Visit WMSC

Comfort, convenience, and support: that’s what our facilities offer, whether you’re making a day trip, staying for a weekend, or spending an entire semester on the island. From fully equipped labs and classrooms to lodging, dining, and retreat spaces, we have what you need.

View a photo gallery of our facilities >>

Research Facilities

Our most remarkable research facility is the living lab of the island itself, its surrounding marine reserves, and the San Pedro Channel. WMSC also offers wet and dry labs, sized for individual researchers or groups; a lecture hall and classrooms with A/V and Zoom setups; a greenhouse and bluehouse; and dive facilities.

Housing and Dining

Our dining hall serves three meals each day. Housing options include dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms; one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and living/dining spaces; and 2- and 3-bedroom cottages with full kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms.

Boone Center

Built in 2008, the George and MaryLou Boone Center for Science and Environmental Research is a retreat facility for public- and private-sector leaders looking to develop solutions to environmental and sustainability problems. It consists of six semi-detached homes situated around a central courtyard with a view of Big Fisherman’s Cove.

A Note on our Location

Please be aware that the Wrigley Marine Science Center is a working research field station in a remote area. If you have not stayed with us before, we strongly recommend that your group coordinator schedule a site visit before booking to get a sense of what we offer.

If you are a conference or retreat group, in particular, please note that we are not a full-service hotel. We do not provide housekeeping services during your stay, and our ability to accommodate special requests (including dietary requests) is limited. Our team is small and focused primarily on supporting research and educational activities. Please keep this in mind as you consider locations for your event.

The Wrigley Institute provides free transportation to and from the Wrigley Marine Science Center on our vessel, the Miss Christi. In general, the Miss Christi makes one round trip per day, Monday-Friday, between the port city of San Pedro, CA (adjacent to Long Beach), and our dock at Big Fisherman Cove. The boat usually departs San Pedro at 8:00am Pacific Time. Return times vary based on travel needs but are usually no later than a 3:30pm departure from the island. Weekend and evening trips are occasionally available, and the Miss Christi is available for charter. The boat schedule is subject to weather.

How to Make a Boat Reservation

We recommend requesting your boat reservation as soon as you know your dates of travel, as boat capacity is limited. Note that the Miss Christi fills up more quickly during April-October, our busiest months. Priority is given to essential travel by Wrigley Institute staff and to faculty and students who are visiting the island for classes or research on sustainability and the environment. The Wrigley Marine Science Center is usually not open to the public for tours, leisure activities, etc. To request a boat reservation, complete our boat reservation form (linked below). A member of our reservations staff will review your request and respond within 2 business days.

Before traveling on the Miss Christi, please review our Boat Passenger Information page (linked below) for important information about how to access our dock in San Pedro, rules of travel, and more.

View the boat schedule >>

Review boat passenger information >>

Request a boat reservation >>

Located on the leeward side of Catalina Island, the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) offers access to miles of scenic coastal nearshore habitats typically protected from open ocean swells and in close proximity to pristine offshore open-water environments, both of which provide excellent boating opportunities for research and educational purposes. WMSC is in the heart of the Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area, giving boaters access to clean and clear ocean waters protected from fishing, anchoring, and collecting.

About the WMSC Fleet

WMSC maintains a fleet of approximately 10 vessels. Depending on maintenance schedules and staffing, these vessels are available for use by academic visitors. Some boats can be operated solely by visitors, while others require the assistance of WMSC boat crew. All available vessels are in proper working order, covered under BoatUS Vessel Assist Tow Membership, and equipped with serviceable required boating equipment such as VHF radios, Personal Floatation Devices, distress signaling devices, fire extinguishers, SCUBA diving support equipment, and current vessel registrations.

The fleet consists of two size classes. “Small Vessels” are 11-21 feet in length, powered by maximum 50 horsepower Honda outboards, and enable access to the Small Boat Boundary (SBB). “Large Vessels” are 16-23 feet in length, powered by Honda outboards up to 150 horsepower, and grant access to the Large Boat Boundary (LBB). Maps and full vessel information are available in the USC/WIES Boating Safety Manual, Appendices III and IV (linked below).

