A Catalina Island yacht charter with Channel Islands Executive Charters (CIEC) is a three-day, two-night retreat aboard the 65-foot Viking Convertible Yacht "Whatever It Takes," anchored in the quiet coves of Catalina Island rather than tied up at a crowded dock. 

For guests who want more than a ferry ticket and a hotel key, this Catalina Island yacht charter is designed to feel like the island belongs to them, if only for three days.

This three-day escape reflects CIEC's philosophy behind everything the company does: luxury yacht services built around privacy, comfort, and genuine hospitality rather than volume. Guests wake up in a private anchorage with dolphins nearby, spend their days exploring Catalina exactly as they please, and return each evening to a yacht built for real offshore comfort. It is one of the clearest examples of what a luxury yacht charter in California can look like when the goal is a fully private experience rather than a shared excursion.

Read more to understand what's included, what a typical day aboard actually looks like, how this Catalina Island yacht charter compares to a standard hotel stay or ferry trip, and who this experience is best suited for. 

An Overview of CIEC Three-Day Catalina Island Yacht Charter

A Catalina Island yacht charter with CIEC is built for guests who want the island without the crowds. This is not a quick tour that ends the same afternoon it starts. It is a full three-day retreat aboard a private yacht, anchored at Catalina for the entire stay. The pace is set by the guests aboard, not by a fixed tour schedule.

Who This Charter is Built For

This charter suits couples marking an anniversary, families who want real time together, and small groups celebrating something worth remembering. It also suits corporate groups seeking a few days away from the office without the usual distractions of a hotel conference room.

Couples looking for a private getaway

Couples get an anchorage to themselves instead of a shared resort schedule. The time together is uninterrupted from the moment they board.

Families who want space away from crowds

Families avoid the packed beaches and lines that come with a typical Avalon day trip. Everyone stays together on one yacht for the full three days.

Small groups marking a milestone

Birthdays, retirements, and other occasions get a setting built around the people being celebrated. The private chef and private yacht make the occasion feel deliberate rather than routine.

Corporate teams planning an offsite

Teams get three days away from a hotel conference room and the usual meeting routine. The open water setting gives colleagues a different kind of time together.

Each of these groups shares one thing in common. They want the island experience without sharing it with strangers.

What Sets This Three Day CIEC Charter Apart From Day Trips

Most visitors to Catalina take a ferry over, spend a few hours in Avalon, and head back before dinner.  A Catalina Island yacht charter removes that time pressure entirely. 

Guests stay anchored offshore, go ashore whenever they choose, and return to the yacht instead of a hotel room. The yacht itself, a 65-foot Viking Convertible, is fitted with three staterooms and a private chef, so meals and rest happen on the guests' own schedule rather than a tour operator's.

A single-day trip also limits how much of the island guests actually see. Three days at anchor allow time for Avalon, quieter coves, and the water itself, all without rushing from one stop to the next.

Departure Points

CIEC departs from two locations along the Southern California coast. Guests can choose the option that works best for their travel plans.

Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard

This is CIEC's home harbor and the more direct route to Catalina for guests traveling from Ventura County. The yacht departs from here for most standard bookings.

Newport Harbor in Newport Beach

This option suits guests coming from Orange County or further south. It offers the same three-day itinerary with a different starting point.

Both departure points connect directly to Catalina Island without requiring a separate ferry booking or transfer.

As a luxury yacht charter in California, CIEC built this three-day format around one idea. The island is worth more than a few rushed hours, and a private yacht is the only way to experience it without a schedule dictating the visit.

What's Included in a Private Catalina Yacht Charter

A Catalina Island yacht charter with CIEC covers far more than transportation to the island. Guests get the yacht, the crew, the meals, and a wide range of activities, all included in a single three-day booking. Nothing needs to be arranged separately once the charter is confirmed.

Onboard Accommodations and Dining

The yacht itself is set up for three full days of comfortable living on the water. Guests have their own private space, real meals prepared onboard, and drinks included throughout the stay.

A private chef cooking every meal

A chef travels aboard the yacht and prepares three meals a day for the full three days. Guests do not need to plan meals, book restaurants, or worry about food once the charter begins.

Three staterooms for guest privacy

The yacht holds three separate staterooms, giving guests their own space to rest and unwind. This setup works well for couples, families, and small groups traveling together.

A master suite with a walkaround king bed

The main stateroom includes a king bed with room to move on both sides. It gives one guest or couple a larger, more private space than the other staterooms.

Premium cocktails throughout the stay

Drinks are included as part of the charter rather than billed separately. Guests can enjoy cocktails on the flybridge, at dinner, or anywhere else aboard the yacht.

Activities available during the charter

Beyond the yacht itself, the three-day charter opens up a long list of things to do on and off the water. None of these activities are required, and guests can pick whichever ones fit their pace.

Kayaking and paddle boarding

Both are available directly from the yacht for guests who want time on the water without leaving the anchorage. Equipment is provided as part of the charter.

Jet skiing and snorkeling

Guests can explore the coves around Catalina at their own speed using jet skis or snorkel gear. These work well for guests who want a more active day.

Deep-sea fishing and whale watching

The yacht can head out for fishing or wildlife viewing depending on what guests want to do that day. Both activities take advantage of the open water surrounding Catalina.

Spa treatments and hiking

Guests can arrange spa treatments or head ashore for a hike on the island. Either option fits into the day without a set schedule.

On-shore island exploration

Guests can go into Avalon, take a cart tour, or explore quieter parts of the island whenever they choose. The yacht stays anchored nearby, ready for their return.

Every one of these activities is available during the charter, but none of them are required. Guests can spend three full days on the water, fill each day with activities, or mix the two however they like. The point of a Catalina Island yacht charter built this way is choice, not a fixed itinerary handed to every guest who books.

Reserve Your CIEC Private Charter Today

A Catalina Island yacht charter with CIEC gives guests three full days to experience the island on their own terms, without a ferry schedule, a hotel checkout time, or an itinerary set by someone else. From the private chef and staterooms to the open list of activities, every detail is built around one goal: letting guests set the pace of their own stay at Catalina.

For anyone ready to trade a rushed day trip for three unhurried days on the water, this is the charter to book. Reach out to Channel Islands Executive Charters to check available dates and start planning your escape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to charter to Catalina Island?

Catalina Island charters run comfortably across most of the year. Guests planning a Catalina Island yacht charter around a specific occasion, like an anniversary or milestone celebration, should reach out directly to check current availability and seasonal conditions.

How many passengers can a Catalina charter accommodate?

CIEC's three-day Catalina charter is capped at six guests. This limit is intentional and keeps the yacht, the crew's attention, and the entire itinerary private to the group aboard.

What's included in a Catalina yacht charter?

The three-day charter includes the yacht itself, a private chef preparing three meals a day, three staterooms including a master suite, and premium cocktails throughout the stay. It also includes access to activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, and on-shore island exploration.

Can you stay overnight on a yacht at Catalina Island?

Yes. CIEC's Catalina charter is a three-day, two-night experience with the yacht anchored at Catalina for the full stay. Guests sleep aboard each night in one of three staterooms rather than booking a separate hotel on the island.