Catalina Island in a day: Everything you need to know
If you haven’t been to Catalina Island, you’ve been missing out. It’s the ultimate day-trip destination for young and old. Check out these tips to get you started.
So, my husband and I visited Catalina Island during our Carnival Cruise vacation. Four of my friends from high school joined us and we loved every minute of it. So, whether you’re taking a day trip from LA or stopping for a port of call, there’s plenty to do in just a few hours. Here’s just a few options:
Relax at Catalina Island’s Descanso Beach
If you’re looking to relax on the beach for part of the day, check out Descanso Beach Club. You can rent a lounge chair for $15 for the day. It includes an umbrella, side table, food and beverage delivery service, bottled water and towels. This beach is just a short 10-minute walk from the center of town.
Kayaking
Right next to the Descanso Beach Club, you can rent a kayak and life jacket from Catalina Island Expeditions for $22 for an hour. We gave ourselves our own tour of the breathtaking coast line. It was my favorite part of the entire day. Snorkel gear and other beach toys are available to rent.
Ziplining
After you’re done kayaking, check out the Catalina Zipline Eco Tour which is a convenient two-minute walk from Descanso Beach. The cost of the zipline is $128 per person. However, if you are doing a cruise and headed to Ensenada, Mexico, I would recommend skipping the zipline on Catalina Island. We did the Las Canadas zipline in Ensenada and it only cost about $25 per person!
Scuba diving/snorkeling at Casino Point
After you’re done at Descanso Beach, you can stop by Casino Point and snorkel for a couple of hours. There are fish everywhere! Just walk around the casino and you’ll see a set of stairs that lead right into the water. My friend and I snorkeled for about an hour while some of our group when scuba diving. You can even feed the fish right out of your hand. If you want to save some money, bring your own set of snorkeling gear.
While we snorkeled, our husbands did some scuba diving with Catalina Divers Supply. No prior experience is required and they loved it! They had a short training and then about a half hour of scuba diving. They did everything in the same area where we snorkeled. You can schedule your scuba diving when you arrive for $115 per person. We booked ours through the cruise ship which cost a little bit more.
Grab lunch at the Lobster Trap
Recommended by a local, the Lobster Trap was the perfect place to stop for lunch, with local seafood and decent prices. It was delicious and unique to the island. Plus, it’s tucked away a bit so it wasn’t too crowded by tourists.
Self-guided golf cart tour
After grabbing some lunch, we rented a golf cart and went on our own self-guided tour of the entire island. We rented a six-person golf cart for $140 for two hours. There are plenty of rental options in the center of town. They give you a convenient map and there are scenic loop signs posted throughout the island so you don’t get lost.
Don’t forget your map
You can print your own map from Catalina Island’s Chamber of Commerce Website. This map is super handy to have as you’re navigating this amazing island.
What other ideas do you have when visiting Catalina Island? Leave your comments below.
Related link: 20 Universal Cruise Tips You Can’t Go Without
