United States Port of call

Catalina Island

Avalon harbor views, island history, canyon plants.

Catalina cruise calls start with the tender to Avalon. Choose Crescent Avenue harbor views, the Catalina Museum for Art & History or selected Wrigley garden grounds. Protect the last return tender as well as your ship’s all-aboard deadline. Two Harbors, the backcountry, ocean activities and mainland ferry trips need separate arrangements.

Explore on your own Take a planned tour

Avalon waterfront and harbor on Catalina Island, photographed in 2021.Avalon Catalina photo Don Ramey Logan.jpg / Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Catalina Island at a glance

Walk from portConfirm landing and public paths Dock or tenderTender to shore Going fartherCheck both local connections CurrencyU.S. dollars Time ashoreCheck your ship’s all-aboard time

Option 1

Explore on your own

Choose a plan for the stops, food, walking and extra costs. Suggested plans are flexible; use your ship’s all-aboard time to set your return.

Hours and prices checked Oct 4, 2026.

Harbor views along Crescent Avenue

Avalon waterfront

Enjoy a selected public waterfront section in Avalon.

Total needs confirmation1 hr–2 hr at the stopsAdd getting there, back and time to spare.

Confirm both connections
Transport, entry and meals extra

Stops, in order

Avalon waterfront on the local map
Directions to Avalon waterfront (opens Google Maps)

Your avalon waterfront plan

A little structure, room to explore.

At the stops: 1 hr–2 hr
Getting there and back: Confirm locally
Time to spare: 1 hr

Confirm access, opening, entry where needed and both passenger connections.
Enjoy selected public Crescent Avenue paths and harbor views. Swimming, Casino tours, Descanso rentals and boats are outside this plan.
Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.

Time to allow: Not timed yet: some connections still need confirming.
Time at the stops: 1 hr–2 hr. Enjoy selected public Crescent Avenue paths and harbor views. Swimming, Casino tours, Descanso rentals and boats are outside this plan. Transfers, clearance, queues and tender operations are excluded.
Transport and waiting: Not yet included in a total. Confirm the tender landing, both local connections and last return boat. Tender travel, waiting, clearance and queues remain unverified.
Return reserve: Keep 1 hr spare before all-aboard, or before the last tender if that is earlier. Our suggestion, not a cruise-line rule; allow more if your ship asks.
If you get ashore late: Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.
Walking and access: Confirm the actual tender landing, crossings, current surfaces and the section suited to you. A pedestrian street does not establish a complete step-free tender-to-sight route.
Opening and entry: Check current public access and your last return tender. Beach use, swimming conditions and any rented equipment need separate checks.
Extra costs: Confirm connections, entry, programs, meals and purchases directly.

Set a return reminder

Port dayAll-aboard time (ship time)

Your phone uses its own clock; if it differs from ship time, set the reminder by ship time.

Hours and prices checked Oct 4, 2026.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Island history and available exhibitions

Catalina Museum for Art & History

Explore selected museum exhibitions at its Metropole Avenue location.

Total needs confirmation1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min at the stopsAdd getting there, back and time to spare.

Confirm both connections
Transport, entry and meals extra

Stops, in order

Catalina Museum for Art & History on the local map
Directions to Catalina Museum for Art & History (opens Google Maps)

Your catalina museum for art & history plan

A little structure, room to explore.

At the stops: 1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min
Getting there and back: Confirm locally
Time to spare: 1 hr

Confirm access, opening, entry where needed and both passenger connections.
Visit available general-admission exhibits. Booked programs, performances, Casino interiors and a full island history circuit are outside this plan.
Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.

Local tip

Check Monday against the season. The museum publishes Monday closures after Labor Day through May and a different summer schedule. Confirm your actual cruise date and holiday exceptions before planning around admission.

Time to allow: Not timed yet: some connections still need confirming.
Time at the stops: 1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min. Visit available general-admission exhibits. Booked programs, performances, Casino interiors and a full island history circuit are outside this plan. Transfers, clearance, queues and tender operations are excluded.
Transport and waiting: Not yet included in a total. Confirm the tender landing, both local connections and last return boat. Tender travel, waiting, clearance and queues remain unverified.
Return reserve: Keep 1 hr spare before all-aboard, or before the last tender if that is earlier. Our suggestion, not a cruise-line rule; allow more if your ship asks.
If you get ashore late: Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.
Walking and access: Ask the museum about the entrance, lifts and exhibits suited to your needs. Neither the full building access nor the complete route from the tender has been assessed here.
Opening and entry: The museum publishes seasonal Monday closures after Labor Day through May, plus holiday closures. Check your visit date and current exhibitions directly.
Extra costs: Confirm connections, entry, programs, meals and purchases directly.

