Catalina -- should I book an excursion through cruise line bc of tenders?

[DukeASUGirl]

I generally prefer to book through local operators when I can, but part of me feels like maybe booking through the cruise line is more prudent when there's a tender port.

 

What is the likelihood we would be able to make it off the ship and get to the venue for a kayaking tour at 10 am? Ship arrives at 7, but I am not sure how tendering will affect things.

[CruiserBruce]

10am won't be a problem if they arrive at 7am. The "rush" to get off will be done far before 9.

[DukeASUGirl]

We would need to walk from the pier to the kayak beach, which according to Google Maps is a 14-minute walk. So you think we should be okay to take a 9 am tender? Go earlier?

[CruiserBruce]

I would go earlier...look around,  check the place out.

 

We are always early. 

[DukeASUGirl]

Okay, how early? What time should we try for to avoid the lines for the tenders?

 

Thank you!

[CruiserBruce]

Get off somewhere between 8:30 and 9am.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

The problem in doing it on your own is the ship might buy up all the equipment.  We ran into that on an Alaska cruise and trying to book a helicopter on our own.  Also make sure you have a good cancelation plan.  We did a long weekend on the island a month ago and the water was so rough nothing could dock until around 11:00 AM  

Edited March 26, 2019 by ATSEAMYLIFE

[princeton123211]

The area of Catalina you'll be in is teeny tiny. I wouldn't overthink things in terms of getting from one place to the next. The area you'll be in and around Avalon is very manageable even by foot. I think the cove you described is the old sea plane airport (although it could be the one just to the north where they built some condos).