How far is Catalina from San Diego by Boat?

Catalina Island is a popular boater’s destination with memorable outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. If you plan to visit the island, you can take your boat for the adventure or hire one upon arrival. Considering the intricacies of a boat ride on the high seas, one of the questions on your mind must be how far the island is from San Diego by boat.

Catalina Island is around 87 miles from San Diego, and it takes about one hour to get to the island via boat. The island provides resources for boaters, including marinas and locations to anchor boats.

How Far is Catalina Island from San Diego by Boat?

Before embarking on a boating expedition, consider the distance for planning purposes. Your other worry should be the best time to visit the island to ensure you have a good time and for safety purposes due to weather conditions.

The distance between Catalina Island and San Diego is 87 miles. You can visit the island throughout the year, though the best time to visit is during spring and fall since the weather is calm. Summer is also a good time, though the weather conditions may be unpredictable.

Dana Point terminal is closer to San Diego and a convenient option for travelers from the county since it’s the easiest to reach. The port is located off the Five Freeway.  A trip aboard Catalina Express from Dana Point to Avalon takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, Long Beach and San Pedro have more departures if you have a tight schedule and are looking for more options. 

If you want a better experience during the ferry ride, you can upgrade to the Commodore Lounge by paying an additional $15. The lounge offers first-class travel to Catalina Island. Some of the perks you get to enjoy include priority boarding and a free beverage. The lounge is on the second floor, offering a better view than the bottom level, where the masses sit. The lounge also has a private balcony that offers a better viewing deck. It has table-style seating, and the extra room makes the ride more comfortable.

Besides Catalina Express, The Catalina flyer offers round-trip ferry services from Newport Beach to Catalina Island. The 600-passenger catamaran ferry makes multiple trips, averaging approximately 75 minutes. Newport Beach is a few minutes from Orange County and around 50 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and San Diego.

LA to Catalina Island

Catalina Island is approximately 47 miles from Los Angeles. The best option to access the island is to drive to Long Beach harbor, the most popular port of departure 24 miles from LA, and catch a ferry. Long Beach offers the most daily trips, making it easy for you to schedule a trip.

Catalina Express operates high-speed ferry services all year round with up to thirty daily trips during peak season. You can also catch a ferry to Avalon and Two Harbors by the same company at San Pedro and Dana Point.

San Diego to Catalina Island

The most convenient option to travel to Catalina Island from San Diego is to drive to New Port Beach and catch a ferry. The trip takes around two hours, considering the island is 22 miles off the Orange County coast, and you need an hour to travel from San Diego to the Beach. The boat trip will take slightly over an hour via the Catalina Flyer.

Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island: Distance and Time (Mission Bay, Oceanside, Dana Point, Avalon, Two Harbors)

Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island

Many factors affect your journey while sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island. The distance can vary slightly depending on the line of sail, mooring location, the port of departure, and the route you decide to take have a great influence on the distance and time. The weather conditions and speed of your boat also affect your journey.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to travel to Avalon from San Diego. The county is farther away from Catalina Island compared to Los Angeles, and the sea conditions are often less favorable, which adversely affects the journey. However, if you are an experienced sailor, it can take less than 6 hours under favorable weather to make the trip.

Popular Routes When Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island

Sailors take two main routes when traveling from San Diego to Catalina Island. The first route takes the north end of Colorado islands along the eastern side of San Clemente Island and takes 6-8 hours to complete. The second route takes the south end of Clemente Island along the coast of Baja California. This route takes 8-10 hours to complete.

Besides these two, there are other popular routes that sailors take to Catalina Island, including Mission Bay, Oceanside, and Dana Point.

Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island from Dana Point

Dana Point is approximately 29 miles from Santa Catalina. The distance varies depending on the specific route, with most sailors preferring to move across the San Pedro Channel. It takes an average of 4-6 hours to sail from Dana Point to Catalina Island, with an average cruising speed of between 5-8 knots.

Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island from Mission Bay  

Mission Bay is 73 miles from Avalon and takes approximately 13 hours. A sail to Two Harbors, 87 miles from Mission Bay, takes approximately 16 hours.

