There are two main places to snorkel on Catalina, here, and Casino Point…read more Lover's Cove is a lot calmer and peaceful compared to Casino Point. The first time we came to Catalina, we came to Lover's Cove per brother's recommendation who had lived on Catalina for a summer. We really enjoyed our time! It was the end of October, and the water was surprisingly on the warmer side (though still cold after being in it for awhile...), and we even saw a sea turtle! I guess that is fairly uncommon.. my brother said the waters must have been especially warmer that year. There are a lot of fish here, lovely orange Garibaldi, and some other guys! You don't have to swim too far out to see them, which is nice for me because I don't really like swimming. I know how to swim, but once it starts to get deep (there's a part that kind of drops off), I start to get nervous. It's right in this area where you can see the fish, so I swim around, see the fish, and then swim back to where I can put my feet down and feel solid ground again. The second time we came back to Catalina for hubby's bday, in June. We wanted to see the second snorkeling spot. Casino Point is crazy (to me) .. it's just behind the Casino, there's asphalt, and then a bunch of stairs. I literally set up my beach chair on the asphalt, and watched my husband descend the stairs, and there were a bunch of snorkelers who looked seasoned, and people in actual dive gear. The ocean this time (end of June) was very choppy and freezing cold as well. The stairs were all wet from the waves crashing against it. I was afraid my hubby would get swept away! He claims to have been fine, but it's certainly not for the faint-hearted. He said it was pretty awesome, in that you're pretty much right there, with all the fish, almost instantly. I was not confident enough to get into the water here, plus, freezing cold okay? So we head back to Lover's Cove. I get enough guts to gradually acclimate to the freezing (to me) cold water, and plunge my head under to see the fish. Yay, fish! And then after doing that a couple more times, the fish to cold ratio started to balance out and I was starting to get really cold.. so we got out. It is indeed rocky (though they are round rocks), so bring water shoes if you have them or plan to get a deep tissue massage! We set out our chairs which we borrowed from our hotel on the rocks, so that was nice to have a place to sit versus last time when we put the towel on the rocks and could feel the rocks through the towel. Really love how this place is easy access to nature's lovely creatures, even for a rather out of shape person like me who does not enjoy swimming!

Spent an hour snorkeling here on a cloudy day (water was warm low 70s early September due to recent…read moreEl Nino). Water was clear, LOTS of fish, and uncrowded. The current and waves may get a tiny bit strong near the rocky shore but nothing dangerous. Do need to be aware of the boats like the yellow submarine that traverses the cove, and stay away. There are kelp beds but well below the surface.

This was such a fun experience, and the entire staff was SO nice! I definitely recommend it, even…read moreif you're a beginner like me. They send out a lot of information beforehand, so make sure you read everything carefully so you know what to expect. You also have to put all your belongings in a locker, which was very secure. You take a bus up to the starting area, and I actually really enjoyed that part because we got to see more of the island's nature and learn some of its history along the way. Both of our instructors were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. They helped anyone who needed it and kept hyping everyone up throughout the entire experience. I was absolutely terrified at first because I'm a beginner, but they made me feel comfortable, and by the end, I was having SO much fun! The only thing I'd mention is that I was a little sore afterward from the harness, but that's to be expected. Overall, this was absolutely worth the money!

My birthday experience at Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour was absolutely humiliating and heartbreaking…read more What was supposed to be a bucket-list surprise turned into an experience that left me in tears. A blonde female instructor repeatedly flirted with my boyfriend in front of me, then mocked and belittled me when I became visibly uncomfortable. Other off-duty employees in our group gave us dirty looks and contributed to the unwelcoming atmosphere. When I became upset, staff made sarcastic remarks instead of showing basic professionalism or compassion. As a first-time guest celebrating my birthday, I expected a welcoming and memorable experience, not public humiliation. Management seriously needs to investigate this staff's behavior and hold those responsible accountable. No paying guest should be treated this way, especially during a special occasion.

