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I went looking for the flotilla that went to Catalina. Wind was 1-3 knots at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro. My brother timed our crossing from Angels Gate Lighthouse to Avalon (21.7 nautical - 25 statutes) We ran into the usual swells (4-6 ft) About half way the wind and swells disappeared. I don't believe I've seen the water so smooth. We made it to Avalon in 1hr 27 minutes. According to my calculations we averaged 16.2 m.p.h. (statute) That was about 10:45 on Saturday. We looked around (didn't see any other Macs) then we went west along Catalina's coast. I finally got to see Toyon Bay where all 3 of my children went to CIMI (Catalina Island Marine Institute)
We dropped anchor at I believe Cabrillo cove for lunch, then went on to Two Harbors. We looked around but didn't see any other Macs. Admitally, we didn't go all the way in. There is a nice big white rock there. Does it have a name? At Two Harbors, the wind was blowing out of the south 12 to 15 knots. I was thinking the direction of the wind wasn't right? Is it usually out of the south there? We ran wing on wing back to San Pedro until the wind shifted about mid channel from the west. We were running out of time so we rolled up the jenny and took down the main and powered in the last 5 miles or so. BTW we got 4.17 miles per gallon going to Avalon most of the time at 6000 r.p.m. ( Suzuki DF 50) Ray

Ray, great report!

The rock you saw was Bird Rock. It is/was actually for sale as a family that owns it wanted to sell it about a year or so back! A couple Million, and ya have your own Island! This is probably our top choice for SCUBA in ALL of SOCAL too, as the Sea life is abundant, and has very easy access, those who SCUBA....don't miss it!!!

The problem of course would be to actually be able to inhabit it, as birds have nested on it for eons...and of course in the interim deposited the nasty white stuff!

We actually go to Catalina from Oceanside, but have left from San Pedro before in our previous Mac (25'Venture).

We prefer Two Harbors, both sides over Avalon, and spent 10 days a while back, circumnavigating and mostly gunkholing the entire Island! During Lobster season also....yummm!

What a real gem we have off our coast! I just wish the other Channel Islands were open for exploration, but regretably understand the ecosystems are fragile and need to be preserved/controlled and Humans need to let it be untouched!

The wind direction actually is common. I get turned around all the time on Catalina! So yes, it predomanantly comes from the South in that region of Catalina. (West End seems like North to me!) It spools up like clockwork at noon everyday and gusts are normal also!