Prestige Catamaran Cruise to Catalina Island

This was a very well done tour with an excellent and friendly crew. The crew speaks English, Spanish, and French. The food was also surprisingly very nice, a snack of sandwiches in the morning but later a very nice lunch of grilled meats with pasta and fresh fruits and veggies. The boat was lovely, lots of room to spread out and lounge on the nets, and the cruise up the river after the two snorkeling stops was very interesting addition. I would definitely recommend booking with Quetzal for your boat trip.

Our excursion was booked using the excursion table and Club Med resort for a Thursday, all-day excursion on January 9th 2025. The day started with a bus ride from Club Med resort to Bayahibe and we were accompanied by a "tour guide" who provided some entertainment and support (but was really not necessary). Our family included six adults and there were a total of twelve in our group. I would recommend any excursion be limited to twenty as more than that will create a crowded and slow experience. The bus ride was about 40 minutes and we arrived at Bayahibe around 0830, having departed Club Med a bit after 0730. We were shuttled to the catamaran by a small launch because the catamaran was anchored in the harbor. There is a single pier in the harbor and it appears reserved for use by large groups. We saw a different group with over fifty people boarding from the pier. Our group was small enough that we did not use the pier. Our first stop was the "Aquarium" after an hour of cruising. During this time we were introduced to the crew and offered coffee and refreshments. Throughout the entire trip we felt that all our needs were provided for and we only had to ask for anything. The Quetzal is absolutely gorgeous and she is clearly well maintained and very comfortable. We were fortunate in that conditions for our excursion were close to perfect: calm seas, sun and clear water. Arriving at the "Aquarium" we were given a short briefing on the equipment and entered the warm waters which were teaming with fish. The depth felt about 15 feet so we were not able to get up close to the coral but we enjoyed the view and our guide (not the same person from the bus but a crew member) sprinkled food into the water to attract fish. We stayed in this area for about an hour and raised anchor around 1200 and started for Catalina Island. Catalina Island is a nature preserve and our guide had earlier distributed wrist bands which appeared to be day passes for the preserve. On the way to Catalina we were served an excellent lunch which included salad, grilled meat and vegetables, and fresh fruit. Drinks were always available. The "Wall" at Catalina Island gave a much better snorkeling experience where the coral is closer to the surface and it is possible to hover above and study many different species of fish. After giving us a guided tour of the area, our snorkeling guide, gave us the option of returning to the "Wall" for more snorkeling or riding their inflatable skiff to the beach on the island for exploration. We all opted for more snorkeling as the conditions were so good. We were rewarded with a sighting of a sea turtle and additional marine animals. Only downside to all the snorkeling was a little too much sun on the lower back: bring high SPF sunscreen and apply as directed or wear a water shirt. Having stayed at the island for almost two hours we raised anchor and headed towards the Chavon river. This took about thirty minutes of cruising and we spent the next hour or so going up the river, admiring the natural beauty. Our bus host attempted to keep us entertained with stories about wealthy people occupying the residencies near the mouth of the river. I personally would have preferred some peaceful quiet time. After the Chavon we returned to Bayahibe and took a launch back to the beach, boarded our bus and returned to the resort. Everyone agreed that this was a remarkable and unforgettable excursion. The crew and captain of the Quetzel were wonderful and the catamaran is beautiful. I would change nothing from that experience. I would recommend saving some money and booking the excursion yourself, directly from the Quetzel and arranging transportation to and from the port. You may even want to spend some time in Bayahibe which had a lot of activity (do your own research on that as I cannot vouch for safety - sort of a Tatooine Mos Esley feel to it ). That and bring extra sunscreen or swim shirts.

This catamaran excursion to Catalina Island was absolutely unforgettable! Unlike other boats packed with tourists, we had the privilege of being on an almost private catamaran with only 10 passengers, making the experience even more enjoyable and exclusive. Charlotte was an exceptional guide, with extensive knowledge of the area and a wealth of fascinating information about the local wildlife, marine life, and history. Her kindness and enthusiasm truly made a difference. The snorkeling was breathtaking, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life. Onboard, everything was perfect—refreshing drinks, a delicious meal, and their incredible homemade Ti’ Punch! Additionally, knowing that Captain Bernard had crossed the Atlantic 28 times gave us complete confidence in our safety. His expertise and experience made the journey even more enjoyable and reassuring. If you’re looking for a unique, high-quality excursion away from the crowds, don’t hesitate. A magical day that I 100% recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