AVALON, California — Ferry travel is part of daily life on Santa Catalina Island, and anyone planning a crossing after October 19 should check a new schedule. Catalina Express has published separate timetables for September 8–October 19 and October 20, 2026–January 4, 2027. That change matters for residents arranging appointments on the mainland, visitors planning day trips, and businesses expecting guests.
Check the departure port and return sailing
Catalina Express operates Avalon routes from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. The operator’s official schedules and fares page provides each port’s timetable and round-trip pricing. Its Long Beach–Avalon service generally takes about one hour; travel times differ for other ports and for sailings routed through Two Harbors. Not every port offers the same frequency or the same first and last boat.
Do not rely on a screenshot or an old departure time. Select the actual travel date in the booking system, then check both outbound and return legs. The operator says trips can change because of weather and other operating conditions, and recommends reservations, especially on busy weekends.
Getting around after arrival
Avalon also has a municipal transportation option: COAST — City of Avalon Seaside Transit, a public transportation service operated by Circuit Transit. The city’s services directory links to current transit information and other resident services. Check its service area and operating details directly rather than assuming a mainland-style bus network.
Practical departure checklist
- Verify the ferry terminal, departure date and the specific return boat.
- Confirm the current fare and any applicable senior or child category before purchasing.
- Allow time to reach the terminal and follow the carrier’s boarding guidance.
- Check conditions again on the day of travel, especially during unsettled marine weather.
- For local connections, consult Avalon’s official COAST transit information.
Sources: Catalina Express — Schedule & Fares; City of Avalon — Municipal Services. Schedule descriptions reflect information available in October 2026; individual departures are subject to change.
More community information: Avalon News front page.
Archive cover photo: Catalina Express ferry leaving Long Beach in 2008, Lisa Andres / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; resized. The photograph does not show a scheduled 2026 sailing.
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