Long Beach to Catalina Island: 18-Minute Helicopter Flight

Eighteen minutes over the Pacific: helicopter from Long Beach to Catalina

You arrive at Queen Mary Terminal, board a helicopter with up to six other passengers, and fly 18–20 minutes over the Pacific to Avalon on Catalina Island. The flight includes all fees and taxes; once you land, the island's restaurants, shops, and beaches are open to you. Bring original government-issued photo ID (required for all travelers 18+) and arrive early for weight-and-balance seating assignment.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Arrive at Queen Mary Terminal heliport
• Take helicopter flight over Pacific Ocean
• View Queen Mary and Avalon from air
• Land in Avalon on Catalina Island
• Explore Avalon town and surroundings

The Experience

The helipad at Queen Mary Terminal fills with salt air and rotor noise. You're standing on the tarmac, and the Pacific stretches out in front of you — this is not a ferry ride. The helicopter flight from Long Beach to Catalina Island takes 18 to 20 minutes, and in that time you cross water that would take hours by boat, watching the Queen Mary shrink below you and then nothing but open ocean. The aircraft holds a maximum of seven passengers plus the pilot, so the cabin doesn't feel crowded. You get a window seat assigned after check-in based on weight distribution, which means the view is yours to claim.

The flight itself is the whole point. You're not transferring to somewhere else and then doing the real activity — this is the experience. As you climb, the coastline peels away and you see Long Beach spread out like a map, then the water takes over. The approach to Avalon comes fast: the town appears small and neat from above, the harbor curved like a horseshoe, the hills behind it dry and golden. You land at the heliport on Catalina, and suddenly you're there. All fees and taxes are included in the price, so there's nothing to settle on arrival.

Once you step off, Avalon is yours to move through however you want. The town is walkable — you can stroll the waterfront, grab lunch, rent a golf cart if you want to explore inland, or head to Descanso Beach (that's a separate cost, but it's right there). Some people book this flight as a way to reach the island without the long ferry crossing; others book it because the flight itself is the thing they came for. Either way, you've cut the travel time to almost nothing and traded a slow boat for 20 minutes of actual altitude.

What’s included

• Helicopter flight from Long Beach cruise terminal to Avalon, Catalina Island.
• all fees and taxes.
• scenic views of the Queen Mary and Pacific Ocean during the 18–20 minute flight.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Maverick Helicopters California

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docking at Long Beach and want to reach Catalina without spending three hours on a ferry — the helicopter cuts the crossing to 20 minutes and the price is fixed upfront, so you know exactly what you're paying.

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Top questions

How long is the helicopter flight from Long Beach to Catalina?

The flight takes 18 to 20 minutes from the Queen Mary Terminal helipad to Avalon on Catalina Island.

What is included in the price?

All fees and taxes are included. The helicopter flight itself is the only service covered; activities and meals on Catalina are separate.

How many people can fit on the helicopter?

The helicopter holds a maximum of seven passengers plus one pilot. Seating is assigned after check-in based on weight and balance requirements.

What ID do I need to bring?

All travelers 18 and older must bring original government-issued photo ID, such as a REAL-ID compliant driver's license or valid passport. Photocopies and digital IDs are not accepted.

What if I weigh over 300 pounds?

Passengers weighing over 300 lbs (136 kg) are required to purchase an additional seat. This fee is paid directly to the tour operator on the day of the flight.

What happens if there aren't enough passengers?

A minimum of four passengers is required for the flight to operate. If the group falls below four after confirmation, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I choose where I sit on the helicopter?

Seating is assigned after check-in based on legal weight and balance limits. The operator does not guarantee that your group will sit together or in the same row.

What can I do once I arrive in Avalon?

Avalon is a walkable town with shops, restaurants, and a waterfront. You can also rent a golf cart to explore the island or visit Descanso Beach (additional cost).