Catalina Express

Catalina Express was an enjoyable experience! The ferry is charming and runs several times a day from Long Beach to Catalina, accommodating just the right number of passengers. We opted for VIP seats to ensure a comfortable ride with great views. The waiting area was clean and easy to navigate, making the boarding process smooth. I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as the ferries have limited capacity and can sell out quickly. Don’t wait—book as soon as you finalize your travel plans! The Long Beach port is also pleasant and straightforward to navigate. Once onboard, we headed to the VIP Commodore Lounge for our complimentary drink, and I enjoyed a delicious Bloody Mary. The ride itself was quite pleasant and went by quickly, taking about an hour. Before you know it, you'll find yourself arriving in beautiful Catalina!

My husband and I had our first trip to Catalina for our honeymoon almost a year ago. We spent a couple of days there. The island is beautiful. It feel like a getaway. When we went it wasn’t as busy; few spots were closed for the season. At Catalina Express; Parking was easy to find and they have many parking spots. Staff are very friendly. We decided to upgrade to the commodore lounge and they were very helpful. With this you get to board first and get a free snack and drink of choice. We decided to grab an alcoholic drink. We both enjoyed our time on the ride. The boat ride is smooth and relaxing. The boat is clean and seats are comfortable. Restroom are also clean. We are excited to go back in a couple of weeks for our ONE YEAR Anniversary!

The ferry does exactly what it is supposed to do, it gets you there. Tickets are pricey though, and do not even think about changing your ticket time unless you want to cough up extra cash. Staff on board were nice, no complaints there. The real knocks for me are the cost and the circus of people on the ferry. About twenty minutes before docking, it turns into a nut-to-butt crowd of passengers fighting to be the first ones off. Relax folks, you are only saving maybe five minutes at best. So I sit patiently while everyone else is standing around me like sardines, and it happened both going and coming back. On the way back, after a full day of sun, sand, and saltwater, let’s just say the smells were less than pleasant. Snacks and drinks are available, but like everything else on board, they are expensive. Overall, solid way to get to Catalina, just be ready to pay for it and bring your patience.

Fast, comfortable, friendly service, and a smooth ride! For our anniversary, we went to Catalina Island, and we got there on the Catalina Express. This was my second visit to the island via the Catalina Express - it’s comfy, on time, and provides a smooth ride. The time I selected from Long Beach to Avalon didn’t have the Commodore Lounge, but that’s no big deal - like I said, the seats are comfortable! The time I selected on the way back had the Commodore Lounge, so I booked it for the first time, and loved it! It was the perfect way to end our trip to the island. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as the ferries fill up. The ferry station is nice and spacious too. The staff on land and on the ferry was friendly and helpful. I look forward to returning to Avalon on the Catalina Express!!

We chose to celebrate a milestone birthday in day, 26 mile situated, Catalina island the ferry service was excellent, great parking. The ramp area, allowing for our date. Storage seating area was very comfortable. The Eagle and bison statues were very attractive, and boarding was very systematic. Luggage rules are implemented strictly very welcoming. They have 2 cabin services. One is ordinary and second is the Commodore private the only difference. Being, you have you get a complimentary drink? There are 2 levels over the base level. And it's nice, too. Enjoy the ride in the open air views. The serene waters serenity around clean toilets, very good experience. Enjoy the ride. Number of trips available, but you have to make a reservation in advance. Do r a fairy was almost l, half empty

Ferry will get you there, but they pack you in like sardines. Slow to load slow to disembark. Build in an extra 45 mins from arrival time to the time you get off the boat. Interior rooms need a serious cleaning— smells like a hockey locker room inside. But the boat itself handled 5-6 foot swells without issue, so a sturdy ride.

It was a nice experience. Took Catalina express ferry from Long Beach to Catalina island. The ride was smooth, you might spot dolphins on the way depending on the weather. There are multiple routes so you can go in the morning and come back in the evening. Overall it was nice!!!

