catalina express

A pleasant journey to Catalina Island. This is probably the only way to visit Catalina Island. A side perk to this trip is the possibility of viewing whales and dolphins.

My husband and I were vacationing at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. We asked for some different things to do in the area, and were guided to Catalina Island via Catalina Express.They did a great job for what they do - shuttling people back and forth. Service was great; and most importantly on time both directions. Boats are clean and comfortable; although a little darn chilly especially when the sun goes down!A little pricey - so you better really WANT to go to Catalina Island! But good for a one-time vacation stop...

From making the reservation to checking in and riding briefly across the Pacific and back, we had a very nice experience. The staff were pleasant, the boat was clean and the ride was very smooth. We were given good instructions, offered help in finding attractions and given a specific time to be back and sail across back to Long Beach. Parking was a breeze at the Long Beach port and only $15 for the day. Avalon was a 5 minute walk from where the boat landed, so it was a completely easygoing experience.

I am not a person to get excited about my birthday all that much, but it's till fun to do something. Catalina Express every year offers free round trip passage on your birthday, You just must begin and depart on your actual birthday, you have thirty days to return. It's roughly an $80 trip for free. I depart and return from right here in Long Beach where I live but they also go from San Pedro and Dana Point. I just go to Avalon, but you can also go to Twin Harbor. I actually decided to stay for two nights at the Hotel Mac Rae. I'll review that hotel after I've been there. There are several departure times and you can bring two pieces of luggage on board as long as they measure out to 23" x 23" x 37", plus you can bring on a carry-on, i.e. camera bag, laptop. That's a better policy than most airlines I can think of. And I'm just going for an extended two days, not a business or leisure trip or a week or so to some foreign city. Here from the LA area it's just about 28 miles to Avalon and my hotel is right on the beach. Just going for a relaxing visit though I will probably be caught up in the excursions and especially the zip-line and what ever seems 'cool'. For us in SoCal, Catalina is just a weekend getaway, so no big deal to do it all, we can always come back again. I'm writing this based on previous travel with them, but they do an excellent job of taking care of you. It's all in the USA and in Los Angeles Country so no need for passports, other than photo ID if you're traveling in your birthday. And the merchants and tour operators also honor and give discounts for birthday travelers. I am going this time by myself, but they also honor guests of b-day guests with the same discounts. All the way from drinks, meals, parasailing, helicopter tours, the already mentioned zipline, and scenic cruises. And Catalina Express and their partners can make this all happen. Or hell, just go there for the day, relax on the beach and come home. It's like a Mediterranean vacation without really leaving home.

Ferry service from 3 ports. We left from Long Beach which seemed to have the better schedule. Very modern facility in downtown Long Beach. Exit Golden Shore from Long Beach downtown exit. You will circle the parking structure; do not park in Catalina Landing, that's the office building. Keep circling the parking structure to find the entrance to Catalina Express. Short walk into terminal.Short wait to get tickets. We had a slight problem because we were buying tickets for others who were taking a later ferry. Phone rep gave completely different info than clerks at terminal.Seats are very comfortable. They offer an upgrade for $15 each way which includes a drink and snacks. In coach there is food service, about what is to be expected. 1 hour crossing. Very smooth. Outdoor seating available.Ferry terminal is at far South end of Avalon. 30 minute walk to zip line, and then you will have walked the whole waterfront.

This is a high speed ferry service to Catalina. We left from Long Beach. It's been at east thirty years since my last trip. The terminal appeared to be in the middle of an office building. You can unload your baggage there and walk it in - hopefully there are at least two of you so one can stay with the luggage as there are no porters or help. You can park across the street in a large multi story parking garage.There are many steps up to the terminal building. There is a long handicapped ramp you can use to wheel your bags up. You are not able to check your luggage as you are responsible for getting it on the ferry. I bought our tickets ahead of time and upgraded them one level. I asked about how accessible it was - the reservation person said it was an easy few steps up. It turned out to be twenty or so steps which was a lot for me to handle. So we didn't upgrade coming back. The crew did help me with my bag getting on and I pre boarded. But it was a steep grade on the ramp going and very steep coming back. I asked for help at the ticket booth coming back and was told "they should help you" which they did - but I worried none the less. The ride both ways was comfortable and scenic. We saw Dolphins in Avalon when we arrived and saw a whale on the way back. Other than the boarding/luggage issue, it was fun.

We got to the terminal early before our departure, and got excellent window seats inside. On the way back, I think we were the last or next to last departure, so the line to board was long, and we ended up on the back of the boat, upstairs (outside). Even in the summer heat, it was pretty cool up there since the boat whips up quite a bit of water, and you might get damp, so if you want to stay dry, board early and sit inside.All in all, it was a great experience. You can buy drinks and snacks on board, and there is a restroom. I preferred sitting inside. It's quieter, and you can look out and maybe see dolphins or sea lions. We saw sea lions on the way to Catalina, and lots of dolphins on the way back. The boat was on time both ways, and it's a very smooth ride.

It would be great if it were cheaper to get to Catalina, but a 75 minute ferry ride is going to cost something. The Catalina Express is fast and convenient. The seats and views are just fine.

The quickest, most economical way to get to Catalina. Great service and reasonable prices. The crew is very friendly and concerned about the comfort of the passengers.

Got on the ship to travel to the catalina island with the family husband and daughter loves it me and my son went to slee due to sea sick! Will be prepare next time other than that ride was good drinks are expensive

Fast and efficient. Very comfortable catamaran. Reasonable price bar on board. Clean and very comfortable seats.Go on your birthday to get a free round trip deal!

This is so expensive and just not that interesting. The island is ok but I couldn't spend the entire day there, let alone spending time in a hotel for days. I would like to go back to snorkel but I'll find a beach close to home for free!

C.E. Makes the island of Catalina do easy and fun way to gt there. Less than an hour and your there.

We have taken the Catalina Express many times to visit Catalina. The ship is always clean and on-time. It's expensive, but it's the only way out to the island.

The ride to Catalina Island was great! We payed the extra $15 per ticket to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge. It was worth it because we bypassed the line and got a free drink and snacks.Can't wait to go again!