How long is Catalina Express ride?
It takes only one hour via a high-speed ferry to get you to paradise.
Catalina Landing/Avalon trips are approximately 1 hour.
This depends on your budget and what activities you want to do while visiting. Taking a one day trip to Catalina Island will give you enough time to do a majority of the island's activities but if you want to relax or go hiking or diving then 2-3 days would be more realistic.
Catalina Express gets you from Long Beach to the island in only an hour. Making as many as 30 trips a day, the boat gives passengers a scenic view of Southern California from the water during the convenient journey. IEX Helicopters also offers access to the island via a 15-minute ride from the Long Beach heliport.
The quickest crossing is the Catalina Flyer to Avalon. This fast ferry sails only at 9:00 AM ( Be there one hour early for early check-in), and the standard rate is above $ 50. Update: The prices for this ferry has been reduced to $39 and now has multiple sailings per day!
Catalina Island is worth visiting for its variety of activities and if you're looking for the best thing to do there, book the Golf Cart Tour. It's the best way to see the island within just 2 hours with a private guide.
While we don't normally sail over rough waters, occasionally it can be choppy once we're underway. If you are prone to sea sickness, sitting downstairs or outside has been helpful for some passengers. The Catalina Express terminals also have sea sickness medication and wristbands available for purchase.
Even though many families choose a week-long Catalina Island vacation during the summer, by planning your island getaway midweek you can avoid the busiest days of Saturday and Sunday. Cruise ships visit the island on Mondays and Tuesdays, so in the summer, the least crowded days are typically Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. Please arrive early, recommended 1 hour prior to departure to ensure you will not miss your departure. All passengers are required to carry their own luggage onto the boat. Luggage is stored on the first deck of the boat.
You can visit Catalina Island on a modest budget. You can enjoy a three day camping and hiking trip for two people on Catalina Island for as little as $150. A round trip ticket for the ferry for two people is $75, tent spots are $25 per night, and there's an extra $25 budgeted for food and necessities.
Does Catalina Express sell out?
Make a reservation to sail aboard Catalina Express. Reservations are highly recommended as our departures often sell out, particularly in the summer and on holiday weekends.
Escape With Catalina Express
Catalina Island is just an hour away with year-round boat transportation and up to 30 departures daily. Boats depart from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.
Both the Catalina Express and the Catalina Flyer offer daily scheduled service to Catalina Island. The Catalina Express offers several departures throughout the day to both Avalon and Two Harbors from three mainland ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.
Today and Looking To The Future
The largest vessel in operation, the Catalina Jet has the capacity to carry 450 passengers across the channel. Catalina Express offers up to 30 round-trips daily and operates from three different ports.
Advance reservations are highly recommended as our departure times often sell out. Tickets may be purchased the day of departure, based on availability.
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Wed | 6:00 AM - 5:50 PM | 1 hr 20 min |
| Thu | 6:00 AM - 5:50 PM | 1 hr 20 min |
| Fri | 6:00 AM - 7:05 PM | 1 hr 35 min |
| Sat | 6:00 AM - 5:50 PM | 1 hr 20 min |
Catalina has a temperate marine climate most of the year but for the best time to visit, plan your trip for spring or fall. Summer is great since the water is very warm to swim in but the prices for accommodations will almost double during the months of June-September.
Like much of the island, the ship's bar is cash only. Furthermore, there are no Wells Fargo ATMs on the island.
| Ticket Type | Round Trip Fare | Total Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12-54 yrs) | $ 77.00 | $ 84.00 |
| Senior (55+ yrs) | $ 70.00 | $ 77.00 |
| Child (2-11 yrs)* | $ 61.50 | $ 68.50 |
| Infant (under 2 yrs)* | $ 0.00 | $ 7.00 |
The Islander Express and the Catalina Express are high-speed monohulls of sandwiched fiberglass and Arex core construction, each with two passenger decks, comfortable airline-style seating, in-cabin and open-air outdoor seating, Captain's Lounge for up to eight passengers, bar and snack station and restroom facilities.
Do people get seasick on Catalina Express?
Dolphins and whales are often sighted, and the ride takes just over an hour. One of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to island is: will I get seasick on the way to Catalina? For most people, the answer is no.
Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 23”x23”x37” and weighing no more than 50 lbs each, to be stowed in the luggage compartment. In addition, each passenger may bring one carry-on that fits at the seat or in the overhead bin.
Catalina Island weather is one of the many wonders of this Southern California vacation destination. Lows rarely exceed 60 degrees in the daytime and even at night temperatures below 50 are a rarity.
Keep in mind that, like the rest of California, Catalina's drinking age is 21, driving under the influence is still a crime in a golf cart and open containers of alcohol are strictly prohibited.
All passengers must check-in at the ticket window. Please plan on arriving at least one hour prior to departure.
You do not need any special legal documents to travel to Catalina Island since it is part of California. What do you need to get to Catalina Island? You'll need to take a ferry or helicopter from the mainland, so you'll need a ticket in advance.
