Catalina Express Reviews

We enjoyed the ride. The free bus doesn't get very close, at least not the one from the queen mary. Be prepared for a bit of walking or use Lyft.

The trip was just over an hour and very comfortable. We were in the general seating and there was plenty of room. I wish i would have known that the island starts shutting down at 5, we would have come back on an earlier boat.

Beautiful ride across the channel and great experience. The employees are very friendly and helpful making sure everyone on board is safe and secure. Had the opportunity to upgrade to the Commodore's Lounge which was amazing! Lots of dolphin to watch following along the boat while having excellent cocktails at the bar. A must do!

I go for the free birthday ride on my birthdays. Would have rated them excellent, however last year it was required for you to also bring along someone else. I was running late so I called in to change my departure time. That was ok however upon my returning to the main land I have requested an upgrade and did not notice that was cancelled when I had changed by departure time. So make sure you do pay attention to the times and seating request on your tickets. Catalina Express will try to sell you tour packages but they will cost more than the ones you can purchase on the island. But during the week most of the tours are not open like they are on the weekends so we were not able to go the the other side of the island to Two Habors and to take the grand island tour. But we rented golf carts for two hours. That was alot of fun. I did not get a chance to drive because my daughter did all the driving and I got a chance to take lots of pictures. It was really fun. Looking forward to going this summer again.

Had fun in Catalina Island. Will be back . People were friendly and had a good time. Just arrive early for departure.

We took the Catalina Express over to Catalina Island recently while visiting Southern California. The ride was smooth and the staff was friendly. Recommend

We flew into the long beach airport, then we caught a cab yo get to the ferry. It was a very long line, so if you are going mid day, make sure you get there early. You can pay a premium, but the regular seats are just fine. It was a bit windy going, but coming back it was a very smooth ride. I don't like boats, so I took dramamine, drank a ginger drink and ate ginger candy they sell. Overall, it was a great experience and took about an hour each way. The people on the boat were very helpful and took good care of our luggage.

Catalina Express is first class in everything. People are nice, resourceful, caring, and helpful.
Everybody do their best to help and support you and they care about your needs.

I traveled with 215 high school senior students and we have the time of our lives!

Big THANK YOU to Jeri Hawkins. This lady is a master in customer service!

Great ride over to Avalon. We upgraded for early boarding and snacks. Was worth it. Daughter got queasy, so if you get motion sick take something. Loved it.

The views from the upper deck was great. The travel time was quick. Staff was friendly and helpful. Cost fairly reasonable.

This boat gets you to where you are going. Nothing fancy but I am used to taking commuter ferries where I live.l

We took the Catalina Express over to the Island for an over night stay and upgraded to the Commodore Lounge, it was totally worth the $15. We received a complimentary beverage a snack, a great view and were able to board the boat first! The seating in the lounge is very comfortable with tables in a few locations. I highly recommend this upgrade.

I was very impressed with the Catalina Express ferry to Catalina Island. The interior has some nice seats and some areas have tables. The restrooms and snack bar are centrally located on the bottom level. I had general seating, so I'm sure the upper levels were even nicer.
My only complaint is the ferry was late on the way back to Long Beach and everyone had to stand in line for longer than expected. Hopefully more seating can be added to the dock at Catalina Island at some point in case this happens again.
All in all a fun experience that is worth the price.

Commodore lounge is worth the extra $15. Very organized and punctual. everybody was so nice and professional.

The Catalina Express is quick and on time. They offer plenty of time slots to travel to and from Catalina at your convenience. It is a tiny bit expensive for what it is - but they have the market on getting to Catalina commercially. ALSO: they serve the BEST Bloody Mary's in Los Angeles. Delicious. Makes me want to go to Catalina right now!

Strange but true. Unfortunately I have lost it but I build it on trust. Sometimes you need to use your imagination and, as Leopardi, you study all about a different place and use your mind to be there. So o left the harbor with my Queen Mary and I get there together with Catalina Express. I was with QM Phantom while I saw people so funny there I wished to be there. Then the Islan showed off in all it's beauty.

If you are particular about where you would like to sit on the boat I would suggest arriving at least an hour before departure in order to get into line. We wanted to ride outside at the top of the boat and on our ride to Catalina, that area filled up quickly. The boat ride back to long beach wasn't as full so we were able to get outdoor seating easily. The Long Beach terminal was easy to get to via Uber & had plenty of space for waiting in line.

First time on Catalina island in 20 years; just as enjoyable. As with any island location, expect to pay more, especially as businesses recover from the 15 month shutdown.

This is for the Catalina Express from Long Beach (Downtown). I bought my tickets online, so the check in process was simple.

I would have given a higher rating if it weren't for the outbound trip when I felt unsafe. The line was long when I arrived, and just got longer. I sat on the retaining wall, knowing that there was little regard to social distancing by those waiting in line; I decided to be the last one on. Bad idea. There were no seats anywhere that had appropriate social distancing even for a single passenger. The mask rule enforcement, both on the boat and while waiting in line, was lax. So, I stood in a corner away from the seating with both a surgical mask and a face shield. I found out the next day that the ferry before mine had been canceled, so the reduced capacity for COVID didn't happen.

On the way back, I arrived more than an hour early and read my book while I was 3rd in line. The couple who were first in line clearly felt that they were exempt from mask wearing while engaging in conversation with the guy who was 2nd in line. There was no staff, so no enforcement. I just looked away, and the line began to grow. It didn't get anywhere near as long as outbound, fortunately. When it came time to board (about 10min late), the guy looked at my ticket, told me I was in the wrong line, and sent me to the back. I pleaded with him that I didn't know (bad signage) and that I had been there for over an hour. He said, "Sorry. You're standing right underneath (the very small, 20ft above me) sign." So, I was last to get on again, but I wasn't overly bothered (other than he was slightly rude and inflexible - when you have to be inflexible, you need to be nice).

I sat outside with no problem finding a place to sit. I did eye up the situation of where people were going to end up before I unpacked my lunch. There was a party of 5, drinking, unmasked, unchallenged. One of the vaping, unchallenged. When the steward came to do a sweep, he asked one guy to put his mask on, but no one in the party drinking (they had finished by the time he came up). They had complete disregard for others, and clearly the steward was intimidated by that.

Enforcement. Enforcement. Enforcement. For the safety of your staff and passengers. Non-compliant passengers should not get to dictate the comfort and safety of the rest.

The trip itself was fine and took the stated amount of time, about 1:15hrs.

We decided to get the Commodore Lounge upgrade and were glad we did. It was very comfortable and we enjoyed our free cocktails and snack. A great way to get to beautiful Catalina Island!

The location is a bit difficult to get to since its by the shipping ports. GPS took us to a different port area, and then rerouted us. The ferry ride was easy and fast, but I have to say that ferry boat was a little on the dirty side. I do take into account that it does several trips a day to and from the island, but nonetheless I found it to be dirty.Overall, though, not bad, the employees are courteous and polite and get you on and off quickly.

Travel to Catalina is reached by ferry for most tourists. We took the Catalina Express and found check in to be easy and efficient. Be sure to book in advance for best selection of travel times.

That's a really fast hour if you sleep! Really smooth. It seems easier to board leaving Catalina than Long Beach.

Catalina Island is a must-visit. By far the best part of my Southern California trip. The Catalina Express was a great ferry ride. There was a cafe at the station in Long Beach that was a bit overpriced, but besides that, everything was great!

We had two round trips to Catalina Island on the Express this summer. The experiences were good as the boat was clean and comfortable. I am disappointed with the cost differential to use the commodore lounge. A small bag of snacks and a beverage, and boarding first are small benefits. Not worth it for a family. I was most disappointed to have to pay to return on an earlier ship even when it was only half full.

Traveling to the Catalina Island, was a breeze with the Catalina Express. No issues. Schedule was Timely. Accommodations inside fine. Water was a little rough going toward the island on our trip, so there was an outdoor area that was better to avoid seasickness. Our trip from the island back to shore, was smooth sailing. We were told, when I called the desk, it would be better to book by phone rather than on the internet, because it would allow for a better cancellation policy if needed. I thought that was a little odd, but that is what we did.

Pre-book onine, they do offer a discount for AAA members, plus you go free on your birthday! Easy-Peasy!

I mean...if ‘ya want to get to Catalina Island, you really don’t have too many choices, now do you. That said, Catalina Express seemed well-managed in terms of ticketing, the waiting area, and the queuing process. The boat itself has clean bathrooms and a variety of seating areas (there’s a VIP lounge if you have the $$). The boats have Swiss efficiency in terms of timing so don’t be late. Note: there’s no cover over the outdoor queuing area (that I could see) so please remember to use your sunscreen!

The check in was easy as well the boarding. Super fast friendly and definitely recommend to go. We had to change our return and it easy as well. You only pay 5 for changing your ticket which is not bad. Can’t wait to book next summer!

It was a lovely smooth ride from Long Beach to Catalina Island for our anniversary. This was our very first time on the Catalina Express and on Catalina Island. The peace, beauty and fresh air were inviting and the flowers up the path to the Memorial Bldg were stunning. The staff on the boat were friendly. All in all, we had a great experience.

I gave a four star because when we left out of Long Beach we were not offered an upgrade on our ticket. I wish they would have offered it. I think it’s worth it because you get priority boarding as well as a different seating area with drinks and snacks. Other than that the ride was smooth the seating is fine and there is luggage storage as well as over head bins. Plenty of space. If you want to sit on top you’ll need to be first boarders otherwise it fills up.

Went out Oct 12, 2018, for the JazzTrax Festival. Smooth Sailing all the way there (Inn the Commodore Lounge). Unfortunately, the weather returning that Monday made for a HORRIBLE returning trip... with 70% of the ship's passengers heaving their breakfast into plastic bags (including me and the wife). Santa Ana winds for terrible choppy waters making it difficult for the crew to make passengers both comfortable and stress-free. Don't travel in high winds! But fantastic otherwise!

Super friendly and efficient staff plus a generally fun boat ride to Catalina Island. We saw several dolphins on our return trip which made the trip all the better. Can’t wait to take the Catalina Express again!

We loved the Catalina Express ferry; we booked our reservations ahead since they can sell out. There's a parking garage where you can leave your car; we had to drive around for a while to find open parking so allow time for that. The terminal itself is pretty nice; they have seating and also food and drink available for purchase if you want it. About half an hour before our departure time, they asked everyone to line up outside. There was no security or bag check-in; you just carry your bags yourself and drop them off once you get inside the boat. The seating is comfortable, not assigned so get in line early if you want first pick. You can upgrade to the Commodore Lounge for an extra fee when you buy your ticket and get a complimentary drink and snack; people that pay the extra $15 get to board first. We didn't pay for the upgrade and were fine with the seating we got. They had drinks you could buy, including their famous Bloody Marys. Our ride was smooth and took about an hour; we saw dolphins along the way which was a nice bonus. If you're looking for a comfortable, affordable way to get from Long Beach to Catalina, the Catalina Express is the perfect way to go. We would definitely use it again the next time we go to the island.

We had a very friendly ride over to Avalon, as always. We had the Commodore lounge seating, which I highly recommend! Planing to do the same for our next trip!

The ferry ride (75 minutes) was easy and relaxing (wear a jacket - it's pretty windy and cool if you're outside). On the way to Avalon, there was a giant school of dolphin (100+?) and the captain circled 3 times so we could watch them jumping out of the water - VERY cool!. The ferry runs on time and was super efficient getting on and off.

