Catalina Island Company received permission to reopen boat moorings that it administers in the Two Harbors area beginning today, and the city may reopen moorings in Avalon later this month.

The docks that are now open include Isthmus Cove, Cat Harbor, Fourth of July Cove, Cherry Cove, Hen Rock, White’s Landing, Moonstone, Emerald Bay, Howland’s Landing, Little Geiger and Buttonshell. The moorings will be open on a first-come, first-served basis, the company said in a statement.

The Avalon City Council was debating when to reopen moorings it operates in the city, with a possible date of May 22.

But boaters will now have access to much of the island after the company received permission from the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors this week.

“We know that boating with loved ones allows a family to spend time together while remaining socially distanced from others,” Randy Herrel Sr., president and CEO of Catalina Island Company, said in a statement. “Picking up a mooring can make boating more enjoyable, as well as help ensure a safer experience for all.”

The island has been struggling financially as coronavirus closures have stopped tourism, the area’s main source of revenue. In the weeks that the city’s normally bustling Avalon port has been closed, Mayor Ann Marshall estimated the harbor alone has lost nearly $2 million in business.

Boaters will now be able to come ashore for essential activities including:

  • Food and necessary shopping at the Two Harbors General Store (face coverings are required)
  • To-go food/drink pick up from the West End Galley (items must be consumed aboard your boat per county regulations)
  • Restroom and coin-op shower facilities
  • Trash facilities

The Two Harbors pier is available only for shore access, not recreational use. Beaches are open for active recreation but not activities such as sunbathing and picnicking, officials said.

Reservations can be made starting at 8 p.m. Thursday evenings immediately preceding each weekend. Click here to reserve a spot.

Mooring use is subject to change based on the fluidity of the health pandemic.