Virgin Voyages' guide Catalina Island, California
Just 22 miles off Southern California’s sun-drenched coast, Catalina Island feels like it's worlds away. Sun-soaked coves, roaming bison, vintage glamour, and a sailboat-lined harbor that blends laid-back ease with legendary adventure.
California’s Coastal Escape
Catalina Island rises from the Pacific like a soothing sunlit escape. The waters turn sapphire. Hills roll gently against the sky. Whitewashed buildings arc around Avalon Bay while golf carts glide where traffic would be elsewhere. Spend your morning along Crescent Avenue as sailboats drift in the harbor and the iconic Casino rises from the shoreline like a palace.
Life moves differently here. Sunscreen and salt in the air. Ice clinking in a glass. Sailboats glide quietly across the bay. Vintage charm surrounds open wilderness, and if you lean into it — even slightly — the island leans back. Sunlit. Unhurried. Unforgettable.
Shore Excursions
Island Adventure Awaits
Wild interiors, sapphire waters & roaming bison.
Journey to Island's End
Along with a local guide, you'll journey to the 1,500-foot East End Peak on Catalina’s east side for panoramic views. This rugged, thrilling ride through remote island wilderness will give you an intimate feel for Catalina's unique topography.
Parasail Above Catalina
Take off from a boat deck and rise up to 800 feet, floating above the turquoise waters and postcard-worthy views the region is known for. Spot marine life below and take in the whole island from a bird’s-eye perspective for a new appreciation of this coastal paradise.
Bison Expedition by 4x4 Hummer
Catalina’s bison are descendants of a small herd originally brought to the island by filmmakers in the 1920s. Now, they roam under the careful watch of the Island Conservancy. You'll cruise canyon ridges and wild plateaus as your guide shares the story of this free-ranging herd and the island they call home.
More Shore Things for your wishlist...
We have even more in our curated catalog.
“Casino” simply means a place for entertainment
Despite the name, the Catalina Casino has never hosted a single game of chance since it opened in 1929.
The ridgeline view where the Pacific stretched in every direction. The rush of wind 800 feet above Avalon Harbor. That powerful moment when a bison appeared across the hills. In all its wonderful contrasts, Catalina Island exudes an unmistakable confidence. Vintage glamour beside rugged coastline. Laid-back afternoons beside unexpected adventure. Relaxed. A little wild. Effortlessly cool in every way.
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