I travel to the island frequent for business. On this particular day I used Catalina Express. I made my reservations online and on the day of travel I went to the terminal counter to pick up my tickets. The woman at the window commented on my attire (business attire) and I explained that I travel to the island often for work. As she was printing my tickets, she suggested I purchase the commuter book of tickets. I asked if my husband and daughter would be able to use the tickets as well, and I was assured that they would. The woman explained that I could call and make the reservations for them, and then they would simply tear out the ticket from the commuter book and trade them in at the ticket window inside the terminal. I explained that we travel separately because of my work, and she insisted that it would not be an issue. Because my travel expenses are covered by my employer, I also explained that my interest in the commuter book was primarily for my husband and daughter and that in almost all cases we travel seperately. The woman again assured me that this would be the perfect solution and I would save money! She asked for their names as she was typing I believed she was entering their names into the account information.

I spoke to two different agents who each explained that despite what I was told, my husband and daughter cannot, under any circumstances, use the tickets in the commuter book. I was informed that their names are not included in the account. Both phone agents I spoke with were very nice and each did some research, but both had the same answer. I was also told that because I am the purchaser we must always travel together so that our ID's can be checked. As I stated to the ticket window agent, we do not ever travel to the island together. I have noted that the inside of the coupon book states, "commuter coupon is limited to person purchasing same, purchaser's spouse, and two other members of purchaser's immediately family under the age of 21 and residing in the same household".

I emailed the company and explained my issue, and asked for assistance in resolving the issue. I have also called several times but have not received a phone call or email in response. I have lost $300 for a ticket book I cannot use.

We took the six am ferry to Catalina island and it was perfect. We got to see the sun rise on the ocean. Perfect. Our ride back was nice too, more crowded and there were screaming kids on board but it was still a good experience. A little to expensive though, if you ask me.

Great trip, very smooth ride. It is windy and can be cold if you sit outside. When you get to Catalina it is close enough to walk everywhere.

Did a mother-daughter trip to Catalina, and we took the super early, before the sunrise ferry over to the island. Halfway through the journey, we had complete nighttime on one side of the boat, and daylight on the other. It was beautiful. Even saw dolphins leaping out of the water as we approached the shore. The seating is comfortable enough, plenty of room and nice storage for bags. Make sure you check the limitations online before packing for your trip! On our return ferry, we were able to easily change our departure time and upgrade to the Commodore Lounge (slightly nicer seating up top and a free drink) for a small fee. The bloody Mary tasted good on the way back, let me tell ya. :) I don't know what the ferry is like during peak tourist times, but our trip back and forth was comfy as easy. Parking at the Long Beach office was a breeze. $17 daily max per 24 hr period. Overnight parking okay and no parking reservations necessary. Accepted methods of payment are cash, Visa or Mastercard.

The Catalina Express ferry is a relaxing way to get to Catalina Island. I fell asleep on the way to the island and then we sat on the second level on the way back from the island so we could enjoy the sea breeze. Smooth sailing and clean surfaces made for a quick relaxing trip.

Boat was clean and staff were great. Super smooth ride and on time. Recommend to everyone. Would book them again on next Catalina adventure.

We had a group of 70 plus consisting of high school football team, cheerleaders, volleyball team and parents. Staff was mostly helpful and friendly. Much better than slower boats that can take 2 plus hours. We were in Avalon in an hour. Clean boats with snack bar.

Great seats, food and a drink and air conditioned room. The best place way to start your trip is with a bloody mary drink with friends. You will get plenty of sun and fun once you get to the island so enjoy the Commodore Lounge going and coming back.

It’s always great when I go to Catalina for the day- and how to get there is a fun adventure by itself.
Take a good seat- and enjoy the ride. See interesting marine life, Avalon appearing through the mist and cleansing ocean breezes- can’t get there any better way.

Very good experience. Smooth ride and very comfortable.Clean and had plenty of time for coffee drinks and snacks.

Took the 9:00 AM out to Catalina and the scenery was beautiful. We even saw a pod of dolphins!! The 70 minute ride was calm and refreshing! I chose to sit outside on the second deck where the engine noise was prominent but you could choose to be inside where it was quieter.

Great experience overall. Booked a few days ahead of time and everything went well with respect to finding the location after I put it into the GPS. Check in and boarding were easy, best to be there at least a half hour before sailing. Ride over was great most of the time it was in total fog but pleasant and easy. Catalina island was fun and great to explore. The staff on board the ship made you feel comfortable and safe and explained everything upfront

Nice comfortable ride over to Catalina Island. Clean bathrooms, food and drink available. Great views. We saw a lot of dolphins on the way.

We really enjoyed the ferry to Catalina, we did general seating on the way over and went to the top of the boat. We saw pods of bottle nosed dolphins each way. On the way back we reserved the commodore lounge which was also nice and relaxing indoors near a window which came with a drink & snack.

Smooth fast ride. Good seating. Good view, Good luggage storage area. Organized entry and exit. Can order drinks

good boat that keeps it schedule and has very pleasant staff. Good drinks available and Commodore lounge upgrade is worth it

Fine fast ride.
Two tips:
1. When you buy your tickets on line you are asked to print them out. When you bring the print out to the terminal (eg, in long beach), you can, depending on availability switch your tickets around. What they don't tell you in Long Beach is that after tickets are issues it costs $5 every time you change your ticket. My advice: Get the outbound tickets on the outbound, and hold on to your printed piece of paper for the return tickets. This way you can cash in the return ticket in Avalon and change it for an earlier/later departure without paying this extra fee.
2. If you queue up early enough before departure you will be in the nice space downstairs - no need to pay extra for the same space a floor above (Commodore lounge). Note that queuing is outside at the mercy of the elements.

We took the Catalina Express ferry round trip from Long Beach, CA over to Catalina Island. They operate double hull catamarans that glide over the water in just over an hour. The ticketing was fast and simple in person, did not purchase ahead of time as we did not know which ferry we would catch. Seating was comfortable, bathrooms clean and they offered a variety of snacks and drinks. They offer a senior discount but no round trip discount.

It is the only way there but it not bad at all. you can purchase Beer, soda's eat. Seating is comfortable. with booth to be had. we did have a great trip both ways.

We went from Long beach to the island for a day trip. We have a great time on the island. The boat trip was enjoyable beautiful view of the island to the west and snow covered mountains to the east

The boat ride was quick. The workers on the ship were nice and helpful. Catalina was crowed but this is the middle of summer. Nice shops and good eating places. If you want to go to the beach, get there early.

I love Catalina Island. It is just lovely.
We rented golf carts to explore the island.
Wrigley Monument and botanical garden is a must see. We spent the whole afternoon there. The restraunts are tasty and the private beach is the place to be.
I'll be visiting again.

Travelled to Avalon on this relaxing boat ride. There are several seating options. Regular admission seating on upper deck or inside with bar Or for $15 each way additional you can stay in a more private seating area the Commodore with bar.There is also thCaptains seating for $60 each way also private and comes with drinks. It is a lovely ride and well worth doing

Very nice trip to and from the island. We did an upgrade on the return and it was worth the extra bucks. Catalina tends to be a bit expensive...but then again, any island is! Happy to go on Catalina Express. Thanks

Our group took a day trip to Catalina and used the Express for our round trip transportation. We paid extra for the extra comfort of the Commodor's Lounge and were very happy with the trip to the island. Crewmembers were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, things were quite different on the return trip. I can only guess that the staff was tired after a long day.

I saw many staff members help passengers with crutches or wheelchairs, etc. All seemed very nice. The line was a bit long, but once they let passengers inside it went quickly. Very smooth sailing and right on time.

Trip back to Long Beach California from a couple days on Catalina island enjoying the boat ride back and over saw Elizabeth B a crew member on your fleet going above and beyond anyone I ever saw the whole time here not just asking how we were doing but having a wonderful conversation with a family and children next to us. Makes the trip that more memorable and fun. She’s an example of what every employee should be like! Thank you Elizabeth B

The Catalina Express is an easy way to travel to Catalina. We rode over on the regular passage and sat outside to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. On the return, we were able to score Commodore Lounge tickets for $15 more per person. You can enjoy the ride completely without the upgrade, but it is a bit quieter, comfier, and you get a drink and snack along with early boarding and no line. This trip is a little over an hour, so it may not be worth the upgrade to everyone. A drink and snack are probably $10, so upgrade for options if you plan to get a drink and snack or hate standing in lines. It was nice on the way home to relax a little in the lounge. My husband and teenage son loved the upgrade, but I loved it both ways!

The ride was fine, the food and beverage service was good and the boats were fine. Just very crowded and the boarding and disembarkation were tedious and lengthy.

We had a great one hour ride on the Catalina express from Long Beach to Avalon. We went for the day trip and did the Commodore lounge for each ride. It is so worth it because it comes with an alcoholic drink and snacks! And the seating is very comfortable and you get to board first. Highly recommend

The boats are in top condition--clean and comfortable. The catamaran style boat makes for the smoothest and most comfortable ride to the island. Food service is fast and simple. We had seats outside in the back and we were able to enjoy watching dolphins jump in the boat's wake for several minutes of the ride!

My husband and I took the boat over to Catalina Island for the first time. The ship was nice and had drinks and food. We didn’t purchase anything but it was nice knowing it was available if needed. We saw dolphins and had a nice ride over to the island.

Now going on the ferry was a excellent idea! Well that is really only way to get the Island except with a helicopter.

The staff was so friendly !
We did the VIP on the way back and it’s worth the extra $15 dollars

We were making an overnight trip to Catalina, and wanted the most comfortable way to travel. This is it - spend the extra few dollars for the Commodore Lounge. There you can choose either airliner style seats or the lounge tables aft.Enjoy free beverages and a smooth and comfortable ride. Even if there is an ocean swell, the ride is still pretty smooth.

My wife and I took the 9:50AM ferry to Avalon, Catalina Island on a Friday, returning on the 15:50PM ferry to Long Beach, paying $167 RT for 2 seniors in standard class. The entire process of lining up to board, presenting your QR code (Comodore class first) comfortable seating, clean vessel, punctuality, announcements, restrooms and snacks were all 1st class. The weather was perfect and the fellow passengers were all well mannered.
Everything was nice until arriving at Avalon and discovering it was inundated with ~4,000 passengers from the Carnival Frienze, causing our short visit to be a bit chaotic with noisy gasoline engine rental carts dominating the roadways and the beautiful small port town of 3,000 people far from quaint. Try to chose a day when this island is free from such a large invasion.

The Catalina Express offers a great way to take the crossing from Long Beach to Catalina Island. It is a fun trip and you will often see dolphins on the way.

Avalon is a fantastic place to walk around. The express was an easy trip. No issues for me, a person that absolutely hates being in a ocean swell.

We bought the discount card at Costco, which saved us $20. The boat was clean, comfortable, and the ride was smooth. All staff were courteous and friendly. This was a great way to begin and end a magical trip to Catalina Island.

Make sure you are there ahead of time and your bags are under 50 pounds. They wait for no man. The cafe has a really good breakfast sandwich.

Make sure that you book your trip in advance. I tried to book trip from Dana Point in 10 days advance and evening trip was 100% booked. I had to book trip from San Pedro, it was extra 1 hour drive for me. If you prefer upper deck sitting then come in advance - it is big line for boarding, first in line select the best sitting. It is just one hour trip , so don't worry about their bar. It is not great in any case.

I was suprised how nice the checkin location was, and the ferry itself is really pleasant. The seats are comfortable and its really the only option to get to Catalina. Please note that if you want to leave early, I didnt know you can try for Stand By for an earlier ferry at no cost! Signup at the earlier time for standby and wait. Most folks I saw were able to get on standby.

I'm pretty certain the staff takes a particular, almost sadistic pleasure in inconveniencing patrons. While the examples are many, first was the "line up" to board. On what had to be close to record heat in October we were all called to line up for boarding 30 minutes before departure, in the direct sun. We stood around and baked for 25 minutes before boarding actually began. We easily could have remained inside until the actual boarding. While on the ferry a crew member makes a half-hearted attempt at explaining the safety procedure including the use of life vests. Unless you're in the first two rows nothing can be heard. A real problem onboard would be catastrophic. The boarding fiasco was repeated upon our return, where again everyone was told to line up in the scorching sun, only to begin actual boarding 10 minutes AFTER our scheduled departure. The final insult was when, upon departure and non-existent directions on the procedure, I got my bag but wasn't allowed to go back on the board to collect my other belongings. I had to re-board at ferry and wait 20 minutes - again - to finally get off the boat. Weak.

