Catalina Island Day Trip from Long Beach: Ferry & Avalon

The ferry ride there is half the point: 22 miles of open water between the mainland and an island that feels genuinely separate.

A day trip from Long Beach to Catalina Island with hotel pickup, round-trip ferry and free time to explore Avalon, plus your choice of three optional tours: a 50-minute scenic loop of the island's largest city, a 45-minute underwater cabin tour of the marine life, or a zipline course through the hills. The ferry crossing takes one hour each way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catalina Island day trip with tours

• Shuttle pickup from hotel
• Ferry ride to Catalina Island
• Optional Avalon Scenic Tour
• Optional Undersea Expedition
• Lunch on Green Pleasure Pier
• Optional Zipline tour
• View iconic Casino
• Ferry ride back to Long Beach
• Shuttle transfer to hotel

The experience

The day starts with a shuttle pickup from your Long Beach-area or Anaheim hotel between 8:00 and 8:30am, then heads to the Catalina Express terminal for a 1-hour crossing to Avalon. The boat leaves at 9:50am and returns at 3:55pm, giving you roughly five hours on the island. If you've booked one of the optional upgrades, you'll head straight to that tour's departure point when you arrive. Otherwise, the time is yours to spend on the Green Pleasure Pier, the beaches, or wandering the town.

The Avalon Scenic Tour runs 50 minutes and covers a 7.5-mile loop along the waterfront, up the hillsides and through the center of town: a guided introduction to the island's layout and history. The Undersea Expedition puts you in a climate-controlled cabin five feet below the surface for 45 minutes, with a live guide pointing out marine life through your own porthole and the freedom to move around the cabin for different views. The Zipline Eco Tour is a separate adventure through the hills (closed-toe shoes required, single riders must be at least 10 years old and weigh at least 80 lbs, and combined weight limits apply). Each option is booked at checkout. If you choose none, you have the full afternoon free on the island.

The return ferry departs at 3:55pm, with an optional later departure available in summer depending on availability. Your hotel pickup happens after arrival back in Long Beach, completing the loop by early evening.

What’s included

• Round-trip ferry transfers between Long Beach and Avalon.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from LAX-area or Anaheim hotels.
• your choice of Avalon Scenic Tour, Undersea Sub Expedition or Zipline Eco Tour (if selected at checkout).

Options for this experience

4 options

Catalina Island day tripGuide in English · 08:00Catalina Island day trip: no island tour is selected. You arrive at Catalina and have free time to explore on your own.

Discover Avalon TourGuide in English · 08:00Day trip to Catalina Island with the Discover Avalon scenic tour; pickup is included

Undersea Sub ExpeditionGuide in English · 08:00Undersea expedition tour: Catalina Island day trip with an undersea sub expedition, where you can see abundant marine life on this amazing underwater adventure.

Zipline Eco TourGuide in English · 08:00Zipline EcoTour: Catalina Island day trip with the Zipline Eco Tour

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 9h, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 242 per person, with a live guide in English and in groups of up to 9.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Extreme Tours by Karmel

Is this one for you?Pick the Avalon Scenic Tour if you want a guided introduction to the island's layout and history before exploring on your own; choose the Undersea Expedition to see the marine life up close from a submerged cabin; or book the Zipline Eco Tour if you want an active adventure through the hills. Each option is a separate booking, so pick the one that matches how you want to spend your afternoon on the island.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long is the ferry ride to Catalina Island?

The Catalina Express crossing takes one hour each way, departing Long Beach at 9:50am and returning from Avalon at 3:55pm.

What is there to do in Avalon if I don't book an optional tour?

Avalon is the island's largest city and has beaches, the Green Pleasure Pier (a popular lunch spot), shops and the iconic Casino to explore. You have roughly five hours of free time on the island to spend as you choose.

Can I see marine life without going on the undersea sub tour?

The Undersea Expedition is the structured way to see Catalina's marine life: a 45-minute guided tour in a submerged cabin with your own porthole. Without that tour, you can explore the beaches and waterfront on your own, but the sub is the dedicated marine experience.

Which hotels are included in the shuttle pickup?

Shuttle transfers are available from LAX-area hotels and Anaheim or Disneyland Resort hotels only. Pickup runs between 8:00 and 8:30am on the morning of your trip.

What is the Avalon Scenic Tour like?

The 50-minute tour covers a 7.5-mile loop that takes you along the waterfront, up the hillsides and through the center of Avalon. A guide shares the island's history and heritage as you travel, giving you an oriented overview of the town and its attractions.

Are there weight or age limits for the zipline tour?

Single passengers must be at least 10 years old and weigh at least 80 lbs. Children ages 5 to 9 must ride with a parent or guardian who is at least 18 years old. Combined weight on the zipline cannot exceed 240 lbs, and these restrictions are strictly enforced.