Twenty-six miles off the Southern California coast, Avalon charms cruise visitors with turquoise waters, a beloved Art Deco ballroom, and resident bison roaming the island's rugged interior. Everything worth seeing is steps from the tender pier.
All cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the Green Pleasure Pier in the heart of Avalon.
💡 Pro move: No passport required — Catalina Island is U.S. territory. Leave it safely onboard.
There is no cruise pier at Catalina Island; all ships anchor in Avalon Bay and tender passengers ashore.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Princess) | Avalon Bay anchorage → Green Pleasure Pier tender📍 | Tendered |
| Disney Cruise Line | Avalon Bay — preferential anchorage allocation on peak-season days📍 | Tendered |
Whether you want to slip under the surface, race a zip-line over Descanso Canyon, or simply wander the Art Deco waterfront, Catalina packs a full day into a small island.
Peer into Avalon's kelp forests and Lover's Cove Marine Preserve without getting wet. You'll spot garibaldi, sheephead, and sea lions gliding past the hull.
Find glass-bottom boat tours →Five zip-lines fly you over Descanso Canyon at up to 45 mph with sweeping views of the harbor and Pacific. One of the most popular active excursions on the island.
Find zip-line tours →The 1929 Art Deco landmark was never a gambling house — 'casino' is Italian for 'little house' and here signifies a place of entertainment and gathering. The guided tour covers the grand ballroom, silent-film-era theater, and island history museum inside.
Find Casino tours →Venture beyond Avalon into Catalina's rugged backcountry to spot the island's famous bison herd, golden eagles, island foxes, and endemic plant species with a naturalist guide.
Find Jeep eco-tours →Avalon's Casino Point is an official underwater park with exceptional visibility. Rent gear dockside and snorkel among kelp, garibaldi, and the remnants of sunken vessels in calm, protected water.
Find snorkel gear rentals →A 37-acre garden honoring chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. showcases plants found only on Catalina Island. A short uphill walk or golf-cart ride from town rewards with panoramic harbor views.
Find botanic garden tours →Avalon is an easy walking town; most highlights are reachable on foot in under 20 minutes from the tender pier.
Walk Crescent Avenue from Green Pleasure Pier west to the Catalina Casino, passing boutique shops, the Catalina Island Museum, Descanso Beach Club entrance, and sea-lion haul-outs on the rocks.
Head up Avalon Canyon Road from town to pick up this trail past the campground. You get sweeping views over Avalon Harbor and the Pacific, and a good chance of seeing island foxes in the brush.
Climate normals for Catalina Island, California, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62°F / 17°C | 54°F / 12°C | 5 | 6:57 AM | 5:08 PM |
| Feb | 61°F / 16°C | 54°F / 12°C | 4 | 6:36 AM | 5:38 PM |
| Mar | 62°F / 17°C | 55°F / 13°C | 5 | 7:03 AM | 7:01 PM |
| Apr | 64°F / 18°C | 57°F / 14°C | 2 | 6:22 AM | 7:24 PM |
| May | 64°F / 18°C | 58°F / 14°C | 2 | 5:53 AM | 7:46 PM |
| Jun | 67°F / 19°C | 61°F / 16°C | 1 | 5:43 AM | 8:04 PM |
| Jul | 71°F / 22°C | 65°F / 18°C | 0 | 5:55 AM | 8:03 PM |
| Aug | 73°F / 23°C | 66°F / 19°C | 1 | 6:16 AM | 7:38 PM |
| Sep | 73°F / 23°C | 66°F / 19°C | 1 | 6:37 AM | 6:58 PM |
| Oct | 72°F / 22°C | 64°F / 18°C | 1 | 6:58 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Nov | 67°F / 19°C | 59°F / 15°C | 2 | 6:25 AM | 4:50 PM |
| Dec | 63°F / 17°C | 55°F / 13°C | 6 | 6:50 AM | 4:47 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Avalon is very compact and walkable. Most attractions, shops, and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the Cabrillo Mole pier.
Avalon Taxi Service meets every boat at the terminal with 7-passenger vans. A $3 road maintenance fee and fuel surcharge apply; extra bags $1/each.
City of Avalon's on-demand point-to-point transit within city limits. Book via the Ride Circuit app; replaced the old fixed-route bus in 2024.
Golf carts are iconic on Catalina and a popular way to explore Avalon. Multiple rental companies operate near the waterfront.
Several bike rental shops are located near the pier, offering a fun and easy way to get around Avalon's flat waterfront area.
Upcoming cruises that call at Catalina Island, California, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.