The commodore club is $15 extra, but you get to board before everyone else (less time in the sun) and it includes a drink and a snack. It is definitely the way to go, especially on a crowded day.

Check to see what time you want to take Catalina Express to the island. The ship is clean, the employees friendly both inside the ticket counters and folks helping you get on the ship. Take a book or something to entertain yourself trip take s an hour. They have a snack bar with coffee, drinks, etc.

Everything about the service is very good but make sure to make a reservation. We were first and second on the waiting list so got on. Seats are comfortable and it takes about 1.5 hours. The day we went the water was not all that calm but I didn’t notice any seasick people. They offer cocktails for purchase on board..FYI.

Decided to go to Catalina and my husband spoke to a real person for reservations. She was very helpful and got us into the Commadore Club for the next day. Beautiful ferry ride. Comfortable trip. Catalina Island was outstanding! We took a bus tour, ate lunch out, and just walked around. We would consider flying to the West Coast just to stay on Catalina for a week!

My family, which includes 4 teenagers, found the ferry to be accommodating. We took general boarding over and private area on the way home. There were benefits to private area, however if you are on a budget, regular seating is just fine for this hour long ride. Plenty of parking at launch site and easy to find.

Clean, plenty of space, comfortable seats, bar, whats not to like. Catalina is a great place to visit. If you can afford a nicer hotel, do it. We split the stay between cheaper place and a more expensive place. 149 vs 299. The cheaper place was just not worth the savings.

Great ship with sufficient amenities for the hour-long trip. Clean, spacious and safe. Easy parking. Most of the crew was very friendly and helpful. Perfect way to travel to and from the island.

We paid for the lounge seats. It was worth it. Easy ride, great service and Catalina Island is beautiful!

Very clean and organized! We were catching the earliest ride in the morning. So really enjoyed watching the beautiful sunrise on the boat. The ride was pretty calm and quiet, ended up taking a peaceful nap on the way.

I definitely recommend going to Catalina Island! It is so beautiful there!! Lots of fun stuff to do. The food was great and the view is indescribable. The boat ride is relaxing but a little cool later in the day. Definitely being something to stay warm on the way back. I also suggest getting in line a little earlier to get a good seat

Enjoyed the Catalina express. They enforce masks which is good. Boat is clean. Takes about 1 hr to reach. $5 if u want to change your original time slot after booking ( that’s reasonable I suppose) . It’s get really really cold. So dress appropriately or u’ll freeze. On our return we sat up near the glass on the top deck so we’re shielded from the cold freezing wind. A couple of folks had motion sickness but most were ok.

A morning trip out to Catalina Island with a group of friends. We sat in the lounge and had a Bloody Mary and some snack food. The ride was smooth and fast.

The ride to Catalina was very relaxing and enjoyable. The crew on the boat was awesome. My ONLY complaint was the parking. All of the signs tell you that parking for the cruise is in the parking garage. What they don’t tell you ahead of time is that parking for a day trip cost $17 dollars. They don’t validate!!! My suggestion is that you don’t park in the designated garage but look for cheaper or free parking. With the cost of the cruise, I believe that parking should be included!!

It was a comfortable, safe ride to Catalina. It was kind of a bummer to have to arrive one hour in advance. Also, on board it seems there must be a better way to deal with getting luggage off of the ferry. It was quite chaotic. Otherwise, an enjoyable quick ride.

We were lucky enough to catch the ferry on a morning where we saw several orca whales, many dolphins, sea lions, and a ton of interesting seabirds! Everyone appreciated the captain slowing us down a bit to allow us to step outside, take photos, and marvel at the magic around us. My only “complaint” is that the seats could be comfier.

the whole trip was good , but Catalina is way over priced . and we got there at 2:30 pm and most of the stuff to do was closing down . very early , wanted go on the glass bottom boat and it was too late. But, I will say all the people were very pleasant

After initial poor communication from then regarding booking from Australia, they redeemed themselves with a fantastic service
Food and drinks available on the ride across to Catalina Island

Not a party boat, however. The crew was courteous and informative. The seating was comfortable. Got us to Catalina Island safely. Definitely served the purpose.

Having never visited this part of the world before, we were very excited to take the Catalina Express over to Avalon - a hugely enjoyable experience, especially for my husband who is no good on boats! Why? Because she goes nice and fast once she leaves Long Beach harbour. Beautiful views of the Queen Mary and Long Beach itself, then another beautiful view of Catalina Island which is just a dream of a place to visit.
Loved it!

Reliable and efficient travel to a beautiful and unique island. Nice upper deck for warm weather and comfortable inside seating for cooler days

Out of all the methods of transport Catalina Express definitely holds it down when you're trying to make it to Catalina and enjoy your summer days go ahead and check-out Catalina Express have great prices and their employees are very friendly

Meets the expectations- fast and comfortable ride out to the island. Runs on time. We paid extra for the premium package, which wasn’t worth it. Maybe because we didn’t take an alcoholic drink. Snack was a one ounce package of cookies or snack mix.

Great views. When you go out of Long Beach sit on the port side to get the best view of LB. If you had rather have a view of Avalon when coming into port sit on the Starboard side.

We took a quick shuttle from Long Beach to Catalina Island early in the morning. The staff was friendly and attentive even that early. The ride was relaxing and they left on time. It was definitely something we would do again. We purchased the commodore deck of the boat. It was nice, they had a tv on, snacks and gave you a drink coupon that could be used for anything from water to an alcoholic beverage.

I found this while in Long Beach and I would have paid double
to have this experience (ok, not double, but I liked it:). I did the Commodore Lounge option with a free snack and drink. I'm not sure if it was worth it, but I have no regrets. It was a quick and comfortable ride to Catalina. Catalina Island is a must see and this was an ideal way to get there. FYI - get yo'self to Catalina ;)

Easy comfortable ride to get to and from Catalina. Get there early to get good seats on the boat if you want a window view or outdoor seat. All the seats are comfortable and snacks are available on board.

I precooked the ferry and arrived earlier than expected so they helped me change my trip to earlier. Good staff, clean modern ferry.

First things fist - I love being on the water. If nothing else happened, the trip out to the Pacific was beautiful and I got to see a lot of the Long Beach Coast. We did see some common dolphins and some bottle nosed dolphins. That was exciting. I always love to see dolphins. We also saw a Mola Mola and the crew was very excited about that. The one thing I wanted to see was a whale. That did not happen. I know that it is random and they can’t guarantee a whale will be there when they are. Still...it was a disappointment. That said, the folks on the boat were friendly and helpful. I would go again.

Took the Catalina Express over and back the same day. Very efficient loading and unloading all of the passengers. Very smooth ride going over, just a little rough due to windy conditions on the way back. Saw whales and dolphins on the way over - an added bonus.
Discounted fares if you are over 55.

Had never been to Catalina Island, so we decided to take a trip out there. I'm SO GLAD that we did! Take the opportunity and get the upgrade. It's so worth it - great snack to watch as you sail. Be advised, parking isn't included in your ticket cost. Bring a jacket, as it can be chilly. Still, great time to be had by all!

Catalina Island is a quick Catalina Ferry hop , skip and a jump from Long Beach, CA..Catalina is a great place for Locals and Tourists to Take Island Tours and enjoy the Beautiful Beaches and Restaurants..a Relaxing Occasion and Family Friendly !

Trip to visit Catalina - ride ok, just a little expensive for a family. No other options , so you have limited choices.

Our boat was pretty crowded on the weekend from Long Beach to Avalon and not as crowded coming back during the week. We opted for the Commodore Lounge both ways and I highly suggest it.
Trip was clean, friendly and fast.

We enjoyed the ride to the island and back for our day trip.

Tried booking online in the morning and it would not allow me to book for the same morning. I called and was able to reserve over the phone.

Onboard staff was friendly for the most part. There were a couple younger employees that did a great job of looking like they would rather be anywhere but on the boat.

The ride was fast and smooth.

The Commodore pass is kind of a waste in my opinion (we booked that coming back). You can buy drinks on the boat which was nice.

Would definitely ride again.

I love Catalina Express! Great customer service. Easy to make reservations. Fun experience. Cant wait to go back.

Catalina Island is beautiful! I traveled round trip aboard the Catalina Express from and to Long Beach on 15 April 2019. The boat ride was very comfortable. Someone onboard, who represented a tour company, sold me a two tours: one for the Casino and one for the Skyline Bus Tour. Both were excellent! Catalina Island is a treasure, right here in the USA.

I use the express for occasional work appointments. The boat is expensive compared with ferries in other states. I suggest you purchase your tickets online, to make sure there are seats available. Parking is adjacent to the building. It is the only option unless you ride share to the location. I typically drive to the top level rather than looking for a random spot. Parking is expensive.

It is suggested you arrive an hour before the boat departs, but if you already have tickets 30-45 minutes in advance is sufficient.

There is a small cafe inside the building, and there is food on the boat.

The ride is fairly smooth, but it can get choppy in the early morning and late afternoon hours. If you get seasick I suggest you sit outside, though it can get chilly. You can take some dried ginger to help with the seasickness.

The ride is just over an hour. Bring along a magazine or a book and the time will zip by.

Once on Catalina it is easy to find things to do, within walking distance. On your return to Long Beach, you only need to line up 30 minutes in advance.

Fast and efficient service both ways. Good facilities at Long Beach, but less on Catalina. Maps of the island are available before boarding. Lots of parking right by the office in Long Beach too.

All very easy.

Best way to travel to Catalina is in the upper comador level and order a bloody Mary.
Great view and fast smooth ride. If your lucky you will bet to see Dolphins and flying fish.

We went to Catalina island and took a boat to get there it was an amazing experience we enjoyed the view and the sea experience was awesome...very friendly staff aboard and you can enjoy a glass of wine on your way

The best kept secret! Priority boarding and drink service. Such an easy boat ride over to Catalina. Took an uber right to the steps of the Catalina terminal for easy access to the terminal in Long Beach. Reserved tickets ahead of time for faster service. Also used the Birthday pass. Such a great deal!

We won a two night stay in Catalina & this was the closest ferry to take to get to Catalina. After reading reviews we opted for the Commodore Lounge which is $15 extra per person per way but is worth it. You get a snack, cookies, chips, etc + one cocktail. The best part is the preboarding & being able to choose a comfy seat in the lounge. The crew is on point, loading & unloading people with luggage on & off efficiently. The ride was smooth & the cocktail waitress was extremely personable & pleasant. I highly recommend the Catalina Express.
BTW, the parking is located in covered & uncovered parking in the building across from the Catalina Express departure. There's a $17.00 charge for parking per day. There are two places to eat, one is a sit down with a bar & the other is a take away casual snack kitchen. There is one kitchen that serves both, but the sit down has better menu choices. Allow some time for that if you are hungry. Great wedge salad.

The boat was there at 6:15pm and we were suppose to board at 6:30pm, but they would not let us board until 6:50pm and we were out in the hot sun getting burnt. We saw the crew just sitting around drinking something. We talked to the captain and he was really rude and said we couldn't see what they were doing. We were on the top level and my older Mom was there. We went to get a crew member to help my husband get my Mom downstairs and the guy just stood there and did nothing. A very kind customer helped my husband help my Mom down the stairs. The sad thing is these people have a Monopoly over this trip. Catalina island is very nice, but a better crew would be nice. The crew to Catalina Island was very nice, but the crew on the way back just didn't care.

