Beat the Heat: Catalina’s Best Water Activities

Back in September of 2020, a weather phenomenon known as a “heat dome” covered Catalina Island, creating record high temperatures. On September 5th and 6th of that year, peak temps reached 110 degrees! Extreme heat like that is quite rare on the island. Average high temperatures during the warm summer months typically range from 75 to 80 degrees. Ocean breezes abound, and on this island, as it should, life revolves around the ocean. This year, there seems to be a resurgence of warmer weather trends, and fortunately, there are plenty of water activities to do while you’re on Catalina. Whether you’re a boater, nature lover, swimmer, diver, or beach goer, Catalina Tours can help you create an itinerary for an ideal day of island adventures. Read on to learn more about how to beat the heat with some of Catalina’s best water activities. 

Explore the underwater world. There is nothing like getting into the water and observing the other-worldliness of your surroundings. Bright orange garibaldi swim by. A giant seabass floats through giant kelp. Catch sight of a mesmerizing bat ray, a sea cucumber, or even a leopard shark. 

• The ocean scenery is always changing, and you can see it up close when you book a Guided Snorkel Eco Tour. A guide will lead you through the marine protected area of Avalon’s Dive Park as you get to see tons of aquatic life all around you. This 2-hour tour includes gear and a guide for snorkeling.
• If you want to dive even deeper, do a Discover Scuba Diving Tour. Watch a video and go through briefings with your scuba diving instructor. On a first dive, scuba adventurers usually spend anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes below the surface. This is a great experience for first time divers. 

Get a glimpse of life under the sea. If you’d like to stay dry but still experience some of the ocean’s underwater beauty up close, there are a few ways to do that with Catalina Tours! 

• You can dive deep on a Nautilus Semi-Submarine excursion. This 45-minute trip cruises all around the undersea gardens that surround Catalina. From the comfort of the Nautilus, you get to see plenty of plant life and sea creatures through its cool portholes. There’s even an option to buy some fish food and fire it out into the ocean–getting a front seat to a fish feeding frenzy. 
• Another option is heading out on an Undersea Expedition on the Seawolf. Much like the Nautilus, the Seawolf will take passengers through giant kelp forests, schools of fish, and lots of fascinating submarine views before taking a leisurely cruise back into Avalon Harbor. 
• If you’d prefer to get some fresh air while you’re observing ocean life around Catalina, hop aboard a Glass Bottom Boat Voyage. This is one of the oldest, most favorite water activities on the island; it’s an adventure that started in the 1800s with a rowboat and a pane of glass. The glass bottom boat rides continue to be a crowd-pleaser today!

See even more sea life. On a Dolphin and Sea Lion Tour, you’ll head out on a 6-passenger boat in search of some of the coolest wildlife. Common Dolphins are known to be plentiful and playful in the waters around Catalina–often putting on a show alongside the boat or playing in its wake. The sea lions that call the island home are known for their loud barks and fun personalities. Keep an eye out for adorable Pacific harbor seals too. As a bonus, you’ll get lots of time to see some more of Catalina’s scenic coastline. 

Have a cool evening. Take a Flying Fish Voyage on a 50-minute speedboat ride. These amazing creatures glide over the ocean with their wing-like pectoral fins; they look like they’re flying as they zoom across the water–often to escape predators like marlin, dolphins, and tuna. The speedboat ride offers some cool ocean spray and breezes along the way.

Learn more about the ocean. Too hot to be outside? Take a break with an ocean-focused short film experience: IMMERSED. This 30-minute film lets viewers take a virtual scuba dive through the oceans of the world. The Las Vegas Sphere has nothing on this 360-degree underwater footage projected on a dome screen.  

Soar above the ocean. Book a Parasail Adventure with Catalina Tours, and you’ll see amazing views of the island from 600 or 800 feet up in the air. On these adventures, riders take off and land directly in the boat with the help of the parasailing crew. There’s even an option to dip your toes in the ocean on your ride. Passengers are welcome to join on the boat ride as well.

Ready to plan some island adventures on sea, air, and land? Reach out to the experts at Catalina Tours, the island’s premier activity reservation specialists. There are all kinds of fun summer activities on Catalina Island, and Catalina Tours specializes in custom packages for your trip to Catalina. Explore our website to learn more.