Catalina Passenger Service has operated from the Balboa Pavilion since 1963. We now operate the Catalina Flyer a 500 passengers catamaran.

We started out with the Island Holiday. This was a 150 passenger boat that was a converted Coast Guard cutter.

Then came the Catalina Holiday. This was a 500 passenger boat built for us at Nichols Brothers Boat Yard on Whidbey Island, Washington State. It took us 2 ½ hours to travel from the Balboa Pavilion to the town of Avalon. We used the Catalina Holiday till 1988.

In 1988 we took delivery of our boat the Catalina Flyer. With the Flyer we were able to cut our travel time to 1 ¼ hours. The boat was also built by Nichols Brothers Boat Yard. This 3 deck, 500 passenger catamaran, redefined the passenger ferry service to Catalina island. The Catalina Flyer travels to Catalina at 30 knots. When we added ride control, the Flyer become the most comfortable trip to the Island.

The Catalina Flyer is utilized for daily trips to Catalina Island. It also gets used for corporate and private charters on Newport Harbor. On July 4th, we do a public cruise in the harbor for the fireworks display from Newport Dunes. Possibly the most sought after activity is the Parade of Lights. For 5 nights in December the harbor becomes alive with lights and displays on the houses and boats in Newport Beach. We offer two cruises a night during the Christmas Parade.