Planning a couple trips to Avalon/Two Harbors and have a concern. Since they don't reserve moorings in advance, how am I sure that there will be space when I get there? Since its a 10-12 trip from San Diego, I'd hate to arrive and find all the moorings gone. I do not plan on going during holidays. Your advice is welcome. Bob F. "Andiamo"
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Start Closer
When we went to Avalon, we worked our way up the coast from San Diego to Dana Point and then crossed from there. Then you leave at first light and try to beat everybody else there. If you arrive before noon you stand a good chance of getting a mooring.
When we went to Avalon, we worked our way up the coast from San Diego to Dana Point and then crossed from there. Then you leave at first light and try to beat everybody else there. If you arrive before noon you stand a good chance of getting a mooring.
Can't, Bob
First, moorings usually sell out within a day before a holiday weekend. Sometimes before. Second, your best bets are Emerald cove on the far west side and Cat Harbor on the back side, since they fill last. From where you are comming, I would tend to go around the back side to Cat Harbor. However, you can always anchor. You will want a minimum of 20' chain on the primary anchor and carry 300' of rode. Also carry a stern anchor with about 150' of rode and 6' of chain. There is good holding at Descanso near Avalon, but its a rolly anchorage. Also at White's and neighboring coves (good area for anchoring). Cat Harbor has lots of anchorage also. Anchoring just off Avalon is iffy because its really deep. The Isthmus Harbor has plenty of anchorage, but its also deep with kelp except off the camp grounds. At the Isthmus near the camp grounds and in close at Cat, you will likely need a bow and stern anchor. The key is get there before the weekend if you can for a mooring, but regardless, go with anchoring in mind and then you can not worry about it. Monitor channel 9 as you get close to find out what the situation is at the various coves. You have plenty of places in the bay to practice if needed. See you there! Rick D.
First, moorings usually sell out within a day before a holiday weekend. Sometimes before. Second, your best bets are Emerald cove on the far west side and Cat Harbor on the back side, since they fill last. From where you are comming, I would tend to go around the back side to Cat Harbor. However, you can always anchor. You will want a minimum of 20' chain on the primary anchor and carry 300' of rode. Also carry a stern anchor with about 150' of rode and 6' of chain. There is good holding at Descanso near Avalon, but its a rolly anchorage. Also at White's and neighboring coves (good area for anchoring). Cat Harbor has lots of anchorage also. Anchoring just off Avalon is iffy because its really deep. The Isthmus Harbor has plenty of anchorage, but its also deep with kelp except off the camp grounds. At the Isthmus near the camp grounds and in close at Cat, you will likely need a bow and stern anchor. The key is get there before the weekend if you can for a mooring, but regardless, go with anchoring in mind and then you can not worry about it. Monitor channel 9 as you get close to find out what the situation is at the various coves. You have plenty of places in the bay to practice if needed. See you there! Rick D.
Alternatively...
When I lived in SD we used to make the run up to Catalina overnight. Leave in the late afternoon and get there in the morning. Less wind on the nose that way plus you get there early to get a mooring. Avalon can be a real circus, you might want to try Cat. Harbor (on the other side of the Isthmus) I've had good luck getting a mooring there even on holiday weekends but don't plan on getting one in Avalon unless you get lucky. There aren't many places to anchor, most of the good ones have been filled with bouys. There is plenty of anchoring room in Cat. Harbor but it's pretty deep. You should be able to find something though especially if you're going off peak. Emerald Bay is nice, and there are some other coves between Avalon and the Isthmus that will probably have some bouys open too. Hail the launch when you get close and they'll assign you a mooring. It's a fun trip, just don't show up in Avalon at 5:00 on the fourth of July or something like that... Good luck!
When I lived in SD we used to make the run up to Catalina overnight. Leave in the late afternoon and get there in the morning. Less wind on the nose that way plus you get there early to get a mooring. Avalon can be a real circus, you might want to try Cat. Harbor (on the other side of the Isthmus) I've had good luck getting a mooring there even on holiday weekends but don't plan on getting one in Avalon unless you get lucky. There aren't many places to anchor, most of the good ones have been filled with bouys. There is plenty of anchoring room in Cat. Harbor but it's pretty deep. You should be able to find something though especially if you're going off peak. Emerald Bay is nice, and there are some other coves between Avalon and the Isthmus that will probably have some bouys open too. Hail the launch when you get close and they'll assign you a mooring. It's a fun trip, just don't show up in Avalon at 5:00 on the fourth of July or something like that... Good luck!
Catalina Mooring
There is a book available from the marine book store on Scott St. on Pt. Loma. (Sorry, I can't remember the exact name, but it is just west of the West Marine store.) This gives you all the info on Catalina. Moorings are available at 7:00 am each day. You contact the launch (red boat)personally at the entrance to Avalon Harbor or Two Harbors. It does you no good to use the radio. Just meander out there with everyone else until the launch comes up to you. Caution, many of the "public employees" on the launches have the personalities of a grape. So, don't expect a warm welcome like a private business does. It is on a first come first serve basis. The owners of the moorings have until Thursday to notify the harbor people if they will be using their mooring over the weekend. If not used by the owners, they become available to us. If you want Avalon, and they say that only Descanco (next door, more rolly) is available right then, take Descanso and ask to be put on the waiting list for Avalon. We were surprised one afternoon to get moved at about 4:00 pm. Avalon is much more comfortable and more fun than Descanso. Also, if you have never done a double (forward and aft cleats) mooring, please make sure that you read up on it before you get there or ask for help. The best bet is to get a book on Catalina. Answere all your questions.
There is a book available from the marine book store on Scott St. on Pt. Loma. (Sorry, I can't remember the exact name, but it is just west of the West Marine store.) This gives you all the info on Catalina. Moorings are available at 7:00 am each day. You contact the launch (red boat)personally at the entrance to Avalon Harbor or Two Harbors. It does you no good to use the radio. Just meander out there with everyone else until the launch comes up to you. Caution, many of the "public employees" on the launches have the personalities of a grape. So, don't expect a warm welcome like a private business does. It is on a first come first serve basis. The owners of the moorings have until Thursday to notify the harbor people if they will be using their mooring over the weekend. If not used by the owners, they become available to us. If you want Avalon, and they say that only Descanco (next door, more rolly) is available right then, take Descanso and ask to be put on the waiting list for Avalon. We were surprised one afternoon to get moved at about 4:00 pm. Avalon is much more comfortable and more fun than Descanso. Also, if you have never done a double (forward and aft cleats) mooring, please make sure that you read up on it before you get there or ask for help. The best bet is to get a book on Catalina. Answere all your questions.
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