My husband, his family, and I went on a sunset sail and we recommend it. It was such a wonderful experience. We got to see dolphins hopefully you get lucky too! Rafael and his assistant Stephanie have the best personality and such a good vibe. They allowed us to bring food and drinks. They also gave us snacks and drink on board. Totally recommend taking this excursion with your significant other or family. read more

See all

We had an absolutely fantastic time on our private sailboat tour. Our captain was Rafael. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. They take very good care of their sailboat. It was very clean and comfortable. A few good tips are do not wear black sold shoes that could scuff the boat dress in layers maximum guest occupancy on board is six and the two seats single seats behind the captain on the left and right side are fantastic. We had a light snack and some fantastic mimosas and beer. Our light snack consisted of truffle chips and Clementine oranges. But I believe this may differ, depending upon seasonality. We saw sea lions and several different attractions along the coast of Catalina. We grabbed their business card and would definitely book this tour again. read more

See all

Here for a special birthday weekend in chilly Feb...a fun weekend with this sunset cruise being the highlight!! We Chartered the boat for our group and it was so worth it. Raphael was a very competent, attentive, but easy going captain, and his wife was a lovely hostess, meeting all our needs with cheeses, crackers and salami, along with wine and champagne. We motored down the island, saw sea lions and even dolphin, and had the sail up in time to see the sunset. Raphael shared interesting information along the way, and even turned the boat around to be sure we saw the dolphin in the dusk. Everyone enjoyed the evening. Thank you, Raphael and Tiphanie for a successful outing on the water!!! read more

First off, Captain Raphael is the nicest, most knowledgeable tour guide you can ask for. We were battling the weather with the clouds, but it cleared right before our time of pick up. He helped us aboard his beautiful sail boat and we took sail. As we were sailing out he was pointing out different areas of the island and letting us know the history and the present use of it all. He also told us about the wildlife and showed us some of the caves that we approached. With the sun setting we set out to sea to gain the whole view of the island and sunset that we were waiting for. Once the sail went up we were going with the motion of the ocean. Not only was it peaceful and suspenseful at the same time, he always kept us at ease, showing he had everything under control. With the waves he was able to provide any motion sickness pills that we gladly took, "just in case" lol. Everything about the boat and the knowledge he laced us up with was, remarkably! We talked about our family and our history of things we all like to do and it made it more personal. With that all said and done, not only did we see amazing views and got to ride the waves of the pacific, we gained a genuine friend that we definitely plan on seeing again with the kids. Thank you again Raphael for this experience! read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Sunset sailing - Boating Near Me

Sunset cruise with Raphael Middleman. Excellent guide to harbor seals and edge of the island. Charcuterie, champagne and wine served. Great conversation with the guide and excellent knowledge, professional, cordial and details of the bay and coast. read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Boating Near Me

See all

Just did a sunset cruise with Christian and Raphael. We had an amazing time! They were so nice, had great communication and this really was the highlight of our anniversary trip. It was so relaxing being on the water, there was some clouds but we still had a great view. I brought some wine and they served it to us and made us a cheese plate. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique intimate experience. read more

See all

Not enough stars available for this adventure. The wife and I did this as an excursion while on a Carnival cruise. Captain Raphael was just so laid back and genuine. Tiphanie was an awesome 1st mate. We ate, drank, and just had the best time. It was so relaxing to chill on the boat for a few hours. read more

We had the best time with Raphael, Tiffany, and Captain Christian. Tiffany made us the best charcuterie board and drinks! And Christian and Raphael gave us the best view of the sunset we could have asked for. 100/10 read more

See all

The Catalina Adventure Sailing experience is truly heaven on earth, and pure bliss. Raphael and Tiphanie are the most incredible hosts. They are so personable, caring, shared so much knowledge about the island, and provided beautiful snacks and yummy drinks! Their dock is easily accessible, and the sailboat is gorgeous (highly recommend sitting in the two seats that hangover the back of the boat, it's an amazing experience as you sail on!). We felt so safe with Raphael behind the wheel, as Tiphanie made us feel at home by taking care of whatever we needed. I highly recommend this experience when visiting the iconic Catalina Island! read more

Great sailing trip with Ralph and Christian!! Ralph is the owner and the boat is brand new. It was a sunset cruise. We brought our own wine. They supplied some crackers and cheese and stuff. The sunset was beautiful. There were dolphins all around us. And the guys were really nice. I definitely recommend this tour. read more

We had the best experience with this crew! We did a sunset cruise and reserved several weeks in advance - communication was great and this was such a highlight of our trip! They served great snacks and appetizers for our group. We brought our own drinks and they helped serve them throughout the cruise. We even forgot something on the boat and they offered to mail it to us! Such a nice group and recommend this experience for all! read more

Got lucky with the sunset cruise, we saw dolphins swimming and jumping right next to us and even a bald eagle overhead at one point. The crew is amazing and has everything from ginger chews to a great array of cheese and crackers onboard. Don't get a charter or a sailing trip with anyone but them read more