Hummer Tour Review If you only see Avalon, you've only…read moreexperienced one chapter of Catalina. I think Catalina is one of those places where many visitors never venture beyond Avalon and the beaches. This tour completely broadened my perspective. Our guide, Christian, made the experience exceptional. I love when someone's personal experience complements their professional expertise. He lived off the grid in Hawaii for nearly a decade, and it showed. His knowledge of the terrain, wildlife, plants, and even how to read the landscape came from years of living it, not just memorizing facts. Experience is the best tour guide, and Christian has a lifetime of it. As a hiking enthusiast, the mountains were calling my name. Exploring Catalina's rugged backcountry was the highlight of my visit. My teenager was fascinated to discover the island is so much more than beaches, and my mom found the peacefulness that only nature can provide. Three generations experienced the same tour in completely different ways, and each of us walked away impressed. The 2 1/2-hour tour takes place in an open-air Hummer-style vehicle that seats about nine people. We never got out during the tour, but honestly, I never felt like I was missing anything. The off-roading was exciting, and the time flew by because Christian kept us engaged from beginning to end. We learned so much, not only about the island's wildlife and landscape, but also about the people who have shaped Catalina's history. And that no so good takeover. I won't spoil the stories because discovering them yourself is part of what makes this tour so memorable. Booking was incredibly easy. Reservations were completed online, payment was seamless with a credit card, and when you arrive you'll simply check in and sign a waiver before heading out. The tour starts with a digital reservation but ends with memories that can't be captured on a screen. TIPS: I wouldn't wear white because of the dust. I recommend closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. In July 2026, it was about 75 degrees. The moving vehicle creates plenty of airflow, so a light layer is optional but not necessary. For families, I think children who are naturally curious, enjoy wildlife, and like learning will have a wonderful time. Because it's a small group, it's best suited for kids who enjoy listening, asking questions, and exploring. We saw plentiful bison, horses, and even a dwarf mule. The only thing I didn't get to see was the Airport in the Sky, which had been on my wish list, because our group chose to spend more time exploring the backcountry and searching for wildlife. I have no regrets. The views are so spectacular that words become inefficient. Some places simply have to be experienced. This is one of those tours that might sound ordinary when you read the description, but it's anything but. If you only see Avalon, you've only experienced one chapter of the island. The wild heart of Catalina is waiting just beyond the pavement, and this tour is the best way to discover. BTW, the conservancy offers guided hiking tours and backpacking tours. In October you can have the chance to hike the Trans Catalina Trail 35 miles. Are you in?

My wife and I visited this place when we were on a cruise in May. We stopped in on our way back to…read morethe tender. There are many informative books and maps. They also have a lot of merchandise for sale. Some of the proceeds help support the conservancy and other parks. My wife liked a book on bison that she saw. Unfortunately we didn't purchase it and later she regretted doing so. I contacted the conservancy and spoke to Yesi. She was very nice and helped me to purchase and mail the book to our address. My wife was very surprised and happy to receive it. Yesi took ownership of the purchase and followed through to make it happen. If you are on a cruise or just taking the ferry over to the island, stop by the Catalina Conservancy. It's only a couple of blocks from the docks where the tenders are. Not only is it a worthy cause to support, but they have some great information and merchandise. You won't be disappointed.

I decided to jet ski for the first time ever for my birthday, I loved the experience! My bf and I…read morehad an amazing time and the process was seamless. The guys were very friendly and informative. The 1 hour was definitely enough time to take turns, so don't worry about needing extra time. The water was choppy that day but I am happy to report we did not fall over! I was impressed as this was our first time ever riding jet skis and it was a fun and worthwhile experience. I would definitely recommend this company.

So this place isn't found on the web as easily as "Parasailing Catalina" or "Snorkeling…read moreCatalina"...but it is right next to them on the same 'main street'. You can't miss them, they have a counter pulled out to the boardwalk and you rent JET SKIS from them. I have never had so much fun before! We road together for an hour. It was $120. The hour was enough time for both of us to take turns. I loved doing donuts and also going full throttle then hitting a wave...getting splashed in the face and letting go of the throttle, which is equivalent to slamming on your breaks. This nearly bucked us off the darn thing. Jet Skiing is pretty rad. The guy was really cool. I love speed! BONUS: While going away from shore we saw a WHOLE SCHOOL of dolphins, swimming and playing. It was surreal...

A really fun 18 hole miniature golf course right in the heart of Avalon. It's the only miniature…read moregolf course in town, but even if there were others, this one would still be worth visiting. It's laid out pretty well, is all outdoors but has a lot of tree cover and is fairly close to the ocean which is certainly not common for the usual mini courses. It's $15 for adults and the staff member at the window was very polite. We were playing as two adults who were just looking for a way to kill time during our three day visit to Catalina and honestly had a great time. I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting the island and I would play again in the future because the course was pretty well maintained aside from some debris around. Give it a try!

Nice little mini golf course here at Avalon, Catalina Island. No student discount, only…read moremilitary/senior citizens. We completed the course in about an hour. Only 1 course, so be patient to let the people in front of you finish. Not bad for $15 per person!

Best e-bike rentals ever! The two woman working were super kind and held great conversations!…read more Genuine hearts!! Did the 2 hour ebike ride and they gave us a route we could go. It lasted 1 hour 50 minutes and had amazing views!! Highly highly recommend!!

