Richard Henry Dana described his view of Santa Catalina Island from what would one day be Dana Point, in his classic memoir, “Two Years Before the Mast.”
You can catch a high-speed ferry to Catalina for less than $75 round-trip, or you can follow Dana’s wake in your own boat.
Some pre-planning provides both a safe, uneventful passage across the Santa Barbara Channel and a memorable adventure.
Pick a Departure Point
From the Long Beach East Breakwater light to Catalina is about 22.5 nautical miles. The passage to Catalina, from Dana Point by way of the San Pedro Channel, is slightly shorter…