Very affordable boat charter in Catalina! It's $79 per person for a 5-6 hour trip, which is way cheaper than other stuff I've found, ranging from $300-400 for 2 hours. My boyfriend and I did the Open Adventure where we sailed to White's Landing, a secluded beach on Catalina, and then SUPed around the beach. We left the pier around 1pm and got back around 5:30. We had the whole boat to ourselves, not including Captain Ryan (who was awesome!) We went on a Thursday which is probably why there was no one else on the boat, if you choose to go on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday I doubt you would be able to get the boat to yourself, though. Captain Ryan was very friendly and fun to talk to! He is very knowledgeable about the island and told us funny stories and interesting facts about the island. We had a great time and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to go for a nice sail around Catalina but doesn't want to pay the appalling boat charter prices. read more

See all

Sailing for us is a new experience and we were very excited. We could not have picked a better Captain and Crew than Rafael and Tiffany! Not only do they live locally, they have years of experience taking out groups large and small on their adorable and elegant sailboat. Our occasion was a birthday celebration! We booked an early afternoon trip. Rafael knows the best places to sail around the island and we went to a calm, perfect snorkeling spot where we saw stunning local fish. Snorkeling is optional and equipment is provided as well as beach towels. I understand they take people sailing for everything from engagements to memorials, groups large and small. The sailing was calm and Rafael was knowledgeable about everything we passed. We had delightful snacks including a cheese plate prepared by Tiffany as well as drinks to order. Rafael and Tiffany were accommodating and as flexible as possible, keeping us informed about the weather and ocean conditions. They were both also very helpful with local advice about everything from shops to restaurants. If you only take one trip on the island, make it this one! read more

Was a great experience. Had an amazing time celebrating with friends. Only thing I wish we could have done was adventure a little further than we did, but we only had a certain amount of time. Was fun overall and would recommend for first time adventures. read more

We had a fantastic day with Ryan! A true island native with all of the answers to all of my questions...with a great sense of humor AND knowledge. We wouldn't hesitate to do this tour again next visit, for sure. Thank you, Ryan! read more

See all

This was our first time on a sailboat and the boys loved it! Captain Steve and First Mate Ron maneuvered the Thesis sailboat in such an entertaining way that we all got to learn about the craft of sailing. My boys enjoyed Captain Steve's pearls of wisdom as he shared stories from his long life as a surfer and sailor. We got back pretty late and enjoyed the evening. The following is for my female friends: Don't wear a dress on this sail. Wear pants (it will get chilly on the Sunset Sail) and wear comfortable shoes because you will be transported onto the sailboat via dingy and this will be more manageable in sneakers. As far as bringing a meal to enjoy on board, we brought deli sandwiches and veggie tray to share. While we did have plenty of time to sit and eat, the rocking of the boat would have made drinking a glass of wine on board near impossible. Don't expect a smooth ride. This is a sailboat and our captain loves the waves. read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Boating Near Me

Ever had one of those days where everything just flows effortlessly? Wow, I need more of them! I'm sure you do too. Do yourself a favor and book this sailing trip. I was treated to Captain Ryan's sailing adventure on the Thesis trimaran, an impressive vessel; for my birthday. Being out on the ocean with my friends and discovering the western end of Catalina that I had never seen before was a real treat! The Captain had quality equipment on board including new, nice and wide SUP boards, snorkel gear. He provided drinks and fresh pineapple for snacks. The sailing portion of the day was exhilarating yet peaceful. Everything was very clean and well taken care of. Ship-shape! It was really cool to hear stories about Catalina's history. The captain is a native of the isle. Trust that you are in good hands with Captain Ryan. Thank you for a beautiful experience! read more

Captain Ryan made our trip a wonderful adventure. It was the perfect combination of sailing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, sight seeing, Island history. and fun/interesting facts; a little something for everyone. We felt like we were sailing with a good friend who was enjoying the trip as much as we were. Ryan made everything easy and comfortable, from reserving the trip, to getting to the boat, to wrapping up our day. He suggested spots to stop, provided toys, and spent a good bit of time trying to find me a whale in open water. We'll definitely be back, hopefully for a full day charter to see even more of the island. Thank you Ryan! read more

This was the highlight of our trip! Me and my boyfriend booked this trip and captain Ryan made it so amazing, thank you Ryan! Ryan is the best captain so accommodating and genuine and really took good care of us. He gave us the ultimate experience and I wish there were more people like him! The boat ( thesis) was so cool! Ryan provided us with paddle boards and all the toys needed to have the best experience. His rates are so great. For the experience he provides he could charge hundreds more, he is a very fair, honest man and a true local which made the whole experience magical. All the spots he took us to were beautiful and he knew so much about the island and answered lots of questions we had along the way! Thank you for making my birthday special Ryan we will always come back to you! We brought our cooler and had some champagne and enjoyed the beautiful water and the boat! read more

See all

Best bang for ur buck in Avalon!!!!! Absolutely the most relaxing experience on catalina.

