Catalina Flyer departing
Newport Beach is the closest departure point from Disneyland hotels
Tickets for Catalina Island Boat
Ride Ticket to Avalon from Newport Beach offer the most affordable,
fun way to get to Catalina Island for a day or several.
Departing
Newport Beach near Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach long term parking
is available for over 7 days in a parking lot at the beach across
the street from the Pavilion, requiring a one block walk to
the boat. The Newport Beach Catalina Flyer is a Catamaran boat that
travels once per day, round trip to the Island. It departs usually
around 9 a.m., returning around 4 p.m. The ride alone is worth the
ticket as you may sometimes see whale migrations or dolphins
swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Catalina Island is truly the island
of romance...but don't forget that's it's also a family and kids
vacation destination.
BUY TICKETS
Depart Newport Beach
Tickets: Depart Long Beach
or Dana Point
The closest
boat to Disneyland hotels is the Newport Beach Catalina Flyer
featured here. Driving distance = 19.4 miles or 25 minutes under
normal conditions. Optional service from Long Beach on
Catalina Express = 21.1 miles or 30 minutes. (see Newport
Beach Catalina Flyer directions below)
The boat ride
itself allows you to sit indoors in a protected cabin with
comfortable seating and a snack bar. You can also sit outdoors with
the glorious wind and ocean spray sometimes blowing in your face.
Many people think that being outside looks great but by the end of
many trips, the upper deck is half full. What you should know is to
take a jacket or layers of clothes to stay warm for this part of the
trip. Also hang onto your ball caps if you stand outdoors. Many of
them get blown away due to the wind.
Wear very
comfortable shoes for your trip and take a swimsuit if you plan to
do some sunbathing, tubing, scuba or snorkeling. Take sunscreen,
money for shopping & meals and wear a watch so you'll be back to the
dock in time to catch boat back home.
For an alternate
option to get to Catalina Island, there are boats offered through
another company called Catalina Express. Those boats leave from
places such as Dana Point (great for vacationers in Laguna Beach)
and Long Beach (for vacationers in Los Angeles, Seal Beach, Sunset
Beach and north Orange County.
You can also take
a helicopter from Long Beach but it costs a lot more money. It is a
short trip that will get you there in less than half the time. We've
never tried it but have flown over Catalina Island many times in
commercial jets. (see photo in left column called Catalina Airport
aerial.)
Directions to
Catalina Flyer from Disneyland:
1. Start on S
HARBOR BLVD (at S HARBOR BLVD & W KATELLA AVE in ANAHEIM) - go 0.2
mi
2. Turn on DISNEY WAY - go 0.5 mi
3. Take ramp onto I-5 SOUTH - go 6.0 mi
4. Take the CA-55 SOUTH exit toward NEWPORT BEACH - go 8.5 mi
5. Continue on NEWPORT BLVD - go 2.7 mi
6. Continue on BALBOA BLVD - go 1.5 mi
7. Arrive at 200 E BALBOA BLVD, NEWPORT BEACH
