Things to Do in
Catalina Island

Avalon History Tours is a small family-owned business located on Catalina Island. We offer an authentic and immersive experience led by knowledgeable guides who are local residents. Our hour-and-a-half-long tour covers approximately one mile of the island's charming and predominantly flat terrain, making it accessible to most guests. For extra convenience, guests aged 6 and over are provided with a headset to wear during the tour, ensuring they can hear the tour guide clearly. Get ready to delve into the rich history of Catalina Island, with a focus on iconic landmarks such as the Holly Hill House, the scenic Green Pleasure Pier, and the renowned Catalina Casino. Guests will discover the origins of the island's name, the visions of Shatto, the Banning Brothers, and how the Wrigley family transformed the island into its current state. Wander through the heart of Avalon, connecting the past with the present, one step at a time.

Guided by John Boraggina, former museum curator, this tour goes beyond the typical route—shaped around your interests, whether that’s hidden history, stunning viewpoints, or local stories passed down through generations. Whether it’s your first visit or a place your family has loved for years, each tour is thoughtfully customized to create a one-of-a-kind experience just for you.

When you book our First Trip of the Day, you receive a major discount! Soar above Avalon Bay on Catalina Island and witness the stunning coastline from a thrilling perspective. With flights up to 800 feet, enjoy breathtaking views of the charming town, rugged cliffs, and crystal-clear waters below. Perfect for those seeking a mix of excitement and unforgettable memories, parasailing with Island Water Charters promises a smooth and enjoyable experience. Capture your adventure with a photo package, making it a perfect outing for families and friends. Whether you’re an adventurer or just looking to relax, this unique activity elevates your Catalina Island experience to new heights.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Catalina Island on the Sunset Summit Tour, a 1-hour guided adventure designed to showcase the island’s most stunning vistas. Starting in the picturesque city of Avalon, this journey takes you through the charming streets and up into the rugged interior of the island, all while riding aboard our safari tram, The Falcon. As you ascend to the Summit at an impressive elevation of 1,500 feet, our expert guide provides a fully narrated experience, sharing fascinating stories about Catalina’s history, wildlife, and unique natural environment. The journey is as enriching as it is scenic, offering a deeper understanding of the island’s charm and ecological significance. Upon reaching the Summit, you’ll have the opportunity to step out of the tram and soak in the awe-inspiring views. Capture stunning photos of the island’s rolling hills, rugged coastline, and sparkling waters below.

Experience Catalina Island like never before with an exhilarating parasailing adventure over Avalon Bay. Ascend to heights of 800 feet, taking in breathtaking views of the charming town, rugged cliffs, and the sparkling coastline below. This unforgettable flight promises not only excitement but also stunning photo opportunities to capture the moment. With safety as the priority, enjoy a smooth ride that will leave you with lasting memories of this unique perspective of Catalina Island.

✨ Why Travelers Love This Experience Full Mermaid Makeover – Slip into a shimmering tail, shell bra, and ocean-inspired accessories to fully transform into a magical mermaid. Sparkling Details – Enjoy scale makeup, pearls, and gems that make your look photo-ready. Take-Home Treasures – Receive a keepsake 4x6 photo print and a starfish hair clip to remember your day under the sea. Interactive Fun – Kids pick a mermaid name and take home a treasure chest prize, while adults often use the experience to create stunning content for social media. Capture the Magic – Guests are welcome to snap their own photos and videos during the session for even more memories. All Ages Welcome – Designed for kids, teens, and adults alike — the perfect activity for families, friend groups, or anyone who dreams of becoming a mermaid.

Hop aboard as we embark on a driving ghost tour through the City of Avalon. Our journey begins at 121 Clarissa Ave, one block from the beach, in a big yellow building with green awnings. Brace yourself as we explore the eerie and haunted sites that have sent shivers down the spines of locals and visitors alike. Prepare to be enthralled by captivating stories, paranormal history and a breathtaking view as we venture through the streets and hillsides of Avalon. Our expert guide will weave chilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat! There are limited spots available in the cart, so secure your seat now.

Resolution, the groundbreaking dome theater film that won the Audience Award for Best Immersive Experience at SXSW, invites you into a captivating world where music and visuals collide. Set against The Polyphonic Spree’s powerful album Salvage Enterprise, this immersive journey unfolds around a campfire, revealing the inner worlds of its characters through stunning visuals, from soaring canyons to psychedelic starscapes. Created by an acclaimed team of Oscar and Emmy winners, this experience has been hailed as the future of music and cinema. Secure your ticket now to witness this revolutionary cinematic adventure that promises to redefine storytelling.

Experience the ultimate coastal adventure with a helicopter flight from Catalina Island to Long Beach, California. Soar like an eagle over the sparkling Pacific Ocean, taking in panoramic views of the coastline and iconic landmarks. This luxury aerial journey offers a fast, scenic, and unforgettable way to travel between Catalina and the SoCal mainland.

