October 2020

October 2020, reflected the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 far less than did the months of March – June.  October saw significant growth over prior months of the year.

All Arrivals

October visitation increased year-over-year in three sectors (cross channel, private boaters and private aircraft), still resulting in an overall decrease by 10,362 visitors over the same month last year.

All arrivals oct 2020

October’s total in-bound passengers = 67,808, down 13.3% from last year @ 78,170.  October 2020 was below the three-year average of 77,037 by 12.0%. October was below the five-year average of 83,802 by 19.1% and the ten-year average of 80,101 by 15.3%.

all arrivals oct green graph

Arrivals by Sea

People arriving by sea, including private boaters, was 65,119 for the month of October, down 13.2% from 75,143 last year.

Rolling comparison oct

vessel counts oct 2020

  • October Cross Channel passenger counts were up 9.6% year-over-year @ 57,383
  • 2020 had the highest volume for the month @ 57,383 passengers
  • 2009 had the lowest volume for the month @ 31,323 passengers
  • October Cross Channel passenger counts were above the three-year average of 52,450 by 9.4%
  • Cross Channel Carriers made up 84.63% of total monthly arrivals

cross channel oct 20

  • Cruise passenger counts were down 100% year-over-year @ 0
  • The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon was down @ 0 vs. 9 in 2019
  • 2017 had the highest number of cruise ships in port @ 13
  • 2020 had the lowest number of cruise ships in port @ 0
  • 2005 had the highest cruise ship passenger volume for the month @ 34,973
  • 2020 had the lowest cruise ship passenger volume for the month @ 0
  • October passenger counts were below the three-year average of 15,549 by 100%
  • Cruise passengers made up 0% of total monthly arrivals

cruise oct 20

  • Private Boater passenger counts were up year-over-year by 6.2% @ 7,736
  • 2020 had the highest volume for the month @ 7,736
  • 2012 had the lowest volume month @ 4,800
  • October private boater passenger counts were above the three-year average of 6,245 by 23.9%
  • October number of boats on anchor was up 18.4% from last year @ 103
  • 2018 had the highest number of vessels at anchor @ 252
  • 2011 had the lowest number of vessels at anchor @ 10
  • October number of boats on moorings was up 30.3% @ 1,934
  • 2020 had the highest number of vessels on moorings @ 1,934
  • 2012 had the lowest number of vessels on moorings @ 1,200
  • Private Boaters Made up 9.21% of total monthly arrivals

private boat oct 20

Arrivals by Air

Combined in-bound air passenger counts for October totaled 3,529, down by 13.4% from 2019. Note Aircraft overnights were not reported for the month.

aircraft oct 20

  • People aboard planes (Airport in the Sky) was up 3.0% from 1,575 in 2019
  • 2011 had the highest volume of private aircraft passenger counts for the month @ 1,777
  • 2018 had the lowest volume of private aircraft passenger counts for the month @ 1,161
  • October counts for people aboard planes was above the three-year average of 1,453 by 11.7%
  • October people aboard planes made up 2.39% of total monthly arrivals

aircraft bar oct 20

  • People aboard Charter Helicopters was down year-over-year by 26.6% @ 1,066
  • 2015 had the highest volume for the month @ 1,617
  • 2011 had the lowest volume for the month @ 872
  • October counts were below the three-year average of 1,339 by 20.4%
  • October people aboard Helicopters made up 1.57% of total monthly arrivals

heli oct 20

Year-to-Date

all arrivals ytd

  • Total arrivals calendar year-to-date was down 49.2% from last year @ 454,135 visitors
  • Total arrivals calendar year-to-date fell below the three, five and ten year averages by over 40% each

all arrivals green graph ytd

To view historical data for total arrivals by sector, year and month in a spreadsheet form click here.  

Weather

Year-over-year comparison for highs, lows and precipitation is charted below for the month of October each year back to 2012. 

weather sept 2020

The number of rain days Year-to date is charted below with year-over year comparisons.

 catalina island rain days

catalina island rainy days ytd

weather 2 september 2020

Rain days oct 2020

Explore the Island

Catalina Flyer

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Hop onboard the Catalina Flyer for daily ferry service from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina Island in just over 1 hour.

Catalina Adventure Tours

Submarine & Inside Land Tours

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