About Catalina Coastal Tours
Catalina Coastal Tours operates private and small-group boat excursions from Avalon Harbor aboard their 24-foot open centre-console vessel, RedRum. The boat's compact size and shallow draft allow access to coves, sea caves, and shoreline reefs that larger tour boats simply cannot reach, making it a favourite for visitors who want a more intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience on the water around Santa Catalina Island.
Their menu includes coastal sightseeing cruises past sea lion colonies and kelp forests, guided fishing charters targeting calico bass, yellowtail, and white seabass in the island's productive near-shore waters, snorkel drop-off trips to secluded coves, and sunset cruises along Avalon's dramatic coastline. Custom private charters can combine multiple activities into a single outing — fishing in the morning, snorkelling over a reef at midday, and cruising past the bison-dotted hillsides on the return. The captain adjusts routes based on sea conditions and wildlife sightings, so no two trips are exactly alike.
What sets Catalina Coastal Tours apart is the private-charter flexibility and the captain's deep local knowledge. Unlike the large-group catamarans that follow fixed routes, RedRum can pivot to wherever the action is — a passing pod of dolphins, a kelp bed teeming with Garibaldi, or a windward cove with gin-clear visibility. For couples, families, or small groups who want the water to themselves rather than sharing a deck with fifty strangers, this is one of Avalon's best-kept secrets.