Set a return reminder

Port dayAll-aboard time (ship time)

Your phone uses its own clock; if it differs from ship time, set the reminder by ship time.

Hours and prices checked Oct 4, 2026.

Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets

Wrigley Memorial and surrounding planting in Catalina Island’s botanic garden. — Wrigley Memorial and surrounding planting in Catalina Island’s botanic garden, photographed in 2010.Justin Ennis · CC BY 2.0 (cropped)

Native plants in Avalon Canyon

Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden

Choose a manageable section of the Conservancy’s garden.

Total needs confirmation1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min at the stopsAdd getting there, back and time to spare.

Confirm both connections
Transport, entry and meals extra

Stops, in order

Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden on the local map
Directions to Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden (opens Google Maps)

Your wrigley memorial & botanic garden plan

A little structure, room to explore.

At the stops: 1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min
Getting there and back: Confirm locally
Time to spare: 1 hr

Confirm access, opening, entry where needed and both passenger connections.
Explore selected garden grounds. Memorial upper-level access needs a separate check; hiking beyond the garden, backcountry tours and Airport in the Sky are outside this plan.
Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.

Local tip

The garden shuttle is conditional. The Conservancy lists a Trailhead Visitor Center-to-garden shuttle subject to staffing. Check both services directly; it does not run from your tender landing and is not a guaranteed return.

Time to allow: Not timed yet: some connections still need confirming.
Time at the stops: 1 hr 30 min–2 hr 30 min. Explore selected garden grounds. Memorial upper-level access needs a separate check; hiking beyond the garden, backcountry tours and Airport in the Sky are outside this plan. Transfers, clearance, queues and tender operations are excluded.
Transport and waiting: Not yet included in a total. Confirm the tender landing, both local connections and last return boat. Tender travel, waiting, clearance and queues remain unverified.
Return reserve: Keep 1 hr spare before all-aboard, or before the last tender if that is earlier. Our suggestion, not a cruise-line rule; allow more if your ship asks.
If you get ashore late: Shorten optional exhibits, browsing or a pause before the agreed return. Do not add a boat departure, booked program or regional outing.
Walking and access: Confirm garden paths, grades, Memorial steps and the areas suitable for you. A ride to the garden does not establish access to every garden or Memorial space.
Opening and entry: Confirm admission, current access and both canyon connections. The Conservancy’s Trailhead-to-garden shuttle depends on staff availability and is not a cruise-tender connection.
Extra costs: Confirm connections, entry, programs, meals and purchases directly.

Set a return reminder

Port dayAll-aboard time (ship time)

Your phone uses its own clock; if it differs from ship time, set the reminder by ship time.

Hours and prices checked Oct 4, 2026.

Catalina Island Conservancy: Wrigley garden, admission and conditional shuttle

Start with the time you actually have

Count from when you can get off the ship, or ashore by tender, to the all-aboard time, using ship time. Times on these plans are our estimates, with time to spare; they cannot promise a plan fits your sailing.

Short plans need up to 4 hours in total, medium up to 6, long more than 6. A plan with a connection still to confirm has no total.

Put your day on the map

Select a terminal or place to see its location and open directions.

Show on the map

Open Avalon waterfront in Google Maps

Choose a place for its location, then open Google Maps for directions. Confirm the terminal on your cruise documents; a map result does not establish your ship’s berth or an accessible route.

Local know-how

Worth knowing before you walk off

Checked Oct 4, 2026. Confirm fares and hours locally before paying.

City transport

Request the accessible vehicle explicitly

The City of Avalon lists accessible COAST shuttles requested through the app. Ask about the vehicle and pickup you need; local vehicle access does not establish tender access or immediate availability.

City of Avalon: COAST requests and accessible vehicles

Getting around

Start at the passenger exit

Love Catalina describes cruise ships anchoring outside Avalon and tenders landing at Cabrillo Mole. Confirm the landing and return queue for your sailing, mobility arrangements and last tender. Mainland ferries and Two Harbors are separate connections.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Local transport

Avalon’s COAST service offers on-demand rides within city limits, including accessible shuttles requested through the app. Confirm current pickup, availability, complete fare and both journeys; a request does not guarantee an immediate ride or a tender connection.

City of Avalon: COAST requests and accessible vehicles

Protect the return

Our suggestion: confirm the actual passenger deadline, both connections, waiting and clearance. Exact route distances and complete travel budgets remain unverified.

Make room for lunch

A break with separate checks

Our suggestion: confirm the chosen cafe, restaurant or stall’s current service, ingredients, payment and complete bill. Public waterfront access or museum opening does not establish meal availability. No current menu price or meal duration is researched here.

