Catalina Island Cruise

[Ken Prichard]

We're taking two 47' Beneteaus on a one week cruise from Marina del Rey to Catalina Island and vicinity during the last week of March, 2008. None of us have ever been there before so we're looking for advice from those of you who have. What do we need to know, what are the "must see" places?

 

[Rick D]

Some Suggestions

Well, ken there are a lot of choices. First, here is a website with more than you may want to know. There should be a tab on the top left to select Avalon or Two Harbors. Here is the link: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/I would tend to start at Cat Harbor from MDR since it is on the back of the island and the approach is easiest from there. A couple of days there will unscramble your brain since it is quiet and calm. Then, I’d head back around and spend a night at Emerald Cove, which is rustic and pretty. Then on to Isthmus Cove or one of the surrounding ones like Cherry Cove or 4th of July Cove. Isthmus Cove is closer to the restaurant and store but it blows a bit more and is cooler compared to both 4th and Cherry.I’d visit Avalon during the week. If possible, you want to get an inside mooring. The best bet is to be there at ten o’clock after the harbor patrol runs the mooring inventory. Thus, you want to be going there from another Catalina cove. On the way, Hen Rock or White’s landing near Long Point offer a good anchorage and moorings. It’s only about five miles from Avalon.Take an Avalon tour when you are there. Take a movie at the casino and a tour if you have time. Don’t miss the museum at the casino around the side. A visit to the garden and a tour of Mt. Ada is also interesting.At Two Harbors, diving and kayaking is the order of the day. If you are fit, a walk to the east ridge will yield spectacular views. Have cocktails at the Banning House one afternoon. Consider a Hummer tour of the West End. It’s an E-ticket ride (you have to be old to know what that is). Most of us just like futzing around on the boat and it’s really easy to get into island time but resist the temptation and explore. Enjoy! Rick D.

 

[Joe]

Catalina cruise guide DVD

Here is a great DVD tour guide you can enjoy with your crew. "Cast off for Catalina" ... Well worth the money...  http://www.seabreezenauticalbooks.com/product_info.php/products_id/5647You can order it from Seabreeze or check other sources, such as Amazon.There are a number of printed Catalina cruise guides, Brian Fagan has written a couple and is probably the best known of the west coast cruising writers.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Snorkel

Ken,I grew up sailing those waters. The kelp beds are full of life. Find an out-of-the-way day anchorage on the lee side and go snorkeling in the kelp.

 

[BobW]

Dive if you are able....

We moved our boat from Ventura to San Pedro this summer for better access to Catalina. 4 trips so far, and every one a winner.If any of you dive, don't miss out on some excellent dives.Emerald Bay is our favorite - rustic? well, there's no bar, restaurant, fuel dock, pumpout (Avalon has one, as does Cat Harbor on the back-side), or other amenities, but we consider Willows on Santa Cruz to be 'rustic'. Anyway, the diving at Emerald Bay is terrific - snorkeling would be good as well. In the mornings, we often watch the rays on the bottom in 20+ feet, and the view from the hillside is fantastic. It's a nice hike into Two Harbors (6.5 miles each way).If you have time, Santa Barbara Island is supposed to be a nice sail and good anchoring spot - there's a seal/sea lion rookery there, although I'm not sure if they'll be there in March.All the moorings along the 'front' side - Howlands Landing, Cherry Cove, 4th of July, both Geigers, White's Landing, Goat Harbor, etc, are fine in good weather (and we see boats anchored just about anywhere along the coast - just watch out for 'Santa Ana winds' on the weather forecast, when you'll want to head for the south side. If they're really strong (like during the recent fires we had out here), you'll have to re-think your plans.At Avalon, the harbor is nice, but Descanso moorings are quieter and more open - the weather will help you decide 'in or out'. The lobster we brought up in our baskets last trip to Descanso were worth a little rolling. Enjoy!Cheers,Bobs/y X SAIL R 8

 

[abe]

Santa Barbara Island is a must....

..if you like a rustic place to anchor with nobody around you except for the sea lions. You can dinghy to the pier and tie up to the lader...kind of tricky and you have to time it. Leave enough line on the dinghy to absorb the wave movement, but not too much that it can turn around the posts. Take a walk up to the ranger station and ask if any big boats are coming...if they are you have to move the dinghy. Do not attempt to land on the rocks. You can then go a walking tour of the islands...lots of birds and no trees. Becareful, if you are tempted to row the dinghy you can get caught in currents and winds...we did that one year and we had to be rescued by another boat 1/2 mile out to sea. We did that the first year because the recommendation was to dinghy to the pier and haul it out of the water into a storage place 15ft above the water on a deck below the pier. Now we go on the dinghy with the outboard attached. If you have kayaks and the weather is nice you could circumnivicate the island. Good Luck and have a good time,Be careful with the Santa Anas/abe