Great experience on the Catalina Express! Parking was easy, lots of seats to wait, lines were efficiently split, the boat itself is really nice and quiet and smooth, the staff are very friendly, and we left almost on time (lol). My only complaint is that there is ZERO signage in Avalon for a Long Beach return. I don't understand this at all. I don't understand how the other ports have signage, but not Long Beach. We almost missed our return boat because of it.

Pro tip : pay a bit more for commodore lounge You board first and sit in a nice area. Bonus- you get a comp drink and snacks These guys have been plying the waters between avalon and Long Beach forever. They know what they're doing. Boarding is fast and efficient. De boarding is a bit chaotic but - that's life The trip itself is super fast. Watch for dolphins along the way.

It's been a while since we've visited Catalina island. First off, when did it become quite pricey for the boat tickets... lol... shows how long I've been. We've booked everything online which made it easy. But getting ticket at the counter seemed easy as well as no one was really there. This trip we departed from Long Beach, usually it's San Pedro. There's a lot next to the departure which we didn't know price. For an overnight parking, it was 50.00. Anyways, the seating are wasn't bad, and the whole experience with getting in ship was quite easy. We had the commodore lounge so the line was quite small. Basically, first to get in and the seated is on top covered. Comes with a complementary drink and snack. The whole trip was about an hour which was nice and easy. Heads ups, there plenty of seating downstairs but if your seating outside, it does get quite cold .

FASTEST SUMMARY EVERY: "DO IT!" SAFE Crew does this run multiple times per day and the vessels are inspected annually by the US Coast Guard and DAILY by the staff here. EFFICIENT Buy ticket. Get in line. Board. Sit. Chill. Arrive. Same for return! FUN Feel the wind in your hair or get a window seat - OR take a nap :) Life is good - smile and enjoy the ride!

What's the bad reviews about? You buy the ticket and board the ferry! We didn't have any issues and it's Memorial day weekend! There is not much to do at the port but if you are lucky maybe the street corn vendor is around, it's good grab one! Nothing fancy just a big waiting room with a bathroom. It's nice and cool, very comfortable. Tons of seating! The tour brochures are all over. We were dropped off by Lyft so I'm not sure how parking is. The ride from Long Beach airport was less than 15 min! Enjoy the breeze and cold sea air!

The destination alone just has me in smiles right now! But everything was so easy and not complicated that it made traveling such a breeze. People were so nice to answer any questions and just get you to your destination so you can enjoy. Great experience. Tip go an hour early! It got packed with 30 minutes.

Nice boat, organized way to get in and get out. Parking lot is right there and it's $25 per 24 hrs. The boat ride itself was pleasant though at times the waters could be rough and you can get sick. They have alcohol and refreshments on board. Please clean the bathrooms!!! It's dirty smells and lacking. Otherwise this boat is perfect. Highly recommend booking a hotel night stay before going. Avalon has rooms starting from $121 that are very close to front street. Otherwise it can go up to $450.

Book your tickets online in advance. I would say at least 2-3 weeks ahead because the time slots you want may sell out. Ticket says to come an hour early so you have plenty of time to park and board. If you don't care for window seating then don't come an hour early. One way trip is about 70 minutes. It was rocky on the way there but the ride back was smoother. Not sure if it was my ferry that day but it left 10-15 minutes late there and back. The parking structure was easy to find. Same day parking is $25. The general boarding line was pretty long. I got the commodore ticket which came with a free alcoholic drink and snacks. You're seated in a private section. I thought it was worth it.

