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    Catalina Express

    3.5 (885 reviews)
    Open 5:45 am - 7:00 pm

    Catalina Express Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Catalina Express

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    Mary L.

    Pretty easy to reserve tickets online, just be sure of the time you are selecting. They have plenty of garae parking, big waiting area, I do recommend lining up at the gate 30 mins before your selected time. Plenty of seating but if you want good seating line up early. There's a shop on board for snacks, and a bathroom as well.

    Mari B.

    Great experience overall! Booking tickets was super easy online, and the process at the terminal was smooth. We boarded quickly & took off on time there's no hanging around waiting or wasting time. There's convenient parking nearby, so you can leave your car there without stress while you're on the island. The terminal has indoor and outdoor waiting areas, which is nice while you wait to board. Gate numbers are clearly posted outside. Tip: if you want a good seat on the boat (especially window seats), stand by your gate early and line up as soon as boarding starts. The ride itself was comfortable and a great way to start a Catalina trip. Would definitely use Catalina Express again!

    Jet cat
    Shanna J.

    Parking was easy, keep your ticket. Check in was easy we had already printed out passes before, boarding was easy. We sat outside and it was so hot but I wanted to see the water. I have no complaints other than the WiFi which was free and crappy. I was told two drinks was $25. Going back was the same, easy peasy!

    Mimosa on the boat to the island.
    Catrina G.

    A smooth quick trip to and from the island. To reduce chaos and have a calmer trip, I recommend upgrading to "commodore" if you can. Shorter lines, assured seating, and a complimentary beverage and snack were a fair value for an extra $20.

    Catalina Express
    Shik P.

    Our experience with Catalina Express was smooth and excellent from booking to boarding and from departure to arrival. We arrived an hour before our departure time and were told we could line up outside, on the dock since will be boarding in a few minutes. The Deckhands and Cabin Attendant were all very pleasant and helpful. We were greeted upon entry after the attendants scanned our boarding passes. Our luggages were collected from us on the first level. We decided to sit at the upper deck where it's open air. Sailing on Catalina Express was smooth. Didn't feel nauseous nor any motion sickness. We had such a beautiful view of the Queen Mary, other cruise ships while surrounded by th beautiful ocean. It was about an hour and thirty minutes from Long Beach to Catalina Island, Avalon. We left Long Beach and watched the sunset as we sailed onto the horizon. We arrived night time with the skies well lit by the stars. You can see the lights on the other boats as the Catalina Express arrives. The Catalina Casino was so bright and well lit. It was beautiful seeing it from miles and miles away on the ocean. Pricing is also reasonable with Catalina Express. Can't wait to go back to Catalina Island, Avalon:

    Lizzie B.

    I was definitely not impressed with Catalina Express. I've been on ferries all up and down the east coast and even internationally, and this was by far one of the worst experiences. The tickets need to be purchased ahead of time and every boat ends up sold out. All the tickets are one way and they should have a round trip option. There is ZERO security. No bags are checked and they don't even check ID! There were multiple passengers with full sized luggage and there was no bag search. In today's age, you'd think they would at least do a basic check. My ticket there and back did not even match my name. I guess they just want their money and don't care about passenger safety? The boat could be cleaned up a bit better. The seats are like airplane seats without the seatbelt. They need to have an adult only seating area and another area where families and kids can sit. Our boat ride back was a nightmare. A family with 2 kids under the age of 5 were completely out of control - running amuck all over the place. I'd pay double the price for an adult only seating area. I really think there needs to be an alternate option for transportation between Avalon and the main land other than this company. This company would not even answer the phone when we had a mix up with our tickets and almost got stranded out on the island with no way back. I had to call a family member in Long Beach and have them help us find a ticket back, since this company would not offer any help. My family member was able to find a few seats left on the last boat from Avalon to the main land through a 3rd party site. This was extremely stressful and l can't believe the lack of service by this company.

    Boat
    Nathan S.

    This was a great experience. The ferry was on time and efficient. It took about an hour each way. We learned it is better to book online in advance as they sell out. No difference they said in price. They have a parking garage.

    Shannon M.

    I've lived in Long Beach my entire life. But this was my first time going to Catalina. The experience was nice.. All of the staff from those who were at the ticket counter to those who were on board the ship were all really friendly. Honestly, I wasn't really a huge fan that most of the boat is closed in. I love being on boats and half the fun is the right there. But being on the inside cabin doesn't even really seem like you're on the boat. I love the Catalina magazine that they have on board. It was very helpful with choosing activities to do once we landed on the island.

    Stewart L.