Got the Commodore lounge. Comfortable seating and efficient service. It is very cold inside the boat so dress accordingly. The atm didn’t work. We boarded anyway and got cash from the atm on the island. A day trip was more than sufficient.

Took the ferry in peak season in August but had no issues getting a ticket when I wanted to ride. The trip is about an hour and was nice and smooth. You can sit inside or out and the staff will help you with your luggage. Everything seemed well organized and the trip each way was very pleasant. Changing a ticket is allowed with a small fee. The boats dock near the center of town and the shuttles stop here regularly.

Catalina Express is a convenient way to travel to and from Catalina Island. We took Catalina Express from Long Beach. They have different ports to go to Catalina Island. Its so convenient drive your car to the port park it just infrobt kf where they are docked. And just wait for your boat that will bring you to Catalina Island.

Took the family to Catalina Island. The trip was smooth with plenty of bath rooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and refreshments available.

Everything is done by paper in 20th century style. Don't be a fool like me and assume you can show your electronic receipt and waltz aboard. The receipts and online checkout do not clearly encourage you to arrive 45 minutes early. This early arrival is necessary so you can get your paper ticket in the main ticketing hall. With dozens or a hundred other passengers, you can be sure there will be a line so arrive early. Staff on the ground are competent. My ticket was rebooked (I missed the boat due to the paper ticket issue) without comment or charge. The mainland terminal at San Pedro was very well organized. The parking is both good and easy and reasonably priced at 20/day (given there are no alternatives!).

Downsides: The boats are getting on in years. The staff on the Catalina side had a chaotic way of boarding two different boats with different staff members giving conflicting instructions, leading to stress on the part of passengers in the line. They need large, clear signage to assist with these busy evening return sailings.

The biggest downside, however, is safety. The safety announcement was cursory. It was hard to hear due to other noise. Most passengers were not paying attention and on the return trip there was no microphone or amplifier, making it very difficult to hear. The passengers did not seem to care about safety and did not pay attention to the very minimal, rapidly-spoken safety instructions which I felt were lacking. I still could not tell you where the life raft is. I am quite sure if there were an emergency there would have been a stampede for the life vests which is scary. These vests should be distributed in various different areas to minimize queuing in a crisis. Given the tragedy off the coast of Santa Barbara in 2019 in which dozens of passengers died in a vessel of similar size, it is very hard to fathom how security is not better handled. These ships are not large and are decades old. The younger crew, while friendly and cheerful, did not seem very safety-conscious in the way an airline stewardess is.

Be alert, pay close attention to the safety instructions and don't be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS afterwards so you can be sure of where to go to the life raft. Your life could depend on it.

Loved the whole lil town with go karts & mini jeeps really has you feeling in an island away from big cities . I would love to go back just on a warmer month , November was very chilly

The trip was good. Everything is good and on time.
Unfortunately, the windows are dirty, so it is impossible to get good photos with views.

It was written on the network that there is a discount for tickets on the birthday, but in fact - no. Therefore, if someone expects a discount, he will be disappointed.

Second time using the Catalina express on our second visit from the UK ,
We booked the commodore seating again as it was worth it last time , didn't disappoint this time again , it's worth the little extra and you get a free drink thrown in also ,
Really pleasant assistant / drinks lady called Mary on both the outbound and inbound journey who made everyone feel relaxed and welcome ,

Overall it's a nice boat ride out to one of the nicest islands we have ever been to , good quality and will use again if we are over that way again

I always try to leave only positive reviews, but wish I would have read other comments here before booking the Catalina Express from Long Beach on August 8th at 6 am (returned 8:30 pm on August 9th). We had heard that Catalina Island had once again opened to tourists, with many safety protocols in place, and less crowds. With that being said decided to look into a quick weekend getaway for our family. When I called to book the Express, I was told that they were using larger boats, and only booking at 50% capacity to allow for social distancing. Masks or face coverings were also required for the duration of the trip. Our trip over was in the Commodore Lounge. We saw no social distancing. In addition, once the boat sailed, drinks were served and masks came off, many stayed off. We went outside on the deck and luckily found a corner which was not too crowded to hover in. Once we got to the island, there were signs posted everywhere regarding Covid-19 precautions. However, saw many totally disregarding and very little (if any) enforcement. Avalon was extremely crowded, and became more so as the day went on. Our boat ride home the following evening was packed, There was no social distancing in the crowds waiting to get on the boat. We had been unable to get Commodore Lounge on the return, but did find a spot outside on the deck. There were no empty seats that I saw! The crew tried their best to enforce the mask rule, but many would just remove as soon as crew left the area. We actually witnessed a young woman screaming at one of the crew members about being asked to put on her mask. She totally refused. Very uncomfortable situation. I would not recommend venturing to Catalina at this time by anyone who is is at any risk for the Coronavirus. If you do go, be safe! I would be more likely to return to the island after the pandemic if the information given by the Catalina Express customer service personnel had been more upfront and honest when I called. .I am giving this an average rating since I know that times are difficult right now, and businesses are doing what they can to survive. I have gone to Catalina many times, but never experienced anything like this. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon enough.

I love catalina and the catalina express service to the island is very helpful.
They were able to change my trips going to and coming from the island. No hassle...

I thought the boat could go allot faster. Seating was comfortable, both inside and up on deck. Bar/food service was good. I would allow 8 hours on the island. Reserve a golf cart before you leave for the island, because cab service is almost none existent..

We wanted to do something laid back before our cruise to the Mexican Riveria. We took Catalina Express from San Pedro to Avalon and from Avalon back to Long Beach. It was a quick uber rider from the hotel over to the terminal, check in quick and easy, and the ride over to Catalina was just over an hour. Nice and smooth. Spent a good 5 hours over before it was time to make the crossing back. Book early to make sure you get the times you want. That is why we left from one terminal and arrived back to another.

Smooth ride both ways in those triple deckers boats. Always on time and with a friendly staff. Good choice of drinks on board but could do better in terms of food.

We took the ferry to Catalina Island. Great ride quick trip. Comfortable ferry with a snack bar and drinks. I found out after the trip if you travel on your birthday it’s free. Just have to make reservations in advance

As an OC local I understand there are basically two ways to get to Catalina Island. One of the boats (Newport, Long Beach, LA), or helicopter.
I have been riding the Flyer/Express since I was a kid. Recently I attended an event on the Long Beach Express and was not impressed with it’s upkeep. The Boat was messy, the carpet was trashed, the edges of the carpet were dirty, food, crumbs, super nasty. Some of the seats were falling into the storage boxes under them which were full of old dirty debris. Sadly the boats are the only way to really get to Catalina for people, understandably they get used a lot... but the bot was not up kept.

We traveled from Long Beach to Avalon during the Labor Day weekend. The ~1 hour trip was very comfortable, lots of seating options on the ferry - upstairs or downstairs, and also outside on the upper deck. The entire experience - from online reservations to check-in at the terminal, boarding and unboarding - was extremely efficient and well organized. Highly recommended. Parking in the garage was simple and actually quite reasonable ($17 per day).

Lovely trip out to Catalina. Can sleep or stay awake. Left nearly on time, waiting area clean. Easy to make reservations

The ride was fine, but we paid extra for the Commodore Lounge on a morning ride and the service people there were terrible.

From the beginning, the person acted like she was annoyed to be serving people, and didn’t have time to answer basic questions like “what do you have?”.

Ultimately, we asked if we could have two unopened cans of Modelo beer (because we don’t drink at 9:00am). She told us, and I quote, “You’re not supposed to take them off the boat, but I will not open them.”

Then, she returns with two opened cans with cups on top, leaves them on the counter, and walks away. When we realize they’re open, and said something, she proceeded to raise her voice and loudly accuse us of trying to break the rules.

It was crazy.

Free birthday rides are so fun. Don’t take it away from us! They give you a button to wear so everyone all over the island knows it’s your birthday.

I took my friends to my hometown in Riverside CA. I knew the Catalina Express was perfect for a day trip. We planned the boat trip and landed on Catalina Island where we had a few drinks and rented a cart to see the island! Great time!

Trip to Catalina began with a ferry ride! The rough ride, no fault of the ferry, was eased by the accommodating staff who were certainly polite & eased us efficiently into port. The return was less bumpy & pleasant. Help with baggage & smiles helped!!!!

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.

Best way to get to Catalina
Short ride and very good ride
It gives lots of time on the island if you are just going for the day

We sat in the Commodores section upstairs which is completely covered. Seats were fairly comfortable the area was fairly clean. Not much in the way of snacks - either chocolate chip cookies or spicy pretzel mix. They run on time and it takes an hour to get from one point to the other. It’s slow-moving and smooth. it was hot on the way back with the sun shining full strength through the windows. We should have sat on the other side but there weren’t any seats left. There is nothing to see and it is boring.

It’s been a few years since using Catalina Express and the first noticeable was the different location from which they operate.

Last time, I used an outside parking facility which was reasonably priced, however, the parking they now use is a multi-story structure opposite the booking facility.

On the day I visited, I checked the rate online and it stated the first hour was free and $2 per hour thereafter with a maximum of $20 per 24 hours.

My stay was just under 8 hours and expected a charge of $16, however I was charged $22.

After questioning the lady on the machine, she said many people had questioned their parking charge on departing which clearly indicates a lack of transparency or a deliberate ploy to extract more cash from CE customers. The Catalina Express certainly isn’t cheap and I appreciate the overheads to operate, but just be aware of parking charges that can potentially add a chunk to the trip.

The trip itself was excellent, however I removed a point from the rating due to the excessive and misleading (in my opinion) parking charges.

This wasn’t a total disaster as the trip itself was v

We took the ferry from Long Beach to Catalina Island in September 2019 (pre-COVID times), and had a great experience. It's about a 65-minute crossing. We sat up top in the open air deck. As we left Long Island, we saw the Queen Mary and the dome where the Howard Hughes Spruce Goose is, and there was a cruise ship in the harbour when we arrived at Catalina Island. Our crossing both ways was good, although it was a bit rougher on our way back and a few in our group were feeling slightly queasy for the return trip.

We honeymooned on Catalina 30 years ago and came back in 2009 with our kids. At that time. You went to the terminal and purchased tickets. I didn’t realize it would b so hard to get tickets. There is a third party site which is foreign operated. There were no tickets available thru Catalina express. I tried to book there but they couldn’t accommodate our time so thankfully they refunded our money. Next Wednesday called Catalina express directly and spoke to a wonderful woman who was able to help us out with a reservation. We had to sit in the commodore lounge on the way out which gets u a drink and snack and comfy seats. It wasn’t necessary for us but it was nice.

A friend and I drove down to Long Beach from Los Angeles and caught the Catalina Express to Avalon. We elected to pay the extra and experience the Commodore Lounge instead of going with general admission. The lounge is comfortable and provides all with a scenic view as the ferry makes it way to and from Avalon. A free drink and snack is also available to all passengers in the lounge. The staff is very friendly and helpful throughout the excursion. Parking is conveniently located across the street from the pier, and the daily rate was $17. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience!

Staff is very friendly and helpful. Spend the $15.00 for the Commodore Lounge, Very comfortable seats, a free dring and shorter lines to board.

What negative can ever be said about an on-line checkin, an efficient check-in process, constant status reports and confirmations on your reservations, a safety conscious crew and a fun boatride?

Took some out of town guests to Catalina for the day. The Commodore lounge is the way to go. Great view from higher up, and you get a free beverage and small snack. Service in the Lounge was friendly and prompt. Only negative comment was that the windows were not clear. It was not that they looked dirty, they looked old and in need of replacement. This made for some difficult viewing, especially when the sun was shining directly in the window.

Good time.. Left on time, great ride to the Island. No problems with the crew. Got there on time, left on time. NO PROBLEM with the crew. IF YOU ARE WORIED BOUT THE COVID , STAY THE HE!! HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quit your whining..............

