The short answer
Catalina’s nine beaches split cleanly in two: the ones you can walk to from the Avalon ferry in under ten minutes, and the ones that need a boat, a shuttle or a hike. Here is all nine, which are worth the effort, which hold the clearest water for snorkelling, and what to bring with you, because almost nothing on the island is cheap.
The short answer
For an easy day, stick to Avalon's walkable trio — Descanso, South, and Middle Beach. For clear-water snorkeling and real seclusion you'll need a boat or kayak to reach Whites Landing, Goat Harbor, or Emerald Bay. Two Harbors has the quietest sand of all at Harbor Sands. Getting there means the Catalina Express (San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point) or the Catalina Flyer from Newport.
Catalina's nine beaches split cleanly in two: the ones you can walk to from the Avalon ferry in under ten minutes, and the ones that need a boat, a kayak, or a shore-boat. Here's all nine — which are worth the effort, which hold the clearest water, and how to actually get there.
The 9 beaches at a glance
| Beach | Area | Access | Best for |
|---|
| Descanso | Avalon | Walk | Cabanas & a beach club |
| South | Avalon | Walk | Families, closest to town |
| Middle | Avalon | Walk | Calm harbor swim |
| Step | Avalon | Walk | A quieter strip |
| Toyon Bay | Near Avalon | Boat | Snorkeling by boat |
| Whites Landing | Near Avalon | Boat | A sandy escape cove |
| Goat Harbor | Mid-island | Boat / kayak | Total seclusion |
| Emerald Bay | Two Harbors | Boat | Clearest snorkeling |
| Harbor Sands | Two Harbors | Ferry + walk | A quiet beach club |
01Descanso Beach
Avalon · walk from town
AvalonWalk from townBeach club
Just past the Casino, Descanso is one of California's last privately operated beaches with public access — and the only spot in Avalon with a full beachside restaurant and bar. Rent a cabana, order a Buffalo Milk (the island's signature cocktail), and swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard straight off the sand.
Know before you goThere's a small day-use fee (around $2) to reach the beach, and cabanas book up fast on summer weekends — reserve ahead.
02South Beach
Avalon · walk from town
AvalonWalk from townFamilies
The most convenient beach on the island, right on Crescent Avenue by the Green Pleasure Pier and steps from food, shops, and restrooms. Soft sand, calm water, and summer lifeguards make it the easy family default.
Why we love itYou can be off the ferry and in the water in under ten minutes.
03Middle Beach
Avalon · walk from town
AvalonWalk from townCalm swim
Tucked along the harbor between South Beach and the pier, Middle Beach is the calm, scenic place to spread a towel close to everything. Summer lifeguards, easy access, and Avalon Grille right there for a waterfront lunch.
Good to knowGrab a harbor-view table at Avalon Grille (423 Crescent) when you need a break from the sun.
04Step Beach
Avalon · walk from town
AvalonWalk from townQuieter
A small strip of sand just north of Middle Beach toward the Casino, Step Beach trades size for a little more breathing room. Direct ocean access and summer lifeguards make it a safe, low-key pick.
Know before you goIt's tiny — arrive early on a summer weekend to claim a patch.
05Toyon Bay
Near Avalon · boat access
Near AvalonBoat / mooringSnorkeling
A picturesque cove a few miles up the coast from Avalon, home to the Catalina Island Marine Institute on the site of a former boarding school. The water is beautiful for snorkeling, but the facility is a private marine-science camp.
Know before you goThere's no public road or walk-in access — you reach the bay by boat or mooring, not by car.
06Whites Landing
Near Avalon · boat access
Near AvalonBoat accessSnorkeling
Expansive sand and crystal-clear water make Whites Landing one of the prettiest coves on the island — and one of the quietest, because you can only get there by boat or shore-boat. Moonstone Cove sits just south for even more seclusion.
Good to knowNo drive-up access — book a shore-boat from Avalon or bring your own vessel.
07Goat Harbor
Mid-island · boat / kayak
Mid-islandBoat / kayakSeclusion
Roughly halfway between Avalon and Two Harbors, Goat Harbor is the definition of a hidden cove — clear water, a boat-in campsite, and almost nobody there. Access is by boat or kayak only.
Why we love itIt's about as close to a private beach as Catalina gets.
08Emerald Bay
Two Harbors · boat access
Two HarborsBoat / mooringBest snorkeling
Up near Two Harbors, Emerald Bay lives up to the name — some of the clearest, greenest water on the island and superb snorkeling. It's home to a scout camp, so shore access is boat- and mooring-based.
Know before you goBring your own snorkel gear and reach it by boat; there's no public beach entrance by land.
09Harbor Sands
Two Harbors · ferry + walk
Two HarborsFerry + walkBeach club
At the quiet Isthmus end of the island, Harbor Sands is the Catalina Island Company's white-sand beach club — palapas, paired lounge chairs, and food and drinks from the Harbor Reef Restaurant. It's the calmest stretch of sand on Catalina.
Know before you goReservations run on a food-and-beverage-credit model (plus a service fee) — book before you sail over.
Before you go
- Getting there: Catalina Express runs from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point (about an hour); the Catalina Flyer sails from Newport Beach. Book round-trip in advance on summer weekends.
- Pack for it: reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for rocky entries, cash for day-use fees and shore-boats, and your own snorkel gear — rentals are limited and pricey.
- Getting around: most of the best coves are boat-, kayak-, or shore-boat-access only. Plan the water logistics before you sail.
Frequently asked
What's the best beach in Avalon you can walk to?
Descanso, South, and Middle Beach are all within a ten-minute walk of the ferry landing. Descanso has the beach club and cabanas; South and Middle are free public beaches with summer lifeguards.
Which Catalina beach has the best snorkeling?
Emerald Bay and Whites Landing near Two Harbors have the clearest water, but both are boat-access only. For snorkeling you can walk to, Descanso and the Lover's Cove marine preserve near Avalon are the easy picks.
Do you need a boat to reach Catalina's best beaches?
Several of the most secluded — Whites Landing, Goat Harbor, Emerald Bay, and Toyon Bay — are reachable only by boat, kayak, or shore-boat. Avalon's beaches and Harbor Sands at Two Harbors are walk-up from the ferry.
How do you get to Catalina Island?
Catalina Express ferries run from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point (about an hour); the Catalina Flyer sails from Newport Beach. Book round-trip in advance, especially on summer weekends.
Is there a fee to use Catalina's beaches?
The public Avalon beaches are free. Descanso Beach charges a small day-use fee (around $2), and Harbor Sands and the cabana clubs run on reservations or food-and-beverage minimums.
