Jetski Adventure: Guided Trip from Long Beach to Catalina Island

Catalina is close enough to see on a clear day, but reaching Avalon by jet ski is a different proposition from taking a ferry. You ride a Sea-Doo across open ocean, with the coast behind you and the island ahead. It is an active, exposed trip, and the sea gets a vote in how comfortable your day will be.

I like two things about this outing: the unusual dock-to-dock route lets you arrive in Avalon without needing to swim ashore, and the three-hour stop gives you time to eat, walk, shop, or arrange an activity such as a golf-cart rental or parasailing. The tour also includes the basic riding gear and fuel, which keeps some key costs inside the $640 price.

The main consideration is the ride itself. One account describes a tiring crossing in rough water, with a long delay after a jet ski became separated from the group. Conditions can change at sea, so this is best for fit, confident riders who can tolerate wind, spray, and a hard day on the water.

Key points before you book

• The crossing is the main event: You ride a Sea-Doo from Long Beach to Avalon and back, rather than taking a boat and using a jet ski only near shore.
• Avalon gets about three hours: Plan on a quick meal and a walk, or choose one paid activity such as a golf-cart rental or parasailing.
• Open-ocean conditions can be tiring: Choppy water, wind, spray, and a fast pace may make the ride physically demanding.
• Basic equipment is included: You get a jet ski, wetsuit, safety equipment, fuel, snorkeling gear, guides, and photos within 48 hours.
• The advertised day is about six hours: The scheduled start is 8:00 am at 700 Queensway Drive in Long Beach, with the tour ending back there.
• Book with weather and cancellation terms in mind: Poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund if the operator cancels, but customer cancellations are non-refundable.

From Long Beach, the journey is part of the attraction

This is a guided ride from 700 Queensway Drive in Long Beach to Avalon on Catalina Island and back. You meet at 8:00 am, receive the included equipment, and head out with the group. The experience lasts about six hours under ordinary timing, though a sea crossing can take longer if conditions or an unexpected incident affect the return.

Unlike a sightseeing boat, a jet ski puts you close to the water and makes you responsible for holding your position and staying with the group. That closeness is the appeal: the ride itself becomes a major part of the day, not just transport between two stops. It also means you should think carefully about your comfort on the water before booking.

The route is described as dock to dock. You do not have to get into the water to reach Avalon, although taking a swim is an option. That distinction matters if you want the island visit without planning your day around getting wet.

Dolphins and sea lions may appear along the way, but wildlife is never guaranteed. One August trip saw neither dolphins nor whales. Treat any sighting as a welcome bonus, not a promise built into the price.

What the open-water ride asks of you

The crossing is not presented as a beginner-friendly spin around a sheltered bay. The trip covers open ocean, and the ride can be fast-paced and physically demanding. In rough conditions, the Sea-Doo may pound over waves, putting strain on your hands, thighs, and lower back as you hold on and work to stay balanced.

That is worth taking seriously even if you are fit. A rider who has spent years on jet skis described soreness, blisters, sunburned and bloodshot eyes, and intense cold after a difficult trip. Several riders fell off their machines during that outing, then remounted and continued. Those details do not mean every trip will be rough, but they show the level of exertion the sea can demand.

Your clothing and protection matter. A wetsuit and safety equipment are included, but the tour information does not specify exactly what the wetsuit covers or what extra clothing you should bring. One rider wished they had worn jet-ski gloves, eye protection, and a full-body rash guard with shorts. Ask the operator what they recommend for the forecast, and do not assume ordinary sunglasses will be enough protection from spray and sun.

Bring a practical attitude, too. The trip is exposed to wind, salt water, and changing conditions. If cold, heavy spray, or a strenuous ride would spoil your day, a ferry to Catalina followed by a gentler island activity may suit you better.

Three hours in Avalon, with choices to make

The planned stop in Avalon lasts about three hours. That is enough time to have lunch, stroll around town, browse shops, or make room for a paid activity. Parasailing and golf-cart rental are listed as options, but neither is included in the tour price. Lunch, shopping, and accommodation are also your responsibility.

Three hours sounds generous until you account for a meal and the time needed to arrange an activity. If parasailing or a golf-cart outing is important to you, check availability and timing before the trip rather than assuming you can fit everything in after arrival. You will likely need to choose a priority: a relaxed meal and walk, or one organized activity.

The stop is a useful contrast to the hard ride. You can step away from the handlebars, eat, and explore on foot before returning to the water. But this is not an overnight Catalina visit, and the schedule does not leave room for a long list of island plans. Treat Avalon as a focused break, not a full island holiday.

Snorkeling equipment is included, although the main excursion is dock to dock and does not require you to enter the water. The information does not promise a snorkeling stop or give a set time for using the gear. If snorkeling is a central reason for booking, confirm how and when you can use it before paying.