Our cruise stopped in Catalina for the day and our group booked jet skis in advance online. Upon…read morearrival to the jet ski office the staff had us sign waivers (for those who don't do it online) and then shuttled us to a barge a few minutes away from the pier where the Sea Doos were located. After a safety talk and do's and don'ts we were on our way! We all had a fantastic time, although my son's jet ski died on him and he and his friend had to get towed back. They gave us extra time because of this which was nice. A must do if you're in Catalina!

Want to escape the cruise ship food? It's at the far end of the port. Inside, you'll find an…read morearcade, and right next to it, FOOD! The prices are pretty good. The food was great, even though the service could have been better. Our order took a while to arrive, especially since we were the first ones to order. My favorite was the fried green bean. The batter was perfect. It's a great spot to grab a bite.

May 23, 2025 | Avalon Catalina Island | After attending the Kendrick Lamar concert, a few short…read morehours later, I boarded a ferry to Catalina Island! Three Palms Avalon Arcade was fun, especially at night when the games really stand out & glow! It was even more fun playing games against a great friend! Hahaha! Game Card: We paid a certain amount of our choice so that we could enjoy playing several games! We also won tickets from being good at several games; I was able to pick a cute prize when I turned in my tickets! Fun! Games: There are a variety of games, including: Shooting basketballs through hoops, Skee Ball, Space Invaders, a mini bowling alley & more! I enjoyed the driving game the most, which is called Crusin' Blast... so much fun!! I can always appreciate an arcade, the thrill and excitement of it all! Hahaha! Overall: It's a fun arcade! Also, Since many places close quite early on Catalina Island Avalon, it's a fun place to go!

Machine Gun Park on Catalina Island in Avalon honors machine guns from World War II. I find it odd…read moreto utilize weapons of war as a City Park, which is why I can only offer 3 YELP STARS here. This park is located behind a golf cart rental and as I was riding my rental bike around the island, I came across Machine Gun Park. It is kind of built up on a hill but there is the standard park features such as picnic tables and a playground for the kiddies. There is also a replica of a machine gun placed around the perimeter front entrance. This weapon is a captured German machine gun that was presented to the city of Avalon by the Catalina Island Post 137 of the American Legion. This patch of green grass is called "City Park" in Avalon but is also colloquially referred to as "Machine Gun Park. " Apparently. the history of this island does include quite a bit of war craft, especially during WW II. A story on KCET.org mentioned the intrigue. "Catalina Island nimbly reinvented itself as a training camp for spies, commandos, merchant marines, Coast Guard recruits, and other uniformed service members. Vacant hotels became barracks. Empty marinas, yacht clubs, and even the Chicago Cubs' spring training ballpark were transformed into simulated wa rzones. Engineered by the Wrigley family, which controlled much of the island, the tactic saved Catalina from economic disaster." When my daughter was younger, my ex and I used to take her to play in this park, when we visited Catalina Island. So it has many fond memories for me.

Gail P. Is a whiney ass bitch, give it 5 stars who cares if its a weapon of war, its badass ya…read morelibtard

Highly recommend the tour to Frog Rock. Dario was an amazing tour guide and truly patient and…read moreinformative with all of our questions. This place knows their stuff and Dario is an incredible asset to this team.

Solid crew and a great experience all around. We rented…read morekayaks here during the off-season, which we really appreciated -- not every place stays open, and the water was absolutely beautiful. The team was chill in the best possible way: efficient, relaxed, and clearly experienced. They got us in the water quickly, gave clear instructions, and were right there when we returned. No stress, just a smooth, well-run operation that lets you enjoy Catalina the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

SO MUCH FUN! I think this was the only thing we did in Catalina that was worth the price. The black…read morediamond was very challenging. PRO TIP: don't use your arms to hold yourself up so much. Find you center of gravity and put the weight in your feet NOTE: I dropped my phone all the way to the ground but the guide was able to get it and the ground is nice and cushioned so it didn't get cracked or anything.

This place is SO FUN & cool! It's such a good price for what you get!…read more It's total 90 min & that includes the training beforehand but if you're on a course after the timers up, you can still finish it. We started off with the beginner course and then went to intermediate level 2. There's an easier intermediate level and the hardest one called Black Diamond. It's so much fun, a great workout, & very rewarding because of the mental challenges when you face your fears. I recommend a lot & can't wait to come again to try the hardest level. The guides are VERY helpful in guiding how to do the obstacle if you're struggling. It's difficult but doable & will be a great memory.