We had a great travel on the way to the island via Catalina Express. The price you pay for the Commodore Seating is worth it. It’s comfortable, wonderful view from the top of the ferry and it was great to view island and ocean with a glass of champagne.

Smooth process, quick ride. I highly recommend upgrading to the Commodore Lounge. You get to board before the standard ticket holders and you are located on the upper-indoor deck. The chairs are plus, and you get a free drink and snack.
Arrive 1-hour prior to departure and get in line (round trip)... whether you are in the Commodore or standard seating.
Parking at Long Beach is close to the boat terminal. About $20 a day to park.
The ride one-way is about 70 minutes. In April we saw a pod of about 100 dolphins, and it was magical!

A nice ride to Catalina on a Saturday morning. Enjoyed a beverage and a great view of the dolphins that surrounded the boat.

I will start with I’m not good on boats per say, and I thought I was not going to do good on Catalina Express ride , but I have to say after the ride there and back it was so smooth and so relaxing to sit back and enjoy the ride that I see many more trips very soon, the staff is awesome they handle business as one would imagine. Thank you for existing provide this service. Also they provide drinks and snacks and we did need to change our time to come back and they accommodate with standby number and we were able to get home two hours earlier. Thank you Catalina Express Staff.

A group of friends took Catalina Express for a camping weekend. We enjoyed the boat and the views. The only drawback is the smell of the exhaust but not sure what they can do about that.

The journey was quick and easy. The ship was clean and comfortable. There is a snack bar. Regular fare was about $70 each way.

You start walking around this quaint little town on Avalon but feel like you are on a far away island. Stunning location with friendly people. Rent a Golf Cart and explore.

We have been using Catalina Express ever since I remember.
It's a no-brainer to use them to head to Catalina Island.

Had booked the 11am ferry but was able to get on stand-by for the 9:50am ferry thanks to the amazing customer service at the ticket counter. On way back from Catalina we upgraded to the Commodore Lounge and it was amazing! Priority boarding, free drink and plenty of space to stretch out. I would highly recommend!

I occasionally get motion sickness. I had none of that on the Catalina Express. Pro tip: Book directly through Catalina Express!

If you don't drink, go to the beach or play golf you may get bored after a few hours. We found out that most of Catalina to see by walking around is pretty much restricted to the beachfront area and 1 block in. After shopping a bit walking around the streets there was not much else to do. We killed an hour by doing the cart tour (separate review). Restaurants seem a bit pricey but that is expected in a tourist spot. The Catalina express was a nice ride. Very comfortable. We managed to get earlier tickets when they added a boat and they didn't charge for the change. The return ride was on the catamaran boat which is much larger and more comfortable. A bit confusing where to line up for the return so don't be shy and ASK.

This is a nice 70 minute ride from Long Beach to Avalon (Catalina). Very nice and comfortable ferry. It thinks it's worth buying the seats for the Commodore Lounge for a little bit more than the regular seating.
What you get for this: Priority boarding, upper deck indoor seating, a free drink.

We had an awesome time on the ferry! It was an hour ride from the port of Long Beach to Catalina Island (Avalon). We didn’t know what to expect since it was our first time on this ferry but we were pleased how everything went. We boarded the Catalina Express Jet and it was a smooth ride all the way; no one got sick. Staff were helpful and the ferry was right on scheduled. Thank you for a wonderful experience Catalina Express!

We rode the Catalina Express for a school field trip. It was a fun experience and my students loved it. The staff was friendly and accommodating.

My husband and I took the Catalina Express yesterday to Catalina round trip. We went regular faire and sat downstairs and paid for Commodare faire and sat upstairs on the return trip. Both trips were nice and fairly smooth. Upstairs each seat has a leather seat. Upstairs the seats offer more leg room are a little more comfortable and you get a free drink and Famous Amos cookies for the $15 additional fee.

Each time I have gone to Catalina, we have had a wonderful time. Soaking in the sun, the views, ice cream on the boardwalk…Taking Catalina Express has never been a problem, and kind of novel for the kiddos to be on a boat. This time I sadly have to say we had a horrible experience having bought Commodore Lounge tickets thinking it would be an ‘upgrade’, when in reality it was a huge disappointment when there were no seats for our party with little kids/ we got separated. The staff, including the manager, just recited the standard spiel of - ‘ no, your tickets mean you have to stay in Commodore even though there are seats downstairs where you can sit together due to policy’ - and ‘well it says first come first serve on your ticket’. It seems because they know they basically have a monopoly on travel to Catalina, they don’t have to have good customer service . Posting this with the hope someone at the company will read this and at least warn people on the website or emails that families may get separated and an upgraded ticket doesnt mean you can sit together elsewhere, even when you have priority boarding. Catalina express just lost a customer / gift card buyer.

We visited Catalina Island for the 4th time on July 26, using Catalina Express for all four visits. The trip out was awesome -- comfortable, smooth and the scenery beautiful! The trip back that evening must have been overbooked -- though it was a smoothride and the view was beautiful, there were more people than seats! Two of my family members had to stand or sit on the floor of the boat. This is unacceptable given the cost of the trip. This is the only issue we have ever had.

The only negative (minor) is the location of the Long Beach dock. Not easily accessible by foot from aquarium/shoreline attractions. However the Catalina dock location is great.

Service is great from ticket purchase to embarkation to onboard care to exit. The boat moves along at a high speed and the trip can be windy if you have an outside seat. Seat selection is on first-come basis so I suggest staying alert regarding boarding announcements.

We opted to pay a little extra for Commodore seating on the return. You get a drink, treats and seating that is marginally more comfortable for a few extra bucks.

Overall a nice ride and Catalina is a fantastic break from the mainland!

Nice clean boat, smooth ride, certainly not the rough ride that used to be the norm in the 1970's to get to Catalina.

This is the fastest, most comfortable, and least expensive way to get to Catalina. Easy to load, seats are comfortable, and the ride is almost always smooth.

This was our first time visiting Catalina and I had no idea that you had to have a reservation to get on the ferry. I am so happy that my daughter bugged me to call a day before only to be told that the earliest departure was for 2PM (we were trying to catch the 10AM). So no choice we took the 2PM departure and I was told that we had to be there an hour before and that you are able to check in 2 pieces of luggage at 50 pounds each. Just like flying.

Parking was easy but was expensive - $19 all day. It was a very big ferry. We took coach going to the island and upgraded to the Commodore Lounge on the way back for $15. Regular fair for coach is $73.50RT.

Just like a plane, they demonstrated where the find the life jackets (under your seat) and how to put them on. They had a bar on each floor and sold different types of snacks. $2.25 for a bag of chips and $1 for a chocolate bar. At the Commodore Lounge you get a drink an a cookie.

The trip was comfy but you do still feel the rocking of the ferry - made me a bit queasy but being on the Commodore Lounge was more comfy as you did not feel it as much.

After meetings throughout the morning and early afternoon, we had several hours. It was decided that our group would take the Catalina Express to the island and back. It was a great experience. The crew was superior, offering us Nemo's cookies and a spicy Asian mix along with a drink.

The water only had one to three foot swells, so none of us had any problems with seasickness. It was great. The trip to beautiful Catalina is well with it. I'd go back again in a heartbeat!

The process to purchase tickets online was easy & convenient. Upon arrival to the terminal, my husband & I found the terminal very clean with tables to enjoy the lunch we brought along while we waited for departure. The restrooms were also very clean. Passengers queued up for boarding. The staff assisted with luggage and we enjoyed sitting back and relaxing for the 70 minute trip. The ship was very clean and the seats comfortable...even took a short nap. The dock at Avalon was within walking distance to our hotel and the walk was very pretty.

Going over at 8:50 am on a Friday was not bad so finding seat was easy. Return trip st 6:15 pm was a bit more crowded but did get a seat inside. Bring a jacket if you come back in evening as can get cold if outside.
Water a little rough but overall the ride was good and the boat left and arrived as scheduled.

The ride was beautiful. Cool breeze with a light mist of the sea air blowing across our faces. Enjoyed meeting some new people visiting from out of state and out of the country. Return back just as delightful.

The catamaran boat is fast. Certainly much faster than those old boats. The boat is fairly clean. I prefer the Commodore Lounge: it's enclosed, air-conditioned and a lot quieter (like an airplane in seating). They, I don't know if it's completely worth the price, just for a "free drink and a small bag of Chex mix." Summer months it's crowded. The crew is nice. I wish the passengers were nicer. Some noisy, drunken frat boys coming back to port sort of ruined the trip.

My husband and I decided to do a day trip to Catalina. We have only been on the Catalina Express one time before. That time are tickets were for general seats. This time we upgraded for (I forgot the official name of those seats) the special seating. We liked the fact we received a complimentary beverage ( it was an alcohol one) , choice of snacks and separate boarding line. The ride was more enjoyable and relaxing than the general boarding. The staff was great too. I think it's worth the extra $ spent. On my next visit to Catalina, will be upgrading my ticket.

We booked the the night before, which was advisable with a number of return journeys fully booked.

It’s not a cheap fare, but good service, comfortable,well maintained and well managed.

Definitely worth a trip to the island especially good you want to get out and about and walk/hike.

Making reservations were simple, prices affordable and boarding quick and easy. The staff was friendly. We enjoyed the trip across the water. But get there early to get a good seat (really there are no bad seats). Inside seats fill up quickly. Dress warm if sitting outside.

Catalina is 30 miles and a world away from southern California, getting there can be a challenge. Catalina Express isn't the cheapest but is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get to your island adventure. Be sure to book in advance.

It was a great, and reasonably priced way to get to Catalina from Long Beach. We stayed the first night at an airport near LAX, and then took an Uber to the port. It was about 45 mins across the water to Avalon, and it was a comfortable. We didn't get a snack or drink aboard, but I noticed the refreshments were way overpriced. Bring your own aboard if you can't make it 45 mins without something. At the time, the port restaurants were still closed due to COVID, and we had to wear the annoying masks aboard, but hopefully all that will end soon.

The upper deck filled up pretty quickly, but it wasn't a problem to walk up and take pictures or enjoy the view. It would have been a little hot if I had rode up there anyway, and much sunscreen would have been needed. Easy, comfortable trip with great views. Well worth the price for our party of 3.

The trip from Long Beach to Catalina Island on the Catalina Express was very fun and the crew were very professional. We bought tickets for the Commodore Lounge. The extra cost was worth the price; private entrance, snacks, very comfortable seats, staff very friendly.
If you are going to Catalina Island I would recommend the Express highly.

Catalina Express does one thing and they do it well! I use this service every time I go back and forth to Catalina and I wouldn't use any other company. The boats are well-kept and have so many seat options (inside, outside, front-facing, rear-facing). They also have bars on each of the boats where you can buy snacks and drinks, including alcohol. Although the ride is just over one hour, it is nice to know you can grab a bite or s drink on the way. The boats can get pretty full so if you're worried about where you might find a seat then I'd suggest getting to the port early so you can stand in the front of the line. Otherwise, it's pretty simple and the staff makes sure you are taken care of and safe.

I loved taking this trip to Catalina. They try to sell you a vip ticket but we didn't get it and I'm so glad. Why would you want to sit inside when you can be in the open air with the sea and the sun and the feeling of being alive. The people who did buy the upgrade ended up coming out side after all and we just laughed. I would go again in a minute.

Love this ride! We saw dolphins, enjoyed wine and snacks! Great for a celebration. On th Island... I love parasaoling snorkel, zipline, bikes, and boating... It was great

What a fast and fun way to visit the Catalina Island. Comfortable ride and reasonably price. Special rates for seniors.

We took this boat to Catalina Island. We decided to upgrade and what a great idea that was. We sat in a private stateroom by the captain. It was quiet and relaxing. Just what we needed after a long exhausting day. They provided complimentary drinks to us which was also very nice.