    Catalina Express is pretty much the only way to get to Catalina aside from a helicopter. They operate routes out of a few ports, but I've only used Long Beach. Parking here is $25 a day directly across from the terminal, note spaces are tight. The first boat out is at 6 am, the terminal opens at 5 am. There used to be a snack bar, but no more. I don't even think there are vending machines, although later in the day there's a food truck or 2 outside. Since switching to QR code ticketing, things are much easier because you don't have to check-in. I've always paid more (now $20 one way) for Commodore Lounge seating, which allows early boarding, supposedly a larger seat, a free snack and drink (including alcoholic). Note I've been on boats where Commodore seating is sold out. Boats vary in size, but there is always a snack bar, restrooms and a luggage storage area. The trip takes a little over an hour. I've never sailed in inclement weather, but sometimes the ride can be rocky. The port in Avalon is outdoors with no waiting area per se. I noticed on this most recent trip, there were preboarders before the Commodore folks. Some were clearly physically challenged, but others looked and walked like normal folk.

    Ship
    Travis P.

    Took this ship to Catalina from Long beach and back. Overall had a good experience and the drinks on board was actually reasonably priced. Onboarding was quick and efficient and there was plenty of space to walk around. They had bathrooms and it was a comfortable 1 hour and 10 minute ride. Price wise, it's a bit expensive but I guess that makes sense. I paid $85 for a round trip ticket through Sam's Club discount. Parking - Easy but it's $25 per day. You park your car in their structure and pay when you leave.

    Kristin C.

    It was a great experience taking the ferry to Catalina. The ride was smooth and there are gorgeous views if you sit outside. I suggest sitting on the right side on the way to Avalon because Catalina will be on that side. If you pay attention on the ride, you will most likely see dolphins and some other animals in the water.

    Sold out trips to Avalon - These were my options
    Douglas C.

    I made reservations to go to Catalina on Friday 7/18 and was informed that morning that the boat where I was staying lost their mooring and had to leave. I called immediately because I had tea that within 24 hours of travel any modification made to the travel time will result in a $5 service fee under Ferry Ticket Policy. I was told that I had to travel by Saturday 7/19 which had several sold out times so I couldn't even change tickets to the next day and make a day trip. I've attached a screen grab of that Saturday. They had limited space on only a few boats. At least Catalina Flyer www.Catalina info.com has a similar policy but allows rescheduling fee for $10 and doesn't have a clause located on their website hidden lower on the page that says travel must commence with 24 hours of travel time. I think next time I will look at other options vs using Catalina Express

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    26 days ago

    Great experience. Comfortable seats. Price is high. Very nice trip overall. Easy parking

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    Page 1 of 23

    Ask the Community - Catalina Express

    Do they do free rides on your birthday?

    I bought 2 tickets. They both have my name on it. Will this be an issue when checking in the second person?

    Not at all! :) They simply scan tickets and count to see how many people you're walking into the boat. PS check Groupon for occasionally posted discounted tickets!

    If I wanted to switch my reservation time to another time, would that be possible or on option to make a change?

    Hello Ivan! Yes, it is possible to make a change in time to your reservation based on availability. Please call our call center at (310) 519-1212 and a agent will be able to further assist you.

    Hello good day, I got tickets from my step dads company but they put his name on them but say that they are able to be used by others and I called and made the reservation under my name and card number and just want to make sure there that will work?

    Hello William! Yes, that will work as long as you present the tickets with you on the day of check-in and your reservation is listed under your name.

    Will parking be available on a Friday evening for the 6:30 boat or is the lot usually full?

    Hello! Yes parking will be available. If the parking structure is full then the parking company will open up the overflow parking lot.

    How is parking ? Is it easy ? Cheap? Secure?

    Parking was $22 a day, you park on the upper floor & there's cameras. I believe it's secure and safe as I didn't have any problems when I parked there 3 days!

    Is the parking safe, secure, gated and monitored?

    Agree with the other persons comments. The parking is gated. They also have cameras, but they do not have someone who patrols the area. Otherwise, I'd say it's safe and secure. I've parked there a few times and had no issues. The parking is on the… Read more

    Are you allowed to bring and eat your own snacks on board?

    You can but look at the restrictions just to make sure what you can bring.

    Do they check your bags such as how they would at an airport?

    No they don't check the bags at all when I went

    Do they measure the luggage and is it a strict policy? I have a piece of luggage that is 24" and it would be easier to take the one large instead of 2 small

    Luggage is not measured but it is weighed. We do advise you stay as close to the recommended luggage size but please do not exceed the 50lbs. weight limit. If you have any questions please give us a call at 800.995.4386.… Read more

    How choppy or smooth of a ride is it?

