ON, IN AND UNDER THE WATER
ON AND IN THE WATER
ON THE WATER TOURS
Catalina island is world famous for glass bottom boats and flying fish. If you are a first time tourist, you should probably consider these formal tours. Please see our comments under “Tours”. Information and reservations: (310) 510-0342
PARASAILING
A nice experience where, from a moving speed boat, you are placed in a harness tethered to a parachute-like sail which catches the wind. As they play out the line you go higher and higher for a spectacular view alone in the sky.
Catalina Coastal Tours and Fishing LLC
Parasail ticket Office
105 Pebbly Beach Road
Avalon, CA 90704
BOAT RENTALS
Joe’s Rent a Boat
(310) 510-0455
Joe’s rents boats with gasoline outdrives you operate yourself. Each boat has a six-passenger limit. Smaller boat has 15hp engine, larger boat has 20hp engine.
WHALE WATCHING
Catalina Ocean Rafting
103 Pebbly Beach Road
(310) 510-9211
2 hours tours
The only whale watching tour leaving from Avalon
SWIMMING
Usually there is a gentle wave action on the beaches in Avalon and Descano Bays. There will be no large breakers as we experience in Santa Monica, Los Angeles or most California mainland Beaches, except during Santa Ana wind conditions. Therefore, there is no real surfing on the Avalon side of the Island. It is the ocean, however and there can be larger waves depending on the weather
Some swimmers use the bay for laps and snorkeling. Other people enjoy standing and playing in the water on our beaches. There is a dive platform you can swim to off Avalon Beach, during the summer months. There are Lifeguards on Avalon beaches, but not Descanso.
Guests in our home, can swim in our complex’ swimming pool, heated during the summer months and relax in the Jacuzzi, heated most week-ends and every day during the summer months.
SURFING
Surfing takes place on the west side of the island at Ben Weston Beach which is, unfortunately reachable only by means of a strenuous 3 ½ mile hike down to the campground. You’ll need to bring your own water. GPS coordinates are: Latitude: 33° 22.575′ N; Longitude: 118° 28.749′ W.
If you are in Avalon, Catalina Transportation will take up to seven passengers to a hillside close to the Beach, requiring a 5 to 10 minute walk down to the beach for $180.50 each way. Cell phone reception is poor so if you do this, pre-arrange for pick up at the end of your surfing . (310) 510-0342
KAYAKING
Kayaking the semi protected reactively calm waters of Avalon or Descanso Bay is great fun. You can also rent a standup paddleboard.. Our favorite Kayaking area is Descanso Beach and around the point beyond development to Turtle Rock.
Kayak Rental
Wet Spot Rentals
120 Pebbly Beach Road
(310) 510-2229
Descanso Beach Ocean Sports
5 St. Catherine Way at Descanso Beach
(310) 510-1226
UNDER THE WATER
SNORKELING
Lovers Cove Snorkeling
This is a protected marine area located just south of the Mole where the undersea garden tours boats bring sightseers. They won’t bother you.
Free. Bring your own or rental snorkeling gear. Walk down stone steps onto a narrow rocky stone beach.
Casino Point
Avalon has one of the few underwater city parks available for snorkeling and scuba diving. There is a sunken boat and an interesting rock ledge to explore underwater.
On the Beach
Of course, you can snorkel right off Avalon or Descanso Beaches, but the above areas are more interesting, with a wider variety of fish to be viewed.
Snorkeling Gear Rental
Wet Spot Rentals
120 Pebbly Beach Road
(310) 510-2229
Catalina Divers Supply
Green Pleasure Pier
(310) 510-0330
Snorkeling tours
Catalina Divers Supply
#7 Green Pleasure Pier
(800) 353-033
Operates a boat that will take you out of Avalon to snorkeling spots around the island. Bring your own gear or rent from them.
Catalina Ocean Rafting
103 Pebbly Beach Road
(310) 510-9211
Various snorkeling tour lengths and destinations around the island,
Snorkeling Catalina
SCUBA DIVING
Avalon has one of the few underwater city parks available for snorkeling and scuba diving. There is a sunken boat and an interesting rock ledge to explore underwater. Please don’t bring your tanks into our home.
Dive Catalina with Ron Moore
(310) 510-3175
107 Pebbly Beach Road
Diving Tours and instruction
Diving Catalina
(310) 510-8558
Diving tours and instruction
(310) 510-1226
FISHING
The history of Catalina Island in intertwined with major league fishing. You can book a fishing charter boat for world-class game fishing, or you can just trop a line off the end of a pier. You can also book a charter for sightseeing around the island.
Weather Channel Fishing Forecast:
LINK: https://weather.com/forecast/fishing/l/USCA0055:1:US
California fishing License one day $14.04 2 day: 21.86 1 year: $43.46 available
High Tide Traders 415 Crescent Avenue (310) 510-1612
Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon CA
No Fishing License Required.
Cabrillo Mole, Avalon CA
No fishing license required.
Fishing Tackel
Joe’s Boats
Green Pleasure Pier
(310) 510-0455
Has fishing gear for rental or purchase
High Tide Traders
415 Crescent Avenue (310) 510-1612
Has fishing gear for rental or purchase
FISHING CHARTER BOATS
There are many fishing charter boats listed in Southern California that claim Catalina Island fishing but most are not based on the island. They will not pick you up on the island. Here are Catalina Island based charters that pick you up right here on the island and bring you back home here.
Adams Fishing Charters
Avalon based 35-foot boat with full bathroom and facilities
(877) 934-3949
http://www.adamsfishingcharter.com/
Afishinado Charters and Tours:
205 Crescent Avenue
(888) 613-7770
http://www.afishinadoscharters.com/
This is an Avalon based charter company with several vessels to choose from at various price ranges, including a small boat holding 3 passengers available for 2 hours minimum.
Catalina Coastal Tours and Fishing LLC
Parasail ticket Office
105 Pebbly Beach Road
Avalon, CA 90704
(626) 290-2888
Parasailing, Fishing charter, Coastal tour of Catalina
Catalina Island Fishing Charters and Sightseeing
Captain Scotty Costa
(310) 844-5883
scottysportfishing@yahoo.com
Corsario Ocean Adventures
Green Pleasure Pier
(424) 738-0080
Ndemik Charters
(310) 405-1037
NdemikCharters@gmail.com
47’ Custom Jannace Sportfisher
2 bedrooms and full facilities
Live Bait available:
Avalon Seafood Restaurant
At the end of the Green Pleasure Pier
Live Bait Barge
Floating off Abalone Point