Experience the thrill of jet skiing in the beautiful waters of Catalina Island with Catalina Jet Ski. This unique adventure starts at Green Pleasure Pier, where you will be shuttled to our exciting Jet Ski Barge. Explore the ocean on our 2023 GTX PRO Sea-Doo models, perfect for all skill levels. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season from July to September. Enjoy a spacious open ocean riding area and the chance to spot dolphins while you ride. - Convenient check-in at Green Pleasure Pier - Explore Catalina Island's stunning waters at your own pace - Fun and safe rides with our experienced crew - Recommended reservations for peak summer months

The IMMERSED dome theater is excited to bring the incredible Butterfly Journey dome movie from K2 Studios to Catalina Island. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned theater with assigned seating and beanbag chairs available for a cozy viewing experience. Beautiful and delicate, yet unbelievably resilient, the butterfly is one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures. Follow the vast migrations of the Monarchs of North America and Blue Tigers of Australia in this incredible immersive journey. Narrated by Daisy Ridley.

See the best of Catalina on this all-encompassing aerial tour over California's island escape! Depart from Pebbly Beach for a 20-minute exploration into the mostly untouched natural beauty of the 22-mile-long island sanctuary featuring a rugged interior and cliffs rising from the ocean.

Catalina Island’s original custom guided golf cart tour! Explore Avalon through the eyes of a local. With us you will learn about the history of the Island and the lifestyle of its residents. Custom tours of 2 hours will entertain and educate you! Reserve your tour time in advance, limited times and space are offered each day. SOLD OUT? NEED A DIFFERENT TOUR TIME? CALL US!

Dine like a local. Experience Catalina's history, culture & foodie fun with our knowledgeable guides on this delicious 2.5-hour food tour. • Enjoy an all-inclusive experience as you sip, sample & savor Avalon's best. • Encounter the sights, sounds and stories behind our well-known historic landmarks. • Relax by the ocean on Catalina Island's only food & beverage excursion. • Experience 5+ unique tasting locations - meet the people responsible for Avalon's food scene. • Tour is limited to 10 people to ensure a personalized experience.

Descend Catalina Island's Descanso Canyon by zip line, dropping from 600 feet above sea level, including one run that is 1,100-lineal feet long. You will travel close to three-quarters of a mile over five consecutive zip lines. See the world at heights of 300 feet above the canyon floor and at speeds pushing 40 mph.

We offer a fun and exciting private tour of Avalon with a professional local guide via a large-capacity luxury golf cart for up to 5 passengers.   Save miles on your feet with the comfort and enjoyment of our fleet. Catch a glimpse of the spectacular bay views without hiking up the hills. See and hear everything Avalon and Catalina Island have to offer in just two hours. This joyride will save you time from getting lost and wasting your precious vacation time.

Explore the captivating marine life of Catalina Island on this Dolphin and Sea Lion Tour. Set sail from Avalon on a six-passenger boat to encounter playful Common Dolphins and majestic sea lions in their natural habitat. During whale migration season, the tour also ventures to spot Grey, Blue, and Fin Whales, along with other coastal wildlife like Harbor Seals and resident Bald Eagles. With a dedicated Captain on board, the adventure promises an engaging experience filled with local insights and wildlife spotting. Ideal for families and nature lovers alike, this tour lasts up to one hour and is suitable for ages 4 and up. - Up to 1-hour tour searching for dolphins and sea lions - Maximum capacity of 6 passengers for a personalized experience - Opportunity to see various whale species during migration season - Departure from Avalon, accommodating small bags and cameras

Discover the charm of Avalon on a guided tour that showcases the Catalina Islands' rich history and stunning views. Local drivers provide insights as you explore the picturesque town, making stops at scenic spots perfect for photo opportunities. This tour is ideal for families and friends looking to enjoy a relaxed day out while learning about the area's culture and heritage. - Experience Avalon’s history and culture with local insights - Visit scenic spots for exceptional views of the island - Perfect for groups, families, and friends to enjoy together - Relax and enjoy the ride with knowledgeable drivers guiding the way

Head out for an exciting expedition through favorite grazing grounds of Catalina’s American Bison, which are descendants of a small herd that was left on the island by a movie crew in the 1920s. This tour also passes through Middle Ranch and up Cape Canyon to a scenic overlook on Black Jack Mountain, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of rugged canyons and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

A Backcountry Hummer Adventure! See the "real" Catalina. There’s nothing like an exciting journey through Catalina's pristine wilderness aboard a rugged, open-air 4x4 Hummer H1. You’ll get an intimate feel for Catalina’s unique topography as you cruise the ridge around rugged canyons up to 1,500-foot East Peak. From there, you'll travel along Divide Road, where you'll enjoy spectacular ocean and canyon views of both sides of the island. You might even spot bison, deer or other animals on this unforgettable adventure. Adventure awaits on the Journey to Island's End! Ten percent of proceeds from this tour help support the important work of the Catalina Island Conservancy. Notice - This tour travels over un-improved roads. Guests who are pregnant or have heart, back, neck conditions or a fear of heights should not participate. Book early, this tour often sells out. Hummer can seat 13 guests total (12 plus one Co-Pilot).

