Garibaldi
California's state marine fish glows orange in the clear water along the rail. They're protected here, so they aren't shy.
Avalon · Santa Catalina Island
Four ways to see Catalina from the water.
By day · 75 min
Sea Lion Safari
Ride out to the east end, where hundreds of sea lions pile onto the rocks, bark at the boat, and dive off the ledges beside you.
Golden hour · 90 min
Sunset Cruise
Watch Avalon and the Casino glow gold from the channel as the sun drops behind the island's ridge. First drink included.
Summer nights · 55 min
Flying Fish Night Tour
Our searchlight sweeps the dark water and flying fish burst out of it, gliding the length of a football field beside the boat.
After dark · 60 min
Haunted Harbor Tour
Lanterns on, engine low. A true‑story ghost cruise past the Casino, a sunken yacht, and the coves where smugglers hid their cargo.
33°20′38″N 118°19′37″W · Avalon Bay
Departs Green Pleasure Pier, Slip 4
USCG‑inspected · licensed captains
Open daily 9 AM – 10 PM
Our tours
Four tours, morning to midnight
Every departure leaves from the Green Pleasure Pier. Pair any of them in a combo and save, or take the whole boat for your own group.
10 AM – 4 PM · 75 minSea Lion Safari
The east‑end colony, dolphins, and kelp.
From $54 →Golden hour · 90 minSunset Cruise
Avalon turns gold as the sun drops behind the ridge.
From $59 →Summer nights · 55 minFlying Fish
Fish launching through the searchlight beam.
From $45 →After dark · 60 minHaunted Harbor
Ghosts, wrecks, and smugglers by lantern.
$49 →
About us
A local crew in Avalon for 15 seasons
We're a small, island‑run outfit. Our captains live in Avalon, know every cove on the east end, and still get excited when a bull sea lion surfaces next to the rail.
Daytime trips run on the Toyon, our 42‑foot covered excursion boat with shaded seating, a restroom, and room for 36 guests. After dark, the Luna takes over: an open‑deck 40‑footer with a bow‑mounted, 3‑million‑candlepower searchlight built for flying fish.
36guests max per trip
2boats, both with restrooms
98%of safaris find sea lions
Daytime tour
Sea Lion Safari
We head south out of Avalon Bay and run the rugged east‑end coastline to Seal Rocks, where California sea lions have hauled out for over a century. Your captain narrates the whole way, cuts the engine near the colony, and lets you watch, listen, and take all the photos you want.
Also on the route
Giant kelp forest
Kelp can grow two feet a day. We idle over the beds on calm days so you can look straight down into them.
Common dolphins
Pods of 50 or more cross the channel. When they find the boat, they ride the bow wave for minutes at a time.
Golden‑hour tour
Sunset Cruise
Avalon faces east, so the best sunset seat on Catalina is on the water. We cruise out into the channel to watch the town and the Casino glow, then run up the coast past Descanso Bay as the sun slips behind the island's ridgeline. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are served on board.
How the evening goes
- −75 MINBoard at the pier
Grab a drink from the bar and pick a seat on the open rail.
- −60 MINOut into the channel
The best view back at Avalon, with the Casino lit gold.
- −20 MINUp the coast
Past Descanso Bay to watch the sun drop behind the ridge.
- +15 MINAfterglow
Pink sky, harbor lights, and the mainland glittering across the channel.
Summer night tour
Flying Fish Night Tour
One of Catalina's oldest boat tours, running out of Avalon since the early 1900s. After sunset we head along the coast and switch on the searchlight. California flying fish, startled by the beam, launch out of the water, spread their wing‑like fins, and glide past the rail. Some come so close they land on deck.
18 inCalifornia flying fish are the largest of their kind
1,000 ftthe longest glides, skipping their tails to stay aloft
35 mphtop speed as they leave the water
A Catalina tradition
Steamers packed with visitors ran searchlight trips off Avalon for generations. Old postcards show exactly what you'll see from the Luna: a full boat, a bright beam, and fish in the air.
A flying fish collected at Catalina around 1900.
“When the last ferry leaves, Avalon tells a different story.”
After‑dark tour
Haunted Harbor Tour
A one‑hour lantern‑lit cruise through Avalon's darker history, told by a captain who has heard the stories firsthand. It's spooky, not gory: true events, local legend, and a few moments that will raise the hair on your arms. Best for ages 10 and up.
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Stop 1 · The CasinoThe ballroom that won't stay empty
The Avalon Casino opened in 1929 and has hosted big bands and Hollywood stars ever since. Night staff tell of footsteps on the ramps after lock‑up, music with no band, and a woman in a white gown who vanishes near the stage.
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Stop 2 · Descanso BayThe wreck of the Valiant
In 1930 the luxury yacht Valiant caught fire and sank just off Descanso Beach. She still lies about 100 feet down. Divers say the wreck is quiet, and they don't like to stay long.
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Stop 3 · Smugglers' covesPirates, poachers, and rum‑runners
For 200 years these coves hid things that weren't supposed to be here: otter pelts, contraband, and during Prohibition, whole boatloads of whiskey. Hear how they did it, and who never came back for their cargo.
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Stop 4 · Open water
Lights out
Past the last mooring the captain kills the engine and the lanterns. Look back at Avalon glowing across the black water, and listen.
Combos
Stack your tours and save
Book two or more tours together and pay less for each one. Tours can be on the same day or spread across your stay, and you pick every departure time when you book.