I booked a tour through the captain, and it ended up being just my husband and I on this beautiful catamaran, touring around Catalina on a gorgeous day! We saw a pod of dolphins and a few seals. Couldn't have been happier with our experience!! I highly recommend doing this when you need a great break!! Worth every penny! read more

We had a great time aboard the Thesis with Captain Ryan. He was very accommodating and we did everything we wanted to and more. The best way to see Catalina Island is looking at it from onboard the Thesis! Highly recommended for anyone visiting the Island. Not at all like other boat trips that are offered..this was like sailing with a friend. read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Boating Near Me

Excellent day out with Ryan, who did a really great job of taking care of us, as well as providing a wealth of very interesting local history and information. Our visit was early in the season, so it worked out that we were the only customers aboard, but despite that the trip continued and we still received top notch service. Highly recommended, a wonderful and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. We also got lucky and ran into a school of Dolphins. read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Boating Near Me

See all

Had a glorious day on the water all to ourselves! Captain Ryan was very friendly and knowledgeable. SUPs and kayaks were provided for our beach stop. We were well taken care of as we toured the island. My wife and I were very glad we booked this tour! read more

See all

I went to Catalina for my birthday in March and spending the day on the water with Captain Ryan was the perfect way to celebrate! I looked at other sailing companies and was astounded by the prices. I couldn't believe how affordable a full day of sailing was- I was even a little hesitant (it seemed too good to be true). We had an AMAZING day on the water. There were only eight people on the boat when we went out and it made the experience even more special. At the end of the day, it felt like we were all family. The boat is beautiful and I highly recommend sitting everywhere on the Thesis to get the full sailing experience. Whether you want to have alone time at the front of the boat, grab a drink or a snack with friends or get some quiet time in the cabin, you will have a wonderful experience. We chose to just enjoy the beach when we stopped at White's Landing. We had so much fun collecting shells while our new friends went snorkeling. I definitely plan to go back and sail again with Captain Ryan. It was one of the best birthdays I have ever had.. it was peaceful, fun and full of laughs. If you want to have a more intimate sailing experience, at a lower price with wonderful people... You MUST book a day of sailing on the Thesis!!! read more

My father-in-law chartered the Thesis for a "three hour tour" during our most recent stay at Avalon. I was beyond impressed and excited. Ryan is a fantastic captain - he was fun, funny, knowledgable, friendly, entertaining, and "chill". It helps that he has an easy job - the Pacific Ocean and the Island are incredibly beautiful. But he made the experience so much richer than it would have been with a "normal" captain. While I don't know how much was spent on this little voyage, I believe it was worth every penny. Ryan get much respect and love from my group - it has been the highlight of our trip so far!! read more

My girlfriend and I did a sunset sail with Captain Ryan. It was a perfect sailing experience. Next time we want to stay longer. read more

Catalina Adventure Sailing - Boating Near Me

We did the sunset cruise with Ryan on 4/15/17 for our anniversary and had a great time. Ryan knows everything about Catalina Island and has lots of great history to share. We enjoyed great views of aspects of the islands that most don't get to see along with great sea lion viewing and phenomenal sunsets. Great time all the way around. Thanks, Ryan! read more

Impressive boat, Thesis is gem worth every minute aboard. Captain Ryan treated us like welcomed guests into his home. The trip included wonderful views of Santa Catalina, history, insights into the realities of island living, access to private harbor. We got to enjoy paddle boarding, kayaks, and swimming. Then the wind freshened and Ryan took us further out to see porpoises and dolphins before returning to Avalon. It was a magical afternoon. Thank you, Ryan! read more

What a great experience! We took the sunset cruise for our tenth wedding anniversary and it was wonderful. Captain Ryan is professional and thorough. He made sure we understood how to stay safe on the boat while having a terrific time. Much to my surprise I experienced a little nausea and he was prepared with ginger ale and precession, which fixed me right up! He shared all kinds of interesting stories of the island and showed us a terrific time. We will definitely be back!! read more

I took my girlfriend to Catalina Island for our anniversary. Avalon is on the east side of the island, and I wanted to have a view of the sunset to the west one of the nights we were there. So we booked the Sunset Sail, and it was perfect! We chilled out on the deck of the catamaran and had some drinks as Captain Ryan started sailing south. Along the way, he took a minute to stop near a beach where sea lions were swimming and doing their thing on shore, which was cool to see. Then we kept going and got around the southern tip of the island within view of Church Rock and waited for the sun to go down. The sunset over the ocean combined with the high cliffs and rocks on the backside of Catalina Island made for an amazing view! Very romantic for my girlfriend and I, and it started off our Catalina trip perfectly. Captain Ryan is a great guy and helped make our trip very special and memorable. I highly recommend sailing with him! read more

Top notch day with Ryan. My wife and I were looking for a casual afternoon sail, and couldn't have asked for more! Just the right combo of local history (Ryan could write the book on island history) and letting us chill, enjoying an afternoon at sea. Even got to try paddle boarding for our first time -- he's got all the equipment, and will give you a quick lesson! Thanks again, Ryan -- we had a great time! read more