Here are some photos from Avalon and various Catalina Island locationsThe Glass Bottom Boats in Avalon and The Ocean Life near Catalina and Los AngelesCatalina is a short boat ride from Los Angeles. One of the more popular options is taking the Catalina Express from San Pedro, Long Beach or Newport. In the Saturday, May 03, 2003 issue of The Daily News, staff writer Jerry Rice wrote an excellent article entitled Catalina for all ages. Rice explained some of the history behind the famous glass bottom boats in Avalon."For us, those activities would have to wait for another trip to the island - the Undersea Tour was about to get under way. A quick look showed that the vessel was similar to the ones Disneyland used for its submarine voyage, an attraction the theme park closed five years ago. But there was one important difference: This one didn't leak. The semisubmersibles are relatively new to Catalina, dating back to 1994, but the better-known glass-bottom boats have a much longer history on the island. 'In the 1890s, abalone fishermen put a piece of glass down from their row boats to find abalone easier,' said Brandon, one of the deck hands on the Emerald, which we were about to board. 'Soon they found out they could make more money by taking tourists out than they could fishing.' After stepping onto the vessel, passengers pass through a hatch opening and walk down a few steps into a cabin that is about 5 feet below the water's surface. Once we were situated, Brandon offered everyone a quick warning. 'You don't want to get sick down here because it will turn into a group activity real quickly,' he said. That didn't happen, fortunately, and there was little chance of it, anyway. The semisubmersibles move slowly and smoothly as they make the short trip to the giant kelp beds at Lovers Cove Marine Preserve. Once the vessel arrived, the engine noise and vibration were like a ringing dinner bell. Not to disappoint the fish that swam a few feet away - and to attract hundreds more - Brandon and another deck hand tossed them some fish food. Garibaldi, calico bass, mackerel, opaleye, sargo and topsmelt were easy for the kids to spot, thanks to the clear waters and a Catalina Island Fish Finder brochure filled with colorful drawings that everyone received as they boarded. Brandon was asked why several other varieties on the flier, including sheephead, rockfish, scorpionfish and blackfish, were no-shows on this trip. Having been on the glass bottom boats many times, I think they are one of the best ways to see the ocean life in the area. The flying fish can even be seen from regular boats. |
We've done research to provide links to some of the best Catalina posters and art prints.
Help support this site by purchasing a poster or art print through the links below.
Catalina by Air Kerne Erickson 26 in x 38 in Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted 
Catalina Promenade Howard Behrens 36 in x 27 in Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted 
Avalon Harbor, Santa Catalina Island, CA 1885 37 in x 26 in Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted 
Catalina Michael Hallinan 24 in x 32 in Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted 
Catalina Island from Space - ©Spaceshots 36 in x 24 in Buy This Poster At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted 
Great Catalina Take-Off R Cross 27 in x 20 in Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com Framed | Mounted Note that the poster above shows a sea plane. They no longer use sea planes to fly from Los Angeles to Catalina. I was lucky enough to fly on one as a little boy. Catalina is all about sailboats. Checkout the Toy Boat Posters section for more information on boat posters. |
