Goat Harbor

Located halfway between the community of Two Harbors and the city of Avalon, Goat Harbor is an arched natural harbor that has an unnamed pebble-and-sand beach. This half-a-mile-long harbor is situated at the base of oceanfront mountains. As an interesting fact, Goat Harbor got its name as it was a popular landing site amongst wild-goat hunters. These goat hunters often hunted the large population of wild goats present around this harbor.

Goat Harbor does not have lifeguards. However, a ranger from the Catalina Island Conservancy patrols the beach daily. The beach in Goat Harbor does not have any other amenities except picnic tables, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in Goat Harbor. 

Goat Harbor offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, fishing, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, boating, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The water near the beach in Goat Harbor is generally calm, making it ideal for beginner swimmers and kayakers. In addition, scuba divers and snorkelers often go into the water near this beach to explore the interesting rocky reefs and the thick kelp beds present here. You can view many kinds of fish and marine invertebrates in the water near this beach including garibaldi, blacksmith fish, leopard sharks, bass, lobsters, nudibranchs, and angel sharks. The calm water near the beach in Goat Harbor is also an ideal spot for underwater photography and you can capture some amazing Instagram-worthy photos of the vibrant marine biodiversity here. If you like hiking, you can hike around Goat Harbor and explore the beautiful coastal landscape of the Santa Catalina Island coastline. However, if you are planning to hike here, we recommend being careful as the area around Goat Harbor is known to have poison oak. If you are planning to fish in the water near the beach in Goat Harbor, kindly make sure that you follow the local fishing regulations.

A popular activity in Goat Harbor is overnight tent camping - the beach in Goat Harbor offers an amazing and memorable oceanfront camping experience. However, if you are planning to camp here, please note that this beach does not have any amenities except picnic tables and you need to dispose of all the waste generated during your camping yourself in order to preserve the beach’s pristine natural state. It is also important to note that campfires are not allowed here and you need to cook your food on a camp stove or a self-contained barbecue. We also recommend being careful while camping here as the beach and the area around it are known to have rattlesnakes. In addition, it is also recommended that you carry a VHF radio during your visit so that you can easily send out distress calls in case of emergencies. If you are planning to camp here, you can visit Catalina Island Company’s website for more information regarding booking a campsite on the beach in Goat Harbor. In addition, you can also call Two Harbors Visitor Services at (310) 510-4205 for helpful information regarding camping including weather conditions and site verification.

Getting to Goat Harbor can be difficult - the only way to get to the beach is via a boat or a kayak. Goat Harbor is approximately six-and-a-half nautical miles away from the community of Two Harbors and approximately six-and-a-quarter nautical miles away from the city of Avalon. You can rent kayaks from the Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center present in the community of Two Harbors. In addition, there are many private concessions in Avalon which offer kayaks on rent including Descanso Beach Ocean Sports, Wet Spot Rentals, or Joe’s Rent-A-Boat. Boat operators are also available in Avalon who might drop you off at this beach for a fee. If you are traveling to Goat Harbor Beach via boat, please note that there are no moorings here. However, the natural harbor does offer a safe anchoring space for around eight boats. We recommend wearing layered clothing while visiting Goat Harbor as the weather here can change unpredictably.

There are many attractions near Goat Harbor. Machine Gun Park is a recreational park with a children’s playground and a German machine gun dating back to the First World War. Avalon’s Crescent Avenue offers exciting shopping stores. If you are looking for another attraction near Goat Harbor, Catalina Island Museum offers interesting historical and artistic exhibits. The museum also hosts exciting events throughout the year including book signings, gallery talks, and an annual silent film benefit.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Goat Harbor. Bluewater Grill Avalon is an upscale restaurant with an oceanfront dining area. In addition, this restaurant also serves fantastic seafood.  Katies Kitchen offers amazing Asian and Mexican dishes and also offers amazing sandwiches. In addition, this restaurant is also famous for its delicious ceviche. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Goat Harbor, the modestly priced Coney Island West has a patio dining area and offers amazing burgers, fries, hot dogs, corn dogs, barbecue dishes, and sandwiches. In addition, this restaurant was also awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice award in 2020.

If you are looking for a hotel near Goat Harbor, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Mt Ada Bed & Breakfast was the former retreat of renowned industrialist William Wrigley Jr. and offers many amenities including a bar, a fireplace, a terrace, complimentary access to the butler’s pantry throughout the day (which includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, fruits, mixed nuts, and ice-creams), access to a golf cart for exploring the city of Avalon, and complimentary shuttle service from the airport, heliport, boat terminal, or other hotels. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Pavilion Hotel which offers many amenities including access to a nearby fitness club, complimentary luggage transfer facility from boat docks in Avalon, a garden, and complimentary breakfast. In addition, the hotel also organizes wine-and-cheese tasting sessions. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Goat Harbor, the 2-Star Hotel Mac Rae offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, a DVD library, and complimentary beach towels. In addition, the hotel also has an open courtyard with lounge chairs and tables.