Adventure Charters with Newport Beach Sailing Charters
Adventure charters are multi-day trips just for you and your family or friends, on a sailboat or catamaran with a licensed captain, to the islands off the coast of Southern California.
Newport Beach Sailing Charters offers eco-travelers (a.k.a. green adventurers) the ability to combine a passion for sailing with other forms of adventure. Pack your gear for sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking – all in one trip! Our sailboats will serve as your toy, transportation and home for your adventure charter.
Where can we sail?
Catalina
Catalina is a wonderful destination only 26 miles across the sea, but it feels like a world apart from Southern California. 95% of the island is in its raw and natural state but there are many points of interest.
Avalon
Avalon is the only town on the island. It is filled with fun bars, inviting restaurants and quaint shops to explore. There are boutique hotels, beaches and a full service beach club. If you are looking for a little more adventure reserve a zipline experience, book a dive, or rent a kayak or golf cart.
Two Harbors
The boater’s paradise of Two Harbors, with is pristine clear water, is another great destination, Isthmus Cove, Cherry Cove, 4th of July Cove and Fisherman’s Cove are all close but each have their own personality.
Smaller secured coves
- Explore Emerald Bay with its emerald color water.
- Check out Whites Cove with its big white sand beach.
- Venture to Little Harbor, on the rugged back side of the island with dramatic views and peacefulness.
- Enjoy Catalina Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors and protected in all sea conditions.
- Catch a glimpse of wandering bison, soaring bald eagles or the elusive Catalina Grey Fox.
Other Islands
Santa Barbara Island
Santa Barbara Island is a very small island with a huge colony of sea lions. Near the anchorage is an amazing natural sea arch. While hiking on this island you’ll most likely be the only people on the island. Imagine a Pacific island all to yourself.
San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island is military-controlled but there is a wonderful large protected cove called “Pyramid Cove” on the south-east side. The ocean wildlife like sea lions, dolphins and whales is a site to behold.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island has the world’s largest sea cave. You’ll need a kayak, helmet and a headlamp to explore this deep cavern. There are so many interesting coves, caverns and tiny beaches, you could spend weeks exploring. You’ll need at least 5 days to explore this island.
View our Adventure Charter Fleet Pricing
* Photos courtesy of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.
Three day trip: Catalina Island
Day 1
Get ready for your adventure trip! In the morning, we will pack up the boat with your personal belongings, food, kayaks, dinghy, and other gear as needed. Then, we will depart Newport around 10am and set sail for Two Harbors, Catalina Island. Along the way, we’ll look for sea lions, dolphins, and fish; in the winter, maybe even a Gray whale! Throw a hook out and trawl for some fish. Hone your sailing and navigation skills. Arrive at Catalina Island and anchor. Kayak or dinghy ashore, then stretch your legs and go for a scenic hike! When you return to the boat, enjoy a BBQ on board. Relax with a beverage and spend the night on a mooring in Catalina.
Day 2
Wake up and start the day with a good breakfast. This is your day to explore! Kayak to shore and hike from one side of the island to the other (it is very close at Two Harbors). Experience sea caves at Blue Cavern Point, just outside Isthmus Cove via kayak, and/or snorkel with bat rays, bright orange garibaldi fish and guitar fish at Fisherman’s Cove. Enjoy a day of exploration you will not soon forget. Then sail from Two Harbors 2 hours down to the city of Avalon. Pick up a mooring and head into town to enjoy the festive bars or a romantic restaurant.
Day 3
Enjoy a nice breakfast from the deck of your yacht or head back in to Avalon for breakfast and some shopping. Enjoy your sail back to Newport and further hone your sailing skills. If you don’t know how to already, you’ll learn how to fly the asymmetrical spinnaker on the boat. You can also practice using radar, GPS, and the chart plotter. Now, try it the old fashioned way with a parallel ruler, a compass, and a chart. Are you close? Practice steering straight even in a following swell. How fast can you sail, how fast can you motor-sail? Most importantly, realize that with sailing, it’s the journey and not the destination that matters most. So, enjoy your return trip home, and let the trip sink in (no pun intended)!
