Catalina Island, CA - Best Anchorage Close to Avalon ?

[NatKat]

Hello,

Planning a sail to Catalina Island from Ventura Harbor around 4th of July holiday. We assume Avalon moorings will be PACKED ... have gotten some advice to anchor at Descanso or Lovers Cove / Pebbly beach.

Any other advice or recommendations?
Any advice on the 2 anchorages mentioned?

Dingy to Avalon from anchorage? Or dingy-in and walk to avalon?

We will stay most of the time in Cat Harbor, but need 1-2 nights anchored close to Avalon to catch a show.

Thank you!
Nat & Timo (Islander 33')

[webejammin]

I sailed to Catalina Island from Mission Bay with our new to us Catamaran last Oct and our first night was at Avalon. We had an inflatiable kayak on board to get to the dock for an hour to mail a letter and upon return to our kayak it had been stolen by the harbor ass hole THIEF incharge and tied up to the furtherest out buoy, I guess because it had no boat numbers on it and no motor. I bumed a ride with another dingy to our kayak and left for good never to return. I suggest not going to the Avalon dingy dock unless you lock your dingy to the dock and keep someone on watch full time. The thief is still there working unless he's thankfully dead and is not trustworthy.
On the other hand our visit to Istmas or Two Harbors was great with warm greetings from the harbor folks and our kayak. We were staying for the Latt's and Att's crusers party a pre-fuction of the BaHAHa. We had a great time on Catalina Island but will have to be paid to stay at Avalon ever again. I have been advised to stay just north of the Casino at there buoy's but not in Avalon harbor.

[NatKat]

thanks for sharing your story. I think we will anchor at Descanso, dinghy-in from there and walk over to Avalon to avoid any crazy-ness with our ride "home" };>

[zeehag]

i believe the dink dock for descanso is IN avalon......as there is no way to walk that way over no longer goat infested mountains
a friend of mine works in avalon--- i believe the kayak BLEW off the deck ....
and was saved by some one and placed on a mooring as no one knew where it lived--winds can be a major beeyotch there, btw....
lock yer dink and will be fine. lock your dink no matter where you are.

[sded]

The best anchorage close to Avalon is at White's Cove-a bit of a dinghy ride, but a good anchorage. The anchorages at Avalon SUCK-overcrowded, deep, full of charter boats with inadequate scope and experience, and with a few underwater cables to eat your anchor. If you can leave someone onboard at all times (or are a charterer) not too bad. I go to the Isthmus instead-there are buses and boats to Avalon.

[wsvoboda]

Whites Cove is nice but it is 2 miles from Avalon water dept at 35 feet for anchoring. I anchored there for 2 days and there were only 2 other cruisers there bound for Mexico. Have a great wekend there.

[JiffyLube]

Since you're an Islander owner, you might be interested in the second annual All Islander Rendezvous in September at Cat harbor. The Log has it listed under it Calendar of Events in September, and more will announcements will be made as September approaches.

[FloatyThing]

From what I remember, anything outside Avalon is a really rolley night.

[webejammin]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i believe the dink dock for descanso is IN avalon......as there is no way to walk that way over no longer goat infested mountains
a friend of mine works in avalon--- i believe the kayak BLEW off the deck ....
and was saved by some one and placed on a mooring as no one knew where it lived--winds can be a major beeyotch there, btw....
lock yer dink and will be fine. lock your dink no matter where you are.

Sorry NOT TRUE !! Our kayak had no regstration numbers and was untied and taken by the "bildge scum thief" to the most outer buoy and tied . There's a more friendly dock by the casino for kayaks and unlicened dingys I was told later.

[Sailor g]

We are in Avalon right now on our way to Ensenada stuck between 2 power boats with loud generators (who don't get the 10pm curfew for them) & boats going by at all hours with loud music. Avalon is not bad roll-wise; Descanso is rolly & too far to go. So-we suck it up & stay for the 2 nights, enjoy the town & deal with it all. Wouldn't stay here too long but It's better than the other options for us 

[NatKat]

Thanks for all the tips and keep 'em coming.
We HAVE to stay 1 night close to Avalon to catch a show ... the rest of the time we will be at Cat Harbor or other side AWAY from all the craziness. Just trying to figure best way to see our show & get back to boat without losing the dingy & otherwise avoid over-crowded crazy scene };>

cheers,
Nat

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by NatKat

Thanks for all the tips and keep 'em coming.
We HAVE to stay 1 night close to Avalon to catch a show ... the rest of the time we will be at Cat Harbor or other side AWAY from all the craziness. Just trying to figure best way to see our show & get back to boat without losing the dingy & otherwise avoid over-crowded crazy scene };>

cheers,
Nat

I think there is a small bus system or something that connects Avalon to Two Harbors, but I can't swear to it.

[Sailor g]

There is a bus but it costs like $70 per person each way. We wanted to just go over for the day & looked into it -but decided we didn't want to that much! It was cheaper to sail & moor there for 2 days rather than a bus for a couple hours!

[Feral Cat]

Descanso is very rolly, much boat traffic and it is a deep anchorage...

Avalon is okay if the crowded touristy feeling is what you are going for... Can be fun especially on a packed weekend like you are thinking... People watching/chasing is what you are after?

The whole island will be jammed on the fourth so be ready... There are mooring balls and potential "Deep" anchorages all over the island, just be prepared. Any decent anchorage area seems to have mooring balls already in place, so you need to anchor outside the mooring line (Deeper).

Personally, I avoid the island at every major type holiday, just go when everyone else doesn't... Makes for a much more fun and relaxed adventure!

Good luck and have fun!

[FloatyThing]

It's been years since I have been there, but the bus was a dusty hot long ride. Not something to consider to catch a show in Avalon.