Catalina Excursions Vs Ensenada Excursions
Which Catalina Island Excursions are better than In Ensenada?
If you traveling to Catalina Island on a cruise, and stopping in Ensenada and Catalina, you will want to select the best excursions at each port day to maximize your excursions days and budget and satisfy those in your group.
Many cruise routes stop in both Ensenada and Catalina Island. Others stop in Cabo and Catalina (a future blog).
Affordability and kids, and limited mobility are factors for many groups.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean have good offerings, however, with age restrictions private tours give more flexibility, especially when ship tours are sold out. Check Viator and well-reviewed local companies for more options, private customized tours and better pricing.
The shore day in Ensenada is longer because it is not a tender port like Catalina and Cabo (cruise ship docks and you walk off so no little boat ride and extra waiting fo the little boat). The downtown walk is a bit further - 4 blocks vs 2 in Catalina. Consider a shuttle to town for low mobility or private tour to fit in 3 activities.
Ensenada Better than Catalina Excursions
Ensenada offers some things that Catalina does not offer, and a few things that are offered in both, but just better in Ensenada. Catalina Island has some amazing offerings too.
Wine Tour and Dine in the Valle de Guadalupe:
Ensenada cruise port is just 35 min from the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine route. 85% of Wine is produced in the region and the Valle has amazing vineyards for tasting, and lunching. Eating lunch overlooking vineyards, buying local olive oil are unique. Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours are available many providers, custom or pre package, range of costs.
Honestly, when I drive through the Valle, I sometimes just stop at a roadside coffee shop to sit outside under a tree and look at the trees and vines. Simple pleasures of nature.
Horseback Riding:
on the beach Ensenada is super fun and not available in Catalina. As part of Mexico’s horse culture, Ensenada has many horseback riding options including horses at Echo Canyon, a scenic beach ride with chance to stop and look for shells, and advanced riders up for galloping near a local estuary.
ATV:
I have not seen ATV’s as an option in Catalina Island, but are many options for ATV in Ensenada including on street/beach rentals, safest dirt track in the hills, and Hot Springs.
For kids, they can participate as long as you sign all the waivers and take responsibility. I don’t think California insurance makes it affordable for ATVs in Catalaina. I will say that taking an Ensenada ATV tour that is off road, sharing the streets with cars is not enjoyable. And I used to live on Playa Hermosa public beach. ATVs while you are chillin not really appreciated.
Pai Pai Eco Park
is pretty Unique in Ensenada to get a chance to pet baby tigers/lions, interact with lemurs and monkeys, and see some other stuff. I know Carnival tells folks to not go there. You can decide if Pai Pai is right for you. I discuss some of the Ensenada tiger petting details here: Catalina has Bison tour, no warnings against that.
La Bufadora
marine geyser and flea market. 2nd largest in the world, but be sure to check tides to see it is going off, and be prepared for a circus of vendors. It’s a 40min ride, so combine with another tour, and read up If La Bufadora is Worth it, and combine with other tours.
Ensenada Surfing
is a wonderful opportunity not beginners. Ensenada Surf lessons are a really great chance for kids and explorers to try a surf lesson if you live far from the ocean like I did growing up in Wisconsin. No easy surf option in Catalina. Ensenada has amazing beach for beginning surf lessons.
Ensenada’s Beach Playa Hermosa has great sand, is shallow, and is a beach break, which means the water is shallow and waves break close to shore, perfect for kids and newbies who don’t want to paddle through heavy waves.
Catalina Excursions better than Ensenada
Scuba Diving
The options for a shore day diver are better in Catalina. Ensenada is cold water and the best dives are far off shore or north in Rosarito. And the Ensenada options are 40 minutes from port, so when you add int gear time, just a tight day.
I did a quick dive off Catalina and enjoyed it. Not spectacular, but easier and warmer than Ensenada and great to get a dive in for those who crave the diving experience.
Snorkeling
looks like easier options in Catalina, especially for kids. The small beach right there in Avalon has rentals gear around and easy to access. There are small boats around in that tiny harbor, but everything is easy and rope fenced off area for swimming. An easy, safe adventure for kids, and overall medium quality snorkeling experience.
Ensenada’s snorkeling options would be at Playa Hermosa and out by the Bufadora off shore in Abolitos cover, or Todos Santos Island.
Honestly, Playa Hermosa is sandy and not teaming with warm water sea life like the Caribbean, so nothing to see. By bufadora is kelp forest and an island with great fish. We are developing a tour to island near bufadora that is available, but not listed yet . . for teens and adults that want an adventure in the warmer summer waters.
So kids better off exploring in Avalon beach, an adult or family adventure better in Ensenada.
Parasailing
is not available in Ensenada so grab that in Catalina.
Bison Tour
looks amazing and gets rave reviews in Catalina. Pai Pai in Ensenada would be the top animal option.
Hiking
in nature there are some easily accessible hikes in Catalina. Hikes to El Salto canyon are available with guide about 40min drive from port. I know I golf carted up to a State Park Visitor Center went for a mini hike after seeing the visitors center.
