The Catalina Flyer has long been Newport Beach’s go-to for an easy day trip to Catalina Island. Hop on in the morning at the Balboa Peninsula Fun Zone, sail the ocean blue, arrive in Avalon — *fun ensues* — then board the boat in the late afternoon and sail home.
This October, the normal trajectory of travel came to a screeching halt when the vessel broke down. Try as they might, engineers soon realized the boat couldn’t be put back together again — at least not with parts sourced locally.
The bottom line: A representative from the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau tells us The Catalina Flyer is out of service until at least March 2019.
If you’re still itching for an island getaway, here’s how to go:
Ride the Catalina Express out of Long Beach.
The Catalina Express docks at the Catalina Landing in Downtown Long Beach, a bubbly hub along the waterfront right next to the Pike and the Aquarium of the Pacific near Shoreline Village. To book a ticket on the Catalina Express, departing from Long Beach Port, click here.
Ride the Catalina Express out of Dana Point.
The Catalina Express operates from Dana Wharf Sportsfishing in Dana Point Harbor. To book a ticket, click here.
Ride the Catalina Express out of San Pedro. (Sensing a theme here?)
The Catalina Sea and Air Terminal in San Pedro is located in the center of the waterfront promenade in the Los Angeles Port, which is accessible via from Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Book a ticket out of San Pedro here.
Channel your inner superstar and charter a yacht.
OnBoat.co offers packages to charter a yacht directly from Newport Beach to Catalina Island. (Also, your own, private yacht … how chic is that?!) View available yachts and pricing here.
Fly!
IEX Helicopters operate regular flights out of Long Beach (next to the cruise port) and charters from John Wayne Airport, (SNA). You can take a private half or full-island tour of Catalina, (as seen from the sky) or else be dropped off to explore the land on foot. IEX Helicopters has also partnered with a whole host of hotels on the island, for those seeking a longer stay. Explore helicopter travel to Catalina Island here.
