Catalina Island Tour Reservations: What to Book in Advance vs. What You Can Do Walk-In in Avalon

Summer months on Catalina are magical. Avalon–a small island town–swells to many times its normal size with hundreds of thousands of visitors during busy summer months. The streets are busier, beaches are more crowded, and there’s a palpable, buzzy summer feeling that only an island community can provide. Something special about Catalina is that the off-season months are pretty cool too. From September through spring, there’s a more relaxed vibe; the weather remains mostly mild, making all kinds of activities enjoyable year round. 

If you’re a summer visitor, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for activities during your stay. This is where Catalina Tours comes in–with a comprehensive offering of things to do around the island. Read on to learn more about Catalina Island tour reservations: what to book in advance vs. what you can do walk-in in the town of Avalon.   

First thing’s first: If you want to enjoy exploring Catalina, you’ll have to make your way there first! From our site, you can book a helicopter flight or book a ferry ride. Flights can fill up fast during summer months, so make arrangements ahead of time. The trip from Long Beach to Catalina takes just 15 minutes; as a bonus, you’ll have fabulous views of the California coast, the ocean, and the island. Ferry passenger service is offered daily from March through November, with limited service during the winter. Be sure to book your boat tickets as soon as possible. Once transportation and accommodations are booked, you can map out your trip itinerary. 

Stroll 18 holes. A perennial family favorite is mini golf. Catalina Mini Golf Gardens is tucked away from the main thoroughfare of Avalon, and it’s a great midday or evening activity. The course is open daily, year round. You’re able to book a round of mini golf, but this is one of the activities that often has walk-in availability. Make the winner buy everyone an ice cream cone afterward!

Hit the beach. You don’t need reservations to lay out towels and set up chairs at Avalon’s beaches. There’s also Descanso Beach, where you can find a sunny spot, or make plans to reserve a cabana or chaise lounges to relax a little more luxuriously.

Get out on the water. Take a walk to Avalon’s iconic Green Pleasure Pier, and you’ll find a fleet of boats launching out on high speed adventures, wildlife expeditions, and underwater explorations. Catalina Tours offers reservations for plenty of sea-worthy choices for all kinds of ocean fun. While boats will be busier during summer months, many tours head out multiple times a day. So if you’re more of a walk-in traveler than a plan–every-minute-of-your-trip traveler, then you might get lucky booking a boat tour on the fly. For all tours, reservations aren’t required, but they are recommended. Some great options for boating activities include: 

• Take a deep dive. There are two different options for submarine voyages: The Nautilus Semi-Submarine Excursion and the Undersea Expedition. Both allow you to see what life is like under the sea. From your own porthole, you might spy some garibaldi, bat rays, rock fish, opal eye, or even a sea lion. 
• (Sea) Lions and dolphins and whales, oh my!  Take a Dolphin and Sea Lion tour to catch some of the island’s scenic coastline and creatures. Common dolphins are known to swim near the boat in huge pods, allowing you to sometimes see hundreds at a time! 
• How the sea should be. More than a century ago, glass bottom boats cruised Avalon’s harbor, showing the undersea gardens to the island’s many visitors. Today, a glass bottom boat tour is just as enjoyable with Catalina’s crystal clear waters and abundant sea life, promising a new viewpoint every voyage. 

• When fish fly… Another timeless attraction is a boat ride to catch a glimpse of the island’s flying fish. Are they really flying? No, but they glide for a good distance atop the water. Do they really have wings? Not wings, but specially adapted pectoral fins, torpedo-shaped bodies, and fast flapping tails combine to allow these amazing fish to propel themselves out of the water, away from predators. 

Hot Tickets. Some really popular Catalina Tours include parasailing, ziplining, skating the Casino, and exploring the island’s interior. You’ll want to book ahead for these activities, and you can even plan a customized Catalina Fun Package, designed to include the perfect excursions for your party. There are so many options with Catalina Tours–whether you’re planning a trip full of adventure or a more laid back getaway. Check out our website for all of our offerings as well as for info on group and private tours.