The Catalina express from the Long Beach port was a pretty easy process to get to Catalina Island. A round trip standard ticket is $90 round trip ($45 each way) at times you can find discount tickets at a Costco (so check online or call your local Costco to see if them have them in stock.) Make sure you check online and book the date and time of your Ferris well in advance, especially around the spring and summer time when Catalina is really busy because they fill up fast. The boat also has two other Lounge seating areas for an additional $10 or $20 the have more spacious seating and include a beverage and snack. The parking area at the port is a pretty big garage structure that's right across from the entrance to Catalina express, it is pricey at around $23 a day. Overall the ride takes an hour to get to the island, the seats are comfortable, the seats on the inside almost feel like you're sitting inside an airplane. One more thing to note, make sure to keep track of the weather/wind conditions. I took a trip in early January, and we found out a few days in advance that the high winds over the weekend could effect the departure of the boats the day our trip was ending. So keep that in mind so you can plan accordingly to possibly leave early if to make arrangements to stay on the island longer.

Took the early 6 AM ferry to the island from Long Beach and then the 3:50 PM ferry back, both times paid for the Commodore lounge and it was so worth it. Our seats were on the second floor and the tickets included a free snack and a drink of choice (mimosas included, they have both orange and pineapple mimosas). No one from our party (6 people) got seasick.  The trip back was as pleasant as the trip to Catalina Island. Highly recommend getting the Commodore lounge seats if you can, the free drink and priority boarding makes it worth it.

Nothing but great experience there n back. We felt safe and comfortable and even with high winds we didn't get that sick. The way back super calm and beautiful experience. Enjoy!!! Ps: side in back upstairs if you get sick easily. If you want to avoid sun and don't get sick and want to rest, sit in front inside. My favorite was top deck back. Wow what a fun experience!

Fast and on time. I prefer the smaller boat because it's quieter and there is a short line to get on and off. Commodore Lounge on the larger boat was nice but not necessary unless you want to drink alcohol

Day trip to Catalina Island Not cheap but unless you can afford a helicopter service (or you own a helicopter), own a private plane or you're able to charter a boat... ferry boats is the cheapest way for visitors to get to Catalina Island. Two companies offer boat transportation from SoCal cities. We booked online with Catalina Express. It only took one hour via the high-speed ferry to get us to paradise. Surprisingly, I didn't feel motion sickness during the trip. We booked online 10 days in advance. Upon our arrival at the terminal we checked in 30 mins prior to departure (as instructed). Be alert on the departure time because if not checked in 15 mins prior to departure your seats will be forfeited and your CC will be charged for the full amount of the round trip fare. Also, changes to reservations can be made w/o charge prior to ticket issuance but we were good with our time slot. If we change our minds (if we wanted to stay on the island a little longer to check out the night life) there is a fee of $5 per ticket. On the ferry ride I sat inside by the large window seat. Interior is clean, spacious and nice. Saw a dolphin do amazing jumps out of the water. Comfortable and roomy seats. They offer snacks and beverages on board including beer, liquor, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Yes, restrooms are clean. Review #2960

This vessel was very organized and the ride over was pleasant. If you sit on the top it is cold. We went end of September and took the first ferry out, should've dressed a little bit warmer. The prices to go over were very reasonable when you buy it ahead of time. We bought ours a bite closer to the date and online it showed no available tickets but I called and they were able to get us two tickets. We did not partake in the drinks or food onboard but it is good to know they have that option.

This was first time using Catalina express and the crew members were so helpful. I am a disabled person and they made my trip so easy and pleasant. Crews members were very courteous. The only thing that needs to change is the handle bars on the chair . As a disabled person trying to transfer into the chair the handle don't come up. Had to get assistance. They should have handles that go up and down so for disabled people it's easy to transfer.

Enjoyable indeed! Went for the first time for my birthday and our journey there and back was nothing short of fantastic. We felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip, even in high winds, which surprisingly didn't cause any discomfort. The return trip was exceptionally calm, offering a beautiful and tranquil experience. PS: If you're prone to motion sickness, opt for a seat in the back upstairs. For those looking to avoid direct sunlight and motion sickness, the front inside seating is ideal for a restful journey. My personal favorite was the top deck at the back. What a delightful and exhilarating experience it was!

