Pirates’ Call Of ‘Surrender The Booty’ Now Means Tickets & Wristbands
The joyous, fun and silly pirates’ call is what’s being said when people are now forking over $45 to go to the darned thing. You read that right – fifty-nine dollars!
The only way this event is worth $59 is if Jimmy Buffett were playing. And he’s not; just a DJ and a party/cover band. Buccaneer Days, held the first weekend of each October in Two Harbors, is nothing more than a kind of beer garden featuring guys in pirate costumes and girls dressed as wenches partying primarily on the deck of an outdoor bar.
Yet organizers have taken this once-fun event and turned it into a greedy grab for money. The almighty dollar prevails on the remote outpost of Two Harbors! The Buccaneer Days organizers have taken this pirates’ pillaging and plundering thing to a whole new – and low – level.
This policy is in effect not just the main day of Saturday but Friday, as well. Starting at about noon each day, if you don’t have a wristband, you’re essentially booted off the island.
Not only that, but the attitude has changed. It used to be a super-social event where everyone was laughing, drinking and talking with fellow pirates and wenches. Now, there seems to be a lot of stone faces; it just isn’t as friendly as in the past.
There’s also security personnel everywhere and while the staffers are nice, their mere presence makes for an uneasy feeling, as if you’ve got to be on constant alert for some expected trouble. Previously, they faded into the background and were hardly noticed.
It’s not like the place is starving for funds. The bar charges for the drinks – it’s signature Buffalo Milk drink is $10 and they sell them by the thousands on the weekend – and of course there’s the money from food at the casual food station or the fairly high-priced Harbor Reef Restaurant.
What do you get for your $45, other than to be among a crowd of people dressed as pirates and wenches? Nothing, really. There’s nothing included; the cost is simply to get into the area, which is now blocked off and accessible only through a pair of entry points.
It’s simply not worth the cost. And it’s more than the fact it costs about the same as a good beer or wine festival which, of course, includes all your drinks. It’s the cost in getting there in the first place. The R/T ferry ride is $72 from San Pedro and it’s at least $20 to get to and from the ferry from home. Add on the $45 to get into Buccaneer Days and you’ve spent close to $150 before you’ve even had a your first Buffalo Milk.
There’s far better places and events to spend your money in Los Angeles than Buccaneer Days.
PubClub.com, which not too long ago spent several consecutive years at Buccaneer Days, had not been since this policy was implemented. We had heard some talk of “tickets,” but we scoffed at the notion, figuring people didn’t know what they were taking about when it came to Buccaneer Days.
After all, why would they charge and also who the heck would go if they did charge for it? By charging – and at such an outrageous price too – the organizers have ruined this one-time fun party, which was previously a true Los Angeles Bucket List event.
If the goal is to keep people away from Buccaneer Days for some reason, then the organizers have succeeded in spectacular fashion. Prior to the selling of tickets, boaters needed to be in Two Harbors by Thursday afternoon to get a mooring ball in the main harbor. In 2016, there were still a few balls available on Saturday morning.
It seems this event is now chasing away the very people that made it such as success in the beginning and for so many years – the boaters.
PubClub, and several long-time veterans we know, will not be going back ever again, or at least at long as they are charging to get into it.
Thanks for your feedback regarding Bucc Days. We began charging admission to the event in 2012. The cost has gone up, however so have the expenses. We have since hired a production team, Xceptional Music, who has brought better, higher-end entertainment and production to the event. We have added a VIP area and additional bars to ensure that guests don’t have to wait in long lines for drinks. We’ve also added additional security to ensure that the event is safe and in compliance with LA County Sheriff requests and guidelines.
The “new signage” has been posted for several years, they are least 8+ years old.
Thank you for the comment Lynn. Very much appreciated! — PubClub.com
you got greedy and were called out on it….the people have spoken. Don’t be the Irvine company, learn
and better your organization. The costs, they don’t require the dramatic increase, just charge 45$ for the
weekend and you’ll get more people, enough to make up for the difference.
