Catalina Flyer
Encyclopedia
The Catalina Flyer is a 500 passenger catamaran
ferry
operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
It has provided daily passenger service since 1988 from the Balboa Pavilion
in Newport Beach, California
to the city of Avalon
located on Santa Catalina Island
. Prior to 1988, the same run was served by the Island Holiday from the mid-1950s until 1978, and the Catalina Holiday from 1978 until 1988, both also operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
The Catalina Flyer is the largest passenger-carrying catamaran on the West Coast of the United States
and at the time it was launched it was the largest in North America. It carries an eight-person crew, and features an expansive sundeck, full-service lounges and large windows from which to take in the views of the Pacific Ocean
.
The Catalina Flyer makes one round trip daily, leaving Newport Beach for Avalon in the morning and returning from Avalon to Newport Beach in the early evening. It takes approximately 75 minutes for a one way trip. In addition to regular passenger service, the vessel is also available for private charter.
As of September 2010, the company that operates the Flyer announced that its runs will be suspended until February 2011, in order to upgrade the ship's engines to meet the environmental requirements of California's Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation.
Catamaran
A catamaran is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas...
ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
It has provided daily passenger service since 1988 from the Balboa Pavilion
Balboa Pavilion
The Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, Orange County, California, is a state landmark. Established on July 1, 1906, the Balboa Pavilion played a prominent role in the development of Newport Beach by attracting real estate buyers to an area formerly designated as “swamp and overflow” land.The Balboa...
in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
to the city of Avalon
Avalon, California
Avalon, or Avalon Bay, is the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island of the California Channel Islands, and the southernmost city in Los Angeles County. Besides Avalon, the only other center of population on the island is the small unincorporated town of Two Harbors...
located on Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, California
Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The island is long and across at its greatest width. The island is located about south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the island is...
. Prior to 1988, the same run was served by the Island Holiday from the mid-1950s until 1978, and the Catalina Holiday from 1978 until 1988, both also operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
The Catalina Flyer is the largest passenger-carrying catamaran on the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
and at the time it was launched it was the largest in North America. It carries an eight-person crew, and features an expansive sundeck, full-service lounges and large windows from which to take in the views of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
The Catalina Flyer makes one round trip daily, leaving Newport Beach for Avalon in the morning and returning from Avalon to Newport Beach in the early evening. It takes approximately 75 minutes for a one way trip. In addition to regular passenger service, the vessel is also available for private charter.
As of September 2010, the company that operates the Flyer announced that its runs will be suspended until February 2011, in order to upgrade the ship's engines to meet the environmental requirements of California's Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation.