Catalina Island day trip from Los Angeles
The best ferry to Catalina
Catalina Express from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach, a helicopter back to Santa Monica and a day in Avalon: here is how to reach Catalina Island from Los Angeles, with honest advice on fares, cancellation rules and crossing times.
See our 2 picks
Short answer The fastest ferry to Catalina is Catalina Express from Long Beach, which takes about one hour to Avalon. An adult round trip costs $103 on its own site, fees included. Coming from Orange County? The Catalina Flyer sails from Newport Beach, and you can book it below from €42 per person each way.
Our 2 picks for getting to Catalina
GetYourGuide sells two ways to the island: the Newport Beach ferry and a helicopter flight back to Santa Monica. The Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point boats are sold only by Catalina Express itself. We compare all four ports further down.
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from €42 per person Our top pick 1.5 hours 4.6 (205) reviews on GetYourGuide
Catalina Flyer: Newport Beach to Avalon ferry
A one-way or return ticket on the Catalina Flyer between Newport Beach and Avalon. You pick your own boat each way, and snacks and drinks are sold on board.
Best for Visitors staying in Orange County or near Disneyland
Check availability: Catalina Flyer: Newport Beach to Avalon ferry on GetYourGuide -
from €444 per person 30 minutes 0
Helicopter from Catalina to Santa Monica
A 25-minute helicopter flight from the Pebbly Beach helipad near Avalon to a private terminal in Santa Monica, over the coast and open ocean. Up to 6 people per flight.
Best for Couples who want to skip the boat back and see the coast from the air
Check availability: Helicopter from Catalina to Santa Monica on GetYourGuide
Catalina ferry and helicopter compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Flyer: Newport Beach to Avalon ferry | €42 per person | 1.5 hours | Not stated | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Visitors staying in Orange County or near Disneyland | The only Catalina ferry sold on GetYourGuide, rated 4.6 from 205 reviews, with free cancellation shown on its booking page. |
| Helicopter from Catalina to Santa Monica 0 | €444 per person | 30 minutes | Small group: Up to 6 people | Meet on site | No | Couples who want to skip the boat back and see the coast from the air | It turns the trip home into a sightseeing flight, but it is a new listing with no reviews yet, and it costs ten times the ferry. |
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Catalina Islands ferry: the four ports compared
You can catch the ferry to Catalina from four ports: Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach. Catalina Express runs the first three, with up to 30 departures a day all year. The Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach. Most boats go to Avalon, the main harbor town.
Here are the crossing times and the adult round-trip fares on the operators' own pages, read in October 2026. Catalina Express fares include a $10 wharfage fee and tax.
- Long Beach to Avalon (Catalina Express): about 1 hour, $103.
- San Pedro to Avalon (Catalina Express): about 1 hour 15 minutes, $103.
- San Pedro to Two Harbors (Catalina Express): the only boat to the quieter west end of the island, $101.
- Dana Point to Avalon (Catalina Express): about 1 hour 30 minutes, $111.
- Newport Beach to Avalon (Catalina Flyer): about 75 to 90 minutes. Tickets are sold one way, so a return means two tickets.
Catalina Island by boat or by helicopter
For most people, going to Catalina Island by boat is the best choice. It is the cheapest way, and Catalina Express alone runs up to 30 boats a day. You may even spot dolphins or whales on the way.
A helicopter is much faster. Maverick Helicopters flies to Avalon in about 15 minutes from Long Beach, San Pedro, Burbank Airport and John Wayne Airport. Our second pick uses that service for the flight home to Santa Monica. Ground transport to and from the helipads is not included.
Catalina is the only island among our day trips from Los Angeles. The sea crossing adds two hours or more to your day, so start early.
Catalina Island day tour: what to do in Avalon
A Catalina Island day tour works best if you plan one or two activities and leave time to walk around Avalon. The tours below are run by companies on the island. Book them on their own sites, and ask what happens if the boat is late.
Zip line tour on Catalina Island
The zip line tour starts on a ridge 600 feet above Descanso Beach Club. You ride five separate lines through the canyon back down to the beach. The whole tour takes about two hours, and the lines reach almost 35 mph.
Submarine tour from Avalon
The "Undersea Sub Expedition" is a semi-submarine: the boat stays on top, and you sit in a cabin five feet below the surface. Each seat has its own window onto the Lover's Cove marine reserve, with bright orange garibaldi fish and bat rays.
Bison tour on Catalina Island
Catalina has wild bison. Fourteen were brought over for a film in the 1920s and were left behind. Today the herd has about 100 animals, cared for by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Several island companies run bison tours, most in open-air vehicles.
How to plan a Catalina day from Los Angeles
Take an early boat out and a late boat back, so you get most of the day on the island. Book both ways at the same time, so your seat home is safe.
Pick your port by where you sleep. Long Beach and San Pedro suit most of Los Angeles. Dana Point and Newport Beach are easier from Orange County and Disneyland. Check that your ferry goes to the town you want: only San Pedro serves Two Harbors.
Before you book the Catalina ferry
Read the cancellation line
The Newport ferry on GetYourGuide shows free cancellation on its booking page; check the exact cut-off there. Some other sellers of Flyer tickets give no refunds at all, only a paid rebooking.
Count the fees
Catalina Express adds a $10 wharfage fee and tax to each adult round trip. The fares we quote already include it.
Book the return boat
Choose your boat home when you book. Then you know exactly how long you have on the island.
Arrive early
Plan to be at the terminal well before your boat leaves. Parking and check-in take time, and the boat will not wait for you.
Bring a layer
The open deck is windy and cool even in summer. A light jacket makes the hour much nicer.
Seasick? Sit low and in the middle
The channel can be choppy. The lower deck near the middle of the boat moves the least.
Questions people ask
How long is the ferry to catalina?
About one hour from Long Beach, about 1 hour 15 minutes from San Pedro and about 1 hour 30 minutes from Dana Point with Catalina Express. The Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach takes about 75 to 90 minutes.
How much catalina island ferry?
An adult round trip with Catalina Express costs $103 from Long Beach or San Pedro and $111 from Dana Point, fees included (October 2026). The Newport Beach ferry on GetYourGuide starts at €42 per person for one way.
How far from los angeles to catalina island?
Catalina Island lies 22 miles off the Southern California coast. The fastest boat, from Long Beach, takes about an hour. Allow extra time to drive to the port.
How to get to catalina island from los angeles?
By ferry or by helicopter. Catalina Express sails from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, and the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach. Maverick Helicopters flies in about 15 minutes from Long Beach, San Pedro, Burbank and John Wayne Airport.
Where do you catch the ferry to catalina island?
In Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point for Catalina Express, and at the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach for the Catalina Flyer. For Two Harbors, the boat leaves from San Pedro only.
More Catalina tours with live availability
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
Live prices and availability from GetYourGuide load here.
More day trips near Long Beach
Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Catalina Express · Catalina Express: schedule and fares · Catalina Flyer · Catalina Tours: Catalina Flyer tickets · Love Catalina: getting here · Love Catalina: how to get to Catalina Island · Love Catalina: bison tours · Catalina Island Company: zip line eco tour · Catalina Island Company: Undersea Sub Expedition.
Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.