After one of the most challenging health and economic crises in Catalina Island’s history, visitors are returning to the island for an outdoor getaway. From the water to the sky, adventurers are enjoying the fresh air and sunshine of island life. Unavailable through much of the pandemic, the island’s recreational offerings are booming, including kayaking, zip lining, a ropes course, tours and more.

Travelers wait to board the Catalina Express in Downtown Long Beach, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
People board the Catalina Express in Downtown Long Beach, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Visitors disembark a Catalina Express in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A man chums the water while he fishes on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Visitors arrive on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Dozens of visitor walk along the waterfront in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

 

People walk on the pier in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Waves crash on the shore of Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A group sets up camp at Shark Harbor after day two of hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A footprint on the beach at Little Harbor on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
People walk and fish on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Two couples walk along a path on the coast of Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A zip liner flies through the air above Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A woman navigates a ropes course on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A ropes course guide watches a zip liner soar by on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
People kayak near Little Harbon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
People get scuba lessons off the Catalina Island coast, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Snorkelers exit the water onto Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Two people hike on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A biker rides through the hills of Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
People take an eco-tour of Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A squirrel tries to get into an unattended cooler at the Little Harbor campground on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A bald eagle chick sits in a nest on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Servers wait on diners on the beach in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Guests in dinner on the beach in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A couple shares a drink on the beach in Avalon on Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Los Angeles County firefighters enjoy ice cream in Avalon before being transported back to Long Beach from Catalina Island, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Passengers wait to board the Catalina Express in Avalon for their trip back to Downtown Long Beach, Friday, May 7, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.