 

Since we’ve landed on the island, let’s start with…

22. Experience a Catalina Food Tour

Explore Avalon with a local guide during an informative 3-hour tasting and cultural walking tour! 

If you don’t want to wait till you’re actually on the island to know about the top places to eat, be sure to pay attention, you’ll hear about the best restaurants on Catalina later in this blog post!

A tantalizing selection of tacos served on a food tour in Avalon, one of the many things to do on Catalina Island, featuring seasoned meat, fresh cilantro, onions, and tangy salsa.

21. See Catalina’s flying fish during a Flying Fish Voyage

In the summer season, you can have a memorable nighttime experience during your trip.

On a boat equipped with a searchlight that’s enticing the fish to fly, you’ll see Avalon Harbor from a whole new perspective.

A flying fish with translucent, wing-like fins glides above the blue waters of the ocean, gracefully arching its body as it soars momentarily before dipping back into the sea.

20. Hike the Hermit Gulch Trail Loop

This spectacular hike boasts magnificent views of Avalon and the ocean, often in two directions. It’s a 5.6-mile loop trail and takes a little more than 3 hours to complete. 

An expansive view of the Hermit Gulch Trail Loop on Catalina Island, with a winding path cutting through the arid landscape, leading towards a distant view of the island's coastline and shimmering ocean.

19. Go on the Semi Submarine Tour

Discover Catalina’s healthy marine environment on this entertaining and educational activity.

If you want, you can feed the fish from your seat via the vessel’s fish food feeding system!

A vibrant red semi-submersible vessel labeled "OCEAN EXPEDITIONS" cruises on the surface of the ocean near Catalina Island, designed for underwater viewing to explore marine life.

18. Play mini golf at Golf Gardens Miniature Golf

Although old-fashioned without any electronics, this 18 hole course is internationally known as one of the most demanding and well-designed mini golf courses. 

Close-up view of a player's feet in white sneakers, positioned on an artificial turf at Golf Gardens Miniature Golf, preparing to putt a pink golf ball with a green putter, an enjoyable activity among the things to do on Catalina Island.

17. Hike the Garden to Sky Trail

This is considered as the best day hike on the island by many people.

It’s 2.8-mile moderate level trail featuring a sensational view of both sides of Catalina. On clear days, you might even see other Channel Islands. 

A dusty trail of the Garden to Sky Trail on Catalina Island meanders through lush greenery and rugged terrain under a clear blue sky, offering hikers a scenic route through the island's natural landscape.

16. Go on a Glass Bottom Boat Voyage

The captain offers lots of information and Catalina Islands crystal clear waters are perfect for this kind of adventure.

This is a perfect way to get up close and personal with the island sea life.

Truly one of the most unique things to do on Catalina Island.

Underwater view from a glass bottom boat on Catalina Island, displaying a school of shimmering fish swimming in formation beneath the ocean's surface, adjacent to a towering kelp forest that fades into the blue water above.

15. Rent a golf cart and discover the island

While Avalon is very pedestrian-friendly. Putting your foot on the gas and enjoying the ocean breeze along the coastline is a unique experience though.

Drive up the hills and enjoy the views, wind your way through cascading canyons and stop for photos. 

A line of white golf carts parked along a sunlit street on Catalina Island, waiting for tourists to rent and explore the charming island at a leisurely pace, with quaint houses and lush greenery on the sidewalk.

14. Visit the Airport in the Sky

Located 1600 feet above sea level on one of the highest points on the island, this place is worth visiting no matter how you arrive on Catalina.

Have lunch in the Airport in the Sky Restaurant and enjoy a Buffalo Burger and one of the world-famous cookies. 

Aerial view of the Airport in the Sky on Catalina Island, featuring a unique airstrip atop a high plateau surrounded by undulating hills with sparse vegetation, under a clear sky that merges with the horizon over the sea.

13. Experience the Ridgetop Eco Adventure

Get off the beaten path and enjoy Catalina’s immaculate wilderness on an open-air biofuel hummer.

You’ll have breathtaking views from the mountain ridge and your tour guide’s knowledge of the history of the island will make this adventure unforgettable!

Passengers in an open-air vehicle experience the Ridgetop Eco Adventure, one of the best things to do on Catalina Island, traversing a dusty trail along the island's scenic ridges, with expansive views of rolling hills under a clear blue sky.

12. Go on a Catalina Island Bison Expedition

Yes, there are American bison on the island.

14 of them were brought there in the 1920s for a movie scene (which was never used in the movie) and today, there are about 150 bison on Catalina.

This 2-hour tour is also done aboard an eco-friendly open-air hummer.

Close-up of a majestic American bison, with its thick fur and curved horn, a part of the unique Catalina Island Bison Expedition where visitors can witness these magnificent creatures in their unexpected island habitat.

11. Explore Avalon’s Green Pleasure Pier

Built in 1909, this is one of the great points of history in California.

The Green Pleasure Pier is home to the island’s visitor center, where you can get information every day of the week, and starting point of most water based tours.

You’ll also find some restaurants with great food and drinks.

A serene view of Avalon’s Green Pleasure Pier, extending into the calm blue waters with a backdrop of colorful houses dotting the hilly landscape and boats moored peacefully in the harbor under a clear blue sky.

10. The Catalina Falconry Experience

Hawks, falcons, owls: When these amazing predators swoop toward you with spread wings, you’ll feel a mix of thrill and anticipation.

A must-do activity for all ages. 

