$44 Trip to Catalina Island (Imagine Santorini & Cabo Had A Baby)

Catalina Island is off the coast of Southern California & offers Cabo-style beach clubs and Santorini-like views. No joke. Beautiful, accessible, & affordable. The Broke Bishes TRIFECTA.

Boats to Catalina shuttle out of Newport Beach, Long Beach, & San Pedro, and if you're not a broke bish then you can sail on over in your yacht. The most affordable option is the Catalina Flyer because they offer a year round Groupon, check it out here. Sometimes they change the link so just type in "Catalina Flyer" in the search!

Groupon pro tip: type in 'SALE' in the promo code and 9 out of 10 times it'll give you 20% off!

Catalina is a breeding ground for tourists in the summer, so accommodation prices will increase peak season & services are inflated. HOWEVER, the Broke Bishes Guide always has a loophole! Thank me later.

Plan for a day trip - that means pack your snacks & even sneak on some whiteclaws, shooters, or wine if you're getting frisky (sorry Flyer crew if you see this!). Food and drinks on the island can add up, so bring protein bars, nuts, etc. & snack on when you're hungry.

Catalina Do's, Don'ts, & Day Schedule:

- Eat a hardy breakfast at home (if you're sea sick, Trader Joe's Ginger Chews are lifesavers)

- Board the boat & set sail to the island

- SET AN ALARM FOR WHEN TO BOARD THE BOAT HOME - crucial

- Window shop, check out downtown Avalon, then walk to Descanso Beach Club

- Descanso Beach Club is a Cabo/Mykonos style club that gets LIT in the summer (pre-COVID)

- Descanso also has a restaurant with bomb af food. I suggest the nachos (fire, sharable, & filling) & treat yourself to a Buffalo Milk (you'll see) or Pina Colada. Lunch is not necessary because LOOPHOLE ALERT you can use the beach and swim at Descanso

for freeee!

- Kayaking is also available at Descanso & budget friendly when you split with a friend!

- Get your Wiki Wacked (a tradition you cannot be stingy on) at Luau Larry's

- Board the boat & sail home!

Estimated Price Breakdown (including all above activities, which you can leave any out):

| Catalina Flyer (roundtrip): $44

| Descanso Lunch (for 2): $52, $26/per person

nachos, 2 cocktails, tax + tip estimate

| Kayaking (for 2): $30/hr, $15/per person

| Wiki Wacked: $10

| Total: $95 per person!

If you eat your own snacks, bring your own drinks (or don't), & do not engage in extra activities like kayaking, then your trip will only cost ya $44 for the boat transportation over! Still such a FUN, FULL, & BEAUTIFUL day.

So truth be told - I got lucky AF on my last trip to Catalina. We befriended a small bachelor party that offered to personally golf cart us up to their beautiful airbnb (I mean, how could I say no?). This is where we experienced the FULLL Santorini experience & you can book that on the Hamilton Cove website or airbnb, searching "Hamilton Cove Catalina Island." Not as broke bish friendly, but so so splurge worthy if you're up for it!

Catalina Island COVID-19 Guidelines here - READ BEFORE YOU GO!