Do You Need a Passport to Go to Catalina Island

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From the Author: I tried to book the Catalina Express for October, and the early morning ferries from Long Beach were sold out three weeks in advance. So, even in the off-season, book your ferry in advance.

So, do you need a passport to go to Catalina Island? No. You don’t need a passport to go to Catalina Island.

Catalina Island is part of mainland California.

But if you’re coming from a different country (outside the US) to Los Angeles to get to Catalina Island, you do need a passport because you’d be coming from outside the United States.

As a long-time Los Angeles resident, I find getting to Catalina Island from LA easy. The cheapest and fastest way to get to Catalina Island is the Catalina Island Express.

Traveling to Catalina Island

Getting to Catalina Island from Los Angeles is easy. The only thing you need is a ticket on the Catalina Island Express.

There are four ports to reach Catalina Island: 

• Long Beach
• San Pedro
• Newport Beach
• Dana Point

You can be dropped off in Avalon, the central hub in Catalina, or Two Harbors, which is less populated and, thus, has fewer restaurants and hotels.

Can I go to Catalina Island with my car?

California restricts the number of vehicles on the island. Visitors are not allowed to bring a car to the island.

So, how do visitors get around Catalina Island? One of the best ways to see Catalina Island is on a golf cart; locals and tourists use them.

You can see the main attractions in under two hours by renting a golf cart or taking a golf cart tour of the island. I’ve done the golf cart tour and it’s a ton of fun. 

There isn’t Uber or Lyft on Catalina Island.

Are people born on Catalina Island?

People are not typically born on Catalina Island. Catalina Island, located off the coast of Southern California, is a popular tourist destination and a part of Los Angeles County.

While it does have a small resident population, the island does not have a hospital with maternity services, so most expectant mothers from Catalina Island travel to the mainland to give birth in a hospital with the necessary medical facilities.

What should you do when you arrive at Catalina Island?

Once you step off the ferry, there are several things you can do, here’s what I recommend:

• Get a locker to store your stuff, or check into your hotel. My hotel recommendation is The Pavilion Hotel in Avalon.
  
• Rent a golf cart from one of the two golf cart rental shops, Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental and Island Rentals, or take this highly-rated Private Golf Cart Tour of Avalon.
  
• Snorkeling there are several places to snorkel on Catalina Island. 
  
• Descanso Beach Club sits right on the water with a cafe, cabanas, and umbrellas by the beach. 
  
• Take the Catalina Casino Tour. The casino is one of Catalina Island’s famous landmarks, known for its stunning Art Deco architecture and historic role as an entertainment and gathering venue since its opening in 1929.
  
• Bluewater Grill overlooks the water and has the best crab cakes I’ve ever tasted. 

What do you need to get to Catalina Island?

Unless you own a private boat, to get to Catalina Island you need a ticket on the Catalina Express, a ferry that takes you from mainland California to the island. You can catch the Catalina Express from Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach or San Pedro.

Please make sure to buy tickets in advance. Catalina Island has become more popular over the past few years. Only a certain number of people can go on the ferry and early morning slots fill up quickly. You want an early am slot, especially if you only stay on Catalina Island for the day.

Even in the off-season (October – February), tickets are selling out in advance.

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Read More of My Tips About Visiting Catalina Island

• Cheapest Way to Get to Catalina Island
• Wrigley Botanical Garden & Memorial on Catalina Island
• Renting a Golf Cart on Catalina Island & What You Need to Know
• Is There a Bridge to Catalina Island
• Is Catalina Island Worth Visiting