We took the ferry from LBC and overall the experience was pretty easy. We had to book the commodore tickets since it was spring break and all the normal seats were sold out. We got to board first and they gave us a snack/drink. I probably won't buy the expensive tickets again since the trip is only 70 mins and it goes by quick. The ferry leaves on time so they start letting passengers board early. We did get to see some dolphins, which was a nice treat. Overall, no major complaints.

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.

Long Beach crew was great! Avalon crew were 'Rude, impatient, full of themselves. unaccommodating, & unfriendly"

First time taking this ferry and was extremely disappointed. Not only did it arrive 30 mins late, but none of the crew acknowledged the tardiness. When this is the primary mode of transportation to get to the island, it should be dependable. I live in the Bay Area and take the SF ferry weekly. Not only is it significantly cheaper (in a more expensive area) but it's always on time with friendly staff.

Staff: Pretty friendly for the most part. Nothing spectacular but okay. Quality: We opted to drive up to LBC to have access to the Commodore seating which is an upgrade. You get priority loading, better seating, one snack, and a drink. This is well well worth the extra $20 per person per way for this. I would compare to maybe basic first class on a plane. Value: The total price round trip for 4 with upgrade was around $465.00 so I'd say worth it. Overall: I think this a great way to get to Catalina and likely one of the few options. Pro Tip: Going out of LBC cuts 30 mins off the travel time vs Dana Point which is actually closer to us. Don't forget if you go out LBC parking was about $60 for two nights parking. Large parking structure with plenty of parking and within a 2 min walk to the boats. Also, have cameras ready as we saw dolphins going both directions.

Currently on the Catalina Express train Avalon to Long Beach on the 8:45 pm ferry. Overall the ferry was not bad but my review is about the commodore lounge. DO NOT GET PURCHASE!!! The extra $20 is not worth it. The ferry arrived late and we ended up leaving 15 minutes later. We understand things happen so we weren't too bothered about it. Once we arrived to the lounge we weren't given a menu so we had to ask for a menu. We ordered a drink and advised we would wait for the complimentary snack. She advised the snack would be handed out a bit later. The snack was never handed out. The commodore lounge doesn't come with anything different than the general admission. There truly a difference! I didn't think it was worth it and will probably book the general admission next time.

I will never not get the Commodore Lounge ever again! $247 for two round trip but so worth it. The first time I went to Catalina, my friend and I did the general seating. Going to the island was fine but going home was a nightmare. So many drunk people, running around, sitting on the floor of the boat, one guy screaming about how much he loved Trump, and I was being harassed by a couple of my fellow boaters. A bunch of people got cut off from drinks from the onboard bar & kept trying to sneak more while they were crawling on the floor. It was messy drunkness at its finest. On this last trip, we decided to see if the extra money for the Commodore Lounge was worth it...IT IS! A million times over. You get onto the boat first, get a snack, take your seat and then they take drink orders. I saw so many people not tip...tip your servers people! The seats seemed more comfy and wider. Overall, It was a much more relaxing vibe on the high seas. On both trips, staff was very kind and doing their best. There are some plugs so you can charge dying phones. The trip takes about an hour and there is a huge parking lot at their Long Beach Port. Parking is expensive though. I mean, you're paying a bunch for the boatride then have to come back and pay $22 for parking. Boo. The Catalina Express is practically the only way to get back and forth from the island & thankfully it's usually a pleasant experience and seamless trip!