Four day trip: To Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands
Day 1
Get ready for your adventure trip! In the morning, we will provision and pack up the boat with your personal belongings, food, kayaks, dinghy, and other gear as needed. Then, we will depart Newport about 10am and set sail for a secluded cove on the back side or west end of Catalina Island. Along the way, we’ll look for sea lions, dolphins, and fish; in the winter, maybe even a Gray whale! Throw a hook out and trawl for some fish. Hone your sail and navigation skills. Arrive at Catalina Island and anchor. Kayak or dinghy ashore, then stretch your legs and go for a scenic hike! When you return to the boat, enjoy a BBQ on board. Relax with a beverage and spend the night at anchor in Catalina.
Day 2
Wake up and depart Catalina for Santa Barbara Island. You’ll enjoy the excitement and the exhilaration which comes with leaving the familiar and venturing off to the remote island that few people ever get to visit. Experience ocean sailing and smile when the welcoming party of playful sea lions greets you! When we arrive, we’ll double anchor. Then, you’ll have time to photograph nature at its finest with dramatic sea caves and staggering arches. Now, go claim the island as your own! Chances are that you and your party will be the only group on the island.
Day 3
Start the day with a good breakfast. This is your day to explore! Kayak to shore and hike from one side to the other. Sail and circumnavigate the island. Experience sea caves guarded by hundreds of sea lions via kayak. Walk over a dramatic sea arch and experience the pure beauty of nature. It is a day of exploration you will not soon forget. Depart Santa Barbara Island and sail around the backside of Catalina to the city of Avalon. Return to civilization with a fresh perspective and finish a wonderful day with a hearty meal.
Day 4
Enjoy a nice breakfast from the deck of your yacht or head back in to Avalon for breakfast and some shopping. Enjoy your sail back to Newport and further hone your sailing skills. If you don’t know how to already, you’ll learn how to fly the asymmetrical spinnaker on the boat. You can also practice using radar, GPS, and the chart plotter. Now, try it the old fashioned way with a parallel ruler, a compass, and a chart. Are you close? Practice steering straight even in a following swell. How fast can you sail, how fast can you motor-sail? Most importantly, realize that with sailing, it’s the journey and not the destination that matters most. So, enjoy your return trip home, and let the trip sink in (no pun intended)!
Five day trip: To Catalina and San Clemente Island
Day 1
Get ready for your adventure trip! In the morning, we will provision and pack up the boat with your personal belongings, food, kayaks, dinghy, and other gear as needed. Then, we will depart Newport Beach about 10am and set sail for the city of Avalon, Catalina Island. Along the way, we’ll look for sea lions, dolphins, and sunfish; in the winter, maybe even a Gray whale! Hone your sailing and navigation skills. Arrive in Avalon, Catalina Island and pick up a mooring. Kayak or dinghy ashore, then stretch your legs and go for a scenic hike! When you return to the boat, enjoy a BBQ on board. Relax with a beverage and spend the night on a mooring in Catalina.
Day 2
Wake up and depart Catalina for San Clemente Island, the southern most of all the Channel Islands. You’ll enjoy the excitement and the exhilaration which comes with leaving the familiar and venturing off to a remote island. Experience ocean sailing and smile when the welcoming party of playful sea lions greets you! We’ll head to Northwest Harbor where you’ll experience clear water and giant kelp beds. We’ll anchor up and get the BBQ going.
Day 3
Start the day with a good breakfast. We’ll depart and sail down the coast headed for Pyramid Cove, one of the best anchorages in the islands. You’ll experience the remoteness of the island and you’ll see more whales, dolphins and sea lions than people. Kayak or fish or try kayak fishing. October through March is lobster season. Catch a few for dinner.
Day 4
Sail from Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island to Avalon, Catalina Island. Coming upon whales breeching is always a wonderful experience in nature. Check out the sea lion colony at Seal Rock on the southern tip of Catalina. Return to civilization with a fresh perspective and finish a wonderful day with a nice meal in one of Avalon’s cozy restaurants.
Day 5
Enjoy a nice breakfast from the deck of your yacht or head back in to Avalon for breakfast and some shopping. Enjoy your sail back to Newport and further hone your sailing skills. If you don’t know how to already, you’ll learn how to fly the asymmetrical spinnaker on the boat. You can also practice using radar, GPS, and the chart plotter. Now, try it the old fashioned way with a parallel ruler, a compass, and a chart. Are you close? Practice steering straight even in a following swell. How fast can you sail, how fast can you motor-sail? Most importantly, realize that with sailing, it’s the journey and not the destination that matters most. So, enjoy your return trip home by about 4pm, and let the trip sink in (no pun intended)!