Getting to Catalina Island should not cost a fortune, but if you are not careful, you will end up overpaying. Ferry prices keep climbing and options feel limited, but there are ways to save if you know where to look. This guide breaks down the cheapest ways to reach Catalina Island without draining your wallet. If you are ready to skip the overpriced routes and get there for less, here is everything you need to know.
How To Get To Catalina Island: Cheapest Option
The best way to get to Catalina Island is through the Catalina Express Ferry, which offers a fast, affordable, and eco-friendly means of transportation.
Catalina Island is a highly popular destination that’s known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and quaint small-town atmosphere.
The closest port to Catalina Island is the San Pedro Port located at 95 Berth, San Pedro. The ferry also departs from Long Beach and Dana Point.
Taking the Catalina Express Ferry from Long Beach is another great option that’s the same cost. You’ll depart from 320 Golden Shore.
The Catalina Express Ferry uses eco-friendly engines. It can accommodate up to 14 people per booking.
Booking the Catalina Express Ferry is a great way to explore everything the island has to offer, including hiking, sightseeing, dining, and shopping.
The ferry drops passengers off in downtown Avalon, offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean during the trip.
What You Need To Know About The Catalina Express Ferry
⛴️ Closest Port To Catalina Island: San Pedro Port (Address: 95 Berth, San Pedro)
⛴️ Duration of ferry: About 1 hour
⛴️ Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible and stroller accessible
⛴️ Restrooms Available? Yes, on the ferry
⛴️ Pets Allowed? Service animals are allowed
⛴️ Maximum Number Of People Onboard: 149 travelers
⛴️ Luggage Allowed? Yes, you can carry up to 2 bags per person. Each bag shouldn’t way more than 50 pounds.
Parking Near Catalina Express Ferry
The Catalina Express ferry has multiple departure points, and the parking options vary depending on the departure point:
🅿️ San Pedro Port: This is the closest port from Los Angeles. Parking is right next to the terminal. For hourly parking, it’s free the 1st hour and $2/hour after the 1st hour. For daily parking, it’s $20. They accept cash, credit cards, or traveler’s checks.
🅿️ Long Beach Port: This is the closest port from Long Beach and another option from LA. Parking is also right next to the terminal. For daily parking, it’s 22. You can park overnight and you can pay with cash, Mastercard, or Visa.
⭐ Here’s what you need to know if you’re traveling to Catalina Island from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica or San Diego.
Why Choose The Catalina Express Ferry
There are many reasons why to book the Catalina Express Ferry to Catalina Island:
😍 Convenient and fast transportation: The Catalina Express offers an easy and quick way to get to Catalina Island. The ferry departs from multiple locations in Southern California and takes approximately one hour to reach the island.
😍 Scenic views: The ferry ride to Catalina Island is a scenic journey, with views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The open-air top deck of the ferry provides a great vantage point to take in the beauty of the ocean and the island.
😍 Multiple departure points and schedules: The Catalina Express offers multiple departure points and schedules, making it easy to fit a trip to Catalina Island. The ferry runs year-round, with more frequent departures during peak season.
😍 Eco-friendly: It’s a more eco-friendly option compared to taking a personal boat or helicopter to the island. The high-speed ferries are equipped with modern engines that emit low emissions, and the ferry has a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Other Options To Get To Catalina Island
⛴️ Ferry From Newport Beach
There’s another ferry option, Catalina Flyer that departs from Newport Beach.
🚁 Helicopter To Catalina Island
Maverick Helicopters offers flights from Long Beach or San Pedro and the flight takes 15 minutes with round-trip prices from $300+ depending on the season.
While helicopter transportation to Catalina Island is a faster and more direct option, it is more expensive than taking the Catalina Express ferry.
🛥️ Boat Charters
There are boat charters from Los Angeles that you could book from mainland California to the island including Los Angeles Yacht Charter and Luxury Liners.
This is also a pricey option that can be from $750 to $27,000 for a yacht charter.
⛵ Sailing
You can also sail from companies including Bluewater Sailing and Mariner Sailing Charters. This is the most eco-friendly way to get to Catalina Island.
🚣 Kayaking
While it is possible to kayak to Catalina Island, it requires careful planning, preparation, and experience in open-water kayaking. Here’s what you need to know about kayaking to Catalina Island.
🛩️ Private Planes
A far more expensive option but still an option is to fly via a private plane. Planes would fly into Catalina’s airport, Airport in the Sky. While the airport isn’t used for passenger flights, it’s open to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest way to take the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach.
Yes, there are other options including helicopters and boat charters but they cost far more than Catalina Express Ferry.
Yes, there are lockers to store baggage at Avalon Blue Line Baggage. If you plan on doing a day trip, this is a great option.
Catalina Express Ferry used to be free to ride on your birthday but it isn’t anymore. But check if you can get discounted ferry prices on your birthday.
The ride takes around an hour from any of the Catalina Express ferry ports to the island.
No, you can’t drive to Catalina Island. Even if you can, you can’t drive your car on Catalina Island.
No, there isn’t Uber or Lyft on the island but there are other ways to tour the island.
You can get around by walking, public transit, taxis, or by golf cart. While you can’t rent scooter rentals, you can rent a golf cart to see the island!
No, the ferry doesn’t include hotel pickup and drop-off.
Yes, Catalina Island is definitely worth it! There is so much untouched natural beauty and lifetime tours to do on this island. Plus it’s more accessible and cheaper to get to Catalina for island life compared to other island destinations.
While it’s not mandatory to carry passports to go to Catalina Island and there aren’t any immigration checks, it’s best to carry a government-issued identification like a driver’s license, Real ID, or passport in case of emergencies.
Yes, you can bring your dog to Catalina Island, however, there are a few restrictions. For your pet’s safety, they must be kept leashed wherever you take them, and unfortunately, they may not be able to join you on certain beaches or attractions.
You can take the Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors but they don’t run a regular schedule. It’s best to take a ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach to Avalon. You can get to Two Harbors from Avalon either by boat or taxi.
Yes, you can live on Catalina Island. There are different residential options, including apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes in Avalon.
Some of the best restaurants on Catalina Island include Steve’s Steakhouse and Seafood, Bluewater Grill, Descanso Beach Club, and the Lobster Trap.
Final Thoughts
While there are other options to get to the island, taking the Catalina Express Ferry is the best way as it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get to Catalina Island.
Read More From Bae Area and Beyond
San Diego To Catalina Island: 3 Best Options
How To Get To Catalina Island From Long Beach
How To Get To Catalina Island From Los Angeles
How To Get To Catalina Island From Santa Monica
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