Little Harbor - Willow's Cove - Italian Gardens - Emerald Bay anchorages

        Catalina island is a gem! Many great anchorages, great snorkeling, diving, fishing, hiking and good eats. We are now on the front side of Catalina island. We are currently anchored at Little Geiger anchorage. Just a few anchorage away from Emerald bay. The last few days we have enjoyed a full day of sun. We were able to use our solar oven once again. I will post pictures and update the blog once we get to Newport beach.
        After spending almost 3 weeks at Catalina island, we need to head for the mainland. Here are some pictures taken at the different anchorages in Catalina island.

We thought we should show you this map. It will give those an idea where the different anchorages are at the island. The first anchorage we stayed at was in Catalina harbor. From there we went to Little harbor, we stayed there for a couple of days.

Little harbor - there is a campground here. It is a small anchorage.

Little Harbor anchorage

Shark harbor this is just on the other side of Little harbor

If you notice, you can actually see the bottom,

The water is crystal clear. Lenard and I went snorkeling around the area looking for scallops and abalone. All we saw were perches, opaleyes, sea grass and kelp.

After Little Harbor, we headed for the front side of Catalina island. Our first stop was Whites Landing. The anchorages close to Avalon was too deep.

Avalon Harbor

We spent a few hours walking around Avalon.

Lenard making a few phone calls at a plaza in Avalon

Avalon

Avalon Restaurants & Shops

 
We first anchored at Whites Landing. This is where the yachties are spend their weekend.

White's Landing

White's landing public beach

We went on a dinghy ride to check out the area and we found Willow Cove. The anchorage before White's Landing.

s/v Midnight Sun anchored in Willow Cove

Wilma having a glass of wine.

Dennis & Robin with Lenard at Willow cove boat-in campsite

After spending 3 days in Willow Cove snorkeling, fishing and swimming, we motored to Buttonshell beach.

Camp Fox at Buttonshell beach

We anchored here long enough to find another anchorage that is more secluded.

Italian Gardens - named after an Italian fisherman who once dried his nets here

s/v Midnight Sun anchored at Italian gardens

Not only is this place secluded during the evening, we were able to gather some wood and had a bonfire - twice.
During the day this place is also a great fishing hole. Fishing charter boats were always coming by for bonito, calico bass, white seabass and at the time we were there, yellowtail.
We did try fishing but we didn't try hard enough because our freezer was full of fish and scallops.

Heading for Emerald Bay

We arrived at our next anchorage near Emerald bay. Great place for scuba diving, snorkeling, spear fishing and when in season, lobsters.

Little Geiger anchorage near Emerald bay

Trail to Little Geiger anchorage. From the sign, it is a steep 1/2 mile hike up to a road.

There is one mooring ball at this anchorage. The power boat was already here when we arrived.

Crystal clear water

Lenard and I went snorkeling at night. He sparkled from the phosphorescence. It was a wonderful experience. I saw a small shark, a family of stingrays and a few lobsters. Too bad lobster season is in October. It was sooo tempting.

We spent a week here. While at Little Geiger, we met Kim & Judy of s/v La Scala. They have both recently retired and are cruising to Mexico and beyond. We will be seeing them in Zihuatanejo, Mexico in December. Also another couple who was anchored next to us at Little Geiger, Bryan and Michelle. I'm going to have to take photos of people we meet from here on.

Sanddabs we caught near Two harbors.  They are yummy!