What costs extra?

Published information checked Oct 4, 2026. Confirm current prices before paying.

Connections

Check both journeys

Confirm pickup, outward and return travel, waiting and the actual passenger entrance. No complete current transfer price is established.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Entry and food

Check each purchase

Confirm admission, programs, meals and purchases directly. No whole-day price is established.

Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets

Option 2

Take a planned tour

Prefer an organized outing in Catalina Island? Browse tours with Viator, then check the exact meeting point, departure, inclusions and cancellation terms before booking.

Tour duration is only part of your time ashore. Allow for getting to the meeting point, early check-in, any transfers outside the tour and your return reserve. Confirm the ship’s clock, all-aboard time and any earlier last tender. These results have not been checked against your sailing.

Search up to one year ahead. Schedules are indicative; confirm available departure times and your group’s final price on Viator.

We may earn a commission when you book through these links. How we are paid.

Port details

Can I walk from the ship?

Exact landing-to-sight routes, distances and complete step-free connections remain unverified. Confirm your actual passenger exit, crossings, surfaces and both journeys locally.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets City of Avalon: COAST requests and accessible vehicles

Museum choice: Catalina Museum for Art & History. Explore selected museum exhibitions at its Metropole Avenue location.Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets

Use your actual terminal. Any quoted walk starts at the location named, not automatically at the gangway. Allow for port access, weather and your walking pace.

First steps ashore

Confirm the passenger landing and return

Your ship confirms the arrival pier and any tender arrangements for your sailing.

Catalina Island terminals, checked Oct 4, 2026
Arrival area	Published role	Planning detail
Avalon cruise tender landing	Cabrillo Mole is identified by the tourism authority; verify your sailing	Love Catalina describes cruise ships anchoring outside Avalon and tenders landing at Cabrillo Mole. Confirm the landing and return queue for your sailing, mobility arrangements and last tender. Mainland ferries and Two Harbors are separate connections.Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Before you go ashore

How long is the ship in port, and when is all-aboard?

Port hours vary by ship and date in Catalina Island. Check your sailing itinerary for scheduled arrival and departure, then the onboard app or daily notice for all-aboard, ship time and any last-tender deadline. Subtract clearance, both transfers and a return buffer before choosing an outing. Scheduled arrival is not your guaranteed time ashore.

Can I explore independently?

Our suggestion: choose one local focus, confirm opening and both connections, and protect the last tender and ship’s deadline.

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access UK FCDO: USA weather, belongings and local precautions

What should I take ashore?

Take your ship card or wearable, the identification specified in the ship’s port briefing, any tour ticket and a way to pay. Save your terminal name, return deadline and ship’s emergency contact offline. Ask whether your original passport is required for this visit; do not assume a phone photo replaces required identification. U.S. dollars (USD). Confirm currency, payment methods and the complete bill directly. No exchange rate, dollar-acceptance promise or whole-day budget is established.

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

Royal Caribbean: shore-excursion documents and planning Carnival: identification when reboarding U.S. Department of State: cruise travel planning Federal Reserve: US currency denominations

How do I get off and back on the ship?

Wait for the ship’s announcement that passengers may go ashore. Follow its gangway, shuttle or tender instructions and any ticketing order. Keep your ship identification ready when leaving and returning. Allow for terminal access checks, queues and security screening before reboarding; tender passengers also need to meet the last return boat.

Sources checked Sep 24, 2026

Carnival: identification when reboarding Royal Caribbean Group: boarding and port-call screening

What should I know about safety around the port?

UK FCDO USA guidance advises protecting belongings and following local and weather warnings. Confirm sea conditions and your line’s tender instructions; no blanket passenger-route safety assessment is established.

Sources checked Sep 24, 2026

UK FCDO: USA weather, belongings and local precautions

Currency and payments

U.S. dollars. Confirm currency, payment methods and the complete bill directly. No exchange rate, dollar-acceptance promise or whole-day budget is established.

Currency checked Oct 4, 2026

Federal Reserve: US currency denominations

More details for Catalina Island

Another local choice: Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden

Choose a manageable section of the Conservancy’s garden.

Catalina Island Conservancy: Wrigley garden, admission and conditional shuttle

Three local choices

Avalon waterfront

Enjoy a selected public waterfront section in Avalon.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Catalina Museum for Art & History

Explore selected museum exhibitions at its Metropole Avenue location.

Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets

Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden

Choose a manageable section of the Conservancy’s garden.

