Avalon, Santa Catalina Island – Catalina Island has achieved international recognition, being named one of five finalists worldwide for the National Geographic Travel’s Best of the World 2027 Readers’ Choice selection. This distinction places Catalina as the sole United States destination to advance to the final round of the competition.
The winner of this Readers' Choice selection will be determined by public vote and subsequently featured on the publication’s annual Best of the World list. National Geographic Travel uses this list to highlight destinations its editors recommend for travelers in the coming year, and for Catalina, it means joining a global stage.
Love Catalina Island, the island’s official destination marketing organization, announced the finalist status on Oct. 8. Jim Luttjohann, president and CEO of Love Catalina Island, stated, “Being the only U.S. destination among the five finalists is an incredible honor.” He further encouraged all who appreciate the island to participate in the voting process. The public can cast their vote by finding the Readers’ Choice post on National Geographic Travel’s Instagram account and commenting “Catalina Island.” Voting is scheduled to close on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The competition, while focused on travel, simultaneously highlights many attributes that have long made Catalina Island a cherished destination for Southern California’s boating community, anglers, divers, and other ocean enthusiasts. Located approximately 22 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina is accessible by ferry in about an hour from several Southern California ports. It uniquely combines two distinct waterfront communities, Avalon and Two Harbors, offering extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
For private boaters, Catalina’s numerous coves, anchorages, and mooring fields have cemented its reputation as a prominent Southern California boating destination. Beyond the immediate waterfront, a significant portion of the island’s distinctive character stems from its undeveloped natural landscape. Approximately 88% of the island is overseen by the Catalina Island Conservancy, which safeguards a large segment of the interior. This management provides access to extensive trails, vital wildlife habitat, and various recreational opportunities, including the well-known Trans-Catalina Trail.
Environmental protection extends offshore, with marine protected areas encircling Catalina. These areas are crucial for preserving the island’s kelp forests, rocky reefs, and diverse marine habitats. Such underwater environments have significantly contributed to Catalina's popularity among divers and snorkelers, while also sustaining the rich fisheries and marine life around the island.
Visitors to Catalina can explore distinct experiences in Avalon and Two Harbors. Avalon serves as the island’s primary visitor hub, characterized by a concentration of restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions centered around Avalon Bay. In contrast, Two Harbors, situated on the island’s west end, offers a smaller, more intimate community experience closely linked to boating, camping, and other outdoor recreational pursuits.
Catalina’s rich history also forms a key part of its appeal. The Catalina Casino, completed in 1929, remains one of Avalon’s most iconic landmarks. Despite its name, the building was not designed for gambling; instead, it houses a historic theater and the Casino Ballroom, offering views of the bay. The island also receives visits from the National Geographic Venture, an expedition vessel operated by Lindblad Expeditions, which includes Catalina on select itineraries focused on natural history, science, and outdoor exploration.
Love Catalina Island emphasizes that this recent recognition coincides with ongoing local efforts to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the crucial protection of the natural resources that originally draw visitors to the island. An example of this commitment is the Care for Catalina initiative, established in 2019 and formalized as a nonprofit organization in 2024. Its work includes organizing community cleanup events and the development of a Sustainable Tourism Plan, which was completed in collaboration with Pepperdine University in 2025. For many long-time Southern California boaters, Catalina’s inclusion among these five international finalists simply brings a wider spotlight to a destination that has consistently been a cherished part of the local boating landscape.