We recommend parking in the Balboa Pier parking lot for all day and multi day parking. Rates fluctuate during summer, holidays, and weekends. Rates are typically between $15 and $30 per 24-hour period. The Balboa Pier lot is located at 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, CA 92661.
For the last several years, Catalina Island has been “birthday island;” thanks to a promotion driven by Catalina Express. The Catalina ferry offers free rides on your birthday – provided you register in advance on their website.
Sadly, the Catalina Express no longer offers its “sail free on your birthday” deal, but see if you're entitled to a discount at least. Catalina Express has the most sailings, and departs from Dana Point, Long Beach and San Pedro numerous times daily. You can go to the main town — Avalon — or to the smaller Two Harbors.
Getting around the island is fairly simple, you can walk just about everywhere, but for a bit of further exploring, there are a few options for getting around. Rent a beach cruiser, electric bike, mountain bike, or tandem bike at Brown's Bikes for a fun way to explore the town and a quick way to get to the beach!
Can I bring a cooler on the Catalina Express?
Windsurfers, Paddleboards or Kayaks are NOT allowed. Coolers up to 60 quarts and under 50lbs in weight will be accommodated. A cooler counts as a piece of baggage. Ice is available on the island.
So is there Uber on Catalina Island? While there is no Uber here, there are various methods of navigating the island through taxi, public transit, bike, or golf cart rental. The best way to travel around is through a golf cart tour– see all the best attractions in 2 hours with a private guide.
What is the fastest way to get to Catalina Island? The fastest way to get to Catalina Island is via helicopter. It takes 15 minutes to fly from mainland Southern California to Catalina Island. The service is provided by IEX Helicopters.
In 1846, shortly before the United States assumed control of California and its islands, the Mexican government granted ownership of the island to a private citizen. Changing hands a number of times during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the island has belonged to the Wrigley family since 1919.
More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been shot in and around Catalina over the years, especially in Two Harbors on the island's west end. To this day, descendants of William Wrigley Jr. still own the Catalina Island Company and carry on his vision to create a world-class island resort.
From Los Angeles. Long Beach is the most popular and active port for traveling to Catalina by ferry.
Catalina Express operates year-round, and runs up to thirty trips a day in peak season. Transportation is provided to ports at Avalon and Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island from the mainland California communities of San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.
Catalina is a beautiful island with so much to offer. The island is small enough that you can drive around the entire city of Avalon in about an hour.
- Rent a Golf Cart.
- Experience the Zip Line Eco Tour or Catalina Aerial Adventure.
- Explore the island's "interior" on a Eco Tour or Bison Tour.
- Visit Two Harbors, Catalina's west end village.
- Get some air with Parasail tour or Heli picnic.
Are there homeless on Catalina Island? There is a small homeless population on Catalina Island. Recent reports suggest that as few as 34 homeless people reside in the main town, Avalon.
What is the best ferry to Santa Catalina Island?
With 8 boats and up to 30 daily departures year-round from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, Catalina Express is the best way to get to Catalina Island.
*Refunds & exchanges are subject to availability. Please read our cancellation policy below. The Catalina Flyer departs from the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach at 9 am daily, returning from the island at 4:30 pm daily.
The only access to the building is through an exclusive Casino Tour offered through Discovery Tours. Once on the tour you'll soon understand why many call this the most romantic place in Catalina.
Catalina Express features four high-speed catamarans that carry passengers to Santa Catalina. The Starship Express, Catalina Jet, Cat Express and the Jet Cat Express are high-speed vessels that travel at speeds of up to 37 knots (43 mph) and make the trip in as little as one hour (sometimes less).
Trip Duration
Long Beach/Avalon trips take approximately 1 hr.
The quickest crossing is the Catalina Flyer to Avalon. This fast ferry sails only at 9:00 AM ( Be there one hour early for early check-in), and the standard rate is above $ 50. Update: The prices for this ferry has been reduced to $39 and now has multiple sailings per day!
Passengers must be checked in, with tickets in hand, ready to board, at least 30 minutes prior to departure. If you are not checked in 15 minutes prior to departure, your seats will be forfeited and your credit card will be charged for the full amount of the round-trip fare.
It's just a 1-hour ferry ride that Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer offer. You can choose to depart from any of these 4 cities closest to Catalina Island: Dana Point, Long Beach, Newport Beach, and San Pedro. ⛴️ Easily book a round-trip ferry to Catalina Island from Long Beach or San Pedro.
The price of the round-trip ferry is $83.50. You can book up to a maximum of 14 people for each booking. Booking the Catalina Express Ferry is a great way to access all that the island has to offer, from hiking and touring to dining and shopping. The ferry will drop you in downtown Avalon.
So is there Uber on Catalina Island? While there is no Uber here, there are various methods of navigating the island through taxi, public transit, bike, or golf cart rental. The best way to travel around is through a golf cart tour– see all the best attractions in 2 hours with a private guide.
Why is Catalina Island so expensive?
Catalina Island is also pricey. The exclusivity of Catalina attracts crowds who also enjoy fine dining, luxury, and shopping. Depending on what your itinerary is, you can easily spend a lot of money here. But it doesn't have to be that way.