- Crossing
- About 1 hour
- Ferry ports
- 4 on the mainland
- Fastest
- Helicopter, ~15 min
- Your car
- Leave it at home
Catalina sits about 22 miles off the Southern California coast. Almost everyone crosses by passenger ferry, and the crossing takes about an hour. You cannot bring a rental car or, in practice, your own car: the island limits vehicles, and Avalon is built for walking and golf carts.
By ferry
Two companies run scheduled passenger boats to Avalon:
- Catalina Express sails from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point to Avalon, and from San Pedro to Two Harbors. It runs the most departures, year-round.
- Catalina Flyer sails from Balboa in Newport Beach to Avalon, typically once a day out and once back. Convenient if you are coming from Orange County.
Book ahead for summer weekends and holidays: the popular morning boats sell out. Mornings are usually calmer; if you get seasick, sit low and toward the back, and look at the horizon. Check each operator’s site for fares and luggage limits, since they change by season.
Live from the schedule
The next boats
To Catalina
Back to the mainland
Long Beach → Avalon
Catalina Express · about 1 hr
6amtomorrowthen 9:50am, 2pm tomorrow
Avalon → Long Beach
Catalina Express · about 1 hr
7:45pmtodaythen 7:50am, 11:50am tomorrow
San Pedro → Avalon
Catalina Express · about 1 hr 15 min
8:45amWedthen 8:45am, 2:55pm Fri
Avalon → San Pedro
Catalina Express · about 1 hr 15 min
10:30amWedvia Two Harborsthen 10:30am, 6pm Fri
Dana Point → Avalon
Catalina Express · about 1 hr 30 min
9:30amtomorrowthen 9:30am Wed, 9:30am Thu
Avalon → Dana Point
Catalina Express · about 1 hr 30 min
5pmtomorrowthen 5pm Wed, 5pm Thu
Newport Beach → Avalon
Catalina Flyer · about 1 hr 15 min
9amtomorrowthen 9am Wed, 9am Thu
Avalon → Newport Beach
Catalina Flyer · about 1 hr 15 min
4:30pmtomorrowusual time, confirm with the Flyerthen 4:30pm Wed, 4:30pm Thu
San Pedro → Two Harbors
Catalina Express
8:45amWedvia Avalonthen 8:45am, 2:55pm Fri
Two Harbors → San Pedro
Catalina Express
11:45amWedthen 11:45am, 4:45pm Fri
From Catalina Express’s published schedule, checked nightly. Extra sailings are sometimes added and times change with the season, so confirm when you book. In a hurry? Maverick Helicopters fly from Long Beach in about 15 minutes.
Which port should you leave from?
- Coming from LA or the airport (LAX): San Pedro or Long Beach.
- Coming from Orange County: Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point.
- Going to Two Harbors: San Pedro, the main direct route.
By helicopter
Helicopter service from the mainland (Maverick Helicopters, formerly IEX Helicopters, from Long Beach) lands near Avalon in roughly a quarter of an hour. It costs more than the boat, but it is the fastest way over and a good option for a day trip or if you would rather not spend an hour on the water.
By private plane
Pilots can fly into the Airport in the Sky, a 1,600-foot-high ridge-top strip in the island’s interior. It has a famously tricky runway, landing fees and limited hours, so read the airport’s pilot information before you go. From there, ground transportation runs to Avalon.
By private boat
Avalon and Two Harbors both have moorings, assigned by the harbor departments on a first-come basis. Call the harbor patrol on the radio as you approach. In summer, arrive early in the day to get a mooring.
Once you land
Avalon’s ferry landing is a short walk from Front Street, the hotels and most restaurants. Hotels can usually arrange luggage pickup. To go further, see how to get around the island, or browse places to stay.
Quick answers
How long is the ferry to Catalina Island?
About an hour from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point or Newport Beach, depending on the port and the boat.
Where do Catalina ferries leave from?
Catalina Express sails from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point; the Catalina Flyer sails from Newport Beach. San Pedro is the main departure for Two Harbors.
Can I take my car to Catalina Island?
In practice, no. The island limits vehicles. Avalon is walkable and golf carts rent by the hour.
Is there a faster way than the ferry?
Yes: helicopter service from the mainland takes roughly 15 minutes, and private pilots can fly to the Airport in the Sky.
Ferries & transportation on the island
See all →No photo yet Open nowAvalon5 min from the ferry- Avalon1 min from the ferry4.0(2)
No photo yet AvalonNo photo yet Avalon
Hotels & inns on the island
See all →
Open until 8pmAvalon11 min from the ferry4.4(270)No photo yet Two Harbors10 min from the ferry- Avalon10 min from the ferry4.1(351)
No photo yet Avalon10 min from the ferry
