Sailing to Catalina Island-Sail Channel Islands-Southern California

Sailing To Catalina

Santa Catalina Island, often referred to as just “Catalina Island” is one of the favorite offshore destinations for boaters and the sailing community in Southern California. With plenty of moorings and places to “drop a hook” sailors can visit a variety of secluded beaches and coves, dive or snorkel kelp beds, caves and structures, and fish for the big one! Catalina Island is 22 miles long and is part of the Channel Islands of California archipelago and is located in Los Angeles County. There are two primary harbor destinations for boaters, Avalon and Two Harbors. Catalina Island comprises over 76 square miles, with 85% of the island in a protected conservancy area maintained in its natural state.

Sailing into Avalon Harbor

The city of Avalon is situated on the south-easterly portion of the island and is approximately:

26 miles from San Pedro
26 miles from Newport Harbor
35 miles from Dana Point
49 miles from Marina Del Rey
78 miles from Oxnard

The Mediterranean feeling seaport village of Avalon has a permanent population of about 3,500 but hosts over a million guests annually. Avalon is the only offshore destination resort in California. Sailors will find plenty of open moorings during the week, but space can be at a premium on holidays and summer weekends. Reservations are a good idea during the busy season. The city of Avalon is a little over 2 2/3 square miles in size, and is known as a place to relax and party. Avalon's policy of limiting the number of cars equates with no smog or traffic, with the primary mode of transportation being golf carts or walking.

Sailing into Two Harbors

This is a much smaller tranquil island village located about 16 miles north of Avalon and is approximately:

22 miles from San Pedro
35 miles from Newport Harbor
43 miles from Dana Point
39 miles from Marina Del Rey
65 miles from Oxnard

Sailing to the Two Harbors area provides visitors with a more relaxed atmosphere. The town still offers visitors a grocery, restaurants, and a couple of spots to drink a cold beer, or three. Two Harbors is located on the Island's narrow isthmus, the islands narrowest point. The landing is named Two Harbors because of the two harbors separated by less than a half-mile land separating the leeward Isthmus Cove, Banning Harbor and Cat Harbor on the windward (southern) side. The village has about 150 permanent residents that live on the isthmus year-round.

View Live Cam of Catalina Island