    It's a very smooth ride. You may lose a bit of balance if you get up and have to run to the bathroom but as someone with motion sickness, I didn't have a difficult time at all.

    Is an ID required to board the Catalina Express? We would be a group planning to go but a friend doesn't have her ID since she lost it.

    No, on my recent trip, they did not check my ID to board the ferry. My friend ordered tickets online and she checked in for 3 of us. She may have showed her ID at the time of check-in, but your friend should still be ok if someone else does the… Read more

    Can you provide more detail on your safety protocol, including how much spacing is provided between passengers, are masks required both indoors and outdoors while on the ferry and how do you enforce your rules?

    Catalina Express is public transportation, so the 6 foot rule is not always feasible while on the vessel. Based on protocols set by Cal/OSHA, Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Transportation, we have reduced capacity to allow for a… Read more

    How much is a round trip?

    Round trip fare for each adult is $74.50 from Long Beach or San Pedro and $76.50 from Dana Point. For more information on schedules and fares please visit our website at CatalinaExpress.com. Thank you.

    Can you bring a dog on the Catalina express?

    Richard W., Catalina Express does allow 1 pet per adult. Dogs must be leashed and secured in a full face commercial manufactured muzzle or an Airline-style Pet Carrying case… Read more

    Do you have to make reservation?

    Hello Jazmin R., Reservations are not required but they are highly recommended especially during… Read more

    Does anyone know which terminal is closest to downtown LA and also has CHEAPEST PARKING? We will be staying on the island overnight. Thanks!

    Long Beach is the closest. Based on location though you're stuck parking in their garage.

    Can I bring my electric bike with me? Is there a place to store them? Extra fee?

    You should be able to. I saw folks with huge pulleys full of food a huge boxes. Not to mention strollers and wheelchairs. The boats have plenty of room.

    Can we take our own food to the island such as uncooked meat?

    Lots of people brought ice chests on board. There are a lot of day trippers & people that fish so I can't see them turning you away.

    Is there a body and luggage scan before boarding Catalina Express in Long Beach?

    no - just get on the boat

    View All 32 Questions

    Review Highlights - Catalina Express

    I now know that if you ever get seasick you should take the bigger boat that has the Commodore lounge.

    Mentioned in 104 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Catalina Classic Cruises - They sold some food (snacks, hot dogs, cup noodles, Mac & cheese) and drinks (water, coke, sprite, Gatorade, and hot chocolate).

    Catalina Classic Cruises

    3.3(32 reviews)
    2.0 miWilmington

    Amazing company to deal with, very accommodating.. they deal with charters so they take campers to…read morecamps on Catalina Island, they do amazing harbor cruises with disc jockeys, and sometimes even live bands.. They are also the boats responsible for offloading cruise ship passengers and taking them to Avalon in Catalina Island.. Overall an amazing company with an amazing staff and crew..

    I first sailed on the Catalina King more than 35 years ago, traveling to Camp Cherry Valley on…read moreCatalina island as a kid. If memory serves, so did my dad when he was a kid. That alone should give you plenty of data to do a quick math problem... Illustrating that these are not what you would call "new vessels." Still, the Catalina classic fleet, with it signature red and white paint jobs, I've been reliably if not conspicuously taking passengers to Catalina island for decades. The Catalina express Fleet, with it's much faster Catamaran hulls, i've probably put quite a dent in their business; however, it seems that the classic fleet has found a niche providing cruises for parties and other events. Recently, I traveled on these boats with our Cub Scout pack to go to camp. The crew is very friendly, safety is a priority, and the boat operates reliably without any problems. this is definitely a fancier trip than other options for transportation to Avalon or two harbors, but I guess I just have a nostalgic preference for these old deep V hulls. I had to laugh when we returned a few days later, as we were unloading our gear from one of the boats, a party of 20 somethings dressed quite provocatively we're boarding one of the other vessels for some kind of dance booze cruise. Almost laughed out loud from the dichotomy of kids in Cub Scout uniforms and young folks in next to nothing club attire. But hey, that's Long Beach for you. And I hope that the Catalina classic flight will be here for another 70 or 80 years, re-powered and welded to continue serving new generations exploring our little corner of paradise, 26 miles across the sea.

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    Catalina Classic Cruises
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    Newport Coastal Adventure - Humpback Whale Spotted On Whale Watch Off Newport Beach

    Newport Coastal Adventure

    4.9(456 reviews)
    20.4 mi
    Certified professionals
    Family-owned & operated

    Went whale and dolphin watching for the first time, Erica and Mark made it so fun and informative!…read moreThey were super nice and made the experience worth it. They did everything they could to get us to see as much as possible. Will be going back here again!

