Catalina Island
Yacht Charter

Discover Catalina Island by Private Yacht

Twenty-two miles off the Southern California coast lies Santa Catalina Island, a place that feels worlds apart from the sprawl of Los Angeles. Rugged hillsides covered in sage and cactus slope down to coves where the water runs so clear you can count the garibaldi swimming ten feet below the surface. For more than a century, visitors have been drawn here by that rare combination of wild landscape and easy accessibility, and there is simply no better way to experience the island than aboard a private yacht charter.

When you depart from Marina del Rey or Long Beach on a Prestige Charter Group vessel, the crossing itself becomes part of the experience. The open-water passage takes roughly one to two hours depending on your vessel and conditions, and it is not uncommon to encounter pods of common dolphins riding the bow wave or spot a gray whale spout on the horizon during migration season. The mainland skyline fades behind you, replaced by the long silhouette of Catalina rising from the Pacific, and by the time you reach the island's leeward shore the sense of escape is complete.

Avalon: The Island's Charming Hub

Most visitors know Catalina through Avalon, the small bayside town that wraps around a crescent harbor on the island's southeastern end. The iconic Casino building, a circular Art Deco landmark built in 1929, anchors the waterfront and houses a theater and ballroom that still host events today. Arriving by yacht means you can anchor or pick up a mooring in the harbor, tender ashore at your leisure, and stroll the palm-lined promenade without the rush of a ferry schedule dictating your day.

Avalon offers a surprising amount to explore on foot. Walk the waterfront to Descanso Beach Club, where you can lounge on a private beach with cocktail service and rent snorkel gear, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards. The Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, a short walk or golf cart ride inland, showcases plants endemic to Catalina and the other Channel Islands. For lunch, the town's restaurants range from casual fish tacos to upscale seafood with harbor views, though many of our guests prefer to return to the yacht where their onboard chef has prepared a spread tailored to their tastes.

Two Harbors and the Wild Side

The real advantage of a private yacht charter becomes apparent when you venture beyond Avalon. Two Harbors, located on a narrow isthmus at the island's western end, is quieter, less developed, and surrounded by some of the best diving and snorkeling water in Southern California. The harbor sits between two bays, Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor, and the area feels genuinely remote. A single general store, a restaurant called the Harbor Reef, and a handful of rustic facilities are the only structures. The rest is open land managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Between Avalon and Two Harbors, the island's northern coastline is dotted with coves and anchorages that are only accessible by boat. Emerald Bay, with its vivid green water, is a favorite for swimming and snorkeling. Cherry Cove offers protected anchorage surrounded by hillsides. Little Harbor, on the island's ocean-facing side, provides a more exposed but breathtakingly beautiful setting with a small beach backed by a coastal canyon. On a private charter, your captain can read the conditions and guide you to whichever anchorage offers the best combination of shelter, scenery, and solitude on any given day.

Water Activities and Marine Life

The waters around Catalina Island are part of a marine ecosystem that benefits from the convergence of warm and cool ocean currents. Visibility routinely reaches thirty to fifty feet, and on exceptional days can exceed eighty feet, making this some of the clearest water on the West Coast. Snorkeling directly from the yacht, you are likely to see bright orange garibaldi, calico bass, leopard sharks resting on sandy bottoms, and forests of giant kelp swaying in the current.

Most of our charter yachts carry a full complement of water toys: stand-up paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, snorkel sets, and floating lounges. Some larger vessels include jet skis, water slides, or diving platforms. If your group is interested in scuba diving, we can coordinate with island-based dive operators or arrange a dive-certified crew to guide you to the best sites, including the underwater park at Casino Point, where decades of protection have created a thriving reef ecosystem just steps from Avalon.

Best Time to Visit

Catalina yacht charters operate year-round, but conditions vary by season. The prime window runs from May through October, when ocean temperatures climb into the mid-sixties to low seventies, afternoon sea breezes are manageable, and fog is less frequent. July through September is peak season with the warmest water, longest daylight, and calmest mornings, though anchorages can be busier on summer weekends. Spring offers wildflower-covered hillsides and fewer boats. Fall combines warm water with thinner crowds and golden light that photographers love. Winter crossings are possible on calm days but require more flexibility, and the reward is having entire coves to yourself.

Why a Yacht Charter Beats the Ferry

The Catalina Express ferry is a fine way to reach Avalon, but it operates on a fixed schedule, deposits you at a single port, and seats you alongside hundreds of other passengers. A private yacht charter inverts every one of those constraints. You depart when you want, from the dock closest to you. You choose your itinerary, whether that means a morning at Two Harbors and an afternoon at Avalon or a full day exploring the island's remote northern shore. You travel with only your chosen guests, in a setting that includes a professional crew, catered meals, premium beverages, and every comfort your vessel offers.

There is also the matter of the crossing itself. On a ferry, the passage is simply transit, something to endure while watching your phone. On a private yacht, it is the opening act: dolphins alongside, the mainland receding, music playing softly on deck, a glass of champagne in hand. By the time Catalina's silhouette sharpens on the horizon, the day already feels like an occasion.

Charter Recommendations

For a full-day Catalina trip, we recommend booking eight to ten hours to allow a comfortable crossing in each direction with four to six hours of island time. Groups of up to twelve guests are well served by a 60- to 80-foot motor yacht, which provides ample deck space, a shaded salon, and enough speed to make the crossing efficiently. For larger gatherings up to twenty guests or more, we can arrange vessels up to 120 feet. Every charter includes a licensed captain and professional crew, and we are happy to coordinate catering, water sports equipment, and any special requests to make your Catalina experience seamless.