NCL in Catalina Island: independent excursion prices
NCL's excursion prices for Catalina Island are not in our data: NCL only shows excursion prices to guests with a booked cruise. The independent prices and safety scores below still apply, so compare them with the prices in your NCL cruise planner.
For reference, Carnival's prices in Catalina Island are recorded. Cruise lines often contract the same local operators, but prices differ by line, so treat them only as a rough guide.
Ship price vs independent price by tour type
| Tour type | NCL priceper adult | Independentper person | Savingper person | Safe to go independent? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel tour | not recorded | $1101 match | – | 4/5 Safe | Compare |
| Catamaran / sail & snorkel | not recorded | $591 match | – | 4/5 Safe | Compare |
Ship price is the median "starting at" adult price of NCL's excursions of that type. Independent price is the median per-person price of the top GetYourGuide results of the same type (checked 2026-11-02). Family of 4 multiplies the per-person gap by four; child prices are often lower on both sides. How we compare.
Is it safe to book independently in Catalina Island?
This is a tender port. The last tender back to the ship usually leaves 30 to 60 minutes before departure, and the queue for the last few tenders can be long. Plan to be back at the tender pier at least 90 minutes before the ship sails.
- Snorkel tour (4/5): tender port: the last tender back leaves before the ship does and queues build up.
- Catamaran / sail & snorkel (4/5): tender port: the last tender back leaves before the ship does and queues build up.
How far is the pier from the main sights?
| From the pier to | Straight line | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon Casino building | 564 m | ~10 min walk |
| Descanso Beach Club | 827 m | ~15 min walk |
| Lover's Cove | 499 m | ~10 min walk |
Distances are measured from Avalon tender landing. Travel times are estimates for normal traffic, not including ferries or tender queues.
Ships anchor off Avalon and tender guests to the waterfront. Everything in Avalon is walkable.
Questions
Is it safe to book an independent excursion in Catalina Island?
It is a tender port, so leave extra margin. Most popular tours start within a short ride of the pier, so the risk is low if you finish an hour before all-aboard.
How far is the Catalina Island cruise pier from Avalon Casino building?
About 564 m in a straight line, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Work out your family's saving All cruise lines in Catalina Island · All NCL ports