Sailing from San Diego to Catalina Island from Oceanside 

Catalina Island is approximately 52 miles from Oceanside. It takes 6-8 hours to get to the island under normal conditions. Sailing during weekends and peak seasons may slow your journey due to boat traffic.

Below is a summary of the distance and sailing time from different ports to Avalon and Two Harbors:

•         Mission Bay to Ocean Side- is 31 miles, 5.7 hours
•         Oceanside to Dana Point -25 miles,  4.7 hours
•         Dana Point to Avalon – 38 miles, 7 hours
•         Dana Point to Two Harbors – 44 miles,  8 hours
•         Mission Bay to Avalon -73 miles, 13.4 hours
•         Mission Bay to two Harbors- 87 miles, 16.1 hours
•        Oceanside to Avalon- 52 miles, 9.6 hours

The indicated time is averaging 4.7 knots for each leg.

Sailing around Catalina – the Avalon Loop

Wondering what to do after taking a rest upon arrival at the island? You can go on a sailing adventure and explore the island’s hidden gems. The island’s coastline stretches to approximately 54 miles, though the distance may be longer considering the many bays and coves.

The Avalon Loop is the most common route around the island and covers 27 nautical miles. The route starts and ends at Avalon and takes an average of 4-6 hours to complete.

Conditions that Affect Sailing Distance and Time:

Catalina Island is 22 miles southwest of the coast off San Diego, but the actual sailing distance depends on your starting point. Weather conditions have a great impact on travel time. The wind speed and direction also greatly affect the sailboat’s speed. Always check weather forecasts for proper planning. Other factors include crew experience, navigation knowledge, and information on moorings and anchorages. Mooring in Avalon is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, in Two Harbors, you can reserve a mooring ball a week in advance.

The Best Time to Sail from San Diego to Catalina Island

What is the best time to sail from San Diego to Catalina Island? Fall and summer months are the best, particularly in July and August. Besides the warm weather, the chances of rainfall are low. Winter months are great for whale watching.

3 Best Options from San Diego to Catalina Island

Traveling to Catalina Island from San Diego is easy if you have decided on the means of transport and preferred boarding point. Traveling via ferry is cheap, with more options to explore the marine life, while traveling via helicopter from Long Beach and San Diego is seasick-free and fast since it saves you the road trip to Long Beach. Below are the three best travel options from San Diego to Catalina Island.

Option 1: Car + Ferry [Cheapest]

Driving from San Diego to Dana Point and boarding a ferry to Catalina Island is the cheapest route. Dana Point is the closest ferry point to San Diego. You also enjoy beautiful scenery compared to other means.

Depending on traffic, the journey from San Diego to Dana Point takes slightly more than an hour. There’s ample parking next to the ferry boarding area for $20 daily. Catalina Express makes several trips to the island, making it easy and convenient to schedule a trip throughout the day.

Option 2: Car + Helicopter from Long Beach [Seasick-Free]

If the thought of being seasick makes you nauseated already, this is a great option to the island.  A drive from San Diego to Long Beach is exciting owing to the beautiful view, besides being a great bonding session and a memorable moment if you are traveling with family. Depending on traffic, the journey takes around 2 hours.

There’s a designated parking area at the Queen Mary terminal located at Long Beach. A helicopter ride from Long Beach takes about 15 minutes. A one-way trip to Catalina Island will cost you around $179 per person, though prices vary depending on the season.

Option 3: Car + Helicopter from San Diego [Fastest + Seasick-Free]

Are you seeking the fastest, most comfortable, and seasick-free route to Catalina Island? A drive to San Diego International Airport for a helicopter ride that takes approximately 45 minutes is the best option.

A one-way journey via IEX Helicopters costs $ 4999 per person, though prices might change depending on the season. The company offers per-seat pricing on helicopter rides from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Orange County throughout the year.

The company offers exclusive vacation packages on the island, which include a helicopter ride, ground transportation, and admission to the activity. They also offer helicopter tours, including exploring the island from the skies, private excursions, and island expeditions for lesser-known areas.