Catalina Island cruise ships anchor out in Avalon Bay and tender you ashore in a few minutes, landing right by Avalon’s shops, restaurants and beaches. There’s no hire car in sight, so golf carts, taxis and your own feet get you round town, while the Casino, Lover’s Cove and the Wrigley Memorial fill your hours ashore.
Catalina Island cruise port: anchoring in Avalon Bay and the tender ride ashore
Catalina Island cruise ships tender you into the same stretch of Avalon’s waterfront, whether your ship’s paperwork calls it the Green Pleasure Pier, the Cabrillo Mole or Avalon Landing. It’s all the same spot in the centre of town, so don’t let the different names throw you.
On a calm day the crossing feels like any short boat ride. On a rough one it gets bumpy, and every so often the whole call gets cancelled because the swell makes tendering too risky.
The ride isn’t what costs you time, the queue for a tender ticket is. Lines build fast once the ship starts calling numbers, so grabbing an early ticket or booking a shore excursion (which usually comes with priority tendering) is the easiest way to protect your morning.
Once you count the trip both ways, you’re looking at roughly five to seven usable hours in Avalon, not the full port window printed on the daily programme.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Where ships anchor | Avalon Bay, offshore from the town centre |
| Tender landing | Green Pleasure Pier / Cabrillo Mole (same waterfront spot) |
| Walk to the town centre | Immediate; shops and beaches are right at the landing |
| Tender ride time | A few minutes each way on calm days |
| Typical hours ashore | Around five to seven hours once tendering both ways is accounted for |
Avalon and Two Harbors: the island’s only two towns
Avalon is where the tenders land and where you’ll spend most of your day, a town of around 3,000 people on an island that’s only 21 miles long and narrows to less than a mile wide at its narrowest point. Catalina is also the only island stop, and the only non-Mexican port, on a Mexican Riviera itinerary, which is why it stands out on the schedule.
- Avalon: the main town, where tenders land and where shops, restaurants and beaches sit right along the waterfront.
- Two Harbors: a smaller, more rustic settlement at the island’s narrowest point, reachable but a longer trip from the tender landing.
Which cruise lines call at Avalon
Catalina has turned into a regular stop for several major cruise lines on West Coast and Mexican Riviera sailings, alongside other West Coast cruise itineraries and port guides.
| Cruise line | What to know |
|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Regular Avalon calls on Carnival Radiance, which alternates three and four night Mexican Riviera cruises to Catalina and Ensenada, plus additional visits from Carnival Miracle and Carnival Firenze |
| Princess Cruises | Calls at Avalon on West Coast sailings |
| Royal Caribbean International | Calls at Avalon on West Coast sailings |
| Disney Cruise Line | Calls at Avalon on West Coast sailings |
| Holland America Line | Calls at Avalon on West Coast sailings |
| National Geographic-Lindblad | Calls at Avalon on expedition sailings |
Getting around Avalon without a hire car
Getting around Avalon also means bikes. Avalon limits full-size vehicles on its streets so tightly that a permit for a regular car comes with a waiting list of over 20 years.
Golf carts, called autoettes locally, rent by the hour with a two-hour cap, so they’re fine for a loop round town but won’t replace a car for a whole day. Taxis meet the tenders as they come in, with a stand at the end of Crescent Avenue, and a public bus runs a fixed route from the tender landing up to Casino Way and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden.
Things to do within walking distance of the tender landing
Things to do near the tender landing in Avalon are nearly all within a short walk, starting with the Catalina Casino, the Art Deco landmark on the point that’s never once hosted a card table despite the name. It houses a preserved 1920s movie theatre and ballroom instead.
Before you sail
- Book a shore excursion if you want priority tendering and more certainty on timing.
- Bring US dollars in cash for taxis and smaller waterfront vendors.
- Pack sun cover and reef-safe sunscreen for exposed waterfront and garden paths.
Short port day: under 6 hours
- On dockingTake the tender ashoreEarly ticketGrab an early tender ticket to avoid queues. The crossing into Avalon takes just a few minutes.
- +20 minCatalina CasinoA 5 minute walk along the waterfront to this Art Deco landmark with a preserved 1920s movie theatre.
- +1 hrLover's CoveA 10 minute walk from the tender landing, just past the Casino, to this protected marine preserve, good for snorkelling.
- +2 hrsLunch on the boardwalkTry a bison burgerOrder a bison burger or local seafood at a spot along Crescent Avenue near the pier.
- +3 hrsAvalon's beachesWalk back along the harbourfront to South Beach or Descanso Beach for a swim in the calm water.
- All-aboard minus 90 minBack at the tender landingReturn tender queues build late in the day, so head back in good time.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If the tender queue is long, book a shore excursion with priority tendering to protect your time ashore.
Long port day: 8 hours or more
- On dockingTake the tender ashoreEarly ticketGrab an early tender ticket, since queues build fast once the ship starts calling numbers.
- +20 minCatalina CasinoA 5 minute walk along the waterfront to this Art Deco landmark with a preserved 1920s movie theatre.
- +50 minLover's CoveA 10 minute walk from the tender landing, just past the Casino, to this protected marine preserve, good for snorkelling.
- +2 hrsLunch on the boardwalkTry a bison burgerOrder a bison burger or local seafood at a spot along Crescent Avenue near the pier.
