A new hub for island exploration has opened in Avalon, bringing together two long-standing Catalina businesses into a single, centralized location designed to simplify how visitors experience the island.
Catalina’s Adventure HQ, located at 1202 Avalon Canyon Road, officially opened this spring as a full-service base for activities both above and below the water. The new space combines Catalina Taxi & Tours and Catalina Divers Supply, two independently operated companies with deep roots on the island, now working side by side under one roof.
The concept is straightforward: give visitors one place to plan, book, and prepare for their time on Catalina Island. From guided backcountry tours and transportation services to scuba instruction, gear rentals, and retail offerings, the goal is to streamline the experience for both first-time visitors and returning island regulars.
“Catalina deserves a basecamp that matches the experience of being here,” said owner Christy Harp. “Everything we offer — above the water and below it — comes from more than two decades of living and exploring this island. That’s what Adventure HQ is built on.”
The new location reflects a broader trend toward convenience-driven services, particularly in destinations like Catalina where logistics can play a major role in how much visitors are able to see and do. By combining transportation, recreation, and outfitting services in one place, Adventure HQ aims to reduce the need for multiple stops across Avalon.
Catalina Taxi & Tours, one of the two businesses now operating out of the new hub, continues to offer transportation throughout Avalon as well as shuttle service to some of the island’s most popular remote destinations. These include Blackjack Campground, Little Harbor, Two Harbors, and a variety of interior trailheads that provide access to Catalina’s rugged backcountry.
In addition to transportation, the company offers guided tours that highlight the island’s terrain and coastal views. Options range from family-oriented excursions to more customized experiences, including private group tours and specialty outings such as scenic stops overlooking the Pacific. Spanish-speaking guides are also available upon request, expanding accessibility for a broader range of visitors.
Sharing the space is Catalina Divers Supply, a long-established name in the island’s dive community. Recognized as the oldest dive operation on the West Coast and Catalina’s only PADI 5 Star Dive Center, the company brings decades of experience in the waters surrounding the island.
At the new Adventure HQ location, guests can enroll in scuba certification courses, book guided dives, or arrange introductory experiences for those new to the sport. Equipment rentals and retail offerings are also available, supported by a staff of divers familiar with Catalina’s underwater environment, including its well-known kelp forests.
While the new location expands access to these services inland, Catalina Divers Supply will continue operating its existing locations at the historic Casino building and along Avalon’s Pleasure Pier. Those waterfront sites will remain key points for gear access, air fills, and direct dive support, ensuring that visitors can still connect with services close to the water.
The Adventure HQ building itself carries its own significance within Avalon. Originally constructed by Los Angeles County, the site once served as an interpretive center focused on Catalina’s natural history, ecology, and cultural heritage. It was later operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, where it functioned as an educational space for visitors looking to better understand the island’s landscape and wildlife.
That purpose has not entirely changed. While the building now operates as a commercial hub, its role in connecting people to Catalina remains central. The difference is that instead of simply learning about the island, visitors now have a direct pathway to experience it firsthand.
For Harp, that connection is personal. A Catalina resident for more than 20 years, she has spent decades navigating the island’s terrain both above and below the waterline. Her involvement in the community extends beyond business, including participation in local organizations such as the Avalon Rotary and support for the Catalina Island Museum for Art & History.
She also leads the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup, an ongoing effort aimed at preserving the health and clarity of the island’s marine environment. That work reflects a broader commitment to maintaining the natural resources that draw visitors to Catalina in the first place.
As Avalon continues to evolve as both a recreational and tourism destination, projects like Adventure HQ highlight the balance between accessibility and experience. By bringing together established operators with a shared knowledge of the island, the new hub offers a consolidated approach to exploring Catalina without losing the local expertise that defines it.
For boaters, divers, and visitors arriving by ferry alike, the addition of a centralized outfitting and activity center provides another option for planning time on the island. Whether heading into the backcountry, preparing for a dive, or arranging transportation beyond Avalon’s main streets, Adventure HQ positions itself as a starting point for a wide range of island activities.
With its doors now open, the new facility adds a fresh layer to Catalina’s visitor experience, one that builds on the island’s history while focusing on how people move through and interact with it today.
