Catalina Island Restoration Adventure: Plant, Explore & Give Back at Toyon Bay
Join Channel Islands Restoration for an unforgettable day of conservation, adventure, and island exploration at Catalina Island Marine Institute!
Imagine boarding a boat in the morning, crossing the channel with the possibility of seeing dolphins, seals, seabirds, and other marine life along the way—and then spending the day surrounded by the incredible scenery of Catalina Island while helping restore a native plant habitat.
This is more than a volunteer day. It’s an island adventure with a purpose.
We’ll travel from Long Beach aboard the Catalina Express to Avalon Bay, then transfer to a smaller boat for the scenic trip to Toyon Bay and the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI). Just a few miles from Avalon—but feeling worlds away—you’ll spend the day helping care for native plants in this spectacular coastal setting.
Get Your Hands Dirty in Paradise
Our restoration work will focus on creating and caring for a beautiful native plant landscape at CIMI. The native plants are generously provided by the Catalina Island Conservancy, giving us an opportunity to help establish plants that belong on the island and provide habitat for native wildlife.
Volunteers will participate in a variety of light restoration activities, including:
Planting native plants
Weeding around existing plantings
Watering native plants
Spreading mulch to help protect plants and conserve moisture
Building and installing fencing to protect young plants
Caring for native plantings installed earlier this year
You’ll be working alongside other volunteers and restoration professionals while learning more about Catalina’s unique natural environment.
Why This Trip Is Extraordinary
Where else can you spend your volunteer day doing habitat restoration in a beautiful island cove—and then explore Avalon afterward?
Toyon Bay is located on the beautiful east side of Catalina Island, just a few miles from Avalon. Although Catalina is only about 26 miles from the Southern California mainland, arriving at Toyon Bay feels like entering another world.
And the adventure starts before we even reach the island.
As we cross the channel, keep your eyes open for dolphins, seals, seabirds, and other marine life. Once we reach Avalon Bay, we'll transfer to a smaller boat and continue our journey along the Catalina coastline to Toyon Bay.
After a rewarding day of restoration, we'll return to Avalon where there will be time to explore the town, walk along the waterfront, grab a bite, shop, or simply enjoy the island before heading back to the mainland.
Trip Details
Duration: Full-day Catalina Island adventure
Group Size: Limited to 15 volunteers
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; restoration activities involve light physical work and walking on well-maintained trails
Destination: Catalina Island Marine Institute, Toyon Bay
Transportation: Catalina Express from Long Beach to Avalon, followed by a smaller boat to Toyon Bay.
What’s Included
Round-trip transportation aboard the Catalina Express
Boat transportation from Avalon to Toyon Bay
Native plants provided by the Catalina Island Conservancy
Restoration tools and project materials
Lunch
Coffee and tea
Drinks and snacks
Time to explore Avalon after the restoration work
What’s Not Included
Transportation to Long Beach
Parking fees in Long Beach
Dinner or other personal expenses in Avalon
Carpooling to Long Beach is highly encouraged.
A Volunteer Day You Won’t Forget
This is your chance to explore Catalina Island, experience beautiful Toyon Bay, meet fellow conservation-minded volunteers, and make a tangible difference for native plants and habitat.
You'll leave the mainland behind, spend the day surrounded by island scenery, get your hands in the soil, and help native plants thrive—all while experiencing one of Southern California's most remarkable places.
Space is limited to just 15 volunteers, so don't miss this unique opportunity to restore, explore, and experience Catalina Island in a whole new way!
Come for the adventure. Stay for the island. Leave knowing you made a difference.
Waitlist: This restoration project will fill quickly. To be added to a waitlist, please email john@cirweb.org.
Questions: If you have any questions, please email volunteer@cirweb.org or call 805.448.6203, and we will be happy to assist you.
When volunteering with us, please remember to:
Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt for protection.
Bring sunscreen and a sunhat.
You should bring a jacket for the boat ride, as it can be breezy as we cross the channel to Catalina Island.
Please bring a light backpack to hold snacks and your water for the day.
Be aware that you may experience seasickness; please bring medication if you are concerned.
Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety—flip-flops or sandals are not allowed.
Have photos from your volunteer day?
Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram or send your photos to volunteer@cirweb.org for a feature.
