Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island is Southern California's favorite boating destination. The island is about 22 miles long and 8 miles wide at its widest, and it lies roughly 29 miles south-southwest of Long Beach. Most of the island is protected land, and the Catalina Island Conservancy manages about 88 percent of it. Boaters come for two harbors, a string of leeward coves, clear water and the chance to spend the night on a mooring.

The crossing

San Pedro Channel is about 17 miles wide between Point Fermin and Point Vicente on the mainland and the island. From the mainland ports, published trips run about 25 nautical miles from Los Angeles Harbor to Two Harbors, about 26 from Newport Beach to Avalon, and about 29 from Huntington Harbor to Avalon. The channel is open Pacific water, and guides advise leaving in the morning, which is typically the calmest part of the day; the ride home is usually rougher. Check the NOAA marine zone forecast for wind, swell height and period, and set a go/no-go standard before leaving the dock. Traffic separation schemes serve the Los Angeles and Long Beach approaches, so look at the chart and keep a lookout for commercial ships. The lighted tower on Catalina can be seen for about 16 miles.

Moorings versus anchoring

Moorings come first. Avalon, Descanso Bay and Hamilton Cove have over 360 mooring sites, assigned first-come, first-served. Two Harbors has over 700 across a dozen sites, and these can be reserved in advance. Anchoring is allowed outside the mooring areas, at your own risk and often in deep water: at Avalon, the anchorage is outside the breakwater, west of the Casino and at least 300 feet from moorings, and in the Two Harbors area, anchoring is allowed 100 yards outside the mooring areas and must stay under 14 days. Both areas keep a 5 mph no-wake limit near moorings and anchorages, 10 pm to 7 am quiet hours for generators, and no sewage discharge.

Fuel and services

Gas, diesel and water are available year-round in Avalon and at the Two Harbors fuel dock. Fill up before you cross anyway: boaters are advised to use a rule of thirds, with one-third of fuel to go, one to return and one in reserve.

Where to go

Avalon is the island's only incorporated city and the main hub. Two Harbors lies on the narrow isthmus, with Isthmus Cove on the north side and Catalina Harbor on the south side. Coves along the leeward coast include Fourth of July, Cherry, Emerald Bay, Howland's Landing, White's Landing, Moonstone and Hen Rock.