Visit Catalina Island from Long Beach

Catalina Island offers turquoise waters, natural adventures and romantic vistas and getting there is a lot easier than you might think. Whether you're heading over for a quick day trip or a longer island escape; whether you’re looking to take the fastest, wettest or most popular method to the island, here’s a few of the basics of getting to and from Catalina Island.

GETTING THERE

The most common way to get to Catalina is by ferry. Catalina Express (320 Golden Shore) offers daily service from Long Beach–up to eight trips a day–between 6 AM and 6:30 PM. Round trip fares are subject to change, click here for current prices. Ticket windows open one hour before the first sailing and close after the last scheduled departure. You should arrive at least an hour before your scheduled departure. It’s wise to book in advance since seats fill up quickly, particularly on weekends and holidays.

CREDIT: Love Catalina

PARKING

Catalina Express’ Long Beach terminal, known as Catalina Landing, is located in Downtown Long Beach, near the Aquarium of the Pacific. Paid parking is available in the parking structure across from the terminal per 24-hour period. Click here for current rates. Overnight parking is permitted without reservations. Consider taking public transit or rideshare to save you both time and money.

LUGGAGE

Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 23″ x 23″ x 37″ and weighing no more than 50 pounds 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. Do not leave your luggage unattended at any time in the terminals. Unattended luggage is subject to search and seizure. Make sure you have an ID tag on each item.

CREDIT: Catalina Island Tourism Authority

THE TRIP OVER

The voyage from Long Beach to Avalon is typically a one-hour ride across the Catalina Channel. Passengers can relax in comfortable seats and enjoy panoramic views through large windows, which sometimes include wildlife like dolphins, whales and even schools of flying fish. The high-speed catamaran offers climate-controlled cabins and an onboard snack bar that includes beer, wine and cocktails. You may bring a reasonable amount of food as part of your personal luggage. As you near Catalina Island, the crystal-clear waters and charming Avalon Harbor come into view, creating a picturesque arrival.

CREDIT: Island Water Charters

ONCE THERE

There is just so much to do on the island. Top activities include snorkeling, zip-lining, hiking, kayaking and exploring charming Avalon on foot or via golf cart. Catalina Adventure Tours offers terrific ways to experience the island, including tours of the interior with its panoramic views of canyons, coastlines, and roaming wildlife—including bison and the Catalina Island fox. It also offers a guided drive of Catalina’s most breathtaking overlooks. Their iconic yellow submarine allows you to go 6-feet under water for face-to-face fish encounters. If you need more than a day to check everything off your list, Avalon offers a wide range of accommodations, from hotels to B&Bs to luxury resorts. Love Catalina offers terrific itinerary ideas.

CREDIT: Catalina Divers Supply

HEADING BACK

The return trip from Avalon to Long Beach on the Catalina Express is just as scenic as the ride over. The journey takes about one hour on the high-speed ferry. It’s recommended to arrive at the Avalon terminal–located near the Avalon Wharf–at least one hour before departure to allow time for check-in and boarding.

CREDIT: Matthew Dagilis / The Adventure Guys

ALTERNATIVE/ADVENTUROUS METHODS

There are other ways to get to the island. If time is of the essence, Maverick Helicopters (1175 Queens Hwy) can get you from their pad near the Queen Mary to the heliport in Pebbly Beach–about a mile from Avalon–in 15 minutes. That’s a one-of-a-kind aerial experience. If you’re interested in a one-of-a-kind ocean adventure, you’ll want to check out JetSki2Catalina (700 Queensway Dr). This is a guided, round trip open water jet ski adventure to Catalina Island and back. The jet ski ride is approximately an hour and a half each way, give or take some extra time given to observe playful dolphins. You’ll have three hours of your own to explore Avalon.

CREDIT: Maverick Helicopters

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.