- +3 hrsAvalon's beachesRelax at South Beach or Descanso Beach for a swim before the climb up to the garden.
- +5 hrs 30 minWrigley Memorial and Botanic GardenSmall admission feeAbout 40 minutes uphill on foot, or a short bus ride from the tender landing, for desert plants and harbour views.
- All-aboard minus 90 minBack at the tender landingReturn tender queues build late in the day, so head back in good time.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If a trip to Two Harbors looks too tight for your port window, stay in Avalon and add the Garden to Sky Trail instead.
- Lover’s Cove: a protected marine preserve a short walk from the landing, where the water’s calm and clear enough for decent snorkelling.
- Avalon’s beaches: South Beach, Middle Beach and Step Beach sit right along the harbourfront, with Descanso Beach tucked just past the Casino building.
- Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden: an uphill walk from the waterfront, or a short bus ride if your legs would rather not, with desert-themed displays of succulents and cacti and views back over Avalon. There’s a small entrance fee to get in.
- Water activities: glass bottom boat trips, kayaking, scuba diving and parasailing around 800 feet above the bay are all easy to book straight from the waterfront.
Two Harbors: a trip that uses most of your day ashore
Two Harbors sits about 18 land miles, or 12 nautical miles, west of Avalon, so you’ll get there by shore excursion or local transport, not on foot. The hike up to the cliffs above the isthmus gives you views of both sides of the island at once, but getting there and back eats a big chunk of your day, so it’s Two Harbors instead of Avalon, not Two Harbors as well as Avalon.
Where to eat near Catalina Island cruise port
Where to eat near Catalina Island cruise port is Avalon’s boardwalk along Crescent Avenue, a stone’s throw from the tender landing, where a handful of local specialities are easy to find without wandering far.
- Bison Burger: a beef alternative with a backstory, inspired by the bison brought to the island in the 1920s, served at several eateries along the waterfront.
- Buffalo Milk: the island’s signature cocktail, first mixed at a bar in Two Harbors. There’s no actual buffalo milk in it, it’s more a creamy, boozy dessert in a glass, and you’ll find it at spots across Avalon too.
- Local seafood: freshly caught fish turns up on menus all over the island, especially at restaurants along the boardwalk near the pier.
- Salt water taffy and caramel apples: an old Avalon sweet-shop tradition, sold near the pier alongside ice cream for a quick treat.
What to wear in Catalina Island: outfit ideas for a port day
What to wear in Catalina Island comes down to how far you’re planning to walk, since Avalon’s streets are narrow and steep and the paths up to the Wrigley Memorial and the Garden to Sky Trail climb uphill over gravel.
Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter more than how they look here. A pair of walking shoes, or the women’s equivalent, handle the hills and gravel far better than sandals do.
The water off Avalon’s beaches is calm enough to swim in, so pack a swimsuit under your clothes if you fancy a dip, and bring something for sun cover on the exposed waterfront and garden paths. Pack reef-safe sunscreen too if you’re snorkelling at Lover’s Cove. For more ideas, see these casual cruise outfit ideas for women and cruise outfit ideas for men.
Best photo spots in Avalon
Best photo spots in Avalon cluster around the Casino and the harbour, all within walking distance of the tender landing.
- Buena Vista Point: perched above the tender landing, this overlook gives you one of the best full views of the Casino, the harbour and Avalon itself, and it’s a solid sunset spot too.
- Catalina Casino: the exterior, the preserved 1920s movie theatre and the views from the ballroom and balcony all make distinctive shots.
- Casino Point: good for shots of Avalon’s colourful streets and homes, and one of the better spots for sunrise over the water or a full moon reflecting on the bay.
- Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden: time it for sunset and you’ve got a reliable spot for pastel skies over the island.
Catalina Island cruise port FAQs
Is Catalina Island a tender port?
Catalina Island is a tender port. Ships anchor offshore in Avalon Bay and you’re brought to the waterfront by tender boat rather than docking straight up to a pier.
Where do cruise ship tenders land in Avalon?
Cruise ship tenders land at the waterfront spot known as the Green Pleasure Pier or the Cabrillo Mole, two names for the same landing in the centre of Avalon.
Can I hire a car on Catalina Island?
Hiring a car on Catalina Island isn’t an option for visitors. Avalon keeps a tight lid on full-size vehicles, and a residential permit comes with a waiting list of over 20 years.
How do I get around Avalon?
Getting around Avalon is done by golf cart, taxi, bus or your own feet, since the town’s small enough to cover without a car.
How far is Two Harbors from Avalon?
Two Harbors is about 18 land miles, or 12 nautical miles, west of Avalon, and getting there and back takes up a big chunk of a port day.
Is the Catalina Casino an actual casino?
The Catalina Casino has never been a gambling venue. It’s an Art Deco building with a preserved 1920s movie theatre and ballroom inside.
Is Lover’s Cove good for snorkelling?
Lover’s Cove is good for snorkelling: it’s a protected marine preserve a short walk from the tender landing and one of the easiest snorkelling spots near Avalon.
Which cruise lines call at Catalina Island?
Cruise lines calling at Catalina Island include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line and National Geographic-Lindblad.
Last Updated: 13 October 2026