Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority

Reaching Catalina Island by Private Boat

Arriving by Private Boat

This page brings together maps, videos, and practical details for boating to Catalina Island, including mooring guidance for Avalon, Two Harbors, and nearby coves.

Private boaters can use moorings, but not slips, in Avalon, Two Harbors, and multiple coves around the Island. For Avalon-specific boating details, the Avalon Harbor Department provides a brochure with an Avalon Moorings map and instructions for securing a mooring.

Avalon Harbor Mooring Details

At Catalina Island’s east end, Avalon Harbor, Descanso Bay, and Hamilton Cove offer over 360 mooring sites.

All moorings are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. When you reach Avalon, wait just outside the Avalon Harbor entrance until the Harbor Patrol boat provides your mooring assignment. No moorings are assigned over VHF radio. Once assigned, mooring fees are due to the Harbor Patrol Officer and can be paid by cash, check or credit card (except American Express). A video below explains how to pick up and release a mooring in Avalon.

Avalon is a NO DISCHARGE area. No sewage may be discharged – treated or not. This is strictly enforced. Near the fuel dock by the Casino building, boaters can use a free Pump-A-Head station. Two Harbors has a pump-out station at the main dock, and Catalina Harbor has a pump-out boat.

During the summer months, service boats collect trash free of charge each day; in Avalon during winter months, trash pick-up is available on weekends. Plastic trash bags are provided at no charge by the trash service boat and at the Harbor Master's office at the end of the Green Pleasure Pier.

To ensure a peaceful coexistence, all generators must be secured from 10 pm to 7 am.

Avalon’s anchorage lies beyond the breakwater, west of the Casino building, and must be at least 300 feet from moorings and the Casino Dive Park. Expect a depth of 150 feet. In all other areas, anchoring is allowed only outside mooring fields. These areas are not patrolled, and anchoring is done at your own risk. Shore boat service does not extend to the anchorage.

Avalon Harbor has dinghy docks for dinghies 14' or smaller. Dinghy locks are recommended.

Shoreboat/water-taxi service is available and monitors VHF Channel 9. The service charges per person, per trip, each way.

Avalon Mooring Resources

Avalon Moorings Video

The source page includes an Avalon Moorings video explaining how to pick up and drop a mooring in Avalon, credited to Newport Beach Maritime Academy, with the Vimeo embed naming Newport Coast Maritime Academy from Love Catalina.

Two Harbors & Beyond Mooring Details

At Catalina Island’s west end, more than over 700 mooring sites are located around Two Harbors in quiet coves, landings, beaches, and harbors. Areas include Isthmus Cove, Fourth of July Cove, Cherry Cove, Emerald Bay, Howland’s Landing, Little Geiger, White’s Landing, Moonstone, Hen Rock, Buttonshell, Catalina Harbor and Wells Beach. Maps are available for the west end mooring sites.

Moorings may be reserved. Every Thursday at midnight, availability is added for the upcoming weekend. When you arrive, contact the Two Harbors Harbor Department on VHF Channel 09 to receive your assignment and pay fees.

Quiet hours, between 10pm and 7am apply for all generator usage.

Please observe the five-mile per hour, no-wake speed limit near mooring areas and anchorages.

Year-round fuel dock services include gas, diesel, pump-out station and water. Propane can also be obtained on shore.

During the summer months, a trash pick-up vessel serves all leeside coves.

Anchoring is at your own risk. Anchoring is permitted 100 yards outside the mooring area and is administered by the Two Harbors Harbor Department.

For mooring details outside Avalon, consult Two Harbors Mooring Reservations & Fees.

Boating Assistance

Boating Services

Visit the Catalina Island Moorings in Avalon & Two Harbors | Catalina Island page →