Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take) / Offshore State Marine Conservation Area

The exceptional abundance, diversity, and health of the ecological communities in the Blue Cavern MPAs is directly related to their long history of protection. Large California sheephead and kelp bass are common in the nearshore MPA. California spiny lobsters are found in abundance here, and rare species like the scythe butterflyfish, rainbow scorpionfish, and Guadalupe cardinalfish sometimes make an appearance. Gorgonians, a type of colorful soft coral, sway in the currents. This is one of the many locations at Santa Catalina Island where abalone, especially pink and green abalone, are commonly seen.

The Blue Cavern MPAs sit at the edge of a mountainous ridge that forms the backbone of Santa Catalina Island. Bird Rock, a notable outcrop, is found within Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take). Diving around Bird Rock reveals a steep drop-off wall and shallow reefs with kelp forests and understory algae, occupied by a striking number of large fish and invertebrates such as octopus, rockfish, and sea cucumbers. Acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, California mussels, golden rockweed, red algal turf, and ochre sea stars line the rocks in the intertidal zone of the nearshore MPA.

Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take) shares a deep-water boundary with its neighbor, Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA, where the seafloor drops down to depths in excess of 2,600 feet. Market squid school and lay their egg cases along the deep sandy seafloor, while sea whips and sea pens stand upright in stark contrast to the relatively flat and seemingly barren stretches of sediment. Flatfish such as California halibut and C-O sole hide out in the open, perfectly camouflaged against the grains of sand.

Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources for centuries. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses. Originally inhabited by Native Americans known as the Tongva, Santa Catalina Island, also known as Pimugna or Pimu by these first peoples, provided abundant resources for permanent villages for thousands of years. Ancient tools hand-fashioned from stone, shell, and bone, and piles of abalone shells have been uncovered at ancient village sites.

Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator in service to Spain, was likely the first European explorer to visit the island in 1542, anchoring two tiny caravel ships off the Bay of Avalon. In November 1602, Philip III of Spain sent an expedition under command of Sebastian Vizcaino to map the California coastline. He anchored in what is now the crescent shaped harbor of Avalon on Saint Catherine’s Day and renamed the small sunny island “Santa Catarina” or “Cathalina”.

In 1885, the island was sold for $200,000 to George R. Shatto, who sold land parcels to buyers from all over the country. In 1919, the island again changed hands and was sold for $3 million to the multi-millionaire chewing gum mogul and owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, William Wrigley Jr., who set out to make it a tourist destination.

The early 1900s was a golden age for Santa Catalina Island. Movie stars and famous figures flocked to the island to relax and hide from fans. Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Winston Churchill, and Errol Flynn frequented the island to fish for marlin and other game fish. In the 1970s, Wrigley deeded 88 percent of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, and today much of it remains undeveloped and wild. Santa Catalina Island’s rich history can be seen in many of the historic landmarks that dot the landscape.

The area around the Blue Cavern MPAs is a great place to explore the quieter end of Catalina Island. With a portion of the Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take) designated a no-take area for decades before the current MPAs’ implementation, the marine environment within Big Fisherman’s Cove makes for excellent diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, though anchoring is not allowed in the cove. Bird Rock is also a popular dive site, and there are many coves and caves to explore within the nearshore MPA boundaries.

The neighboring University of Southern California, Wrigley Marine Science Center offers opportunities for education programs including lectures on the area, laboratories, tours, and outdoor activities, which can be organized for K-12 students, undergraduate groups, and other interested groups.

No recreational or commercial take of marine resources is permitted within Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take). Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA, however, allows recreational take of white seabass and pelagic finfish by spear, pelagic finfish by hook and line, as well as market squid by hand-held dip net. Visitors hiking around Santa Catalina Island can enjoy scenic vistas of the Blue Cavern MPAs. Outside the MPA boundaries, the adjacent town of Two Harbors offers recreational opportunities including hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, ocean kayaking, mountain biking, seaside camping, disc golf, pleasure boating, and just relaxing on a sandy beach. Guest accommodations at Two Harbors include ocean view cottages, camping cabins, and multiple campgrounds, each offering a unique outdoor experience.

Coordinates

Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take)

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33^o 25.960 ′ N. lat. 118^o 27.000 ′ W. long.; and
33^o 27.500 ′ N. lat. 118^o 27.000 ′ W. long;
33^o 27.500 ′ N. lat. 118^o 29.300 ′ W. long.; and
33^o 26.640 ′ N. lat. 118^o 29.300 ′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(124)

Coordinates for the No Anchor Zone Boundary within the SMCA, at the formerly designated Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge, are as follows:

33^o 26.650' N. lat. 118^o 29.317' W. long.;
33^o 26.833' N. lat. 118^o 29.133' W. long.;
33^o 26.958' N. lat. 118^o 28.558' W. long.;
33^o 26.917' N. lat. 118^o 28.553' W. long., and
33^o 26.892' N. lat. 118^o 28.583' W. long.

Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA

This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

33^o 27.500 ′ N. lat. 118^o 27.000 ′ W. long.;
33^o 29.970 ′ N. lat. 118^o 27.000 ′ W. long.; thence northwestward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33^o 30.810 ′ N. lat. 118^o 29.300 ′ W. long.;
33^o 27.500 ′ N. lat. 118^o 29.300 ′ W. long.; and
33^o 27.500 ′ N. lat. 118^o 27.000 ′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(125)

Downloads for Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take)

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations