Afishinado Charters

We did the flying fish tour and the staff was courteous, entertaining and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this it was the best part of my trip!

We didn’t get a chance to go on the cruise since we were the only two that booked with them that day. I totally understand that. What I don’t understand is the lack of communication. I booked the tour nearly 3 weeks in advance and never received a confirmation. I called a few days before we left for vacation but reception was bad and I was disconnected. No one ever called me back, so I sent an email. A day later I was told that we were the only two booked on the tour, but they were trying to get more reservations and would keep me updated. The day of our cruise I got an email saying that it was cancelled.
Catalina is a tourist destination, we were there on vacation to see the island and do some fun activities. However, due to their last minute cancellation we were unable to book another event for that evening. If I had cancelled 5 hours before the tour I would have been charged full price, yet all I got from them was a «your card has not been charged» email.
It just seemed very unprofessional to me.

Went lobster hooping for the 1^st time… had the best time!!! Captain Scott was awesome… we had the best time. After we caught the lobsters, he took us over to he lobster trap restaurant were they cooked up what we had just caught… never tasted any seafood so fresh. Will definitely do this again only with Afishinado Charters!!!

This was the highlight of our trip to Catalina! My hubby and I went on the flying fish tour for his birthday. It was amazing, and I really think a better value than all the other tours/​activities we’ve done during our visits to the island. The flying fish season had just started, and there were only ~10 guests on the entire boat (Catallac) which normally accommodates ~50. We left just after sunset, and saw flying fish glide majestically across the moonlit ocean. The crew gave us these super bright flashlights so that we could find and shine our own lights onto the flying fish — this was a fun and addictive activity. It felt gratifying to spot/​track my own flying fish and illuminate it for everyone else to see! I was impressed by how long they stay in the air; they really glide across long distances!
We were lucky that even though the season was just starting (mid-​May this year), we got to see a lot (dozens) of flying fish. We also saw several playful seals that were swimming alongside our boat. We met Karen, who owns the business with her husband Captain John, and she was a down-​to-​earth and nice lady. She was just as thrilled and excited to see the flying fish as people seeing them for the first time! It was refreshing to see that they genuinely love what they do and want everyone to enjoy the beauty and magic of the island with them.
This was a unique and fun experience, and we will definitely be back!

These guys do an incredible job. My wife and our 11 year old daughter booked the two harbors trip on the Afishinados Catallac Charter. We expected a bit of a «yawner» but Captain John and his first mate made the trip very memorable and fun. First of all, the boat is new, very clean and goes very fast. Unlike some of the other boats we have taken over the years, this boat does not smell of exhaust or gas, so that made for a very pleasant experience. The twin hull design makes it fast and very smooth.
The first mate serves up beer and wine from the cabin below deck. The cabin is large enough for about 15 people to sit and relax, but the real fun is above deck. There are plenty of places to hang out and watch the sides on the boat. The Captain lets you go anywhere, including the smaller, elevated, pilots area up above.
Besides providing lots of information about the island and Two Harbors, Captain John noticed a pod of dolphins about ¾ of a mile east of our course and he immediately changed detoured so we could get a better look. We caught up with the dolphins and we followed them, and sort of chased us for the next 20 minutes. I got the feeling that John cared more about us getting a good look at the dolphins than he did about the schedule or how much extra gas he was using for the detour. Two Harbors was fun — I definitely recommend the buffalo milk! On the trip back Captain John called up my 11 year old daughter and let her steer the boat (picture attached). We bought our tickets while shopping on the main street of Avalon at the Afishinado art/​jewelry store. Over the years we have done the submarine, dolphin quest, zip lines, Hummer tours, but I would rate the Catallac charter top of the list because it was so much fun and I felt we got a lot more than we paid for. I give it an excellent rating.

We had such a fantastic time on the Catallac this past weekend (⁸⁄₁₇ to be exact). We chartered the boat to go to the Isthmus and back, but Captain John stopped along the way for a few of us to dive and relax in the sun. Can’t say enough great things about Captain John, Scott and Heather. They were friendly, knowledgeable and exremely helpful. Not to mention the food was out of this world. I’m a clean freak and I was impressed with how clean everything was. Captain John even helped out my husband and got him a bunch of squid to fish with. Great, great crew and boat. I highly recommend them for any boating event out in Avalon. We will definitely be using them again!