    After stumbling across Captain Erica Tik Tok's page, we wanted to book an adventure. We have been…read moreon other whale watching adventures in Newport and Newport Coastal Adventure is by far the best. We are hooked and will ONLY go on their adventures now. Went on a 2 hour tour with Captain Erica and Molly, down in Newport Beach. They were absolutely the best. Captain Erica was knowledgeable and friendly that we were able to enjoy the whole ride. We saw a momma grey whale and baby and hundreds and hundreds of bottle nose dolphins. As Captain Erica said, we must have had lucky people on board to experience both on the same tour. Molly got some awesome and amazing shots that she was able to share with us. We thoroughly enjoyed the surfing dolphins that were created by the wake from our boat. The conditions were perfect, and the experience was worth every penny. We're already planning our next tour for the upcoming season and can't wait to book an Oxnard adventure with them. Hopefully we can get this dynamic duo again. Can't speak highly of Captain Erica and Molly. Total worth it. See you guys soon.

    Photos
    Newport Coastal Adventure - Imagine being this close to wild dolphins- you can just about touch them off our customized Zodiac Boat. Photo by Mark G.

    Imagine being this close to wild dolphins- you can just about touch them off our customized Zodiac Boat. Photo by Mark G.

    Newport Coastal Adventure - Our Whale Watchers Viewing Humpback Whale Off Newport

    Our Whale Watchers Viewing Humpback Whale Off Newport

    Newport Coastal Adventure - Humpbacks are the friendliest whales! (Actual photo from trip by Captain Ryan)

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    Humpbacks are the friendliest whales! (Actual photo from trip by Captain Ryan)

    Newport Landing - Blue Whale on whale watching cruise

    Newport Landing

    4.2(85 reviews)
    20.4 mi
    Certified professionals
    Family-owned & operated

    This was by far the worst whale watching tour I've ever taken. I've done whale watching multiple…read moretimes before -- in Boston and other locations -- and every other tour actually went out into deeper waters where whales are usually found. This tour, however, barely left the coastline. If whales could be seen that close to shore, I could have just stood on the beach and saved my money. The trip was advertised as 2 to 2.5 hours, but it only lasted about 1.5 hours. Most of that time was spent heading back toward the harbor, and then we sat near the harbor entrance for around 20 minutes just watching sea lions. I honestly don't understand why anyone should pay $50 per person just to look at something you can easily see from the shore. It felt misleading and disappointing. The boat never seriously attempted to go offshore, where whales are actually located. What made this even more frustrating was that I specifically asked the staff before booking whether we were likely to see whales, and they assured me we would. Do not waste your money on this tour.

    Our experience was so excellent! Dani, our captain, and Jill, our guide, made this whale watching…read morecruise unforgettable. We saw ridiculously scenic coastline views, which added to the magic of the trip. While we only saw bottlenose dolphins (tons of them), the cruise was still spectacular and definitely worth the ticket price. Plus, due to a last minute change on their end we happened to get upgraded to the higher end smaller boat with less people. There were lots of moments of sheer joy (we geeked out pretty hard) at getting to visit the dolphins up close in their natural environment. Others around us expressed feeling similarly. What also set this cruise apart was Dani and Jill. Their extensive knowledge about local marine life and its patterns enriched our experience significantly. They shared fascinating and often hilarious insights (Jill is a character - in all the best ways) about the dolphins and the surrounding ecosystem, which made the cruise both highly entertaining and educational. Their genuine excitement for marine wildlife is so evident and it really made the experience all the more enjoyable and fun. We had a great time, and we can't thank Dani and Jill enough for their dedication to making sure everyone had a memorable adventure. Highly recommend this cruise to anyone looking to get out of their head and spend time soaking up amazing views! Ps. Don't be an idiot like me - remember to wear sunscreen because a boat can't outrun the sun (obviously... ‍) Pss. Rent the $5 binoculars

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    Newport Landing - Whale watching ship in mega pod of dolphin.

    Whale watching ship in mega pod of dolphin.

