Mooring Information
Just A Dinghy Ride to Two Harbors
There are hundreds of mooring spaces available within dinghy distance of romantic Two Harbors and outlying coves. When you arrive, use VHF Channel 9 to contact the Harbor Patrol, who will meet you just outside the mooring area to give you a mooring assignment and collect your mooring fees. Space may be limited during three-day and holiday weekends.
The moorings around Santa Catalina Island are leased to private parties but rented when available. Mooring charges are based on the size of the mooring and the length of your stay. Moorings are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Check-out time is 8:00 AM. If you wish to extend your stay, please contact the Harbor Patrol via VHF Channel 9 to check availability.
Mooring Usage
- Use pole to attach Bow Hawser to Bow Cleat. (Hawser is located approximately six-feet below the surface of the water.)
- Run Spreader Line to boat stern. (Spreader Line is attached to Bow Hawser.)
- Remove slack from Spreader Line and attach Stern Hawser to Stern Cleat.
- Re-check Bow and Stern Cleats to make sure you are moored securely. Drop slack Spreader Line into water.
Note: Tidal changes will affect your mooring. Lines need to be adjusted periodically as tide changes add or remove slack.
Leaving a mooring
- First untie the stern line, then the bow line (wind conditions may require this to be done in the reverse order). Drop them and the spreader line into the water.
- To prevent fouling, allow time for lines to sink free and clear of your propeller. Double check that your propeller is clear of lines before proceeding.
- If you believe you have fouled your propeller, please call the Harbor Patrol on VHF Channel 9 for assistance.
| Mooring Size | Daily | Summer - Weekly | Winter - Weekly (Nov. 1st to Palm Sunday) |
|---|---|---|---|
| String line | $23 | $138 | $48 |
| 0 - 30 ft. | $25 | $150 | $52 |
| 31 - 40 ft. | $28 | $168 | $58 |
| 41 - 50 ft. | $36 | $216 | $74 |
| 51 - 60 ft. | $44 | $264 | $90 |
| 61 - 70 ft. | $53 | $318 | $108 |
| 71 - 80 ft. | $62 | $372 | $126 |
| 81 - 90 ft. | $76 | $456 | $154 |
| 91 - 100 ft. | $86 | $516 | $174 |
| Over 100 ft. | $99 | $594 | $200 |
Note: Fees are based on size of boat that the mooring can accommodate.
Winter Mooring Regulations
Mooring regulations change during the winter months. Please refer to the following guidelines for mooring in the winter:
- If you are unable to contact the Harbor Patrol by VHF, especially in outer coves, pick up any available mooring.
- Stay off the first two rows and allow an extra mooring space between boats for safety. The Patrol boat will come by in the morning to collect fees.
- Due to Santa Ana winds from the northeast, boats mooring in Isthmus Cove should face seaward in the winter.
More About Mooring
The State of California leases all Santa Catalina Island submerged lands, jointly to the Santa Catalina Island Company (SCICo) and the Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC) (except moorings between Frog Rock and Pebbly Beach, which are held in trust by the City of Avalon).
This “California State Submerged Lands Master Lease” controls all aspects of mooring use. A copy of this document is on file at the Harbor Department office.
Two Harbors Enterprises (THE), a wholly owned subsidiary of SCICo, and CIC have jointly formed Island Recreation Enterprises, LLC (IRE) which acts as the agent/operator in administering the conditions of the submerged lands lease. IRE then subleases to individual boaters the right to use a specific mooring.
Boaters may join a waiting list to sublease a mooring in any given cove. A small annual administrative fee is applied to stay active on this list.
Individuals with a sublease agreement may assign their mooring to boats that fall within the size configuration of that mooring.
Unreserved moorings are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sub-lessees must reserve within 24 hours in advance of their arrival time for weekdays, and by Thursday evening at 8:00 PM for weekend use.