With quaint shops and restaurants, beach clubs, campgrounds, a zip line course, and watersports, there’s plenty to do on California’s Santa Catalina Island. However, while most travel the 22 miles from Long Beach by boat or ferry (and the lucky few by helicopter), one adventure company has made the journey even more fun than the destination.
Uncharted Society is a marketplace connecting BRP vehicles (think Sea-Doos and Can-Ams) with tour operators to create “transformative powersport experiences” — and their Sea-Doo adventure to Catalina is just that.
Experience Overview
“After we have carefully selected an iconic location, we identify the local outfitters who offer outstanding experiences in that area,” representatives for the two-year-old company told GoTravelDaily. Now, they have over 100 certified outfitters in five countries and 21 states running tours on land and water through every season.
Activities on Catalina Island
As a water-loving LA resident, I felt compelled to Sea-Doo to Catalina as soon as I found out it was an option. My excitement grew as I shared this adventure with friends, leading to a lively group of keen adventurers. The journey takes roughly two and a half hours, which includes a few stops to marvel at dolphins, sea lions, and enjoy a cave swim. Although this is more than double the time spent on the ferry, it offers ten times the thrill.
Equipped in wetsuits, we departed from Long Beach around 8 a.m. on a July morning. The water was relatively calm, with the sun attempting to break through the fog. There had been much talk of dolphins, but I was cautious about my hopes — until our first stop about four miles out, when we spotted them swimming right beside us.
From that moment onward, the adrenaline surged. We sped off through the San Pedro Channel, racing and splashing one another (from a safe distance), with no trace of land in sight. This experience was unlike any ordinary tour; there were no speed limits or orderly lines. Our group ranged in age from 19 to 52, but the exhilarating sensation of being “lost” on a Sea-Doo in the ocean made us all feel like kids.
Although adventure takes top priority, Uncharted Society designs its experiences to appeal to die-hard enthusiasts and first-timers alike. “We truly believe at Uncharted Society that whether you get outside for a few hours or a few days, time spent in nature is transformative for everyone,” they noted.
Before reaching Catalina’s Two Harbors — the quieter, more natural side of the island compared to the bustling streets of Avalon — we paused for a cave swim through the clear, cold waters at Blue Cavern Point. By the time we arrived at the beach and settled for lunch on the beachfront deck of Harbor Reef Restaurant, we indulged in mahi-mahi sandwiches followed by ice cream from the General Store.
Courtesy of Uncharted Society
Return Journey
We relaxed on the beach for a while before embarking on our Sea-Doo ride back home. The water was a bit choppier during the return, but the sky had turned a brilliant blue, mirroring the ocean below. As I lagged behind, I heard excited screams and sped up to discover a pod of dolphins playfully racing along with us, as if they were welcoming us back to Long Beach. Experiencing these magnificent creatures at almost eye level was an unbeatable feeling.
The Catalina Sea-Doo tour will run for the last time in 2022 on November 30, but it is set to return in early 2023, promising winter whale sightings (and thicker wetsuits for chilly weather enthusiasts). For those who embrace the cold, winter adventures extend beyond the water: Uncharted Society will facilitate Ski-Doo excursions in West Yellowstone, power sled skiing in the Chilean Andes, and glacier riding in Alaska under stunning landscapes.
Recently, Uncharted Society has expanded into Canada, offering adventures ranging from Sea-Doo fishing in Vancouver to snowy Ski-Doo excursions in Quebec and Whistler. In November, there will be a launch of a Women’s Collection aimed at “growing women representation in powersports.” Presently, women comprise 20% of BRP vehicle owners and around one-third of Uncharted Society’s website visits. The hope is that this initiative will inspire more women to enjoy powersports through tailored adventures.
