How Long Is the Cruise to Catalina Island?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning a trip to the beautiful Catalina Island and wondering how long it takes to get there by cruise? Well, the answer depends on your departure location and the type of cruise you choose. In this article, we will explore all the options and help you determine how long your journey to paradise will take.

Departure Locations

There are three main departure locations for those looking to take a cruise to Catalina Island: Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. Let’s take a closer look at each of these options.

Long Beach

If you’re departing from Long Beach, you have two options for getting to Catalina Island: the Catalina Express or the Catalina Flyer. The Catalina Express is a high-speed ferry that takes about an hour to reach Avalon, the main city on Catalina Island. The Catalina Flyer is a larger boat that takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Avalon.

San Pedro

San Pedro is another popular departure location for those looking to visit Catalina Island. From here, you can take either the Catalina Express or the San Pedro Ferry. The Catalina Express takes about an hour and 15 minutes to reach Avalon while the San Pedro Ferry takes about an hour longer.

Dana Point

If you’re departing from Dana Point, your only option is the Catalina Express. This ferry takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Avalon.

Type of Cruise

In addition to departure location, the type of cruise you choose will also impact how long it takes to get to Catalina Island.

One-Way vs Round-Trip

If you’re planning a one-way trip, your travel time will be shorter than if you’re planning a round-trip. This is because some cruises will stop at other locations before arriving at Catalina Island on the return trip.

Standard vs High-Speed

As mentioned earlier, some cruises are high-speed and will get you to Catalina Island faster than standard cruises. However, high-speed cruises are often more expensive than standard ones.

Conclusion

In summary, the length of your cruise to Catalina Island depends on your departure location and the type of cruise you choose. If you’re departing from Long Beach or San Pedro, expect your travel time to be around 1-2 hours.

If you’re departing from Dana Point, expect your travel time to be closer to 2 hours. Additionally, choosing a high-speed cruise will shorten your travel time but may be more expensive. With this information in mind, you can now plan your trip to beautiful Catalina Island with confidence!