A majestic falcon with its wings spread wide is perched on a gloved hand, showcasing the bird's beautiful speckled plumage and focused expression, with a blindfold to keep it calm.

9. The Catalina Aerial Adventure

Same as the Falconry Experience, this unique outdoor activity is just a short walk from the ocean.

Nevertheless, climbing, crawling, and swinging from tree to tree, you’ll feel like being deep in the woods.

Close-up of a participant's feet standing on a wooden plank suspended by ropes as part of the Catalina Aerial Adventure, set against a blurred natural backdrop of lush greenery, signifying the balance and focus required for this treetop activity.

8. Visit the Catalina Island Museum

This is comparably small museum. It features an excellent array of exhibits with interesting historical displays and well-told stories though.

If you want to learn about Catalina Island and the Wrigley family, you should visit this place!

A vibrant vintage map mural within the Catalina Island Museum depicting various things to do on Catalina Island, with playful illustrations of landmarks and recreational activities that highlight the island's rich history and tourist appeal.

7. Visit the Catalina Island Casino and the Avalon Theater

Since 1929, this historic Art Deco masterpiece has been the focal point of the island’s culture and entertainment.

Gambling has never taken place here, the Catalina Casino is meant as a gathering place.

It features the world’s largest circular ballroom on the top level, and the Avalon Theater in the lower level.

A panoramic view of Catalina Island showcasing the iconic Casino building overlooking a harbor filled with boats, clear blue waters, and surrounding hills, highlighting things to do on Catalina Island.

6. Take off on the Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour

TripAdvisor’s top-rated Catalina Island adventure offers two hours of adrenaline-fueled enjoyment.

Starting 600 feet above the beach, you’ll travel over 5 consecutive zip lines across the canyon and through an imposing eucalyptus tree grove while enjoying extensive ocean views.

Adventurers embark on the Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour, with a zip line station perched on a hillside, ready to launch across the scenic landscape with views of the sparkling ocean and anchored boats below.

5. Visit the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden

You’ll reach this place after an half-hour walk up Avalon Canyon from downtown Avalon. 

Wrigley Memorial, the centerpiece of the Botanic Garden, boasts a compelling view of Avalon Bay.

As primarily native materials were used for building the Wrigley Memorial, the Garden emphasizes California island endemic plants.

This is also the primary gateway to access the already mentioned Garden to Sky Trail.

The entrance to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, marked by a welcoming wooden sign detailing the garden's features, including Channel Islands native plants and a tribute to William Wrigley Jr., inviting visitors to enjoy this special place.

4. Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail

This 38.5-mile trail takes about 3-5 days to walk, with 5 campgrounds along the way.

You’ll experience panoramic, rugged terrain with little to no shade, so consider to plan your hike for the colder seasons of the year.

Aerial view of the winding Trans-Catalina Trail cutting through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Catalina Island, showcasing the trail's remote path as it traverses the dry, shrub-covered landscape under a clear blue sky.

3. Relax at the Descanso Beach Club

Located just a short walk past the historic Casino, this is Avalon’s only beach side bar and restaurant.

Rent a cabana, enjoy the great food and drinks and the spectacular views of the coast and ocean.

Some already mentioned activities like the Falconry Experience, the Aerial Adventure, and the Zip-Line Tour are located right behind Descanso Beach Club.

An aerial shot of the bustling Descanso Beach Club, featuring rows of lounge chairs on the sandy shore, tropical palm trees, and clear blue waters dotted with anchored boats, offering a perfect relaxation spot for visitors.

For more stunning beaches, be sure to also read our list featuring California’s best beaches!

2. Go snorkeling and scuba-diving

Known for its clear waters, Catalina Island’s waters support one of the healthiest marine environments in the world, with often over 90 feet visibility.

You’ll experience playful sea lions, fascinating kelp forests, and lots of colorful sea life. It’s an unforgettable experience.

Underwater scene during a snorkeling excursion, showcasing a vibrant orange Garibaldi fish among a school of smaller fish with a backdrop of towering kelp forests, highlighting the island's rich marine biodiversity.

1. Visit Two Harbors

Located between two ports, this tiny, peaceful town is encompassed by emerald green mountains and turquoise waters.

Two Harbors is perfect for a calm beachside stay, but you can also choose from lots of outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, biking, and fishing.

The unrivaled number one though: Scuba diving in the crystal-clear water. 

This is not just the number one in our list of the best things to do on Catalina Island, but also one of the most beautiful nature spots in California!

Sailboats on either side of the isthmus of Two Harbors

Now, as promised, some food tips: 

  • Luau Larry’s offers breathtaking views of the harbor, live music, and the famous cocktail Wiki Wacker. 
  • Scoops Catalina Island is located just before the green pier, offering delicious, homemade ice cream. 
  • Bluewater Grill Avalon offers great seafood dining directly on the water.
  • The Lobster Trap is a local favorite with fresh seafood, great steaks, pastas, and more. 
  • Café Metropole is a fast-casual restaurant offering healthy, fresh, and organic coastal-California inspired food.
  • Marlin Club is Avalon’s oldest and also best bar.
  • Avalon Grille offers local fish, farmstand produce, premium meats, and world-class wines. 
  • Original Jack’s Country Kitchen serves great homestyle meals. 
  • The Sandtrap features authentic American and Mexican cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. 

If you enjoyed reading this list of the best things to do on Catalina Island, you will LOVE watching it in video-format:

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