The staff on both ends, Long Beach and Avalon, as well as on the boat were very nice. They serve basics at the bar onboard. Mixed drinks and beer. If you are there first you can score a table and that is nice. If all you want to do is sleep almost any chair will do as they are like airline seats. Go outside for a few minutes to feel the wind. The ride from Long Beach isn't that long. It was a nice experience. The ramp garage is right next to the building to pick up you tickets. Drop everyone and you gear off at the ticket building and then park the car. Have fun.

It's somewhat ironic seeing a way to escape from Long Beach listed as a Long Beach attraction, but these fast ships are the best way to get to carefree Catalina Island. It's fast, affordable and fun.

Catalina Express has evolved into a well run operation and you won't regret taking the trip so now lets make it more enjoyable. If you are a senior then get your senior discount ticket, if you're not a senior then use Triple A (You must print out the coupon to take to the reservations desk to get your discount) or look online for coupons. You will save about $7.50 a ticket which is better in your pocket than theirs.

Arrive early. You can park literally across the street ($19) and then you need to check in. Miss your check in time and you will miss the boat which puts you on standby for the next boat but no guarantees. The departure lounge is clean the drinks are good and the food is not overpriced. If you've kids or first time sailors no fizzy drinks and have them eat sparingly. The boat ride itself is smooth, the journey is only an hour but the sea will do what it wants to do. If you were on time, then line up fifteen minutes earlier than they say as this will afford you a better choice of seat.

General seating on the base level, Commordore seating (You can get a $15 upgrade) on the midlevel and more general seating on the top level although on that level you it is open air. Skip the commordore level especially with first time sailors. The higher up the boat you go the more "roll" you will experience at sea. I like the top level but on the way back when it's cooler and you're tired you'll want that lower level which is enclosed.

The boats are clean the staff are ok. Some good ones and some who just haven't been trained properly. Basic lesson one. Smile and welcome people aboard. People are going to enjoy themselves on Catalina so welcome people aboard be helpful in helping people get seated and luggage stowed. Last but not least if you have any sense you will be seasick such on a real Ginger lozenge. I think you are going to be fine and Catalina is definitely worth the trip. Have fun :-)

Wanted to visit Catalina Isalnd and the Catalina Express is a great way to do it. Convienent schedules make a day trip easy to accomplish.

Traveling on Catalina Express is always a breeze, if you follow these simple tips, BOOK EARLY, in the summer, recommend a month ahead at least, show up early, recommend 1 hour, travel commodore lounge to avoid the crowds, worth the extra cost

Easy online ticket purchase, easy parking, easy trip. Booked the Commodore Lounge both ways.......enjoyable upstairs.......not crowded. Great bartenders!

If you can take advantage of the "birthday special" you should - birthday person travels free with one other on the Catalina Express and there are many discounts at stores and restaurants on the island. Our hotel even supplied us with complimentary wine. The ferry ride alone is worth it!

This is a fun trip. Very scenic. Once you arrive, then the fun begins. Make sure you bring enough spending money. Things can get pretty expensive. Oh, also, on your way there, you may want to bring some Dramamine for motion-sickness ('seasickness'). Don't forget to eat a little something because, surprisingly, having something on your stomach helps with seasickness. The island is rather small, so, while you can have fun, there's only so much you can do. If you mingle with the buffalo (bison), be sure to follow the guides directions. These animals look slow, but can easily outrun you! So, be careful. It can be a bit dangerous. (Don't be too disappointed if you find that these are not 100% buffalo as visitors had been told over the years!) If you'd like, you can even stay a few nights at one of the hotels. It's a nice honeymoon spot. Bottom line, It's well worth the trip, especially if the weather is good.

We got up early to ride the Catalina Express to go to Catalina Island. It was the most wonderful little community. They have such wonderful one of a kind shops there. Something for everyone. Parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, shopping, visiting the museum where they have an evening showing of a popular movie. There is definitely something for everyone at every age. My family about our next trip there and how we plan to stay on the island. IT WAS FANTASTIC

All in all, the Catalina Express was a pretty decent experience. First, as a small heads up, parking (while it is adjacent to the building, and super convenient) is not included in the price of the ship. Might come in handy to have $17 cash on your for that. A small price for all day parking.

We got to the terminal nice and early. There are some touristic pamphlets for you to read, and a small cafe to grab breakfast on. If you purchase a gift card from Catalina Express, you can only use it for the fare on the ship, and in the terminal. Not for food/drink purchases on the ships, just a FYI.

Once on the ship, we did just a general seating for the way there. I get sea sick, easily. Other than a little vertigo though, it's smooth sailing once you pass by the Queen Mary and you enter a vast, open ocean. Take heed, it was incredibly windy! There is seating indoors, if you want it, but I wanted to enjoy the ocean view on the ride over.

On the way back, we upgraded to the Commodore lounge, and it's highly worth it. The ocean isn't as gorgeous late at night, and it would be too cold for me to sit outside and try to wave watch anyway. You sit indoors, and an alcoholic drink plus a snack is included (Famous Amos cookies, or a 'spicy' trail mix). I know everyone raves about the Bloody Mary, but it just wasn't for me. The Mai Tai was a bit better, but definitely on the sweet side.

Indoors, you have acess to a small TV, private seating, and definitely much warmed than the cold air.

All in all, worth the price of the trip. Definitely will be back on board sometime soon.

Your only choice from Long Beach (Dana Point is cheaper), staff are friendly, the boat and bathrooms on board clean, and it was on time. The catamaran took an hour, and no one got seasick. You can bring your own food and water but there's a snack bar. Get in line early if you want window seats. Parking across the street from the terminal in the garage was easy (especially if you take an early ferry).

My wife and I opted to take the admiral's lounge, it wad pleasant however there mirrors inside are a bit distracting and disorienting. If you are prone to seasickness, I would not recommend this part of the boat, you might be better suited above. The island itself was great, very interesting and I highly recommend the zipline tour.

They treat you well and is a great mini vaca to Catalina. Everyone on board is having fun. Weather is awesome today.

I say average based on no other similar experiences, but it was one of only two services to Catalina Island, and it was where we wanted to go. We waited in line early both ways to get on board, but not really necessary, unless you really wanted a window seat. 6:00 p.m. return trip was full of tired babies who made the trip a little challenging. I'd like to spend more time exploring the island someday.

We took a day trip and had a great experience using Catalina Express. We didn't really know much about Catalina when we originally booked so we only booked tickets to be there half a day. Due to fog it took longer to get there which didn't leave much time but when we arrived we easily able to get out ticket switched to a later time for a small fee. The boats are clean, well maintained, have bathrooms on board, and I believe drinks and snacks.
We left from Long Beach and went to Avalon. The terminal at Long Beach was clean and had plenty of seating, restrooms, etc.
We enjoyed the trip so much we recommended it to some of my husband's colleagues who were also at the conference and they all went as well, and it seemed everyone really enjoyed it.

Enjoyed the comfy seats in first class plus it includes a snack and a drink. We got bottled water to take with us to Catalina. There is also a TV. Seats are first come, first served so get there early and pick carefully. We took the 11am over and returned on 6:30pm. This was exactly enough time to take the golf cart tour, walk around a bit and grab something to eat before getting back on the boat. Also, first class boards first and since it was cold and windy we def appreciated being able to board early and get out of the cold.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend taking a boat over to Catalina Island. The Catalina Express is one of a couple of commercial boat services that will take you to the island. It is fast (roughly an hour from Long Beach) and fun. You can either sit inside or outside and enjoy the view from either location. If you buy a special ticket in the “commodore lounge” for an additional cost, you get private access to the top enclosed seating area on the boat and get a snack and alcoholic beverage with this purchase. The commodore lounge is also nice because you get to board the boat (bypass lines) before every other general passenger. The trip was comfortable and felt more luxurious than a standard ferry ride, and I thought the extra price for the commodore lounge was worth it. There are multiple times throughout the day that you can depart and for a $5 fee you can change your departure time as long as there’s room on the boat. I only went for a day trip but I would love to stay over night or for a weekend.

Not that many choices, and they were running a discount, so that's good. But the seating was uncomfortable, the snack bar had only a few items, and the cabin was smelly. I prefer to be up above, but it was too crowded, so we got stick downstairs. Definitely take motion sickness pills - it is a bumpy ride, and the cabin got pretty stuffy.

Pros: clean boat, waiting lounge is large and has a restaurant and bar, the boat has a bar with snacks, friendly on board staff

Cons: if you get sea sick, don't go to Catalina island this way, use the helicopter option. We took the last boat out and it was small. It was like riding a wild roller coaster. Several people got sea sick. Its about an hour each way. The check in staff were impatient and clearly in need of a break.

Good boat, good facility and good servcie. On time performance. Not cheap, but worth the price. Recommended.

Excellent, Carnival wonderful cruise ship, so much to do and the food awesome. Swimming pools clean, rooms quaint.

I took the Catalina Express to the island from Long Beach on July 25th at 7:00 AM and returned on July 26th at 4:15 PM. I was nervous about how the boat was handling safety during this time and was assured by a ticket agent that many safety measures are in place, including boats being booked at 60% capacity to allow for social distancing and masks being required the entire time, including inside the boat terminals.

When we arrived around 6:30 AM on Saturday to the Long Beach terminal we found a long line at the ticketing booth where you have to wait to pick up your physical tickets. Whole groups of people were clumped together in a slow moving line. People were wearing masks but few groups were staying 6 feet apart. The Catalina Express should have a rule that only one person per party can stand in line to pick up tickets while all other group members can wait outside. Or better yet, they can update their technology so that people can have electronic tickets and bypass waiting in line inside all together.

My husband and I felt lucky to snag two seats outdoors on the boat. However, the outdoor seats are all jam packed into a small outdoor area. We still felt safer being outside rather than inside where perhaps we could have spread out a bit more, but ventilation isn't great. The windows don't open inside the boat and they are still providing food and drink service so while masks are required, people don't have to wear them if they are eating and drinking.

Overall, the Catalina Express staff were friendly and helpful. I did appreciate that they actively enforced people wearing masks (when not eating or drinking), but couldn't count on them to enforce social distancing. I wouldn't recommend my older parents or anyone "at risk" during this time making the crossing unless absolutely necessary. Perhaps there are fewer people traveling mid-week on the boat so that could be a safer option. Otherwise, wait to go off season.

Most people go to Avalon.Lots shops, restaurants, nice Bay & beaches. Past casino best. I like to go to West end, quieter, less touristy. Nice hikes, can walk clear across island, easily. Food, hotel (in advance), bar, store, rentals, snorkeling,Pier, relaxing!!
I don't have any pictures on this phone. It's beautiful, trust me.!!

Smooth and fast way to travel to Catalina Island. Make sure to reserve round trip in advance, they sell out. The VIP option is nice especially if you want to sit inside. We purchased the general ticket but got in line early so we could get a good seat on the outside. The views were wonderful. The ferry has snacks and beverages for purchase. On the way back we sat inside but against a wall where there was a power outlet to charge a phone. The Catalina Express is apart of the Catalina Island experience. We enjoyed the trip and the staff was friendly.

We took the 9AM ride from San Pedro to Avalon, with the return ride at 5PM. The "cruise" takes about 75 minutes, dropping you off at the dock about 2 blocks from main street Avalon. The boat appears to seat about 150 people, with two decks. Snacks and drinks are available on board, and there is food and drink available in the terminal at San Pedro. Parking is plentiful for $18 per day. The ride was smooth and uneventful except for a brief sighting of several dolphins.

Last minute arrangements meant we missed out on allthe cheap seats. However- it turned out well as once we got up to speed- sitting on deck would have been cold.
Free drink & snack were a plus!
We saw the whale watching boat- but no whales 🐳
Water was glassy, we experienced a great smooth ride over.

