Boat Trips - Try Catalina
Catalina is one of those islands with a unique and very relaxing atmosphere. Whether it's the warm climate or the smell of fennel and eucalyptus, Catalina is one of those places you go to do nothing, or at least nothing that has anything to do with work.
Just off the Californian coast, Catalina is the largest of the Channel Islands of California, a chain which runs east west from Catalina to San Miguel, the flattest of the islands which is home to over 50,000 elephant seals. Almost every kind of water sport is available and most kinds of waterborne craft can be hired from the numerous stores around the harbor.
The seas around the island are very clear, making this an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving. Catalina is famous for its flying fish, celebrated in the island's Flying Fish festival every June. Don't miss opportunities to see dolphins, seals and sea lions as well as bald and golden eagles. If that's not enough you can also find Orcas, Dall's Porpoise and Grey Whales in the area, as well as the enormous Blue Whale.
In 2009 over 540 were spotted around the island during their annual migration from Costa Rica to Alaska. Over 100 feet long, the Blue whale is the largest animal on Earth and still, apparently, the largest animal ever known. It can weigh over 180 metric tons and was hunted to the edge of extinction during the 20th century. Since a ban on whaling their numbers seem to be steady at around 1% of their original population.
Above the surface the island is home to the Catalina Orange tip butterfly, but it's not just wildlife you can watch in Catalina. Only a short ferry trip from Los Angeles, Catalina island is a popular vacation spot of celebrities, both on and off shore. Actress Natalie Wood was drowned off the coast while on a boat trip with her husband, and in 2001, a ring once owned by Elvis Presley was lost to the Catalina waters when Lisa Marie Presley threw it overboard during an argument with her boyfriend. Marilyn Monroe, used to live on the island, Humphrey Bogart sailed there to relax at weekends and more recently it has been the preferred holiday destination of Heidi Klum, Craig Ferguson, Rob Lowe, Robert Downey Jr and Sharon Stone.
The island is a bare 22 miles long and 8 miles wide. Most people get around on golf carts and there are no big chain stores or resort style hotels. As a result Catalina has a charm which is all its own. The major town of Avalon has a wide beachfront which is easily walkable where you can find all the major shops, hotels and a wealth of restaurants selling Italian, Mexican and American style food; the seafood is outstanding.
If you tire of messing around in your boat, fishing, eating or looking at the wild life, you'll find plenty if interesting activities on land, from a scenic tour of the island, a hike around the interior or a zip line tour where five different runs (and a drop of over 400 feet) provide a unique viewpoint on the scenery.
However you choose to spend your time, safety is vital. Check that all your equipment is working properly before you cast off and never travel without a working radio.
"Boat Trips - Try Catalina", was submitted 02/20/2012 under category Travel.