Boat Passenger Information

The Wrigley Institute provides free transportation to and from the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) aboard the USC vessel Miss Christi. In general, the Miss Christi makes one round trip per day, Monday-Friday, between the port city of San Pedro, CA, and our dock at Big Fisherman Cove, Catalina Island.

The Miss Christi leaves the dock from the Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI) in San Pedro promptly at the scheduled departure time. Your name must be on the boat manifest to board, so please make sure you have made a reservation in advance. The boat schedule is subject to change.

Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI)
820 South Seaside Avenue
San Pedro, CA 90731
Email: wiesboat@usc.edu
Miss Christi Boat Phone: 213-700-4508

the Wrigley Institute boat, the Miss Christi, docked in the Avalon Harbor at Catalina Island

Travel Information

If you are running late or can’t make the boat, call 213-700-4508 to notify the boat crew.

  • The Miss Christi departs from Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI), 820 South Seaside Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731. See below for parking information. Get directions to SCMI >>
  • Travel time to the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) is roughly 90 minutes.
  • Arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
  • Closed-toe shoes are required on SCMI property and on the boat.
  • Bathrooms are available at SCMI. Please use the bathroom before boarding. There is NO bathroom on the boat.
  • We recommend taking seasickness medication one hour before boarding.
  • No smoking or consumption of alcohol is allowed on board the boat.
  • Life jackets must be worn at all times by children under the age of 12.

Baggage Guidelines

Passengers are allowed up to 2 personal pieces of luggage each, no larger than 23″ x 23″ x 37″ and weighing no more than 50 pounds. Do not tie anything to the outside of your luggage. Dive or snorkel gear should be packed separately, as it may be stored on the boat deck for the duration of the crossing. Notify the boat crew if your luggage requires any special handling (e.g., if it contains fragile items or expensive equipment).

Gear Deliveries

To coordinate the delivery of large items or cargo that requires the use of a forklift or crane, email wiesboat@usc.edu.

Parking Guidelines

  • Free public parking is available on the street outside SCMI. However, street parking is limited. Carpool whenever possible.
  • Do not park inside the chain link fenced area. This is for SCMI staff only.
  • Additional free parking is available past SCMI on the street leading to the Terminal Island Japanese Fishing Village Memorial.
  • Pay attention to “No Parking” signs and be careful not to obstruct fence gates.
  • map showing parking options near the Southern California Marine Institute

    Use this map to locate parking options near SCMI.

  • the Southern California Marine Institute, a tan stucco two-story building with a flat roof and two columns of windows on the front facade

    The SCMI building. To board the Miss Christi, walk past SCMI to the docks with the building on your right. Once you walk through the chain link fence, turn right and follow the concrete walkway past the cargo crane. The Miss Christi docks next to the R/V Yellowfin, a large, gunmetal gray boat with the California State University logo on its side.

  • map showing parking options near the Southern California Marine Institute
  • the Southern California Marine Institute, a tan stucco two-story building with a flat roof and two columns of windows on the front facade