The return crossing deserves careful thought

The return ride is another open-water leg, not a brief trip back to shore. Under good conditions, you may be back at the meeting point within the approximate six-hour schedule. But one difficult outing turned into a much longer day: after leaving Avalon at 2:00 pm, the group reached Long Beach at 6:00 pm.

In that case, a jet ski became separated from the group during a rest stop. The guides searched for the missing couple, and the rest of the group waited at sea for about an hour. The Coast Guard eventually located the pair, and the group continued in rougher conditions, with reported swells of more than five feet. The account also raised concerns about the absence of GPS trackers or radios on the jet skis, though the available information does not establish what equipment is used on every trip.

This was a serious, unusual disruption, not a reliable forecast of how every departure will go. Still, it is useful when weighing the risks of a long ride far from land. Ask the operator what communication and tracking systems are used, how the group stays together, and what happens if a machine separates from the others. Those are reasonable questions for an open-ocean activity.

Allow flexibility after the tour. The stated duration is approximate, and the sea can slow a return or require the guides to respond to an incident. Avoid booking a tight connection or an important appointment for the same afternoon.

What the $640 price includes, and what it does not

At $640 per person, this is a substantial outing. The price includes the Sea-Doo, wetsuit, safety equipment, fuel, guides, snorkeling equipment, and trip photos provided within 48 hours. Including fuel and the machine itself is valuable on a long guided ride, and having photos sent later means you do not need to rely only on a phone exposed to spray.

But the fee does not cover lunch, a golf cart, parasailing, shopping, or accommodation. Those costs can add up if you want to make the most of the Avalon stop. The price is easiest to justify if riding a jet ski across the channel is itself the experience you want. It is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to visit Catalina, since this package makes you pay for a demanding ride in both directions.

There are seven ratings, with an overall score of 4.6. That is a positive overall mark, but it is a small pool of feedback, and the detailed account available describes a very rough day. I would not treat the average score as a guarantee of calm water or an easy ride. The sea conditions are central to the value you get.

The tour is usually booked about 16 days ahead. That gives you a rough planning guide, not a guarantee of availability. Because customer cancellations and changes are non-refundable, only book once you are comfortable with the cost and the physical demands.

Who is likely to enjoy this ride

This outing suits a confident, physically capable rider who wants the journey to Catalina to be active and memorable. If you already enjoy jet skiing and are comfortable with wind, spray, and a long stint on the water, the route can offer a very different way to reach Avalon. The guided format also means you are not planning the crossing alone.

It is less suitable if you are new to jet skiing, have concerns about balance or stamina, or want a calm sightseeing trip. The minimum age is 12, and there are no riders or passengers under 12. The information says most people can participate, but that should not be read as a promise that the ride feels easy for everyone.

The group can have up to 50 participants. That is a sizeable maximum, so ask how the group is organized and how the guides manage spacing and stops. No individual guide names are provided, so you cannot select a particular guide when booking based on the details available.

If your ideal Catalina day is a long lunch, a slow wander, and time to browse, consider whether a three-hour stop will feel rushed after the crossing. If you are drawn to the physical challenge and the open-water route, the ride may be the point, with Avalon as the welcome intermission.

Booking, weather, and practical details

The meeting point is 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, California 90802. The activity begins at 8:00 am and ends at the same location. It is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is near public transportation.

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. In contrast, if you cancel or request an amendment yourself, the payment is non-refundable.

Before you go, confirm the expected clothing, the current sea forecast, and the operator’s plan for group communication and a separated machine. Pack for sun, cold spray, and a longer day than the schedule suggests. The tour provides photos within 48 hours, so you can ask how they are taken and whether you should bring anything of your own, while keeping personal electronics protected.

Should you book the Long Beach to Catalina jet-ski trip?

Book it if you want the crossing itself, have experience or confidence on a jet ski, and accept that open water can turn a six-hour plan into a strenuous day. The chance to reach Avalon by Sea-Doo, then spend three hours ashore, is the trip’s distinctive appeal.

Skip it if you want an easy way to see Catalina, dislike rough water, or need a dependable end time. At $640, the experience makes sense when the ride is your main reason for going. If the island matters more than the machine, choose a less demanding way to get there.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, California 90802, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour is about six hours. The duration is approximate, and an unusually difficult trip took longer.

How much time do I get in Avalon?

The planned stop in Avalon is three hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a jet ski, wetsuit, safety equipment, fuel, guides, snorkeling equipment, and photos provided within 48 hours.

Are lunch and Avalon activities included?

No. Lunch, golf-cart hire, parasailing, shopping, and accommodation are not included.

Is there a minimum age?

Riders and passengers under 12 are not permitted.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If the operator cancels the tour because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Customer cancellations or amendment requests are non-refundable.