Best value · all four tours
Whole Harbor Pass
Every tour we run, good for 7 days from your first departure. Sea lions in the morning, sunset in the evening, flying fish and ghosts after dark.
Sea Lion SafariSunset CruiseFlying FishHaunted Harbor
Safari + Flying Fish
Day & Night
Wildlife twice over: sea lions in the sun, flying fish in the searchlight. The family favorite.
$85$99Save $14
Kids 3–11: $54
Book comboSafari + Sunset
Sea & Sky
Out to the colony at 2 PM, back on the water at golden hour. The whole coast in one day.
$99$113Save $14
Kids 3–11: $63
Book comboSunset + Flying Fish
Twilight Double
Step off the Sunset Cruise, grab dinner on Crescent Avenue, and board the Luna at 9:30.
$92$104Save $12
Kids 3–11: $59 · June–September
Book comboSunset + Haunted Harbor
Dusk to Dark
Watch the harbor go from gold to black, then hear what happens there after the lights go out.
$94$108Save $14
Ages 10–17: $78
Book comboPrivate charters
The whole boat, just your group
Run any of our tours privately, or plan your own route with the captain. You choose the time, the stops, the food, and the music. We handle the boat, the crew, and the permits.
Proposals
A quiet cove at sunset. The crew keeps the ring safe until you're ready.
Birthdays & reunions
Room for 36, with a table for cake and a sound system for the playlist.
Weddings
Ceremony on the water, rehearsal cruises, or a send‑off for the wedding party.
Company outings
Team trips, client events, and retreats. Invoicing available.
Celebrations of life
Ash scattering at sea, 3 nautical miles offshore as federal rules require. Quiet and unhurried.
Custom routes
Fishing‑village history, snorkel stops, or a run up the coast to Two Harbors.
Charter rates
| Boat | Guests | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours | Each extra hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyon42 ft · covered deck · restroom | Up to 36 | $850 | $1,450 | $1,950 | $500 |
| Luna40 ft · open deck · searchlight | Up to 30 | $750 | $1,300 | $1,750 | $450 |
Rates include captain, deckhand, fuel, and narration. A 25% deposit holds your date; the balance is due 7 days before. Flying Fish charters run June–September.
Add‑ons
- Champagne or sparkling cider toast$12 / guest
- Charcuterie and dessert from an Avalon caterer$28 / guest
- Hosted beer and wine bar$22 / guest
- Onboard photographer, edited gallery in 48 hrs$295
- Flowers and decorationsfrom $150
- Custom banner or sign on the bow$95
Which tour is right for you?
Can't pick? Most guests don't. See the combos above to book two or more and save.
| Detail | Sea Lion Safari | Sunset Cruise | Flying Fish | Haunted Harbor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time of day | 10 AM – 4 PM | 75 min before sunset | 8:15 & 9:30 PM | 7:30 & 9:00 PM |
| Length | 75 min | 90 min | 55 min | 60 min |
| Season | Year‑round | Year‑round | June–September | Apr–Sep Thu–Sun, all October |
| Best for | Families, wildlife, photos | Couples, celebrations, photos | Families, first‑timers | Groups, older kids, Halloween |
| Ages | All ages | All ages · bar 21+ | All ages | 10+ recommended |
| Price | $54 · kids $34 | $59 · kids $39 | $45 · kids $30 | $49 |
Reservations
Reserve your seats
Pick a tour, a date, and your group size. Check in at our booth on the Green Pleasure Pier 15 minutes before departure. Coming over on the ferry? Choose a tour that leaves at least an hour after you land.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. If the captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund.
Good to know
Still have a question? Stop by the booth on the pier or call us at (310) 555‑0142, 9 AM to 9 PM.
Where do we check in?
At our blue‑and‑yellow booth on the Green Pleasure Pier in the center of Avalon's waterfront. It's a 5‑minute walk from the ferry terminal. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Will we see sea lions?
Almost always. The Seal Rocks colony is there year‑round, and we see sea lions on about 98% of trips. If a rare day comes up empty, your next Safari is free.
Is the Haunted Harbor Tour too scary for kids?
It's storytelling, not a haunted house. No one jumps out at you. We recommend ages 10 and up, but you know your kids best.
When is flying fish season?
June through September, when the water off Catalina warms up. We run every night in season, and July and August are the peak. Outside those months the fish move offshore, so the tour isn't offered.
Do people get seasick?
The Safari stays close to shore in the island's lee, so the water is usually calm. If you're prone to motion sickness, take something beforehand and sit near the back of the boat.
What if the weather is bad?
The captain decides on the day. If we cancel for wind or swell, we'll move you to another departure or refund you in full.
Is the boat accessible?
The Toyon boards from a floating dock with a short ramp. Our crew will help anyone who needs it. Call ahead about wheelchairs and we'll plan the best departure time.
Can I book a private charter?
Yes. Any tour can run privately for up to 36 guests, starting at $750 for one hour on the Luna or $850 on the Toyon. See private charters for rates and add‑ons.
How do combos work?
Pick a combo, then choose a departure for each tour. They can be on the same day or different days during your stay. The Whole Harbor Pass is good for 7 days from your first tour.
Can I bring food or drinks?
Snacks and non‑alcoholic drinks are welcome. We sell bottled water and hot cocoa on board for the evening tours.