You're standing on the dock at the Downtown Long Beach landing, coffee in hand, smelling that sharp, salt-heavy Pacific air. It's early. Maybe 7:00 AM. If you’ve never done the long beach ferry catalina run, you might expect a slow, chugging boat ride. Honestly? It's more like a Greyhound bus on steroids that happens to plane across the San Pedro Channel at 30 knots.
The Catalina Express is the big player here. They’ve basically cornered the market on the Long Beach to Avalon route, and for good reason. It’s the shortest distance. It’s the most frequent. But there are a few things about this specific terminal—and the boats themselves—that can totally ruin your day if you don’t know the layout.
The Downtown Long Beach Terminal vs. San Pedro
Most people just Google "ferry to Catalina" and click the first link. They end up at the Catalina Landing in Downtown Long Beach (320 Golden Shore). It’s convenient. It’s right near the 710 freeway. But here’s the kicker: parking is pricey. You’re looking at about $23 a day in a multi-level garage. If you’re going for a day trip, it’s fine. If you’re staying a week? That’s a hefty tax just to leave your car on the mainland.
The San Pedro terminal is just a few miles away, and sometimes it’s cheaper or has different times, but the long beach ferry catalina experience is generally smoother because the boats are often the larger catamarans like the Jet Cat or the Starship Express. These things are massive. They handle the swells way better than the smaller monohulls.
If you get seasick, listen up. The San Pedro Channel is no joke. Even on a sunny day, the "afternoon breeze" creates a rhythmic swell that makes the boat pitch. Sit in the back. Sit low. The "Commodore Lounge" upgrade is about $20 to $25 extra each way, and honestly, the leather seats are nice, but the real value is the priority boarding and the complimentary drink. If you want to avoid the "green face" look, stay off the upper deck if the water looks choppy.
What Actually Happens on the Boat?
It’s a one-hour ride. Give or take five minutes for docking.
You’ll board, find a seat (it’s general admission unless you upgraded), and basically just stare at the horizon. You might see dolphins. In fact, you probably will see dolphins. Sometimes you’ll see whales, especially during the gray whale migration from December through April. The captains are usually pretty cool about announcing sightings over the PA system.
🔗 Read more: Pic of Spain Flag: Why You Probably Have the Wrong One and What the Symbols Actually Mean
Luggage and the "Two Bag" Myth
They tell you that you can bring two bags. That’s true. But they have to be under 50 pounds. Don't show up with a giant cooler full of ice and beer and expect to just carry it on. They’ll make you check it. The "stowage" is basically a series of large rolling racks. You drop your bags off before you walk up the gangway, and then you play the waiting game in Avalon while they unload them. It’s a bit of a chaotic scramble once you land.
- Pro tip: Carry your essentials in a small backpack.
- Pro tip: If you're bringing a bike or a surfboard, you have to pay extra and book it in advance. They only have so many spots on the back deck.
Why Long Beach is the Strategic Choice
Look, the Newport Beach ferry (the Catalina Flyer) is a giant catamaran too, but it only goes once or twice a day. The long beach ferry catalina schedule is robust. During the summer, they have boats leaving almost every hour. This gives you flexibility. If you miss your 10:00 AM, you can usually jump on the 11:30 AM if there's space (though there's a change fee).
Avalon is the destination. Let's talk about that.
When you pull into Avalon Harbor, it looks like a Mediterranean village that got lost and ended up in California. No cars. Well, very few cars. It's all golf carts. The ferry drops you off at the "Mole"—that’s just a fancy word for the concrete pier on the south end of the harbor. From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the main drag, Crescent Avenue.
The Cost Reality in 2026
Prices have crept up. A round-trip ticket for an adult is going to run you about $85 to $95 depending on fuel surcharges. It’s not cheap.
Is it worth it?
