Moorings are a common sight along the Southern California coast, from Avalon Harbor to Newport Beach, and it’s important for boaters to understand how they work and what to do when approaching one. They’re everywhere, and for good reason. Moorings are one of the most practical ways to stay put on the water without dropping the anchor every time you pull in. But even seasoned boaters still have questions about how they work, how to reserve them, and what makes them different from slips or anchoring out.
At its core, a mooring is a fixed anchoring system designed to securely hold a boat in place. Instead of relying on your own anchor, you tie off to a floating mooring buoy, which is attached to a heavy block or anchor on the seafloor. A chain or line, called a rode, connects that block to the buoy. When you arrive, you simply pick up the mooring line with your boat hook, run it to your cleats, and you’re set. Some harbors, like Catalina’s Two Harbors and Avalon, also require a stern tie to prevent boats from swinging.
There are a few different types of moorings you’ll run into. The most common is the single-point mooring — one boat, one buoy. Pile moorings, which use fixed poles driven into the seafloor, are often seen in commercial harbors or older marinas. Then there’s the Mediterranean-style mooring, where boats are secured from both the bow and stern to maximize space in tight areas.
In Southern California, moorings serve a few key purposes. First, they reduce environmental damage. Dragging an anchor can rip through seagrass beds and disturb marine life, especially in sensitive areas like around Catalina Island. Moorings also keep boats more organized in high-traffic zones, which helps avoid chaos during peak weekends. And because they’re anchored with hefty gear below the surface, they offer consistent holding — especially helpful when the wind or swell picks up.
Some mooring fields operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require advance reservations, especially during summer or holiday weekends. Catalina, for instance, has a hybrid system. Two Harbors offers both reserved and walk-up moorings, while Avalon assigns moorings based on arrival order, vessel size, and available space.
“Avalon Harbor operates on a first-come, first-served basis for the most part,” explained Kevin Schmidt, Harbor Master for the City of Avalon. “The only people that may make reservations are the mooring owners or their designees. The typical process for arriving boats is to wait outside the main harbor mooring field. We usually have an officer in a red and gray patrol boat out there that does all mooring assignments in-person. This officer can also collect mooring fees and help direct the boater to the mooring to which they’re assigned. Our working VHF channel is 12; [however,] we monitor VHF channels 12 and 16. We try to do all mooring assignments in person to reduce radio traffic on that frequency. If there is no patrol boat out front when a boater arrives, it usually means they’re all on calls and will get back there as soon as possible. Boaters may also contact the Harbor Office by phone at 310-510-0535.”
Once assigned, boaters have a few convenient ways to settle up.
Given Avalon’s popularity, especially in summer, moorings can fill up quickly. If you arrive and find there’s no space in the harbor, don’t panic — there are alternatives.
“If a boater arrives and we’re completely sold out, which can happen during the peak boating season, alternatives include anchoring or going down the coast to White’s Landing, Two Harbors, or other mooring areas around the island,” Schmidt said. “We have a City anchorage area on the channel-side of the Casino Dive Park. Boats need to anchor at least 300 feet outside of the Dive Park and any mooring areas. Shore-boat service is available to boats in this City anchorage. Boaters should prepare to anchor in water depths around 130 to 150 feet deep. Boats can anchor all around the island as long as they stay out of restricted areas, such as mooring fields and marine preserves.”
While it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with local harbor maps and anchorage options ahead of time, securing your mooring in Avalon remains surprisingly low-tech.
“We have multiple ways to make a payment,” said Schmidt. “Boaters may pay the officer upon arrival. We can also send a text to a cell phone and boaters may pay by phone with a Visa or Mastercard. Sometimes the conditions dictate that we send a boat to a mooring and an officer will come by and collect fees. Finally, boaters may pay their fees up in the Harbor Office which is on the second floor of the Harbor building at the ocean-end of the Pleasure Pier.”
In 2025, daily transient mooring fees at Two Harbors (including Isthmus, Cat Harbor, Fourth of July, and Emerald Bay, among others) range based on vessel size. Rates start at $52 for boats under 29 feet, and increase incrementally up to $198 for boats between 90 and 100 feet. Temporary moorings are available for short visits — $26 for boats under 40 feet and $38 for boats 40 feet and over.
