Catalina Island Ferry from Newport Beach

Experience the fastest round trip ferry service from Newport Beach to Avalon on Catalina Island. Enjoy stunning views, multiple snack and beverage centers, and a large open-air deck. Book now!

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Note: For round-trip ferry service, it is essential to book the return journey from Avalon to Newport Beach as well.
Departing daily from the iconic Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, departure times vary based on the season. Check all available times when booking. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina…

What's Included
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • One-way ferry ticket from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina Island
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tea and coffee
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Note: When booking a round trip ferry service, ensure to reserve the return journey from Avalon to Newport Beach.
This is the largest catamaran ferry transporting passengers to Catalina Island, featuring three decks and several snack and beverage centers onboard, including an incredible open-air top deck offering breathtaking views of the coastlines….

Location
400 Main St
Main Street
Our business is located in the Historic Balboa Pavilion. We recommend parking at the Balboa Pier Municipal Parking lot which is located on the beach side of the Peninsula. Our office and vessel is located just a short 3 minute walk from the Pier Parking lot on the Harbor side of the peninsula.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(142 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Howardr_z
Oct 30, 2025
Amazing 2-hour tour with Sarah - Our two-hour private golf cart tour of Avalon with Sarah was absolutely amazing! From the moment we met her, she was warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable about Catalina Island’s history, hidden gems, and local life. Sarah’s passion for Avalon shines through in every story she tells — from the old Hollywood days to the island’s unique wildlife and stunning viewpoints. She took us to breathtaking overlooks, quiet scenic spots we’d never have found on our own, and even gave us great recommendations for restaurants and shops afterward. The pace was perfect — relaxed but packed with highlights — and Sarah made sure we had time for photos and questions. It felt less like a tour and more like exploring the island with a friend who truly loves it. If you’re visiting Catalina, don’t miss a tour with Sarah — it’s hands-down the best way to see Avalon and fall in love with this beautiful island.
Review provided by Viator
Kayla_m
Oct 1, 2025
love the flyer - great smooth experience. get there early if you care about where you sit. the covered outdoor seating on the second floor is the best. upgrading to vip is worth it on a hot day as its the only area with climate control. they also discount alcohol if you're drinking i believe. i prefer the flyer vs the express options since its a bigger boat with more outdoor seating.
Review provided by Viator
500cjc
Sep 19, 2025
Catalina flyer is the best! - I love going to the island on the Catalina Flyer! The crew is awesome and the VIP section is the best! I want to give a shout out to (CaL) the bartender he always makes our trip fun and he has excellent customer service skills. He is goes above and beyond to make sure we have a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_m
Aug 15, 2025
VIP allowed guaranteed... - VIP allowed guaranteed seating in cooler area and great on a hot day traveling with my 82 y/o mom . Speedy trip to the island with great scenery on the way.
Review provided by Viator
Matthew_w
Aug 8, 2025
Congested, show up early.... - Congested, show up early. The ride was fun, but more like a bus trip. Catalina island was a bit of a disappointment. I expected bigger beaches.
Review provided by Viator
Travlingrrl
Apr 29, 2025
East scenic ride to Catalina. Go VIP. - We had a great experience taking the ferry from Newport Beach to Catalina Island! When we got to the pier we were told it was a sold out cruise and if we wanted to upgrade to VIP is was $20 roundtrip. Best decision ever. We went to the white ticket office and bought our passes. It allowed us to board first and we got to go inside where it was dry and roomy. The drinks and snacks were half off for VIP. It was a little rainy going out so glad we chose that option.Boarding was quick and organized, and the boat was clean and comfortable with plenty of seating inside and outside. However if it is sold out then it is supercrowded regular class so you will be cramped. The ride took about 75 minutes and was very smooth and easy. A great start to a beautiful Catalina adventure. Tip ... if you go VIP try to be first so you can sit in the very front. You'll have a great view of everything in front of you. I even got a great photo of the rainbow coming back.Would definitely take this ferry again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Denise_t
Oct 16, 2025
Our cruising to Catalina - Felt safe while traveling on the boat. Didn't purchase food. The crew was not very personable. They had a printed rooster for boarding and for some reason our family of 7 wasn't on the list. We held up the process in line, offered to show our tickets that I had on my phone and no one wanted to see them.
Review provided by Viator
Ignacio_m
Jun 20, 2025
Make sure to arrive an... - Make sure to arrive an hour early in order to get a seat in the first or 2nd deck. It was too cold in the upper deck.
Review provided by Viator
Joanne_l
Oct 12, 2025
Late for ferry - We got to the dock 5 minutes late because we couldn’t find parking especially handicapped parking. We asked if there was another ferry that day and the man at the window said no, but failed to tell us there were other ferries from competitive lines that go.
Review provided by Viator
Ingrith_m
Jul 30, 2025
Terrible I lost my money... - Terrible I lost my money on the first booking I lost it they didn't help me pay me back because I wanted to give that gift to my son and my mom but my mom crashed and didn't get help from the staff just pressure to sign documents to exonerate any guilt was terrible with their Service
Review provided by Viator
From $47
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).