JOIN CIR ON CATALINA ISLAND
FOR A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP RESTORE TOYON BAY
Friday, January 16 - Monday, January 19, 2026
Purchase Your Ticket | Trip Highlights | Trip Details
Join us for an unforgettable volunteer experience on beautiful Catalina Island!
Get ready for four incredible days at Toyon Bay with the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI). You'll have the chance to make a real difference through rewarding restoration work while exploring the island's stunning natural beauty.
Your adventure includes guided hikes with breathtaking views, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and discovering the unique landscapes and rich history of Catalina. This is more than just a trip; it’s a special opportunity to connect with nature, contribute to a great cause, and create lasting memories.
We can't wait for you to be part of this unique journey!
Book Your Catalina Island Adventure
Limited to only 30 guests, this will be a unique and special trip to help restore Toyon Bay.
$450 - Includes food, lodging, recreation, education, and a great group of people. The trip fee pays for the cost of organizing the trip, staff needed to run the trip, transportation, and planting supplies.
The trip is available to everyone. You don’t have to be a CIR member to join us.
Please contact Ken Owen at ken@cirweb.org or 805.448.5726 for questions and information regarding this event.
What Makes This Trip Extraordinary?
We will be staying at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI). Located in a beautiful cove just a few miles from Avalon, Toyon Bay is the perfect place for exploring the ocean. The former boarding school facility sits in a private canyon facing the mainland of California. Although only 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, it will feel like a whole other world!
Facts about the Catalina Island School for Boys at Toyon Bay:
College preparatory school grades 7-12
Mrs. Wrigley’s project, built by D.M. Renton in 1928, in the Spanish style. Renton built many buildings in Avalon, including the casino.
William Wrigley’s grandson, Wrigley Offield, and his great-grandson, Paxson Offield, both attended the school.
The buildings remain much as they were when built in 1928.
Guided Discoveries operates the Catalina Island Marine Institute, where students learn about the uniqueness of Catalina Island and the surrounding waters.
Trip Highlights
Amazing Snorkeling and Ocean Swimming
Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Catalina Island, a true paradise for ocean enthusiasts. Known for its incredible visibility, this underwater haven offers a front-row seat to a vibrant world teeming with amazing sea life. Swim alongside colorful fish, playful sea lions, and other marine creatures as you explore the island's famous kelp forests—towering underwater ecosystems that sway gracefully with the ocean's rhythm. The vivid colors and dynamic marine biodiversity make every moment unforgettable. Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a first-time ocean swimmer, Catalina Island's pristine waters and breathtaking scenery make it a special destination you’ll want to revisit again and again. All snorkeling will be guided, and swimming will happen when a lifeguard is on duty.
Access to the CIMI Wetsuits Closet
Dive into adventure with access to the wetsuit locker at the Catalina Island Marine Institute! Whether you're exploring the vibrant underwater world or embarking on a thrilling ocean activity, we've got you covered—literally. The CIMI wetsuit locker stocks wetsuits in all sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for everyone. Plus, all the gear you need is provided. Get ready to suit up and dive into the experience of a lifetime!
Comfortable Camp Lodging
Experience the perfect blend of comfort and camaraderie with our dorm-style accommodations at CIMI. Designed for relaxation and connection, these cozy spaces offer guests a place to freshen up, share stories of the day’s adventures with bunkmates, and recharge for another exciting day ahead. Whether you're winding down after exploring or gearing up for the next activity, our lodging ensures a restful and memorable stay. Each person will get their own bunk consisting of an upper and lower bunk bed. One bunk can be used for gear storage and the other for sleeping. Bathrooms are attached to dorm rooms in most cases.
Delicious Dining
Fuel your adventure with every bite! At our camp, dining is more than just a meal—it's an experience. Our skilled CIMI chefs craft three nutritious and mouthwatering meals daily, ensuring every guest is energized and satisfied. Served in our welcoming dining hall, each dish is thoughtfully prepared to delight your taste buds and keep you fueled for the day's activities. Get ready to savor the flavors of camp dining at its finest! Vegetarian options are available, and the chef will accommodate those with special dietary restrictions.
Hiking and Botany Walks
Toyon Bay offers a paradise for hiking for outdoor enthusiasts, with a trail that showcases the island's diverse landscape. The trail provides a chance to explore stunning vistas, rugged terrain, island plants, and serene coastal views, all within view of CIMI.
Restoration of Toyon Bay
This hands-on experience invites you to join a dedicated team of volunteers in planting natives at Toyon Bay. We will be planting nearly 100 native trees and shrubs, including dozens that are unique to the Channel Islands. The campus was landscaped in 1928 much like buildings of the time were with turf, Eucalyptus trees, and hedges. CIR volunteers are transforming the campus by planting California and Channel Island natives. This will enhance the learning experiences of the approximately 10,000 students who visit the Catalina Island Marine Institute each year.
Catalina Island Trip Details
Duration: Four days, Three nights (2 half days and two full days)
Group Size: Limited to 30 participants for personalized attention
Difficulty: Easy to moderate walking on well-maintained trails
What is included:
Transportation to and from Catalina Island aboard the Catalina Island Express
Friday dinner
Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Sunday breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Monday breakfast
Visit to Avalon on Monday afternoon
Access to the CIMI facilities. Opportunities to snorkel, hike, learn about marine and island life, and restore native island habitat
What is not included:
You provide your own transportation to San Pedro (carpooling is highly encouraged).
You provide your own lunch on Friday. You're on your own for lunch or an early dinner in Avalon on Monday.
You have to pay your own parking fees at San Pedro.
If you have any questions about the trip, please get in touch with Ken Owen by email at ken@cirweb.org or by phone at (805) 448-5726.