How to Reserve WMSC Boats

Boats for research or educational purposes should be requested through the Research Activities Plan (linked below). Submit your completed plan to Research Coordinator Victoria Sperow.

All WMSC boaters must complete certain pre-certification requirements before arriving on the island. Note that these requirements are different for USC individuals and visiting boaters. To ensure safe boating operations, you must also complete a waterfront orientation and boater training after your arrival at WMSC. For more information about pre-certification and training requirements and other Wrigley Institute boating policies, see the Boating Safety Manual.

For more information about the WMSC fleet or boating requirements, contact Marine Operations Manager Trevor Oudin or read our FAQ.

Download the Research Activities Plan >>

Download the Boating Manual >>

Our campus is amazing, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never need to leave. Whether you need to conduct field work elsewhere on the island, take a group of students on a field trip, or just take a break in nearby Two Harbors, we can get you there. Note: to use our vehicles, you must be an approved USC driver. Driver approval requires annual renewal.

About Our Vehicle Fleet

WMSC maintains a small fleet of vehicles that can be rented by academic visitors. Available options include an 8-passenger 4WD SUV, two 10-passenger vans, and several 2-4-passenger electric cars. All available vehicles are in proper working order and equipped with first aid supplies and current vehicle registrations. Insurance coverage is determined during the application process. If you are not USC-affiliated, your sponsoring organization will likely be required to provide your insurance, with USC listed as additional insured.

How to Reserve WMSC Vehicles

Reserve vehicles in advance by emailing wrigleyreservations@usc.edu. Onsite reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis through the WMSC Administrative Office.

All WMSC drivers must complete a driver application before arriving on the island. In the application, you must provide proof of a valid driver’s license, clear driving record, insurance coverage of $1M in auto liability, completion of USC’s defensive driving course, and compliance with USC’s Vehicle Safety Policy. Note that non-USC drivers may have different requirements. To ensure safe vehicle operations, you must also complete a vehicle orientation after your arrival at WMSC and comply with our check-in and check-out policies. For more information about USC’s driver policy and application process, see the links provided below.

For more information about the WMSC vehicle fleet or vehicle rental requirements, contact the Administrative Office at 310-510-0811 or wrigleyreservations@usc.edu.

Special Requirements for Groups

Due to the remote location of our campus, we require at least one person in every visiting group to be an authorized driver of USC vehicles, in case a member of the group requires after-hours medical care.

The closest hospital to our campus is the Catalina Island Medical Center (CIMC) in Avalon, which is a 90-minute drive away on a winding dirt road. In a medical emergency, individuals should call 911 for assistance, and emergency services will respond and, if needed, transport the patient to CIMC. However, individuals needing non-emergency care, or individuals who need to return to our campus after receiving care at CIMC, will need to be transported by a member of your group.

Submit a new driver application >>

Review WMSC’s vehicle rental agreement >>

Review USC’s vehicle driver policy >>

Access USC’s defensive driving course >>

The Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) is an ideal base for underwater research, with convenient access to both temperate near-shore and open-water environments.

Located at Big Fisherman’s Cove, WMSC overlooks a marine reserve with soft, clean sediment; kelp forests; and a wide diversity of marine life. The waters just a short distance offshore are deep enough for blue-water diving. The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, a 24/7 emergency medical facility for diving accidents, is just steps from our dock, so you can dive with peace of mind.

All researchers must submit a Research Activities Plan and Research Diving Plan prior to their visit. Activity plans and other materials required below must be submitted at least seven days prior to your visit and approved at least 72 hours prior to your visit.

Download the Research Activities Plan >>

Download the Diving Safety Manual (includes Research Diving Plan) >>

How to Dive With Us

Underwater research at WMSC requires active AAUS Scientific Diver certification for every member of the diving party. All divers should also review the Diving Safety Manual before arriving on Catalina Island.

USC Divers

Before submitting a dive plan, USC Divers must complete the following steps.