I've had the pleasure of taking the Catalina Express a handful of times now. My first experience was back when they were doing the Birthday Promotion in 2016, oh how I long for that to return!!! Anyway, I also took the Catalina Express to and from the island to hike the Trans Catalina Trail (Long Beach to Avalon and Two Harbors to San Pedro) and most recently I took the ferry back after getting dropped off by plane for an overnight backpacking trip (Two Harbors to San Pedro). So, I write this review after having quite a bit of experience on the ferry and I have no complaints! I understand the price point is a bit steep but it's one of the only options to get out to the beautiful Catalina Island so it's worth it to me. I highly doubt the birthday promotion will ever come back (I can dream) so I always look for deals through AAA or Costco. Since I'm all about saving money, I have never actually parked in the Catalina Express parking. I try to get dropped off or pack nearby and use Uber/Lyft because the parking rate is...too much. I've never had an unpleasant experience, I really enjoy the seating options, including at the tables and the customer service has always been nice. The views are fantastic and the pick up/drop off is always efficient and punctual. I know I'll be back on the Catalina Express is no time and I'm already looking forward to it! Thank you Catalina Express for getting me to and from safe and sound!

The ride to and from Avalon from Dana Point was nice. However, upon arrival at Avalon, one of our group had a sopping wet bag which had to be checked and placed in the luggage compartment. For the return trip, my bag was soaked. No apologies or comment from the luggage handlers. If you can, take a small bag which doesn't have to ve checked, or make sure luggage is waterproof.

If you take the Catalina express DO NOT get the commodore package. Many of the locals ride and if the crew doesn't know you they treat you like steerage on the Titanic.

The best way to get to/from Catalina Island! Distance wise it was the quickest (only an hour from Long Beach) and the service on board (we sat in the Commodore Lounge) was friendly and included a drink and a snack both ways. The only suggestion we have (especially for passengers who pay extra for the Commodore Lounge experience) is to offer a shaded area to wait in line when boarding. All in all, great way to see the island in one day with abundant scheduling options.

Clean, operated well, pricing reasonable, and they serve decent alcoholic and non alcoholic options on the ferry. Would use again

Buy your tickets early because times fill up fast. There was a short line and staff explained the process. You can line up 30 mins before but gates close 15mins before. There are food trucks and places to buy snacks. The coffee cart is there in the morning. Lots of places to sit and rest inside. Parking is about $30 a day. Plenty of spots. Get there about an hour early to check in. Better to be early than late!

Whenever you come to Catalina Island, taking the fairy is the easiest way to get there. We came for a few days to Catalina for my kids spring break this week and booked the boat ride over round trip. I'm not sure there's even another option to get here. The boat has 3 levels of seats, the lower level is indoors, but if you want a seat there you need to get in line early. Speaking of getting in line, if you're late and they leave, you're toast, no refunds, so get there on time. We got there just in time for our way over Wednesday and almost missed the boat. Another tip is if you don't ride on boats often you should take Dramamine an hour prior to boarding, the boat is huge but it doesn't take much to get seasick,

4 large Catamarans making constant trips to and from Catalina. You can see how fast they are compared to normal boats and it reminded me of some of the super fast ferries in Seattle. They suggest you arrive an hour before departure which is good advice because people will line up immediately outside to get the best seats. The bad thing about the ferry line in Long Beach and Catalina is there is no shade so you'll literally be roasting in the sun while you are waiting so best to be sun-blocked and have good wearable protection. The ride is weather dependent and took 45 minutes each way, the most exciting parts are leaving and docking and you can take a nice nap during the middle. If you are prone to motion sickness like my wife you want to be sitting in front for the least amount of motion, you can also take dramamine an hour before setting off.

Out of all the ferry routes, this is the shortest ride to the island. Parking is in a nearby covered garage. Tell the attendant you are just day tripping and he will direct you to a closer parking spot. You will want to arrive a bit earlier to be first in line and first choice for seating on the boat. If the weather is right, what is recommended is top outside level in the back. Beautiful views without the wind blasting in your face. Inside seating is cramped air circulation is poor. Not the best with whiffs of exhaust and stale odors. The extra charge for the captain's lounge is a tourist upcharge. Unless you have to sip on cheap drinks for such a short ride, the outdoor seating is the way to go. We were lucky to be surprised with a school of dolphins putting on a show along our float!