Speak up to your boss, you’re answering for them. good luck
Up until 2010 I had attended every Buccaneer Day since its inception. I have the T shirts to prove it. Listen you people, you do not need to try and class the event up to justify the fee. It was just fine being an “Island” event in two harbors and not a special area sequestered from the beach and other areas. There was an atmosphere that overcame all of the isthmus during the event that you cant find anywhere, where else is such an event on the isthmus of an island? You are ruining it by your moves which will benefit only the “Production” companies. The very idea of a VIP area is completely shocking, abhorant and counter intuitive to the entire theme of a pirate environment. Stop the nonsense and let the increase in revenue at the bar compensate to management. You don’t need anything else. Those of us in attendance is what makes it special, not the poor decisions of the management. Thank goodness to pubclub for bringing the travesty to light.
Rusty one word to your excellent comment: BINGO!
Well said, Rusty. Thank you.
The music was HORRIBLE!!!!!!. The music was definitely not my style….which , even then, would be fine. But, off key is OFF KEY. The female singers, Friday and Saturday night were singing OFF KEY and the male vocal was terrible. Only the drummer was actually good. But, the rest of the band could not keep up with him. Up at our house, the band sounded like they were killing cats. The DJ couldn’t DJ! Train-wrecking every song… I wouldn’t call that a DJ! I could’ve just plugged my playlist on and at least not have it sound like a train wreck. Just so you know, when a DJ “mixes” a track into another track, it should be “seamless” and fluid….not sounding like a disaster.
I know Bucc Days is NOT Coachella (FAR from it)….But IF you’re inclined to charge people money, at least have the courtesy to not offend your patrons’ ears. EVERYONE I ran into couldn’t believe the new low in talent this year.
They ruined Buccaneer Days! We used to go every year. As owners of a Mooring in Avalon, we spend most of the summer on the island. We usually trade our mooring for an Isthmus mooring during Buccaneer Days. Is used to be so fun. If we couldn’t get a mooring, we would simply get in our 14′ dinghy and convoy with friends for lunch and a few cocktails. Can’t even do that without buying a ticket for the day…………….Last 2 years we had a mooring and never made it to land. We just enjoyed the festivities from the water.
Thanks for the comments from Buccaneer Days veterans!
I went in 2010 before the new rules and it was pretty ho hum. Basically a large themed house party. Given the restaurant makes a fortune why do they need to also charge cover? As I understand it, now you are forbidden from accessing your tent in the daytime, Are there hundreds of undercover and uniformed police/security? Is public drinking outlawed? Is it $45 per day of for three days? Have the number of attendees gone down or average age gone down. Any feedback?
I was able to attend Buc Days in 2011 with a couple of buddies that started going in 2010. Part the allure was the affordability as compared to other pirate faires or renn faires that we had previously attended. We really liked the camping and night time partying.
Since then I have not been able to attend (life can be cruel), but my buddies continued to be regular participants. I am finally able to attend this year (2017) and neither one of my friends have any desire to go because of the cost. It now costs $130 for reservations and admission, not to mention the boat trip over, its over $200 just to arrive, never mind food and other expenses. I realize that $200-$300+ is not terribly expensive, but for what Buc Days has to offer, the high priced restaurant & store (the price for even ice is ridiculous), the less than well known musical talent, it is not worth it. My buddies and I will give 2017 Buc Days one last go, otherwise we will be concentrating our pirate faire efforts on the High Desert Pirate Renn Faire in Hesperia come next spring. Hopefully
Thanks for you comment. One free (and fun) even you may want to consider is the same weekend as Buccaneer Days, Hometown Fair in Manhattan Beach! You can dress like a pirate in the beer garden if you like. Arggggg!
Catalina under Rusack is fading fast. Even the iconic Avalon Bell Tower is being allowed to fall apart. Quaint turned to faux glitz and it’s all about money. The spirit of the island is gone, both in Avalon and at Two Harbors.
Tragic and sad.
the chimes tower on Catalina is currently being restored.
See my other Oct.10th comment. ANYTHING thats not income generating, like the bell tower, is left to fall apart.
Over the past 10 years I’ve attended and watched this event go through some interesting but dramatic changes.. During earlier years this event was strictly a free boaters event, with few joining on the mainland ferries… Four or five years ago the popularity from younger and less boat oriented ‘polyester rave pirates’ changed the vibe considerably, causing more of the boating crowd to turn away from Bucc days.. It’s was crowded, long lines at the bars to get drinks, and the mosh pit on the dance floor turned off many of us who missed the good old days… Then the organizers made some changes…They built a wall, hired more security and charged an entry fee, as well as jacked up camping fees… this caused a near revolt to some, but the herd culling results were amazing.. This year the old festive pirate boater spirit was back.. No lines at the bars, and everyone I spoke to was genuinely impressed with the venue, the people, the bands, and the overall vibe of the event.. We still have to work on getting rid of some of the polyester, but I’ll take that anytime over the hot mess it used to be..
