Last summer we used the Marina Del Rey ferry to move 3 of us and our kayaks to Avalon – great service no longer with us. We used the Descanso boat service and Captain Randy to take the kayaks and our ton of gear to Italian Gardens, one of the boat in camp sites, for 3 nights. He picked us and brought us back to Avalon for the trip back. No way you can get the gear and beer you need to be comfortable to and from the boat in camp sites if you are paddling as well as pack the trash back out.
With the ferry no longer in business, in August we are camping at Lava Wall where there are a few miles of MLPA free coast line and using the Catalina Freight Line to ship the kayaks and gear to Avalon. Randy Is picking them up and meeting us with the boat when the Newport Ferry arrives then taking us to Lava Wall. We’ll drop the kayaks off at the freight service before we return on the ferry.
If he is not already booked, I believe he can do the same for you and drive your kayaks to Two Harbors, then bring the kayaks back as well and drop off your gear at the freight service. You do have to plan to get the kayaks to the freight service in Wilmington and pick them up as well. They recommend dropping them off 3 days before you arrive in case they have space problems. They will hold them in Avalon until Randy picks them up. You can take the ferry to Two Harbors and meet him there. Randy is great and absolutely dependable.
The trip is so outstanding it’s worth the extra effort if you can’t line up a boat and it will cost a bit more than the $800 you planned to spend.
If you are interested use this number to contact Randy or his wife in the office – 310-510-1588.
By the way, if you consider boat in camp sites, Randy will pick up the water you need, propane and fire wood (if the site has a fire ring) and have it on the boat for you.
http://kayakcatalinaisland.com/rentals/
http://catalinafreight.com/
Good luck with it.