💡 You might also like: Seeing Universal Studios Orlando from Above: What the Maps Don't Tell You
If you consider that you're entering a different ecosystem, yeah. The water in Avalon is significantly clearer than the water in Long Beach. You can see the orange Garibaldi fish right off the pier. You've got the Casino (which was never a gambling hall, just a theater and ballroom), the botanical gardens, and the interior of the island where the bison live.
Yes, bison. They were left there by a film crew in the 1920s and just... stayed. Now they’re a permanent fixture. You won't see them from the ferry, but you’ll see the "Bison Burger" signs the second you step off.
Dealing With the "Catalina Curl" (Seasickness)
I can’t stress this enough: the channel is deep. Over 3,000 feet deep in some spots. That depth means the swells can be long and powerful.
If you’re taking the long beach ferry catalina on a windy afternoon, take a Bonine or Dramamine an hour before you board. Once you feel sick, it's too late. The crew sells ginger ale and snacks, but they also have those little blue bags tucked into the seat pockets for a reason.
The smoothest ride is almost always the first boat of the morning. The wind hasn't kicked up yet. The water looks like glass. It’s hauntingly beautiful to watch the sun come up over the Queen Mary as you pull out of the harbor.
The Return Trip Scramble
Coming back is where people mess up. Everyone tries to get on the 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM boat. The line at the Mole starts forming 45 minutes early. If you’re in the sun, it’s brutal.
📖 Related: How Long Ago Did the Titanic Sink? The Real Timeline of History's Most Famous Shipwreck
Wait in a cafe instead. Check the Catalina Express app. It’ll tell you if the boat is on time. Don’t stand in a hot line for an hour when you could be sitting at the Marlin Club with a cold drink. They won't leave without you if you're there 15 minutes before departure, which is the "cutoff."
Navigating the Terminal Logistics
Parking at 320 Golden Shore is easy to find but annoying to exit. When the ferry returns, hundreds of people hit the parking garage elevators at the exact same time. It’s a bottleneck.
If you’re being dropped off, use the "Cell Phone Waiting Lot" or just have your ride meet you at the curb. But be fast. Security at the Long Beach landing is surprisingly strict about "lingering."
Also, don't bother bringing your own booze onto the boat to drink. They’re very "No Outside Alcohol" because they have a full bar on board. They want you to buy their $12 Bloody Mary. Honestly, having a drink on the back deck while watching the Long Beach skyline shrink is one of the better ways to spend twelve bucks.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. Catalina is small, but it requires logistics.
- Book the "Early In, Late Out" Strategy: Take the 8:00 AM boat from Long Beach and the 7:00 PM boat back. This gives you a full 10 hours on the island, which is plenty for a hike, a lunch, and a glass-bottom boat tour.
- Check the Surf Report: If the swell is over 4 feet, prepare for a bumpy ride. Download the "Windy" app and look at the San Pedro Channel.
- The Birthday Rule is Gone: For years, you could ride the ferry for free on your birthday. That promotion ended a while ago. Don't show up expecting a freebie; you’ll be disappointed.
- Lock in Your Return: Don't buy a one-way ticket thinking you'll "figure it out" later. Boats sell out, especially on weekends. You do not want to be stranded in Avalon overnight without a hotel reservation. Rooms there easily go for $400+ on short notice.
- Pack Light: Unless you are staying at a campsite like Two Harbors or Little Harbor, you don't need much. Avalon is casual. Even the "fancy" restaurants are okay with nice jeans and a clean shirt.
The long beach ferry catalina is the gateway to the only place in Southern California that feels like actual old-school coastal living. It's a bit of a trek, it's a bit pricey, and you might get a little wet from the sea spray on the deck, but it’s the best $90 you’ll spend this summer. Just remember to look for the oil islands on your way out—those weirdly lit towers that look like tropical condos? They’re just dressed-up drilling rigs. Welcome to California.
Grab your tickets at least two weeks out if you’re going on a Saturday. If you’re going on a Tuesday? You can probably walk up and buy one, but why risk it? The island is waiting.