Our original trip was canceled due to weather, but we were able to reschedule the next day. The whole staff was extremely helpful and kind, and transferring our tickets couldn't have been easier. The boat ride itself was a lot of fun. No complaints!

Expensive but good service! There's food for sale on board, they were right on time, and the ride isn't too long. Also, my friend who gets sea sick extremely easy was fine (with dramamine as well)! The employees were nice about it and told us to sit in the back outside to prevent any sea sickness, so do that if you're worried. Great way to get to Catalina. Loved the availability of trip times too, made it easy just to do a day trip.

Now although this is the main way to get to Catalina Island, my partner and I had a fantastic time aboard the Catalina Express! The boat was neat and tidy and was very welcoming to get on board with a fabulous crew! We were immediately greeted and loved that there was a snack bar on board! We had a nice hour to sit and relax while enjoying some coffee and pretzels. The boat felt very spacious even with a lot of people on board! Now sometimes we hit some choppy water so be sure to pack some motion sickness medicine if this is something you need! Overall we had an awesome experience and loved the view of the ocean and the upcoming Catalina Island while on board. Such fun and cannot wait to jump aboard again sometime soon!

We took the Catalina express boat out of Dana point, and couldn't have been happier with the boat and staff.

Pleasant ride to Catalina, but the worse customer service experience I have ever experienced. The majority of the staff seemed pleasant but a crew member made our groups experience extraordinary uncomfortable. The staffer was extremely rude and demanding. The manager was just as unhelpful. We were told after all guests had been seated we could not sit in our seats, that we were taking up space and should be at the upper lever. Because of poor communication from staff we were unaware of the correct section we should be sitting in and paid additional costs for a section we did not use. Unfortunately all the upper level seating was taken and our party would have been split. The manager eventually agreed to allow us to remain in our seats but nothing was done to correct the rude staffer. This should of been a pleasant trip truly turned out to be and awful experience.

Sad part there is only one way to the island as it is a monopoly When you have a boat and pay for interior service you should not have to be freezing because you only have menopausal women working for the boat Kids are freezing and they won't close the doors becaue their body temp is off

I took the ferry this past week, and experienced the lounge on the way to Catalina and regular seating on the way back. I enjoyed priority boarding and the free beverage, and luggage handling for lounge travelers is definitely superior, but I did feel more comfortable on the lower level. It was such a smooth ride, and the staff on board was really gracious. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and little snack stands on both levels with some snacks, sodas, juices, and cocktails. Enjoy your trip!

Took the Catalina Express from Long Beach to Avalon yesterday (6/24), and had no issues. I'm not really sure what all the negative reviews are about. We arrived 1 hour early, as suggested, checked in at the ticket window, and then went to line up at the dock 30 minutes prior. They started boarding about 15 minutes prior to departure, and got everyone on promptly. Get in line early to get a more desired seat especially if you're with a large group. Everyone rushed to the top but there was plenty of seating on the bottom near the front of the boat. We started at the top, and then went to the bottom front as we got closer to the island as you can't see the front from up top unless you pay extra for the lounge. The boat got us from point A to point B in one hour. We had a drink on the boat, and enjoyed the ride. Next time, we'll try leaving from Newport as it is closer to where we live.

Looking for a weekend getaway to Catalina Island? You'll most likely be booking your tickets on the Catalina Express. Tickets: $76 round trip for a standard ticket from Downtown Long Beach to Avalon and back. Purchase your ticket online for a quick check in on the day of your tip. Check In Day: Be there at least 30 minutes before your departure time. Present your confirmation email at the ticket window for check in. You can opt to wait in the communal lounge area or wait outside in line where the gate to the Catalina Express is docked. Catalina Express Ride: We left promptly at 6 AM and arrived in Avalon in ~1 hour. The ride was quick and not rocky at all. I'd opt to sit inside if you're leaving early in the morning and sit outside if you're leaving later in the day. The views are gorgeous. You might even catch a glimpse of dolphins in the water! 10/10 on both ferry rides. Per Catalina's website: Baggage Policy - 2 bags per person. No piece to exceed 50 lbs and 23" x 23" x 37". Bags will be stowed in the luggage hold area. Each passenger may bring one additional carry-on that must fit at the seat. Please check Catalina Express' site for additional terms and conditions. Hope ya'll have a safe trip to Catalina Island!

