Catalina Express Marks 45 Years of Ferrying Southern California to the Island

Catalina Express is celebrating its 45th year of service in 2026, marking four and a half decades as the primary marine link between the Southern California mainland and Catalina Island.

How it started

The company was founded in 1981 by three Catalina Island residents — Doug Bombard, his son Greg Bombard, and longtime colleague Tom Rutter — who saw the need for fast, reliable transportation to and from the island. The operation began small: one boat, one phone, and a 60-passenger vessel. The founders worked with boat builders to introduce features that were novel at the time, including full ride-control systems for stability, modern navigation, airline-style cabin seating, panoramic windows, and open-deck seating.

"It's amazing to see how much the business has grown and changed over the past 45 years," said Greg Bombard, now the company's president. "I believe the success of Catalina Express has been made possible because of our loyal customers and employees."

Where it stands today

Since 1981, more than 39 million passengers have sailed with Catalina Express, with over one million riders now making the trip each year. The fleet has grown to eight high-speed vessels, including four catamarans. The largest, the Catalina Jet, carries up to 450 passengers per crossing. The company runs up to 30 round trips daily from three ports: Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point, with the crossing to Avalon taking roughly an hour. Boats also serve Two Harbors on the island's far side.

The 45th anniversary giveaways

To mark the milestone, Catalina Express ran social media giveaways centered on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Fans who followed and watched the company's Instagram (@catalinaexpress), Facebook (Catalina Channel Express), and TikTok (@catalinaexpress) accounts that day had a chance to win round-trip tickets on the ferry.

The timing lined up with a busy summer stretch on the island, including the Palette of Catalina Color Walk and Summer Nights at the Ranch, as well as flying fish season — when night cruises give passengers a shot at spotting the fin-flapping fish that skim along Catalina's shores.

The bigger picture

Catalina Express has become something of a SoCal institution: a fixture in Avalon Harbor and Two Harbors that generations of day-trippers and islanders alike have relied on for beach trips, weekend getaways, and everything in between. Forty-five years and 39 million passengers later, the company is framing this milestone less as a victory lap and more as a thank-you to the riders and crew who built its reputation for reliable, comfortable transport across the channel.