    Newport Landing - Whale watchers viewing jumping dolphin

    Whale watchers viewing jumping dolphin

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    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor - Queen Mary's prototype

    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor

    2.8(1.6k reviews)
    1.0 mi

    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor presented a special Valentine's event called Dark Masquerade February…read more13th & 14th. It was the first time they hosted a masquerade, and they killed it! Dark Masquerade has scare actors like their usual Dark Harbor season, along with some horror experiences and a dance party. It's open from 7PM-12AM, but be sure to arrive early so you can experience everything they offer. Upon entering the Queen Mary, you walk through the corridors and see glimpses of their horror props to set the mood. It leads to the dance floor (aka The Ringmaster's Dark Masquerade), which is massive and blasts killer dance tracks. You're given complimentary masquerade masks once inside, so no worries if you don't bring your own. Speaking of fashion, it was a mixture of casual and people going all out for the masquerade theme. If you fear you'll be overdressed, there's no such thing here! Some of the masquerade costumes/masks people had were pretty impressive. There were three horror experiences: (1) Gale's Requiem - descend six fathoms deep into the ship to see the experiments of a mad doctor, ending with Gale's performance as she sings for the dead. There's several tables surrounding Gale so feel free to take your time. There's also a photo-op on your way to the elevator. (2) The Search For Mary - you're given a single red glowstick and must make your way through dark corridors as Scary Mary haunts you. While the idea behind it has potential, it's literally pitch black and the glowsticks are too dim so it's a wee bit too hard to navigate. I walked into a wall because you can't see anything and the scare actors aren't helpful in directing any poor soul that gets stuck. My wife got claustrophobic and she absolutely hated a part where you get on a catwalk and they simulate it about to drop. (3) Sweethearts' Slaughterhouse - groups are ushed through a bloody restaurant and must work together to piece together the menu of a deranged chef and his killer kitchen staff. It was fun as it was interactive with others, so play nice and everyone will have a good time. The horror dummies/gore was pretty crazy to see (some of it brings to mind Hellraiser). The experience ends with a choice of leaving through a hallway or crawling through an oven (vent). Our group chose the oven, which is a bit unforgiving if you have weak knees or are wearing any fancy clothes. Fyi there's a slide at the end of the oven so be sure not to fall like a cartoon character (like I did). Overall the horror experiences were cool, but the main thing we loved was The Ringmaster's Dark Masquerade. They also have scare actors on the dance floor to help keep your blood pumping. If you're worried about being the only ones dancing, fear not - once it got going, it didn't stop until the end of the night! It's a 21+ event, so there's bars/alcohol throughout the ship (naturally it's expensive). For food it's really just snacks like churros, pretzels, popcorn, cupcakes, chips, etc. If you want some fresh air, there's a jazz stage outside for a more chill time. They also had hookah tables outside if you feel the need to do that. I hope Dark Masquerade becomes a regular off-season part of Dark Harbor because it's way too much fun to be a one-off! Even if you don't like horror, the masquerade dance party was worth the price of admission. Try not to wear heels though because the ship is tricky to walk through as is (not to mention the grated catwalks). Strobe lights and fog machines are used in parts of the experiences. There's a special merch store located inside if you want a goodie/memento for the night. Dark Masquerade returns for the next 2026 Friday the 13th weekend in March, so don't hesitate to get tickets if you can!

    It's been a while so an update is due…read more The highlights: -They've increased security for scare actors as well as DH patrons. *At first I was confused why I was being followed as the last one in mazes, then realized they were tracking things for everyone's safety. -They've increased first responder presence as well. I watched a few fire performances and the LBFD were checking in on their set times to be present. - The decor and makeup were done really well. I'd say a step above Knott's. - The hookah people were so so sweet! - Whatever fries they're selling with cotija, creama, meat, and spicy sauce get it. The price is on the high end, but my goodness they fill up two people! -The performances were awesome! I would try to plan on seeing the slider show, the "sideshow," and at least one of the fire performances on the major stage. -The bus from the park back to downtown was a refreshing thing to see. The misses: - Some things weren't explained or occupied which made things confusing. The boat near the whole bayou area where the voodoo queen reigned... You just walked through it and looked at stuff. There were no scare actors or anything. It was just an empty boat. - Some mazes required you to go up entire flights of stairs or dropped you off at them. It was weird. *certain mazes had accessible entrances but it didn't change everything to my knowledge. - Some mazes were not well-ventilated and really hot. - Having to leave on plywood boards oddly placed across the park's uneven ground made things rough for some. I had to help a man in a powered wheelchair who got stuck in the predicament. There's room for improvement, but it's also a decent haunt considering the talent.

    Photos
    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor - Performers giving it their all

    Performers giving it their all

    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor - Entry for different ticket holders (Oct 2025)

    Entry for different ticket holders (Oct 2025)

    The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor - 2026 Dark Masquerade - jazz stage outside

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    2026 Dark Masquerade - jazz stage outside

    Catalina Express - tours - Updated May 2026

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