Overall check-in was quick. But during departure to Catalina Island, they didn't go over safety procedures. It wasn't until I was on the upper deck departing the island is when they checked. This place did not check my vaccination card, although they are in LA county, which has the mandate. I think the inner deck gets stuffy, but the upper deck is nice if you don't sit on the side seats. You will catch a breeze which may blow in your face, so be sure that if you are on the upper deck, to sit in the center. If you need to be warm, inside works as well, but the ventilation was lacking. They served food, which was nice. I think the island itself is a nice experience. If you do need to adjust your ticket, you may also change the time, they charge a small $5-$8 fee I believe. Seats are on first come first serve, so if you are there in line first you can get a good seat of your choosing. They also do not do the birthday special anymore. So no free transportation. No one on the island does it anymore fyi. So the website they have is outdated.

Horrible ride. We purchased lounge tickets on our ride back from Catalina and were treated extremely rudely. A female with a blonde pony tail came up to my friends and I telling us we were too drunk and her "boss" thought so. I was motion sick and sat outside where my friends came to my aid. She approached us and told us we were "too intoxicated" as I was sitting in the back outside, in the rain mind you when we were approached. She was very rude. We paid extra money for lounge tickets and were treated very disrespectfully. 20/10 do not recommend.

When thinking of taking the Catalina Express, it is recommended to purchase tickets online before your trip. Once you arrive at the Long Beach ferry terminal you can pick up your tickets from the cashier, providing them with your name or confirmation number. There's a waiting area inside. Some choose to wait outside to get in line first. Inside are the public bathrooms, vendors who sell excursion attractions on the island. There's no food/snack vendor open due to the pandemic. When the ferry is at the dock, you can get in line with ticket in hand to board. Once on board, the ferry inside is clean and very roomy. Plenty of seats available. There is staff to take your luggage to be stored with other peoples' luggage. Mind you, there is no cube for your luggage, no tag number, and no organization when it comes to storing everyone's luggage. They just start to pile up. The ride to Catalina was enjoyable and smooth with calm waters. When it came to disembarking and getting our luggage, it was a total mess. People just started moving/throwing luggage everywhere looking for their luggage. It was horrible. The worst of it is someone took our son's luggage that had valuables in it! We were pissed. I asked for the ferry officer on duty and told him my son's luggage had been stolen. He said he couldn't do anything and that I had to file a claim at the kiosk once I got on the island. We were pissed. Thank goodness, when we got to the kiosk/lost and found, the staff there said someone had given a luggage that wasn't theirs. My son identified its description and contents and sure enough it was his- whew. I highly recommend to keep your luggage with you. They need to find a way to organize storing luggage in a much better way.

The Catalina Express has been in business over forty years and the fleet consists of eight high-speed vessels, where the largest vessel in operation, the Catalina Jet has the most capacity to carry passengers across the channel. It offers up to 30 round-trips daily and operates from three different ports, San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. The total round trip fare is $80+ now, and lounge upgrade is available. The ride could get bumpy from time to time, take motion sickness pills in advance. Remember to get in boarding line at least 30 minutes before departure time.

There must not be much competition because these were some of the most checked out, indifferent employees I've ever encountered in the travel industry. The boat crew was fine, this refers to the shore crew. All they care about is your QR code and I got the same blank, disconnected reception from both Long Beach and Avalon crew. Will definitely be looking for an alternative next time.