Jetskis
are seasonally available in Ensenada around Estero Beach, but not consistent. We go there for a beach excursion where there are actually clean restrooms, food options and pools/ jacuzzis to keep a group entertained. I think easier to access, but quite a bit more expensive in Catalina.
The Golf cart rental in Catalina
gets rave reviews and I loved it on my cruise. In Ensenada, there are no golf carts. You could rent a UTV near the cruise port and ride around the streets, but I don’t think it is fun or safe.
Ensenada is a city with traffic, potholes, lots of intersections, and the driving habits and signage is slightly different than US making it mildly stressful. Catalina is a small island with tiny, calm streets, and getting out of town is quicker.
Underwater Submarine Tour:
Super cool option in Catalina! The closest thing in Ensenada is a private yacht day.
available in both Ensenada and Catalina Island:
Kayaking
is available in both, but Ensenada offers the viewing of the Blowhole, and calm estuary options both far from ships and traffic so very much in nature. Looks like Catalina you can do the kayaking right from the beach and you will be around the harbour without having to drive with sit on tops.
La Bufadora Kayaking goes to the iconic geyser of Ensenada and the 2nd largest in the world. Summer waves are a bit calmer and waters warmer, so it is a great time to enjoy this water activity. And we offer calm water kayaking on the Estuary for younger kids and just looking for a sunny day with less breeze.
Beaches
Avalon city beach is easily accessible easy to stop by for a bit, close to downtown, and in the middle of harbor. Ensenada’s beaches are larger, longer, and less accessible. Playa Hermosa is mostly clean, 5 blocks from port on ugly walk with no facilities. Playa Pacifica best semi-natural beach. Beach excursion to Estero Beach Resort well manicured and close to restrooms, restaurant, bar.
Casino Tours
Yes, both have old casinos near the port. Money drives the world and people love to gamble. It’s toss up for me, I appreciate the Riviera because of its outdoor gardens and margarita option. In Ensenada, you could do this as city tour or walking around.
More Affordable in Ensenada
Massage and Facial and Tatoo
Indulging in and Ensenada120 minute massage and facial for couples or super self-care - not to mention pricing compared to ship spa. Ensenada Massage, my spa offers unique group options for 3-10, that are just not available in Catalina nor on the ship.
Zipline in Ensenada
is super popular since it is family-friendly There are a couple of Zipline options around Ensenada, with tiny kiddy ones at Pai Pai, long ones in Valle de Guadalupe, and a safety rating set of 5 ziplines south of Ensenada where it can be combined with Bufadora, ATV, and Horseback.
Catalina does have Zipline as well and looks like it has 5 ziplines, $150 plus each person in Ensenada vs. $75 in Ensenada Las Canadas Zipline.
A self-guided wandering
for food or drinks will cost you less in Ensenada. Lot’s of street tacos seafood and churros. A microbrew - tequila - margarita crawl is going to be cheaper in Ensenada too.
Massage will break the bank in Catalina, but the Sea Spa seems to be the best and right downtown, may break your bank. My other business Ensenada Massage has port pick ups and 120min and 4 hand massage options.
The Private Yacht
Is a great chance to be just with your group close to the water. Getting up closer to the water is a great feeling, and kids can try out fishing and stop for a swim on the 4-hour tour. You could probably find a private boat rental in Catalina, but at much much higher cost.
Food: Tacos!
is more interesting in Ensenada simply because of the local cultural offers some fun options freshly made and affordable priced. There are many food carts, taco stands, and churro carts around. Just walking and snacking can be fun and cheaper than Catalina. Seafood ceviches are delicious too.
Ensenada has churros, no funnel cakes, the best tacos, no corndogs!
Shopping!
You may hate the selection and vendors, but Ensenada souvenir shopping near port or at Bufadora Market is more fun in Ensenada. Weird stuff for sale, nutty vendors, and some high-quality handmade goods too. Vanilla, Cuban Cigars, Silver are handmade stuff are interesting Ensenada buys.
And Mexico-style rummage sale segundos for the hard core explorers.
Tequila, Mezcal, Beer
Tequila and Mezcal tasting, and microbrews are more affordable in Ensenada. I did not drink in Catalina, but know there are great options for a tequila tour and several microbreweries around Ensenada for a good Brews and Views tour.
Not to mention just walking on la primera with Papas and Beer and several large bars for the party scene.
Private Tour
A private tour to fit in lots of activities or satisfy a diverse group of ages, or limited mobility, or celebrating something special. There a several local providers in Ensenada doing this.
Our TripAdvisor #1 team can set up custom tour itineraries, and small touches like a welcome sign “Happy Graduation” Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday that will make somebody smile for a minute;) Request a quote for combo tours, single-vehicle trips, special requests for stress free day.
Pre-planning is best, and you can still book the day before with ship excursions if they are not sold out, or local guys like us if you have phone/internet/or Facebook access.
In short, Catalina wins for Bison tour, Golf Carting, Parasailing, Scuba. Ensenada better for private tours, zipline, food, shopping adventures, massage, horseback, and wine-tequila tours. Affordability, time in port, and group mobility are considerations.
Leave me a comment with something to add, or send us an email with question.
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