Getting to Catalina Island: boat, helicopter and arriving at Hamilton Cove

Oct 21, 2026

A Catalina Express ferry crossing toward Avalon, with the town and the island hills behind it.

Catalina sits about 22 miles off the Southern California coast, and getting there is part of the trip. There is no bridge and no airport for regular flights, so you arrive by boat or by helicopter. Here is how each works, and what to know before you reach Hamilton Cove.

By ferry: Catalina Express

Catalina Express is the main ferry to the island, with year-round departures to Avalon from three ports:

Long Beach — about an hour to Avalon
San Pedro — about an hour to Avalon (San Pedro also serves Two Harbors)
Dana Point — about an hour and a half to Avalon

A one-way adult fare is about $47 from Long Beach or San Pedro and about $51 from Dana Point. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays, when schedules can change. For a quieter ride, the Commodore Lounge upgrade gives you a separate cabin and early boarding.

By ferry: the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach

If you are coming from Orange County, the Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach to Avalon, about 75 minutes each way, usually one round trip a day: out in the morning, back in the early evening. Check its schedule before planning around it.

By helicopter

IEX Helicopters flies to Catalina from Long Beach, next to the Queen Mary, with weekend flights from San Pedro. The flight takes about 15 minutes and lands at the Pebbly Beach heliport, about a mile from Avalon. You give your weight when booking and there are luggage limits, so pack light. It costs more than the ferry, but it is the fastest way across and a good choice if you get seasick.

Times and fares change with the season, so check with the operator before you book.

When you arrive in Avalon

Cars are limited on Catalina, and most people get around Avalon and up to Hamilton Cove by golf cart.

The easiest way: COR golf cart drop off and pick up. If your villa offers it, a golf cart is waiting for you when you step off the ferry or the helicopter, with room for your bags, and it is yours for the whole stay. It is collected when you leave. Golf carts rented in town go by the hour only, so having your own cart for the stay makes beach days, dinners in Avalon and grocery runs simple. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will find the service in the Hamilton Cove Experience section of COR: choose drop off on arrival day, pick up on departure day, at the ferry or the helicopter terminal. You can cancel for a full refund up to three days before.

Other ways to reach Hamilton Cove:

Taxi: Catalina Taxi & Tours cabs meet each arriving ferry.
COAST shuttle: the City of Avalon’s on-demand electric shuttle reaches Hamilton Cove, from $2 a rider, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Book it in the Ride Circuit app.
Water taxi: Catalina Coastal Tours runs a water taxi from the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon.

Arriving at Hamilton Cove

Hamilton Cove is a gated community. Security checks arriving guests against a guest list for each villa, and that list has to reach the gate 24 hours before you arrive. Your COR booking asks you to complete it early for exactly this reason. Make sure everyone staying is on it.

Your host, or their agent, has someone in Avalon for your whole stay, so there is always a person to reach.