Catalina is a very quaint town. We had a very relaxing time, far from traffic and work. Will definitely go again next time!

45 minute harbor tour is informative with many historical details shared. The gentle, rolling waves make it fun for people like me who have motion issues with the open sea.

We dint take the upgraded seats but the general ones. The view is beautiful at the deck. Crew is hospitable and courteous. Note that if you have booked a slot for a particular time it will cost 5USD to change it to other time slot. So make sure when you would want to take the to & fro journey. Overall a very good experience.

Partly because we were there in the Winter, and partly because it was during the week, but many of the stores and restaurants were closed, and we ended up waiting at the dock, in the cold, for over an hour before our return trip on the boat.

Either you fly or take a boat to Catalina. This port is easy to use and park at. The boats are nice and pretty quick. The view is very nice. The prices are a but high for my blood but this is one of the only way to get there. Catalina is pretty fun for a day trip or there are places to stay there that are nice if you want to stay longer.

The company is well run and the trip was enjoyable from the beginning. The on board crew was very professional and handled the trip like magic. No sooner did we leave the dock in Long Beach and the trip was smooth, We weren't fortunate enough to see dolphins, but there were many other boats to see along the trip.

The Catalina Express is really the only way to get to Catalina Island if you don't have access to a private boat and can't afford a helicopter trip, but, even with their having a corner on the market, they do their best to make your journey pleasant. The regular seating is a lot like airplane seating, though, so if you need or want more space the upgrade to the Captains Lounge is totally worth the extra money. The seating is more like that of a lounge, with tables, a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and a bar that offers alcohol and snacks. We usually get the upgrade for the journey home, when our feet are tired and we want to relax.

Very efficient service. At first thought it was a bit pricey but it is a 70 minute trip each way. Service was reliable and comfortable. There are some good timings to match check in and check out times for the hotels as well. All staff were happy to help. Even managed to see some dolphins on the way back!

The boat itself can use some remodeling however the staff were pleasant and the ride was smooth with few waves. It was so comfortable my husband and I took a nap to Avalon and back. On the way out we saw several dolphins right near our window. Highly recommend day trip to Catalina Island...well worth it and memorable.

Quiet comfortable ride from Long Beach to Catalina Island on the Catalina Express. Ship was clean and staff was friendly. There is a small coffee shop in board and be sure and get upstairs to view the trip.
There are available outlets to charge your devices if necessary. Seating is comfortable. We booked our tickets through Hotel Catalina as that was the most economical way. Note there are no lockers at the terminal to store your luggage if you want to explore Long Beach before or after your trip.

The Catalina Express is a great way to get to Catalina and back--for a stay or just a day. The crew is always helpful and knowledgeable, and the boats are clean and comfortable.

The Catalina Express is very nice and confortable. The ocean views and the ride are just great... outstanding trip to spend the day in Catalina...

The waiting area at the dock was very comfortable. Everything was on time, that was a plus. The trip over to Catalina Island was pretty smooth. We were in general seating and was very comfortable. They time flew by. Prior to the trip making the reservations was perfect. The reservationist were very professional, polite and informative.

Only ferry to two Harbors. Local COSTCOs sell 20% discount cards. Senior discount starts at 55. Crew is friendly. Quick trip, no time to get seasick! If you are freaky about riding a boat though, hang in the back, near the center. The smoothest part.

The one hour trip from Long to Avalon was very pleasant....seats comfortable. Parking is easy. Small snack bar on board. Passenger area was clean.

The round trip fare is a bit pricey, but the staff was friendly and helpful. The boat was fairly clean and the ferry set sail on time.

Took this to Catalina to spend a few hours. It's a bit expensive but everything in this area is. It's a nice ride.

We took our family to Avalon for the day. None of us had ever been there or even on a ferry before. We all had a great time. The crew was friendly and helpful. The ferry from San Pedro to Avalon is about 1.25 hours. Parking costs $10-$18 depending on how long you are there.

While waiting for the boat to Catalina Island, we ate lunch in the small restaurant at the Catalina Express Long Beach after checking in. (We also ate here again on our way back because we enjoyed it so much and we had some time to spend before heading to our next stop.)

Both times we had the portabello burger because we enjoyed it so much. (So much so that I want to make these at home now instead of having hamburger.) The size was just perfect, too. The fries were also wonderful.

On our first visit here before heading to the island, I had their version of chips and salsa. I was expecting typical Tex-Mex chips, but these were more like heavy pita chips, so I did not care for these.

Our server both times was Jean, who has worked at the restaurant and bar for more than 30 (maybe 40) years. She was absolutely delightful and so service-oriented, making sure we were well taken care of. (She told us her husband has worked on the boats for the same amount of time.)

We upgraded to the commodore lounge and were not disappointed, The staff were awesome. We were treated to a free drink and Famous Amos Cookies. Very comfortable ride over. I would give them 5 stars however, my husband said that the bathroom toilet had urine all over the seat and around the rim under the seat. There was also no paper for the seat for the women. It is only 65 minutes so go before you leave!!!!

My husband and I took a visit to Catalina Island for our 5th honeymoon. We were able to find the dock relatively easily. There is lots of parking in the parking garage right outside of the area used to load up the boats. There were even guides there who would help you book activities on the island. When we loaded up the boat it went relatively quickly. We were able to get a window seat at about the middle of the boat. Once we began we saw dolphins swimming alongside the boat. It was very beautiful. My only complaint (and it isn't the boats fault) is how rough the ride was in general. I had horrible sea sickness and had to do everything I could not to throw up. Other then that it was beautiful and quick.

The ferries are usually a great way to get to / from Catalina Island. But they’re having trouble enforcing COVID-19 safety measures. Masks are required, but it’s not enforced. Many people wore a mask only to board then took them off and ignored the crew’s request to put masks back on. Social distancing is not enforced either. I felt bad for the crew; there isn’t much they can do when passengers simply refuse. If you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19, you might want to avoid Catalina Express this summer. Ferries are less crowded in the fall & winter.

The ship was not very clean, but the trip was beautiful. Watch for other large ships, wild life and sunrise or sunsets because they are beautiful.. Great photo opportunity.

But one night is enough! We stayed 4 nights and we were bored. Best part was the boat ride to and from the island.

Went over to Catalina for the day and enjoyed the trip on the Catalina Express. The ride was smooth and about an hour long. Will definitely do this again

The ride to Catalina on the Catalina Express was nice. They left on time and arrived back for us on time. Staff was friendly. I would definitely use them again if the need to visit Catalina occurred. Thanks guys!!

Took the Catalina Express from Avalon to Long Beach. Rode in the Commodore Lounge level. Clean, on time, pleasant crew.

Very organized and spacious boat operating from Long Beach to Avalon, Catalina. There are several departure points that leave from Dana Point and San Pedro, as well as, Long Beach. Schedules vary during the year. Mid June starts the high season.

Smooth ride that took an hour.

Our family traveled roundtrip aboard the Catalina Express Starship recently and paid a 65% premium (+$280) to travel in its Commodore Lounge. While the previous trip we did the same aboard CE's largest vessel, and found it to be worth the premium (i.e. lounge with separate private tables, couch seating, roomy, with fantastic vistas of the sea throughout), the Starship's Commodore Lounge offers very little more than its general seating, other than it is enclosed and you (sometimes) receive your complimentary alcoholic beverage. (Turned out to be very expensive drinks!). On the return trip (Avalon to Long Beach) we were also treated to a crew member assigned to the "enclosed seating area" who considered himself "the enforcer" regarding masks, even though our group was in compliance continuously. (He insisted that we put on our masks if we were going to talk to him -even though we were in the middle of eating or having a drink. Airlines don't even require you to do this!) The Enforcer harassed all lounge passengers who dared speak to him while eating/drinking!. This guy was a real (certifiable! jerk! A slow response to my email to CE's owner totally missed the points I made and was a complete waste of time for me. (Basically the message from CE management was "tough".

If they respond to this review with the same deflection, flawed assumptions and non-responsive response, I'll follow up and post my email to them as well as their reply so that all can judge for themselves regarding their "customer be damned attitude"

As an alternative, try the Catalina Flyer out of Newport Beach. Large lounge with tables on their vessel but no premium at all charged. First come, first served, yes (but we always manage to get a window table without a problem). Note: The Flyer is in dry dock for a couple of months each winter which is why we tried Catalina Express in 2020 and this year.

My wife and I took the Catalina Express form Long Beach to Avalon, returning to Dana Point the following day. We upgraded to Commodore Lounge on the trip out, which was worthwhile. The sunset on the return was spectacular.

Make your reservations for earliest times, Before the winds kick-up....as the afternoons can be a bit windy and that affects the Sea's surface with wind chop and swells- if you're not sure about yourself and/or the kids, always better to get something for sea sickness by asking your local pharmacist for the behind the ear patches, since you need to place it before you leave the dock-
If you're into all Natural, then I've found the pressure point bracelet to work well and Ginger to be very helpful- check out all the Fabulous activities on Catalina-as you will need reservations when it's Weekend and Summer Busy!

nice ride to the island . This was my first time there. Bery clean and friendly staff. I have an issue with the parking. Ot was suppose to be approximately $25.00 . Not thinking when I booked i came in an hour after the 24 hour period and was chsrged
close to $50.00 that in addition to the $80.00 round trip boatride is a rip off. we shouldn't have to pay for both.

This Catalina Express ferry is prompt and efficient way to get to Catalina island. They offer many options for times of arrival and departure.

Very good experience. Not crowded on a March Monday. Saw dolphins and whales on the way over. Fast. Took a little over an hour to cross from Long Beach.

Catalina Express provides scheduled trips between Long Beach and Avalon on Catalina Island. It's a beautiful ride but I do object to having to muzzle a lap siiting, docile, 15 pound dog.

Took an 9:00am boat trip to Catalina Island. Good location to pick up boat. Returned later that day. Was a very enjoyable trip.

Catalina Express is convenient and affordable but I must say this is the first time I book the Commodore Lounge and it felt so special for just a few bucks more!

On the ride from Long Beach to Catalina , we arrived early and were able to travel on standby status on an earlier cruise...which we appreciated. Riding inside the lower cabin was quiet and comfortable.
On the trip back, we rode outside on the upper deck....good visability but loud and cool.

We went for the upgrade lounge seats and very much enjoyed our trip to the island and back. The service and servers are wonderful. The seats included a free drink and snack. The area could have used better signage. We weren't sure where to park in the deck to be near the entrance because we couldn't tell where the entrance was.

The Catalina Express was really the perfect way to visit Catalina Island on a day trip. We splurged and got the Commodore Lounge seats which were in a nice enclosed area on the upper deck and included free snacks and one free drink. Service was good throughout the voyage and it was a surprisingly smooth ride. While the tickets aren’t that cheap, it was worth it for a special excursion.

We took advantage of the Free ride on your EXACT birthday trip to Avalon. You can sign up online and you show your ID to get the free ticket to Avalon. You need another passenger to pay FULL price(no senior discount allowed). You park in the open parking lot behind the cruise parking lot. You then walk over to Catalina Express to pick up your tickets. There is waiting room inside with restrooms and a small cafe for food. You can pay for the Commodore level $16 to get a drink and snack and priority boarding. The general level had a beverages(beer and wine available) and snacks available. The seats were comfortable and the ride was smooth for the hour trip to Avalon. You can change your return for a $5 service charge. We saw people with luggage spending overnight at accommodations. People were also bringing their bicycles to ride. It is wheelchair friendly too. It was my first visit and we enjoyed walking through time with many choices for lunch. We went to the Catalina museum to see the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit. It is there through December 11,2017.

You do have to get there early and wait in line, but the staff were professional and happily answered questions and the boat was clean. We did not use the restrooms or buy any drinks though so I can't speak for those services. The Catalina Express also did a great job of staying tight to their time schedule. We will definitely use them again in the future.

