Most visitors take a ferry from the mainland to Avalon or Two Harbors. Ferries leave from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach, and the trip takes about one hour. Helicopter service to Avalon is available from Long Beach and San Pedro, and boat charters are also available. Confirm your transportation details with your ferry operator or travel provider before you go.

Ferries depart from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach. Catalina Express sails daily from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point to Avalon, and from San Pedro to Two Harbors. The Catalina Flyer sails daily from Newport Beach. Routes and schedules vary by operator, season, and destination, so check your ferry company’s official schedule before booking.

Yes, advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekends, holidays, summer travel, and special events. Booking early helps you get the sailing time, departure port, and island destination that fit your hotel stay, activities, and dining plans.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Check-in cutoffs vary by operator, port, and sailing, so follow the guidance in your confirmation. Allow extra time for parking, luggage, and busy travel periods.

No, ferries to Catalina Island are for passengers only. Avalon is walkable, and guests also get around by golf cart, bicycle, shuttle, and guided tour. If you are staying with Catalina Island Company or booking activities, review your itinerary in advance so you know where to go after you arrive.

Yes, Catalina Island works as a day trip. Guests who stay overnight get more time for hotels, dining, beaches, tours, and activities without watching the clock for the return ferry. If you are planning a day trip, build in extra time between activities, meals, and your return sailing.

Bring your ferry confirmation, hotel and activity reservation details, comfortable walking shoes, layers, and sun protection. Check your ferry operator’s alerts and your Catalina Island Company itinerary before you leave for the terminal.

Avalon is compact and easy to explore on foot. Golf carts, bicycles, the Circuit on-demand shuttle, and guided tours help you reach beaches, scenic viewpoints, dining, and activities. The best option depends on where you are staying and what you have planned.

Hotel Atwater is a mostly flat walk of about 10 to 15 minutes from the ferry terminal. Follow the waterfront along Crescent Avenue, then turn left onto Sumner Avenue. The hotel is one block from the beach at 125 Sumner Avenue.

Pavilion Hotel is a 4 to 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal. Follow the waterfront along Crescent Avenue to the hotel at 513 Crescent Avenue.

Yes. Hotel Atwater and Pavilion Hotel guests can leave their bags with our luggage service team and enjoy the walk hands-free. Visit the luggage service office behind the Welcome to Avalon mural at the ferry terminal between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The team will tag your bags and arrange delivery to your hotel. See your hotel’s amenities page for luggage details and item restrictions.

Avalon’s Circuit shuttle (COAST) offers on-demand rides within Avalon city limits, including from the ferry terminal and the heliport. The heliport is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the hotels, so guests with luggage tend to arrange a ride. Download the Ride Circuit app before your trip and request a ride when you arrive, or call 562-534-2820. Service runs daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with fares starting at $2 per rider. ADA-accessible shuttles are available on request through the app.

Check your ferry operator’s website, alerts, and messages before you leave for the terminal, because the ferry company controls schedules and weather-related service decisions. Delays can affect check-in times, tour departures, and dining reservations. If a change affects your Catalina Island Company hotel stay, activity, or dining reservation, call (877) 778-8322 as soon as possible and we’ll review your itinerary and options.

Contact the ferry operator first to ask about options for your ticket. If your later arrival affects a Catalina Island Company hotel stay, activity, or dining reservation, call us at (877) 778-8322 as soon as possible so our team can review your itinerary.

Not through Catalina Island Company, which cannot change, transfer, or rebook ferry tickets. Reservations are issued for a specific operator, port, and sailing, so contact your ferry company before traveling to a different terminal. If a change affects your hotel, activity, or dining reservation, call us at (877) 778-8322.

Call our team at (877) 778-8322 as soon as you know you will be late. We will review later departure times or alternative experiences based on availability. Refunds follow the terms of the original reservation, but we will try to reschedule your experience when you give timely notice.

For ferry status, use your ferry operator’s official website, alerts, and customer service channels. For Catalina Island Company hotel, activity, and restaurant updates, call (877) 778-8322. During disruptions, rely on official operating updates rather than social media reports.