Catalina Island Conservancy: Wrigley garden, admission and conditional shuttle

Keep other outings separate

A different complete outing

Our suggestion: assess boat departures, check-in, weather, stops and full return for Two Harbors, water activities and mainland ferries. Backcountry access is restricted; use the appropriate permission or authorized operator.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Conditions and belongings

UK FCDO: USA weather, belongings and local precautions

Around Catalina Island

The port, beaches and places to explore

Voyages that call here

30 itineraries in the catalog

3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego3 nights · Disney Wonder
3-Night Ensenada Getaway3 nights · Navigator of the Seas
4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Baja Cruise from San Diego4 nights · Disney Wonder
4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Baja Cruise from San Diego4 nights · Disney Wonder
4-Night Catalina & Ensenada4 nights · Serenade of the Seas
4-Night Baja Mexico4 nights · Carnival Firenze
4-Night Catalina & Ensenada Getaway4 nights · Navigator of the Seas
4-Night Baja Mexico4 nights · Carnival Radiance
4 Night Catalina & Ensenada Cruise4 nights · Serenade of the Seas
4-Night Catalina & Ensenada4 nights · Ovation of the Seas
4-Night Catalina & Ensenada4 nights · Voyager of the Seas
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego4 nights · Disney Wonder
4-Night Catalina & Ensenada Getaway4 nights · Ovation of the Seas
5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Baja Cruise from San Diego5 nights · Disney Magic
5-Night Catalina & Ensenada5 nights · Voyager of the Seas
5-Night Baja Mexico5 nights · Carnival Luminosa
Baja Mexico Halloween Cruise5 nights · Brilliant Lady
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego5 nights · Disney Magic
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego5 nights · Disney Wonder
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego5 nights · Disney Wonder
5-Night Very Merrytime Baja Cruise from San Diego5 nights · Disney Wonder
6-Night Cabo Overnight & Catalina6 nights · Voyager of the Seas
7-Day Classic California Coast7 nights · Koningsdam
7-Day Wine Country & Pacific Northwest7 nights · Zaandam
7-Night Cabo Overnight, Catalina & Ensenada7 nights · Ovation of the Seas
7-Night Cabo Overnight, Catalina & Ensenada7 nights · Serenade of the Seas
8-Night Cabo Overnight, Mazatlan & Catalina8 nights · Voyager of the Seas
8n Cabo, Mazatlan, Vallarta & Catalina8 nights · Voyager of the Seas
Pacific Coastal: Vancouver to LA8 nights · Brilliant Lady
8-Night Cabo Catalina & Ensenada Holiday8 nights · Ovation of the Seas

Catalina Island cruise port FAQs

Can I walk from the cruise port into Catalina Island?

Exact landing-to-sight routes, distances and complete step-free connections remain unverified. Confirm your actual passenger exit, crossings, surfaces and both journeys locally.

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

Do cruise ships dock or tender in Catalina Island?

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

What is a beach or sightseeing option from Catalina Island cruise port?

Museum choice: Catalina Museum for Art & History. Explore selected museum exhibitions at its Metropole Avenue location.

Catalina Museum for Art & History: location and getting here Catalina Museum for Art & History: seasonal opening and tickets

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

Can I explore Catalina Island without a ship excursion?

Our suggestion: choose one local focus, confirm opening and both connections, and protect the last tender and ship’s deadline.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access UK FCDO: USA weather, belongings and local precautions

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

How do I get around during a Catalina Island port stop?

Start at the passenger exit. Love Catalina describes cruise ships anchoring outside Avalon and tenders landing at Cabrillo Mole. Confirm the landing and return queue for your sailing, mobility arrangements and last tender. Mainland ferries and Two Harbors are separate connections. Local transport. Avalon’s COAST service offers on-demand rides within city limits, including accessible shuttles requested through the app. Confirm current pickup, availability, complete fare and both journeys; a request does not guarantee an immediate ride or a tender connection.

Love Catalina tourism authority: cruise tenders, Avalon and island access City of Avalon: COAST requests and accessible vehicles

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

What should I bring ashore in Catalina Island?

Royal Caribbean: shore-excursion documents and planning Carnival: identification when reboarding U.S. Department of State: cruise travel planning Federal Reserve: US currency denominations

Sources checked Oct 4, 2026

What is the all-aboard time in Catalina Island?

What safety advice should I check for Catalina Island?

UK FCDO: USA weather, belongings and local precautions

Sources checked Sep 24, 2026

Sources and updates

Local guide checked Oct 4, 2026. New practical guidance carries its own source dates. Published prices, hours and terminal use can change. Our outing suggestions are editorial advice, not cruise-line schedules or return guarantees. Cruise-line links illustrate their own policies; your line’s instructions govern your sailing.