- Time on the island
- 8–10 hours
- Getting around
- On foot + golf cart
- Don’t miss
- Snorkeling Lover’s Cove
- Last boat
- Check when you book
One day is enough to fall for Avalon if you don’t try to do everything. This plan keeps you on foot or in a golf cart, front-loads the water while it’s calm, and ends with dinner by the harbor before the last boat. Swap anything out: every stop links to the listing, and the open-now view shows what’s serving when you land.
Take an early boat over
The first ferries give you the calmest crossing and the most time on the island. Book ahead in summer. How to get here →
Pancakes or coffee near the water
Pancake Cottage is the sit-down classic; Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. is the grab-and-go one, a few steps from the beach.
Loop the hills by golf cart
Rent a cart for an hour and drive the switchbacks above town for the view of the bay and the Casino. Carts stay inside Avalon. Golf cart rentals →
Snorkel with the garibaldi
Lover’s Cove is a short walk from the ferry landing; the dive park behind the Casino has kelp forest right off the steps. Rent gear in town. Dive and snorkel shops →
Something fried on the pier
The Green Pleasure Pier is lined with fish-and-chips windows. Eric’s on the Pier is the easy pick.
The Casino and the museum
Walk the waterfront to the Catalina Casino and take a tour of the ballroom and theatre, then stop in at the Catalina Island Museum.
Up the canyon, or a sweet break
If you still have legs, the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is up Avalon Canyon. If not, saltwater taffy from Lloyd’s of Avalon.
Dinner by the water, then the boat
Seafood at Bluewater Avalon while the light goes, and a buffalo milk at Luau Larry’s if there’s time. Check your return boat time when you book: the last departure is earlier outside summer.
Quick answers
Is one day enough for Catalina Island?
One day is enough to see Avalon: the waterfront, a golf cart loop, snorkeling at Lover’s Cove, the Casino and dinner by the harbor. Two Harbors and the interior need a second day.
What time is the last boat back from Catalina?
It depends on the operator and the season, and it is earlier outside summer. Check the return schedule when you book your crossing.
Do I need a car on Catalina for a day trip?
No. Avalon is walkable, and golf carts rent by the hour for the hills. Visitors generally can’t bring cars to the island.
Restaurants on the island
See all →- Avalon8 min from the ferry3.4(459)
- Open until 9pmAvalon$$$6 min from the ferry4.3(724)
- Avalon$6 min from the ferry3.6(89)
No photo yet Avalon31 min from the ferry5.0(1)
Golf cart & bike rentals on the island
See all →- Opens 9am tomorrowAvalon4 min from the ferry3.9(101)
Avalon4 min from the ferryNo photo yet Avalon8 min from the ferry- Opens 9am tomorrowAvalon5 min from the ferry2.9(463)
Diving & snorkeling on the island
See all →No photo yet Avalon11 min from the ferry- Opens Sat 8amAvalon6 min from the ferry4.1(56)
No photo yet - Opens 9am tomorrowAvalon11 min from the ferry4.8(198)
Tours & activities on the island
See all →No photo yet Open nowAvalon8 min from the ferry5.0(7)- Avalon9 min from the ferry4.3(16)
No photo yet Avalon6 min from the ferry- Avalon7 min from the ferry
