The Catalina Express

Relax, Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride

company story

Celebrating 36 Years of Service

This year Catalina Express celebrates its 36th year of service to Catalina Island. Starting with only one boat and one phone, Catalina Express has emerged as the leader of marine transportation to Catalina Island. Each year, more than one million passengers set sail on board the Catalina Express fleet.

"It’s amazing to see how much the business has grown and changed over the past 35 years. I believe the success of Catalina Express has been made possible because of our loyal customers and employees”
- Greg Bombard, President

Catalina Express began in 1981 when three Catalina Island residents realized the need for fast, reliable transportation to and from the island. Doug Bombard, his son Greg Bombard and long time colleague, Tom Rutter, worked tirelessly to make the vision a reality. Since then more than 25 million passengers have set sail to Catalina Island on board Catalina Express.

In its first year of service Catalina Express operated with one, 60-passenger vessel. The founders worked closely with boat builders to design vessels with innovative features like full ride control systems for stability, modern navigational systems, airline-style cabin seating, panoramic viewing windows, and on-deck seating, which won immediate acceptance from passengers.

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Join Us At Catalina Express!

Catalina Express provides a unique, upbeat and friendly work environment. Offering seasonal and year-round employment on land and at sea, our passenger counts normally peak between April and September. We begin recruiting seasonal staff in February of each year to start training for the busy spring and summer months. With Labor Day officially ending summer, we gradually begin reducing our staff to compensate for the change in business demands during the fall and winter months. If an employee is not retained during our off-peak season, but maintained a positive employment record with Catalina Express he/she may be invited to come back the following season.

You may apply in person at our San Pedro Terminal, Berth 95, San Pedro Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm or at our Catalina Landing Terminal, 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. When applying in person, you should be prepared to thoroughly complete our company application, including work history and employer telephone numbers. You will also meet with one of our hiring representatives for a brief screening interview.

You may also submit applications or resumes to [email protected].

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Daily Boat Trips To Catalina Island

Discover paradise on Catalina Island with daily ferry trips to and from the island. More than one million travelers choose Catalina Island as their getaway each year and Catalina Express' large fleet of boats make the trip in about an hour, operating every day, year round from three mainland ports - Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point.

Escape To Catalina Island

Leave the hustle and bustle of the “mainland” behind. Catalina Island is the perfect place to take a break from the demands of daily life. With so many activities to choose from, your visit to Catalina Island can be adventure-packed or filled with rest and relaxation. With its year round Mediterranean climate, it’s the ideal place to enjoy ocean air and sunshine.