We wanted to visit Catalina Island for the day so we booked the ferry. Unfortunately we went to San Pedro instead of Long Beach which is about 12 minutes away causing us to miss the 9:50am ferry. We got told over the phone to head over to Long Beach to see what could be done. As soon as we walked in we were greeted with friendly, welcoming customer service. We asked if there was anything we could do to get us on the next ferry ride. At first we were told that everything seemed to be booked for the day, but Lani was able to look into it some more and found us a ride for 11am. We are very appreciative that Lani went above and beyond to help us. Little did she know that it was my boyfriend's and I's anniversary, and she saved the day/plans. I recommend paying a little extra for the commodore lounge (priority boarding and free drink) specially if it's cold/windy and are planning on heading back later in the day. BRING A SWEATER. The food at Catalina island was AMAZING. They have a little bit of everything. Jet skiing was fun but the water is pretty cold, so renting wet suits is always a good idea. Thanks again Lani for a great day!

The 4-stars is for the service and ride. Definitely smooth all round. When we checked in at the Long Beach terminal, the attendant was quick and efficient. She literally got our tickets in hand within 2-3 mins tops! Kudos to you! The boarding process was good and smooth. Everyone social distanced and although the line was long, we boarded fairly quickly. The ride was smooth, considering I get seasick easily. If you do get seasick, I recommend the seasickness bands or something to combat the motion sickness. My only qualm is ... the passengers! Regardless of the 4-5 reminders to wear and keep face masks on our faces, multiple passengers failed to follow these basic rules and procedures. Patrons either had their masks hanging below their nose or completely had it off their face and hanging below their chins. I hate to say, there were ferry staff right in front or behind them and failed to regulate this rule. During the announcement, they repeated over and over again, "mask must cover both nose and mouth as well as chin." I'm sorry if I care for my well-being. I wish there was more the staff or company could do to ensure everyone complied with this, seemingly, easy expectation. Even after multiple reminders. The patrons continued to not wear their mask. Guess the question is .. whose responsibility is it to enforced this?

While in long beach we took the Catalina express and did a day trip to Catalina island and it was the highlight of our trip! The boat ride is a small ferry, probably fits 100ish people maybe more and takes 1 hour. It was 85usd round trip per person. We even saw dolphins on the way there. They also have snacks and drinks (including alcohol) available for purchase on the boat. I would definitely do this again and if you're in LA, catalina is an awesome spot to visit.

Make sure to get to your dock early; if you are towards the end of the line, good luck finding a seat with your party. I did appreciate they are able to change your departure times, BUT they do charge $5 for that change. At our departure to Avalon we decided to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge, that cost us $20 per ticket. For a 70 minute journey I honestly don't think it's worth it. The commodore lounge only provides you one alcoholic beverage and then after that you are on your own. So for $20 you can get yourself 2 alcoholic drinks in general boarding instead. The space inside the commodore lounge was also pretty tight and again seating limited, so arrive early for a spot with your party. You are also the last to get off the boat if seated on the top Commodore lounge.

I had a good experience with the Catalina Express and would recommend them for a way to get to from Long Beach to Avalon. Parking - $19 a day. The Long Beach Port has a huge parking structure. Seemed secure. Cost/Tickets - My ticket cost $76 round trip. On their website it had said "Sold Out" 1 week in advance for buying a ticket for the 6:30 AM. I panicked but thankfully called them and bought ferry tickets on the phone. A pro tip is that even though it says sold out online, they have some tickets available via phone only. The Ferry - Definitely show up early like they recommend, we showed up 30 minutes early, got our tickets quickly, and went to stand in line for the boat which had began boarding. I can see how if you arrived only 10-15 minutes early you might not get a seat because of how many people get there early. - The seating is like an airplane/public bus. - They have an option to sit outside, I recommend that for the afternoon for the fresh air. Overall: Show up early- actually early like 30 minutes or more before your departure time and the ride from Long Beach to Avalon will breeze by.