Getting ashore
Ships do not dock at Santa Catalina Island. They anchor at sea near Avalon, the island’s only town, and passengers are carried to Green Pleasure Pier by the ship’s tender boats, according to CruiseMapper. The sources read do not describe boarding arrangements, ramps or waiting times for the tender, or the pier’s facilities, so ask the cruise line before booking and allow time for the return trip. CruiseMapper’s port page is titled Santa Catalina Island CA, but one of its pages carries a New York port address, so check the ship’s notice for the exact pier name. The schedule snapshot, dated 19 October 2026, lists calls from 2 to 28 October 2026 by Disney Magic, Carnival Firenze, Voyager of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, ms Koningsdam, Brilliant Lady and Carnival Radiance. Ships typically arrive at 07:00 or 08:00 and depart at 17:00 or 18:00. The schedule is time-sensitive.
For walkers and architecture fans
Avalon is the island’s only town, with about 4,000 permanent residents, and it became a city in 1913. Walking is the main way to get around Avalon, and golf carts are common and can be rented. The sources read do not give the walking distance from Green Pleasure Pier to the town centre. The Casino building is in town, and Discovery Tours in Avalon runs Avalon Scenic and Casino tours alongside its boat rides. The Catalina tourism site links to a separate page on getting to and around the island, which is worth checking for current tender or transport information.
For nature and outdoor fans
Casino Point, next to the Casino building, is the main dive site from Avalon, with concrete entry steps. It is a protected area, and removing anything is barred. Lovers’ Cove, south of the ferry terminal, is a snorkelling option, and diving there needs a harbourmaster’s permit. Discovery Tours runs glass-bottom boat and semi-submarine rides. Interior tours visit the island’s bison herd, brought over for a 1920s film. The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour costs $109 and takes about 2 hours. Mt Orizaba, the island’s highest point, rises 639 m, and the island is part of the Channel Islands. Dive boat day trips typically cost $110 to $150, including breakfast, lunch and three dives with air fills (undated). Island campgrounds cost $16 to $50 and need a reservation and a permit.
For eaters and drinkers
Avalon has several places to eat, according to the island’s official tourism site. Descanso Beach Club serves snacks and classic cocktails just past the Catalina Casino. Avalon Grille offers California coastal cuisine, a few steps from Avalon Bay. Bistro at the Atwater is a spot for morning coffee, lattes and pastries. Pier 24 is the newest waterfront restaurant, with no opening date given, and Flx Biergarten is described as the island’s first and only biergarten. The sources give no opening hours for these places, and the tourism site does not describe shopping in Avalon, so shops are not covered here.
Getting around and money
Bikes, including electric bikes, mountain bikes, beach cruisers and tandems, are rented at Brown’s Bikes at 107 Pebbly Beach Road, and bringing your own bike costs an extra fee. Island Express helicopters land at Pebbly Beach, about a mile outside town. The sources read do not give shuttle or taxi fares from the pier. The Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach runs limited service in December, January and February, and reservations are required. Its fares are $70 for adults and $53 for children aged 3 to 12, undated. The Catalina Classic Cruises boat from San Pedro quotes $70 for adults. Mainland ferries are for passengers who travel independently and are separate from ship calls, so check the operator’s current prices before booking. The official tourism site does not say which payment methods are accepted, so carry cash and small US dollar notes. The sources read do not cover mobile signal or Wi-Fi. The official tourism site lists winter offers with no end date given, including midweek boat and hotel packages.
Accessibility & mobility
The sources do not describe step-free routes from the tender or along Avalon's streets. Walking is the main way round the town, and golf carts are common, so ask the cruise line about tender boarding and about any golf-cart or accessible transfers from the pier.