Unlike Two Harbors, Avalon does not take credit cards online for moorings but instead offers flexible options, including mobile payment and onboard collection. Boaters should note that check-out time is 9:00 a.m. and may be asked to move based on mooring availability.
“Boaters can stay on moorings as long as they’d like, as long as they remain in good-standing, and we have moorings available for their size vessel,” said Schmidt. “Since most of our moorings are privately owned, each day there is a chance that a boater may have to move to another mooring or sometimes even out to anchorage. Boaters usually find out if they must move by 9:00 a.m. If boaters would like to stay long-term, we have some documents such as registration and insurance requirements that they’ll need to provide our office.”
Understanding boat size and mooring compatibility is key in Avalon. The harbor team works to match vessels to appropriately sized moorings, keeping safety and fairness in mind.
“Each of our moorings are for specific-sized vessels,” Schmidt said. “Our mooring sizes range from 25 feet up to 130 feet. The bigger the boat, the fewer moorings we have available. Most of our moorings are 50 feet and under. We obviously cannot put a 100-foot boat on a 40-foot mooring. We would prefer to not put a 40-foot boat on a 100-foot mooring as it can create issues. However, we can if conditions call for it and it’s safe.”
For first-timers, Avalon’s harbor crew is committed to safety and hospitality — but boaters should arrive prepared.
“When boaters are planning to come to Avalon my first recommendation is to always check the weather before leaving the dock,” advised Schmidt. “It’s important that boaters are prepared for the forecast weather conditions. Santa Ana wind conditions can be very hazardous in and around Avalon Harbor. It’s also a good idea to have proper anchoring gear and a VHF radio for the boat. If a boater ends up having to anchor in the City anchorage, it is relatively deep for recreational boaters. A VHF radio is essential for communication when out on the ocean.”
“Finally, don’t hesitate to ask questions or ask for assistance. One of our primary goals is to help make sure boaters get on and off moorings safely. We do get very busy during the boating season, so we ask boaters to please be patient while we get to their call for service. Boaters can find much more information on our web pages on the City of Avalon website. Here is the link to our pages: About Avalon Harbor | Avalon, CA.”
Once you’re tied up, how you get to land depends on the harbor. Avalon and Two Harbors both operate shoreboat services, which can be reached on VHF Channel 09. Shoreboats in Avalon run daily, and fees vary by location and service zone. If you’re in the City anchorage, shoreboat service is still available — just expect a longer wait and higher rate.
Unlike slips, which are leased long-term or reserved seasonally, moorings are mostly short-term rentals — ranging from a few hours to a few weeks. They’re great for boaters who want to spend the night, drop the hook for a weekend getaway, or pause during a coastal cruise. They’re not meant for liveaboard use or permanent dockage, though some harbors do issue mooring permits for seasonal use.
The history of moorings dates back centuries. Ancient seafarers — think Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans — used large stones or wooden stakes to secure boats in harbors. As maritime trade expanded, ports started embedding rings or chains in stone wharfs to hold ships in position. Fast forward to the 19th and 20th centuries, and the floating mooring buoy became the standard — especially with the rise of recreational boating. The system was cleaner, safer, and easier to manage than setting anchor every time.
Today, moorings are a staple in Southern California’s boating infrastructure. They’re efficient, space-saving, and a smart choice in areas where anchoring isn’t practical or allowed. But just like with slips or anchorages, there’s a right way to use them. Make sure you know your line setup, understand how the harbor operates, and check your swing radius if you’re in a crowded field. Keep your VHF handy in case you need to hail the harbor office or shore boat.
For newcomers, don’t be afraid to call ahead or ask a neighboring boat for help when tying off. Practice with your boat hook and lines before you go. And above all, respect the space around you — noise, dinghy wakes, and generators all carry a long way when you’re on the hook (or buoy, in this case).
Moorings might not be as glamorous as pulling into a full-service slip, but for many of us, they’re the most reliable, stress-free way to enjoy time on the water without the chaos of anchoring. If you’re cruising SoCal this season, knowing how to handle a mooring could be the difference between a smooth night and a very public scramble on deck.