We took the express to Catalina and sat in the Commodore lounge. It was fine. They give drink tickets for there and back. The seats were comfortable but the snacks were limited . The ride itself take about an hour from Long Beach.

We went to Catalina Island as part of a conference day trip. The ferry ride over was quick and fun and we even got to see several pods of dolphins on the way back. The island itself was also beautiful.

My aunt bought tickets for the boat ride and we got lost getting to the terminal but the ticket office were very obliging in letting us on the next ferry. We saw a pod of dolphins and had a good time. The ferries are frequent and can go back on any from Catalina. Catalina is a pretty island worth a visit

Why is this trip so expensive? I have no idea. But Catalina is a must-see, a cute island with shops and restaurants. The color of the water is a deep blue. Lovely. We had the upgraded seats on the way there, which included a drink and a snack. Champagne, yes please! Highly recommended. On the way back we had the regular seats, which were fine. We were practically asleep. So go big on the way there and with the general population on the way back since you will be beat from kayaking, walking, eating, drinking, shopping, swimming!

We actually think it is easier to drive to Long Beach (or uber) instead of taking the Newport Flyer from our home base in the OC. The Catalina Express is fast, has an upgraded VIP lounge, and with a drink included. We travel to Catalina all the time so take my advice HAVE THE SPICY BLOODY MARY and you will feel no sea sickness! It knocks your equilibrium off just enough to balance your senses. The staff is in full uniform and they are very friendly and professional. You can even sign up for Catalina Island adventures and CRUISE FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Well built facility with easy access parking structure. Boat are fast and comfy. They have a little snack bar where you can get refreshments.

I hate waking up early but if I have to boarding the catalina express is how I'd chose to do it. They have lots of options for traveling back and forth. Check in was extremely easy and online directions are pretty clear. We got the commodore lounge there and it was so worth it. I had only done it at the time because it was the only available. On the way back it was beautiful to watch the sun set but was a little chilly outside.  There is seating inside as well. All seating is first come, arrive early for boarding. Had a fantastic time, can't wait to come back.
Parking lot is about $22 a day

We took a day trip to Catalina Island and had great rides on the Catalina Express. It’s clean and comfortable, and the ride is relaxing (keep your eyes peeled for seals near each port!). At $15/pp, upgrading for an included cocktail and waiter service is recommended! It really made the trip special. You also get to board first, which my teens thought was awesome.

Quick and easy way to get to Catalina. Easy long term parking across the street. Ride was smooth on the date of our trip.

Unlike other boat companies who offer service to Catalina, this one offers is guests a convenient terminal location and easy boarding and unloading. The whole operation appears to be very well-run.

Very comfortable and stable trip to Avalon from Long Beach. Water was a little rough but not enough to trigger my motion sickness. The next day the afternoon ferry was cancelled due to red flag conditions. We spent that day in Avalon as planned. Staff on the boat and at both terminals were friendly and helpful. Return trip was smooth as the wind had died down. We are looking forward to our next trip to Avalon

Catalina Express was very nice. Easy to book your reservation. The boat left on time. Comfortable seat and waitress in the Commodore Lounge. Would definingly go again in the future.

Spent the day on Catalina in April, 2017. We had not been there fro several years and we felt like we were on a real mini vacation. The express boat is fast and comfortable. Snacks are available on board. The departure and arrival times allow visitors to spend the whole day on Catalina. We rented a golf cart and went around the island. Had a nice lunch and browsed in the shops.

It takes about 70 minutes to travel to Catalina. They jet right over to the island. For us it was smooth, the water was not choppy. THey have storage for your luggage. the boats hold lots of people.

We took the ferry from San Pedro. It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to Avalon, the town. We rented a golf cart and explored the island which was fun. Very hilly and overlooking steep drops. That took about an hour then we ate at a Mexican restaurant just off the pedestrian area. We did a bit of shopping, hats and tee shirts and such. Then we had to wait for two hours for the next ferry. So, Catalina is fun but once your done goofing around on golf carts, shopping and eating there's not much else to do.

Boat was nice and staff were great. But recommend upgrading to the commodore lounge at least one way if not both!

We reserved the Comodore Lounge. It's a little over an hour trip. Get in line early if you reserve a general seat.

We took the Catalina Express to the Catalina for my husband Birthday!! If you ride over on your birthday you ride free !!
It was a fantastic ride over it was smooth and comfortable ..when we road over we paid for the Commodore Lounge .
We received a free snack and Drink of your choice , the staff was pleasant and courteous!
We enjoyed ourselves 😊

The crew were very polite and we enjoyed this fast trip to Avalon. Aside from the whale sighting, there were also dolphins. Although we were on one of the smaller boats, it was very comfy - the almost glassy sea had a lot to do with that I guess. I guess the only complaint is that the location was a bit difficult to find. However, there was plenty of free parking. In this case, due to the demand, the company added a boat that was not scheduled, otherwise we would have missed the opportunity to visit Avalon.

Wow! I found out our Captains name was Troy. On the trip over, we came upon an enormous pod of dolphins. Captain Troy slowed the boat down, announced the pod was out there and allowed the bow opened for viewers and did a "donut" so that everyone could see the dolphins play. Marie made the best Bloody Mary's and Steve is the best deckhand. What a great experience!

When traveling to Catalina Island, this is the only only way to travel. It's fast and painless at about an hour. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with 3 hours of potential seasickness and waste of time. There are plenty of seating inside and outside. There is also a snack bar for food and drinks.

Upon return boarding, I misplaced my tickets and I was directed to booth to resolve. The person told me I have to rebuy tickets even after showing proof of purchase. She explained this is policy. Are you kidding me ? This companies shortcomings in their "policy" are directed toward the consumer. Easy to say "just give us more money" and all will be fine. I will not use this company ever again. FIX YOUR POLICY !

Upgrade to the Commodore Lounge for better seats, personal service, priority boarding and a free cocktail. It's a no brainer!! Easy company to work with and book online. Great customer service. Recommend.

Always a great experience with Catalina Express! Staff are well trained, and they are very punctual with their schedule. Will continue to use them when in CA.

This was a fun trip to the island and back. We weren't totally focused on the time so missed our first but they easily switched us to the next one. Fast too 😁

Great service, fast ride, nice boat! Caution: for those who get a little car sick or sea sick, sit on the first floor close to the middle, ice water, saltines and keep your eyes on the horizon!

This is our second time taking the Catalina Express out to Avalon on Catalina Island. We loved it both times. Sleek, large boat that glides over the waves and cuts through any turbulence on the water. The crew are kind and fun, knowledgeable and skilled, It has been a pleasant journey both to and from both times. The price is affordable and the schedules are at great times. The ship is kept up and runs well. We will use this service again.

Ride is about an hour to Avalon from Long Beach. Several options daily including Two Harbors. Parking available at site but a little expensive. I generally park offsite and walk. Very timely. Good ride even in steerage with snacks and bar available. Seen porpoises many times.

Catalina Island is a beautiful place. It’s like a mini mediterranean. Reminds me of Monaco some how with it’s cove and marina filled with boats and its half moon bay and tall mountain behind it. Picture perfect for celebrating a big achievement or accomplishment. It’s got the longest zipline from mountain to shore. I think about 2+ miles. Can be a nice local honeymoon spot. It has several activities such as scuba diving, submarine tour, an air museum, island tour to name a few. It’s a must see destination for sure.

I took the Cat. Express over on the 9:55. It was such an easy smooth ride over (January). I enjoyed sitting outside (upstairs and in the back) a while and then inside where it was warmer and quieter. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is a bar for food and drinks and bathrooms are fine. The trip took 1 hour 10 mins as stated. We saw so many playful dolphins and the view of Avalon coming into C Island was like coming up on a European village. The reason for 4 stars is bc I was frustrated that there were no seats built into the boat in the front - I wanted to look for whales and had to go from side to side and in the back. They didn’t point anything out. It’s strictly transportation. They stayed on schedule. The ride back to LB (3:55) was the same - so glad I went!! I walked up and bought my round trip ticket 15 mins ahead.

I have used Catalina Express for YEARS. Even though it seems expensive it really is your best bet to get to Catalina Island.

It can get rough crossing from Long Beach to Catalina so if you get sea sick try and book the earliest boat available. Crossing early in the morning is much smoother and not as rocky. If you cross in the afternoon or at night, watch out! It gets rough and a lot of people will get sea sick.

Wear sensible shoes on board, the floor can get wet and there are stairs onboard. Athletic shoes are best and no heels! I’ve seen woman slip and fall too many times.

This is such a fun ride with kids. It’s very windy and can get chilly so always wear a jacket. Some of the ships are newer than others and some are faster than others. When you call to book ask about which boat is fastest.

Highly recommend - this is a must do and Catalina Island a must see during the summer in California!

Great service. Quick, clean cabin area. We opted to upgrade to the top deck - well worth it. You get seat drink service and it made it a more enjoyable trip

The Catalina Express is a great way to get to Catalina Island. We were in the upper first class section, which is air-conditioned and provides snacks and adult beverages. The ride is very smooth and the windows were clean enough to allow for taking pictures through the glass. The ride was just under an hour.

Such a fun way to visit the beautiful Island of Santa Catalina. The service was good, and we saw dolphins and Pelicans along the way.

Four of us made the trip to Catalina Island. Although a very crowded boat, everyone had a seat. The four of us had to split up as we were on a wait list and got on last.

The crew had a very organized method of getting passengers, bikes and luggage aboard. I am assuming this is a review of the Catalina Express and not Catalina Island.

we took the round trip san pedro-avalon. very exact, convenient and fast way to go to catalina island.

9am tickets, delayed 1 hour...check back at 10am.
10am, your ride is canceled but we are putting everyone from 9am boat on stand by for 12:15 boat...that is sold out. 2pm boat is not sold out if you don't get on sold out 12:15 boat. 2pm, one hour there, golf cart reservation passes, lost that money. Can arrive around 3pm, it gets dark at 4- 4:30pm. No Thanks! Catalina Express had no consideration for ticket holders, no back up plan. Never Again!

Beautiful and what a delight !
Highly recommend and look out for the Dolphins following the boat !
Look forward to doing this again !

We took the ferry to Avalon, Catalina Island. The tickets were easy to purchase, the staff courteous and organized. Staff assisted people with special needs during the boarding process. There was a grill in the lobby on the Long Beach side if you need to grab a bite before you leave. They offer salads and burgers. The food was about what you would expect for a ferry terminal. The boat was clean and staff came around periodically. The trip took about an hour and seeing the pod of Common Dolphin on our way out was great!

Comfortable short ride and while not inexpensive it is a bargain compared to the other means of transport to the Island; helicopter, private plane or private boat. We chose to pay the extra $15 to sit in the Commodore lounge which provides for early boarding and a shorter line plus a complimentary drink which can be alcohol to include mixed drinks and wine plus a snack. If you take this option try to get to the two most front row seats on either side of the cabin for the best view and privacy. They also offer a private cabin for 4 to 6 people with drinks that is priced perfectly with the Commodore lounge on selected sailings

The staff was very courteous and helpful. The ferry ride to and back from Catalina Island was also smooth and comfortable with nice views.

Watch out for those entitled people that cut in line. (All were adults) Both times we had several people just cut in front to board and for baggage check in. Going to and from the island. We followed the directions (I like to teach my kids respect and etiquette) on all the signs but entitled people would just go up in front of us from the sides. Not respecting line etiquette or respect for others. Also, staff was allowing this to happen. Staff should send those people back in line. We also had someone tent up a day early at our Two Harbors site #2. He just said to me, "you are leaving tomorrow, right?" Island staff should check for these people too. We were trying to have a good family time so I didn't make a fuss. But people beware!