I won a trip for two last year, that unfortunately expired, but they honored it anyway — I am so grateful! They were so gracious! I bought another ticket for my niece also. (I think the price $ 45 is a bit high for a boat ride, but I am spoiled because I can go on a boat ride anytime)
The flying fish tour was great! Capt John made it fun and interesting, the boat is big, beautiful and clean. We saw a lot more flying fish than I expected and the lights and flashlights made it fun and easy to see them.
I definitely recommend it!

Captain Scott was awesome. Just my husband and me on a three hour snorkeling your. Pirates cove was beautiful. Loved how he took pictures of us while we’re snorkeling. The trip to other areas around the island was great. A very personal way to experience Catalina. Excellent service. We am on scheduling a whole day if snorkeling and fishing next year.

Our family of 5 did the flying fish tour. Everyone had a blast. First off, Capt John is a great captain and guide. Educated us the entire trip filled with his great sense of humor. Once we found the fish the kids were addicted to finding more. The crew gives you flashlights plus the spotlights on the boats. The fish put on a great show. Finished the trip with a little sealion action. Let’s just say, a least one fish didn’t «fly» fast enough. Highlight of the weekend.

We visited Catalina with our kids last year after many years away. We wanted to take our teenaged boys on their first fishing trip and found Afishinado. Captain Lance was awesome! Really friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. We caught a great dinner and had the best time.
We’ve just returned from another week long visit to Catalina and requested another trip with Captain Lance. Once again, it was a great trip. My wife caught a yellowtail and my youngest son caught and released a barracuda. Lance also captained the flying fish trip we took on our last night and he knew exactly where and how to find them. We saw a TON of flying fish. It was awesome!
Afishinado is a first class operation. If you’re in Catalina, you don’t need to search other companies. These are your people. John, Karen, Lance, and crew — The Lundborgs had a great time once again! We’ll be back!

The Brews Cruise was so much fun. We loved Capt John and Lance. I would recommend this company for any type boating excursion. Everyone was so knowledgeable about the island and sea life.

Our honeymoon just happened to fall at the very end of flying fish season, but my hubby’s never gotten the full Catalina experience, so we just HAD to go. The other company’s already packed up the boat for the season, and I loved going out with them about 12 years ago, so we reluctantly went with Afishinado.
Being the end of the season, the few fish that were left weren’t jumping too high or too far, and there weren’t too many of them, but Captain John made absolutely sure that we got our money’s worth. We’d already met the «Guarantee to see Flying Fish!» so he took us for a slow ride out to Long Point, past frog rock, and back to Avalon in the dark for some stargazing.
There were only about 15 – 20 people on the boat, so plenty of flashlights to go around, and we ended up getting to take pictures with a fish that smacked into the boat and got stunned. My husband, who’s never been on a boat besides the ferry over, was absolutely over the moon with the whole experience. We’re already planning our return trip during peak flying fish season so we can head back out on the Catallac and get our free t-​shirts! Just have to get smacked by a fish!

Flying fish tour!!!
I was so against doing this at first. My friend talked me into it since our kayaking tour was canceled due to high wind =(. I am so glad we went though. There are two flying fish tours available on the whole island. This one I went on was $ 45 per person. That’s $ 10 more than the other location. On our tour, we got the chance to see the our flying fish tour and I am sooooo glad we went on this one inside.
Our captain was an awesome friendly guy named Lance. He was very knowledgeable and stopped our catamaran at the best places for us to watch the flying fish. They gave us strong flash lights that we can shine into the water to attract and see the fish. We ended up seeing sea lions, various sea creatures and a ton of the fishing fish. We also got to see the beautiful starry sky. It was a lot of fun and I definitely recommend.
As for the other tour boat… it was funny seeing them zip quickly by. They don’t even stop their tour to let you see the fish. They also didn’t give out flash lights. They had a «main» light that would just scan the ocean. It was funny a pretty sight.
We bought tickets at the Afishinado store. It was definitely worth the price. We also brought our own flash lights which I recommend.

