Santa Catalina Island

Tap the spots you’d actually get on a boat for. No commitment — it tells us which water to plan the first season around.

• 1Eagle ReefNo MPAA reef 1.2 nm north-northwest of Isthmus Cove.

  Outside every protected area — general California regulations apply.Nearest is Arrow Point to Lion Head Point State Marine Conservation Area, about 500 m away — general finfish take is allowed inside it.

• 2Ship RockNo MPAStands clear of the water 1.2 nm north of Isthmus Cove.

  Outside every protected area — general California regulations apply.Nearest is Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area, about 320 m away — only pelagic species may be taken inside it.

• 3Bird RockNo takeAn islet 0.6 nm northeast of Isthmus Cove.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(124)

  Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Also, no anchoring or mooring is permitted within the former Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge.

• 4Blue Cavern PointNo takeSteep wall and clear water near the research point. No-take, so it holds fish the way the rest of the island used to.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(124)

  Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Also, no anchoring or mooring is permitted within the former Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge.

• 5Farnsworth BankPelagicsSquid, dip netWhite seabassPurple hydrocoral pinnacle a mile and a half off Ben Weston Point. Top of the bank starts around 54 ft. Exposed, weather-dependent, and almost always empty.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(130)

  Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, EXCEPT: Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass by spearfishing; pelagic finfish (northern anchovy, barracudas, billfishes, dorado (dolphinfish), Pacific herring, jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel, salmon, Pacific sardine, blue shark, salmon shark, shortfin mako shark, thresher shark, swordfish, tunas, Pacific bonito, and yellowtail) by hook-and-line or spearfishing, and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling is allowed. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species (northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, and market squid) by round-haul net, brail gear, and light boat; and swordfish by harpoon is allowed (no commercial take of marlin is allowed). Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.

• 6Cat HarborFinfishLobster & urchinThe lee side of the isthmus. Flat when the front side is not, which makes it the fallback on a windy day.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(131)

  Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, EXCEPT: Recreational take of lobster and sea urchin, squid by hook-and-line, and finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of sea cucumber by diving only, and lobster and sea urchin is allowed.

• 7Little GibraltarNo MPAA headland on the front side, 4.7 nm east-southeast of Isthmus Cove.

  Outside every protected area — general California regulations apply.Nearest is Long Point State Marine Reserve, about 450 m away — nothing may be taken inside it.

• 8Long PointNo takeOn the lineA marine reserve with real structure — kelp on the drop-off and consistently good visibility.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(126)

  Long Point State Marine Reserve

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

• 9Casino PointNo takeOn the lineAvalon's dive park. Shore entry, protected, and the easiest place on the island to put a first-timer in the water.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(127)

  Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is permitted.

• 10Lover's CoveNo takeShallow, calm and thick with fish. The snorkeling stop, not the diving one.
  The rule, in CDFW’s words · §632(b)(128)

  Lover's Cove State Marine Conservation Area

  It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, EXCEPT: Recreational take by hook-and-line from Cabrillo Mole only is allowed. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed.

• 11Church RockNo MPAThe southeast end, 1.2 nm west-southwest of Seal Rocks.

  Outside every protected area — general California regulations apply.