A one-day trip to Catalina Island is undoubtedly sufficient to explore the magic this destination has. This Island is one of the hidden gems in California that people haven’t discovered a lot yet.

With beautiful natural scenery and historical references, you would definitely be hard-pressed to find another similar island off the SoCal coast as awe-inspiring as this majestic Island. And believe me, once you visit this spot, there’s no way back!

Are you planning to spend one day in Cataline Island soon? You’re at the right place! Today, we’ve gathered some useful insights on making your tour perfect and memorable with top-notch activities.

Just grab your cup of coffee and get ready for this adventurous journey!

Get Ready To Enjoy Thrill At Its Best By Doing These Activities!

While the idea of enjoying one day in such a heavenly place like Catalina may not sound like a very long time, the best part is that it’s actually the ideal time to discover this small and popular Island.

Must try out the following things whenever you visit this spot:

Take a Tour Of Glass-Bottom Boat

Just hop aboard the boat from Avalon Bay & view the amazing marine life surrounding this Island. Plus, the glass-bottomed boats serve as an incredible portal to the enchanting underwater world when you go to the Cove Marine Preserve.

There, you can explore colorful fish like Garibaldi, the orange state bright fish. Not only this, but California is also famous for rockfish swimming in clear waters. And yes, you can also keep an eye on marine fauna and flora, and other sea life, such as bat rays and urchins, with the help of your onboard guide.

Walk Around Downtown

Filled with shopping boutiques, fun nightlife, and delicious restaurants, Catalina’s downtown is the ideal way to unwind & spend your day.

Whether you would like to relish a seaside cocktail or you are in the mood to do lots of shopping, you must not miss out on walking and hanging out around downtown.

While you can conveniently get through this town within just 30 minutes, it’s perfect as it leaves remaining time for the rest of the thrilling activities to do during your one-day trip.

Browse the Shops

The scenic waterfall of Avalon has a plethora of shops and boutiques that sell everything from purses, clothes, and shoes to decent gifts at reasonable costs. Browse ceramics, candy, candles, books, swimsuits, gourmet foods, jewelry, and much more.

But wait—there’s more! You can also buy some delicious saltwater taffy and local artwork to take your enjoyment to the next level as you wander the lanes of palm trees. Some highlights at this spot involve Buoys & Gulls, Two’s Company, and Pottery & Tile Co.

Kayak Through the Island Waters

Another great thing you can do on Cataline Island is kayaking through the crystal-clear waters. Yes, that’s right! Tourists can simply rent the kayak for some hours and explore water life for a fun-packed day at the seaside.

All in all, kayaking is the best way to discover the Island’s beauty because you get a chance to spend a lot of time with many fish species swimming around you. Plus, it will be really convenient for you in the clear waters to spot all the different fish types on the Island.

Snorkeling & Diving

And how can we forget to mention diving and snorkeling? Your Catalina Island day trip or overnight cannot be completed without exploring underwater forests of kelp in the blue waters. Whether you own a gear or have to rent something on this place, it’s worth doing scuba diving and snorkeling on this Island.

With an abundance of marine life, it is an extremely famous spot for free divers, scuba divers, and snorkelers alike. Casino Point Dive Park and Lover’s Cove Preserve will really fascinate you with giant kelp, angel sharks, kelp bass, and more.

Visit the Catalina Museum

If you’re in this beautiful destination and interested in Arts, then you shouldn’t miss out on visiting the Museum For Art and History in Catalina. From rotating exhibits to rare photographs, this place is the best way to have a great time in bliss.

Moreover, this is the only organization that highly focuses on the century-long Island’s history. This means that you can get a chance to see its history along with the constantly changing array of exhibits.

Bison Expedition

A little bison herd was brought to Catalina Island for a movie in the 1920s. Even when the film was completed, this bison incredibly stayed in this place, and around 120 wild bison roam around the entire Island now.

So, when you go there, a bison expedition is one of the perfect things you can do for ultimate fun. Apart from bison, you can have sight of fabulous coastal views and may even see the foxes that wander on this Island. Using an eco-friendly vehicle would be a good idea for the maximum bison expedition.

Enjoy the Good Food

You will be amazed to know that Santa Cataline Island is famous for its quality seafood restaurants. There are plenty of options to try there. You can stop for a cup of coffee at the Coffee & Cookie; some sweet treats and vegetarian options are also offered in this small spot.

Enjoying good food within the range of your Catalina Island one-day trip cost will be very feasible on this Island.

Conclusion

So, is a day trip to Catalina Island worth it?

Well, absolutely, yes! With the most convenient and fascinating location on an hour boat ride from the California coast in the South, this Island has been a very famous day tour from Los Angeles for many generations.

All day, trippers or travelers can smoothly plan an excursion brimming with thrilling activities or simply discover the charming seaside of Avalon.

So, why are you still confused? A perfect adventure of one day in Catalina Island is waiting for you!