We just happened into the Afishinado store and weren’t sure of what to do for the evening. But captain John told us about his new boat and the flying fish tour. He gave us a great deal and we were in! It was wonderful. The boat was big, beautiful and clean. Captain John was extremely knowledgable about the fish and the island. Every guest got a flashlight to be an active participant and we saw some flying fish! Thanks!

Such a great time out on the Catallac for the flying fish tour! Top of the line boat & expert captain. We highly recommend this as a special highlight of a visit to Catalina. The fish/​seal excitement was so fun to see. Evening cruise was beautiful. Best tour on the island and over the years I’ve done them all; this company is a class act.

FLYING FISH TRIP REVIEW
awesome time. really got money’s worth. captain is very knowledgeable of the island and the people that work in the office are amazing.
we were able to see flying fish. they were no sea lions around trying to eat them so they weren’t flying in a frenzy, but we still saw some flying. it was great. we even saw them underwater with their fins open. 2 hit the boat and 1 scared another guest. But everyone had a blast.
you can bring your own flashlight, but they also supply some.
IF YOU WANT TO GO ON A FLYING FISH TOUR, BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY, NOT DISCOVERY TOURS.
discovery tours trip is only 45 – 50 minutes total.
with this company we were out there for longer and for less money.
great company.

I went on the Catallac Flying Fish tour last night. Sensational! I am germaphobic! This was the cleanest yacht I have ever been on. The head (bathroom) was spotless! The yacht was really large. I was surprised that there was close to 40 people on the tour. It seemed like much less. The wind was up a bit but the ride was smooth. We were up front on the bridge and we were dry the whole time. John King, the captain, was saftey conscious, knowledgeable, hospitable and went out of his way to make sure we all had a good time. We saw so many flying fish! It was so exciting! I went with my husband for our anniversary and it was the perfect celebration. We both enjoyed ourselves immensely. We were surprised to find that they served beverages and food.
I would do this trip again and again! I have been on other Flying Fish tours on Avalon and the Catallac far exceeds all other experiences.
I would recommend chartering the Catallac for small weddings, day cruises around the Island and corporate retreats. I have never been a lover of Yachting because I get seasick but this catamaran style yacht is so stable and smooth running I became a fan. I am looking forward to spending more time on the ocean as a passanger of the Catallac!
I visited the Afishinado store that arranges this charter as well as smaller fishing charters. It was like the cherry on top of an already great experience. Karen King, the captain’s wife, is a hoot! She is so funny and talented. Her art work can be seen all over her shop. She also has crafts from other artists she knows. There was so much original work to buy I did not know where to begin. I wanted it all. So I bought quite a bit for myself and for next Christmas to give as gifts (6 months from now) and had it shipped to my home. It is worth taking a ferry over to Catalina just to visit this store.
All in all I enjoyed my time in Avalon but my one evening at the Afishinado store and on the Catallac Flying Fish cruise was the highlight I wil want to revisit over and over again!

We called Captain John with Afishinado Charters because we wanted to go on a flying fish tour and the other company that runs them was not available. Captain John explained to me that his tour was different — only 6 people per trip, so it was going to be $ 90/​person. I balked a bit at the price, but since I wanted to see some flying fish, we paid it. And it was worth every penny!!!
We had such a great time with Captain John! He was personable and very knowledgeable about the island, its history and its animals. Having only 6 people on the boat was fantastic and we each got our own flashlight to search for fish. Going out on the boat was one of the highlights of our trip to Catalina. If we go back, we definitely will give Afishinado a call to maybe try our hand at fishing or one of their other expeditions.

There is no better way to experience Catalina Island than with Afishinado Charters. Sure, we could spend all day lounging around in Avalon, but to really get to know the island, you have to get out on the water, in and out of every little cove, and pulling up Halibut and Sand Dabs along the way. Captain John gave my friends and I the best possible time I could imagine on the island, and we even got to eat our day’s catch later that evening. Honestly, there hasn’t been a single person that I wouldn’t recommend Afishinados Charters to, and there hasn’t been a single person that has left disappointed.

My girlfriend and I went to Catalina for the day, expecting to just lounge and shop. We walked by the gorgeous Afishinados store, and thirty minutes later we were heading out for a day on the ocean with Captain John. It was amazing! John really knew the island well and was so personable. I have recommended Afishinados Charters to all my of my friends, and can’t wait to go back this Summerhow about THAT.