January 2026 saw an increase in 23.4% visitors compared with January 2025, according to numbers recently released by Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority.
This year started with 59,217 visitors in the first month, according to Love Catalina Island (also known as the Chamber of Commerce).
The cross channel visitor counts include 729 visitors to Two Harbors this year and 630 last year, according to Love Catalina Island.
“Passengers arriving by sea in January totaled 57,161 up by 23.0% for the month compared to last year,” according to the Love Catalina website.
“Cross Channel Passenger counts were up by 22.6%, an increase of 10,690 people,” according to the Love Catalina website.
“Cross Channel Passengers made up 52.24% of total monthly arrivals,” according to the Love Catalina website.
“Cruise passenger counts totaled 35,038 down from 35,169 last year by 0.4% or 131 visitors,” according to the website.
“Cruise passenger counts totaled 35,038 down from 35,169 last year by 0.4% or 131 visitors,” according to the website.
“January Cruise Passenger counts were below the three-year average by 0.1% but above the five and ten-year averages by 16.5%, and 41.9% respectively,” according to the website.
“Cruise Passengers made up 47.88% of total monthly arrivals,” according to the website.
“The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon in January was 6,” according to the website.
“Private Boater Passenger counts totaled 2,280, up by 85.7% from last year,” the Love Catalina website said.
“026 had the highest private boat passenger volume for the month @ 2,280,” the Love Catalina website said.
“January Private Boater Passenger counts were above the three, five and ten-year averages by 45.7%, 63.0% and 63.8% respectively,” the Love Catalina website said.
“Private Boaters made up 3.85% of total arrivals,” the Love Catalina website said.
“January’s number of Vessels Anchored was 18, down from 2025 @ 86,” the Love Catalina website said.
“January’s number of Vessels on Moorings was 570, up from 307 last year,” the Love Catalina website said.
January 2026’s moorings wer the highest number, according to the website.
“Combined in-bound air passenger counts for January totaled 2,087 up by 35.1% from 1,545 in 2025,” according to Love Catalina.
“January’s Private Aircraft Passenger count was above the three, five and ten-year averages by 8.2%, 5.2% and 25.3% respectively,” according to Love Catalina.
“Private Aircraft Passengers made up 2.41% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“Helicopter Passenger counts totaled 628, up year-over-year from 495 in 2025,” according to Love Catalina.
“Helicopter Passengers made up 1.06% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
