Anyone ever do the MDR-Catalina ferry?

dazedone · Aug 20, 2004

Saw this in the local MDR newspaper:

http://catalinaferries.com/index.html

Seems like a nice alternative to Cat Express, not having to drive down to LB to go to Catalina seems real nice. I might actually try the dive park at CP now that I found a ferry that is less than 2 miles from my house. Do they tolerate scuba gear?

ScubaSeanMaui · Aug 20, 2004

Lucky you, I would have to drive 60 miles to get the Dana Point ferry!!!

One day I'll get over there!

Sean

travelmadness · Aug 20, 2004

dazedone:
Saw this in the local MDR newspaper:

http://catalinaferries.com/index.html

Seems like a nice alternative to Cat Express, not having to drive down to LB to go to Catalina seems real nice. I might actually try the dive park at CP now that I found a ferry that is less than 2 miles from my house. Do they tolerate scuba gear?

there is also a dive boat that heads straight out of marina del rey

drbill · Aug 21, 2004

Wish I could tell you more about the MDR-Catalina boats. They are fairly "new" (in terms of operation, not the vessels themselves). It does seem to be a good alternative for those in the Santa Monica to MDR area. I use the Catalina Express exclusively because I keep a car in San Pedro. Maybe I'll give it a try though since one of my fav dive buddies lives in Venice.

Doc

dazedone · Aug 21, 2004

travelmadness:
there is also a dive boat that heads straight out of marina del rey

I've never heard of it. What is the name of the boat?

travelmadness · Aug 21, 2004

dazedone:
I've never heard of it. What is the name of the boat?

It is listed on http://californiadiveboats.com/

There is also a nice boat that leaves Redondo Beach, I went on it a couple weeks ago - Pacific Star.

headhunter · Aug 21, 2004

It looks like it's $57 (when you add in their "temporary" fuel surcharge of $4) round trip from MDR on the Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer. vs $47.50 round trip on the Catalina Express from Long Beach.

Also, Catalina Express posts "1 hour or less" as their travel time. The Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer shows 1 hour and 40 minutes as their travel time on their schedules page.

So, $9.50 less and about 40 min. less time for the crossing seems to make the Catalina Express a better choice (all other things being equal). Of course, if you live across the street from the Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer, things might not be so equal. :eyebrow:

And is it just me, or is Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer a really long name.

It does look like they'll be having service to Two Harbors from Marina del Rey on "that boat with the long name" though. Maybe a little variety?

Christian

CHUD · Aug 21, 2004

...especially when you compare the schedules. The long-name boat doesn't get you to Catalina until something like 11:00 on weekdays and 10 or 11:45 on weekends, and they have far fewer boats per day that Catalina Express.

Still, I'd give 'em a try if their fare was on par with CatEx. And I might use them twice if they left earlier.

headhunter · Aug 21, 2004

CHUD:
...especially when you compare the schedules. The long-name boat doesn't get you to Catalina until something like 11:00 on weekdays and 10 or 11:45 on weekends, and they have far fewer boats per day that Catalina Express.

Still, I'd give 'em a try if their fare was on par with CatEx. And I might use them twice if they left earlier.

Hey I did find a positive about the long-name boat. I just found an old thread where the CEO of that company is anouncing their service to ScubaBoard. He mentions that he has a huge baggage area and that bringing extra tanks is not a problem.

Here is his post:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=367217&postcount=1

Christian

Anyone ever do the MDR-Catalina ferry?

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