So for next year, let’s bring more of the same pirate and wench love, work on your garb, and…. BE THARRRR…!
Nice George, You have me reconsidering…somewhat.
I have going to buccaneers days since mid 90s, shame on you John Phelps. You ruined my favorites time of the year. Yes I lived at the isthmus for 17 years and always played a part. I enjoyed it.
John phelps has nothing to do with this. He retired quite a few years ago.
John Phelps left the Isthmus years ago????
ITS ABOUT MONEY AND KEEPING OUT “TRASH.” Throughout California ‘Gentrification’ has been going on at beaches as well. No ones allowed to bring their own alcohol on beaches and must pay increased drink prices at local bars. All this under the disguise of “needed private security.” I wonder if the Avalon Sherrif is getting kickbacks from the promoters to say this too? If a different promoter offered to do it at dramatically slashed prices with NO kickbacks, would they decline to endorse them?
Also notice that anywhere in Two Harbors that isnt “Income Generating” has poor security, like the Dinghy Dock for example. What a friggin coincidence!!!
They should offer package deals at 40% off everything, allow campsite access, etc.
OTHERWISE I PROPOSE MOVING IT TO A NEW, LESS EXPENSIVE LOCATION. Parsons Landing or the Mainland. This’ll get Catalina IslandCo thinking twice!
2 years ago, still early on Saturday evening, still sober, I had made 3 trips from the bar carrying the 8 or 9 drinks I bought my crew. and guests Someone asked for a water, I went back, the barman was busy (my $30 tip didn’t last long), I stepped to the side of the bar looking to see if I could just fill a cup myself. An overwrought security guard told me I had to leave because I stepped behind the bar. Though I explained I wasn’t passed the bar gate (on the right), I had a number of guests (that I had bought all their tickets). and we had reservations to go into Doug’s for dinner in a half hour, he forcibly removed me from the premises. I was 62 years old at the time, stone sober, I had brought a group of friends and clients over on my 53′ motorsailer, had been to Doug’s Friday night and picked up the tab at about $700 (and that Saturday night would have easily doubled that). They wouldn’t even let me go inside for dinner. My letter to the management was never answered, I will not only never return to Buccaneer Days, I will never spend a nickel at any of the Isthmus facilities.
Wow! These power job people are too much…I would try to get the suedo cop for civil rights violations ..
Well, nothing that extreme needs to take place. Thanks for reading and posting a comment!
I will never go back. They really messed this up. I can stay at home and have more fun. Cheaper to sail down to Ensenada.
It’s hard to say but 20 years ago when I used to go there Buccaneers day was the greatest party on Earth. We went by boat no mooring time limit , just partied on the boat all day then put on your costume and partied till you couldn’t stand up anymore went back to the boat passed out got up in the morning, dived & swam & then motored back. it was a one day event full of fun so informal. I’m sorry to see it’s become so commercialized very 😥
Sounds like what PubClub did, too! Arggggg.
2018 Music terrible;. bring back the beach parrty
Thank you for your input!
We went the first year and continued every year until 2003…. and can easily say it was a bucket list item to experience. Since then, it went downhill as all good things seem to do…. Heck, Southern California was an amazing place to grow up in the 50s through the 70s… but started to go downhill about when I got home from 6 years in the Navy. Late 1970s. We then discovered Two Harbors and game on! Buccaneers Days was epic… because it was simple… and nothing but boaters were there!
Then the LA scene discovered our secret little place to get away from…. you guessed it, the plastic LA scene…. The rest is history… LA Elitist non boaters converged… and in no time at all,… Buccaneers Days was just another venue to see loads of mainlander non boaters show up to go out of control………
So, complain all you want about The Santa Catalina Company ruining it…..the reality is half the blame goes to mainlanders from LA……
We left California and now live where people are real, and many of the boaters actually use their boats often….. and can navigate and read weather too!