• Contact the Diving Safety Officer  (DSO) to request a copy of the USC Scientific Diver Information Form. This form requires divers to provide proof of the following: SCUBA medical clearance; SCUBA certification; DAN or equivalent dive medical insurance; CPR, AED, First Aid, and O2 certification; and proof of gear service or purchase within the previous 12 months.
• Register in the USC Diver Database. You must log all training dives. Once you are registered, it is your responsibility to maintain relevant certifications. You may check your certification status on your database profile page. All certifications and dive logs must be current before dive plans will be considered for approval. If there are any questions, please contact the DSO.
• Complete a checkout dive with the DSO. During your checkout dive, you’ll be required to show proficiency in:
• Surface diving to 10 feet in open water without scuba
• Air sharing (donor and receiver)
• Entering and leaving open water, surf, or diving vessel while geared up
• Surface kicking 400 yards in scuba gear, but while not breathing on scuba
• Maneuverability at and below the surface
• Simulated emergency swimming ascent
• Mask and regulator clearing while submerged
• Achieving and maintaining neutral buoyancy
• Self and buddy rescue
• Underwater navigation
• Dive planning
• Judgment adequate for safe diving

Non-USC Divers

Prior to submitting a dive plan, non-USC divers from AAUS member institutions must:

• Submit a letter of reciprocity (LOR) from your home institution
• Submit an approved dive plan from your home institution’s DSO
• Complete a 15-minute dive orientation upon arrival
• Complete a liability waiver prior to arrival at WMSC

Dive Planning and Equipment Policy

All divers must provide their own dive and research gear to conduct underwater research at WMSC. Eighty cf aluminum and steel cylinders with yoke-type and DIN valves are available. Due to the limited amount of DIN cylinders available for use, we highly recommend that you bring adapters with you. Please make sure your equipment is complete and functional prior to arrival. A limited selection of dive equipment is available locally (2 miles from WMSC) at the Two Harbors Dive and Recreation Center.

The following equipment is required:

A mask, snorkel, fins, appropriate exposure protection (wet or dry), weight belt and weights, regulator with redundant second stage (also known as an “octopus”), buoyancy compensator, pressure gauge, depth gauge, timing device, compass, an audible signaling device, a safety sausage, and a cutting tool.

The following equipment is recommended:

A dive computer, save-a-dive kit, calculator, extra pencils, dive light, marker lights for night dives, DIN to yoke adapter (if you use DIN valves), and a slate capable of holding an 8.5″ x 11″ data sheet.

Note: Top-side tending is required during all dive operations.

Need to obtain your AAUS certification?

The Wrigley Institute is a Scuba Diving International (SDI) training facility and regularly offers AAUS Scientific Diving certification courses. These courses are currently open only to USC-affiliated individuals, but we hope to have capacity for non-USC trainees in the near future. If you would like to be added to a waitlist of non-USC individuals who are interested in AAUS training, please email wies@usc.edu. USC individuals, please follow the link below for more information about AAUS training.

AAUS training at USC >>

Due to FAA regulations and the presence of an active helipad on our campus, recreational drone use is not allowed at the Wrigley Marine Science Center. If you plan to use drones as part of your educational or research activities, please use the links below to familiarize yourself with the relevant drone policies and paperwork requirements.

All drone flights over the WMSC campus require a USC drone permit, regardless of whether the person or organization operating the drone is affiliated with USC. Flights over any other part of Santa Catalina Island, including surrounding waters, require permission from entities such as the City of Avalon, Santa Catalina Island Company, or Catalina Island Conservancy. More information about operating a drone at these non-USC locations can be found in the Catalina Island Drone Packet & Operating Procedures.

Drone approval usually takes at least 30 days, so please plan ahead.

USC Policy on UAS Operations >>

Catalina Island Drone Packet and Operating Procedures >>

Flight Report >> (must be submitted within 24 hours after every drone flight)

Classes and research groups visiting WMSC can request educator-led activities to supplement planned curriculum or aid in cohort-building. These activities are designed to educate visitors about the unique ecology and geology of Catalina Island, the Marine Protected Area adjacent to our campus, hyperbaric medicine, and overall research activities taking place on our campus. Options include:

• WMSC facility and lab tour
• Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber tour
• Ocean snorkel
• Ocean kayak tour
• Hikes to Blue Cavern Point and Deer Valley

See our Rates and Fees page for information about associated costs. You can request educator-led activities when submitting a reservation request.