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While there are plenty of options for getting to Catalina, if you’re like most island visitors, you’ll get to the island aboard Catalina Express. IEX Helicopters and Newport Beach’s Catalina Transportation Services are other options, but Catalina Express offers up to 30 departures a day and travelers can choose from three different ports: Long Beach,…

The waters around Catalina Island teem with a myriad of marine life. Bright orange garibaldi, playful sea lions and massive wreckfish share this fascinating ecosystem with otherworldly nudibranchs, toothy morays and toothsome lobster. Scuba divers and snorkelers are likely to encounter these remarkable creatures alongside schools of calico bass, shy octopus and captivating mermaids. Wait,…

The island’s activities offer familiar fun for just about everyone. Catalina offers golf, massages, ziplining, kayaking, snorkeling and parasailing – just to name a few – but there are also several adventures that are available nowhere else. Read on for our favorite unique Catalina things to do. Casino Tour: Avalon’s iconic building is a one-of-a-kind…

As the last days of summer spill out across the calendar, back-to-school sales and dreams of pumpkin spice lattes are taking center stage, but there’s still time for fun in the sun! Read on for the best things to do on Catalina in the summer. Getting in the water is one of the best things…

Need a good laugh? There will be several opportunities for chuckles, guffaws and giggles at the inaugural Catalina Comedy Island event coming this September to the Avalon Theatre. Scheduled for September 9 and 10, Catalina Comedy Island will bring together world-class comedians for a four-show comedy extravaganza in one of the most unforgettable theatres in…

Summer is in full swing on Catalina Island, with warm weather and refreshing sea temperatures luring visitors and locals alike to the island’s crystal-clear waters and picturesque beaches. Adventure abounds at this time of year, with Catalina activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming and stand-up paddling particularly popular. If perfect weather and an abundance of…

As summer begins to heat up, so too does the list of things to do on Catalina Island. Read on for the many June Catalina events we’re looking forward to. Restaurant Week: Avalon celebrates this regional event with a series of special menus and special offers from Catalina’s culinary masters. Check out the list of…

For more than 100 years, this island paradise has been attracting visitors. And for decades those visitors would choose a Catalina bus tour as the best way to see the island’s many attractions. While much has changed both on the island and on the mainland, what hasn’t changed is the popularity of Catalina bus tours….

Catalina Island has long been known for relaxation and romance. Thanks to its natural beauty, Mediterranean atmosphere and friendly ambiance, a getaway to this idyllic island is the ideal way to unwind and de-stress. But the island also has a wild side. Read on for five exciting things to do on Catalina Island. Zipline: One…

As if Catalina’s alluring seaside charms weren’t enough to entice you to visit the island this spring, there are several May Catalina events you won’t want to miss. Film Premiere – May 21: The Catalina Museum for Art & History has set out to document the lives of Catalina residents who have had an outsized…

Located just a short boat ride – or an even shorter helicopter ride – from the Southern California mainland, Catalina Island offers an intriguing getaway for a day, a weekend or a lifetime. Read on for how to do Catalina Island for the first time. Decide on when: While you can get a taste of…

As winter warms into spring and Southern California hopefully shakes off the last of Covid’s restrictions, Catalina’s events calendar is beginning to resemble the island’s normal array of a festivals, concerts and galas. Here’s just a few of the Catalina events we’re looking forward to in the next couple of weeks. Catalina Spring Art Fair…