Catalina Xtreme Parasail thrives to ensure our customers have a safe and amazing experience in the air.. we pride ourselves with also giving back to our community with partnering with the Susan G. Komen foundation to give back a % of parasail flights to help research and bring awareness to our town and those who have been impacted. • No experience needed •Digital photo package available for purchase • Stay dry or dip in the water options •Observer (non-flyer seats) available for purchase

Sail along the pristine coastline of Catalina Island, where you'll have the chance to spot playful sea lions, diverse bird species, and other wildlife on the eastern shores. As the journey continues toward the back of the island, prepare to be captivated by a stunning Pacific sunset that paints the sky in vibrant hues. This cruise offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and wildlife observation, making it an ideal outing for nature enthusiasts and families alike. - Glide along Catalina Island's coastline and admire its natural beauty - Spot sea lions, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat - Witness a breathtaking sunset over the Pacific Ocean - Perfect for families and nature lovers seeking a unique experience -Sip on any beverages you bring aboard!

Tour the historic Village of Avalon with our local historian. Together you will walk through Avalon while exploring the spooky history and paranormal mysteries of Catalina. Learn the difference between a spirit or a ghost. Understand why Catalina is so haunted, and why our guide has proof of the other side. This is the only Ghost Tour on Catalina and has been voted one of the Top Ten Ghost Tours in The Country from USA TODAY.

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. The Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Catalina Island. You'll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows nightly movies on its massive screen. A short film is shown highlighting the history of this iconic building and its Hollywood connection. This tour requires uphill walking inside the Casino.

People are taking to the trees on Catalina Aerial Adventure, a unique and challenging outdoor experience at Descanso, SoCal’s favorite island entertainment and adventure destination. Catalina Aerial Adventure is just a short stroll from Descanso Beach Club, but you’ll feel like you’re deep in the woods, as you climb, swing and crawl through a series of challenging obstacles suspended in a grove of towering eucalyptus. Five self-guided, self-paced courses—each made up of rope ladders, log bridges, balance beams, zip lines, and other elements—are arranged in beginner (2), intermediate (2) and advanced (1) configurations, offering aerial excitement for everyone, regardless of skill or athletic ability.

There’s seeing Avalon… and then there’s experiencing it. On this private two-hour golf cart adventure, you’ll explore Avalon, Catalina Island’s largest city, with a year-round local who truly loves sharing it. Expect sweeping hilltop views, sparkling harbor panoramas, hidden streets, and scenic overlooks that make you reach for your camera. When the light is perfect or a view deserves a pause, we stop. No rushing. No monotone script. Just real stories, real island insight, and a guide who brings the place to life. This experience blends the must-see highlights of Catalina Island with the hidden gems many visitors miss. Relaxed but never boring, informative but never rehearsed, and entirely private, it revolves around you. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll leave with memories that stay long after the ride ends. If you’re going to explore Avalon, make it the kind of tour you’ll still be talking about when you get home.

A post office that doesn’t deliver? A house that used to be a boat? A bird park without any birds? It’s all part of the unique charm that’s been attracting visitors of all ages to this quaint island town for more than a century. Postcard views abound on this open-air narrated bus tour through the streets of historic Avalon. Have your camera ready.

More than 15,000 happy guests and counting! Experience the oceans like never before! This truly unique immersive experience takes you on a thirty minute virtual "scuba dive" through the world's oceans. Our flagship experience and fan favorite. Our debut short film, was shot in nine countries across three oceans and a sea, featuring over forty marine species. This immersive movie lets you virtually dive into Catalina’s kelp forests, encounter giant sea bass, humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, bull sharks, schools of fish, playful sea-lions, underwater caves, and more. All footage was filmed underwater in 360 degrees by our team and collaborators, captured on real dives around the world.

A fun, natural history paddling tour where you can imagine exploring the inaccessible coastline of the Catalina Island in a modern, easy to maneuver & stable sit-on-top kayak for two! Your guide will teach the basics of paddling and you’ll find how simple and fun kayaking on Catalina’s clear ocean waters can be. Once on the water, your guide will point out interesting and historical landmarks, birds & plants, discuss the island’s ancient to modern history, geology, and ecology as you glide over nearshore kelp forests above colorful fishes. There’s always something wild to see… a harbor seal may peek at you from the offshore rocks, or a bald eagle may snag a fish from the water nearby. At Frog Rock, you’ll land to stretch your legs, enjoy a delicious cookie and bottle of water, and have the opportunity to take a quick dip in the sea if you desire. Suitable for all ages, non-strenuous for beginners. Please Note: Participants will get wet, MUST be able to swim, and life vests provided.

Tour the historic Village of Avalon with our local historian. Together you will walk through Avalon while exploring the spooky history and paranormal mysteries of Catalina. Learn the difference between a spirit or a ghost. Understand why Catalina is so haunted, and why our guide has proof of the other side. This is the only Ghost Tour on Catalina and has been voted one of the Top Ten Ghost Tours in The Country from USA TODAY.