Catalina Flyer ~ Family of Five and the cost is driving me nuts

[KCmike]

So I see the round trip tickets for the Catalina Flyer are $69 per person. That is in the ballpark of $350. Tell me its worth the boat ride over? Is there any sick sickness going on with the flyer. We've seen the boat and its massive and understand that it probably goes fast. We've done a sunset cruise from Newport before and the kids were ok for the most part. They stopped by a buoy with sea lions and the waves kind of got to us a little. It was a small boat, really small. So is it worth a trip out there? Will the kids get sick? What are the chances we could see a whale or shark?

 

[Kelsers!]

The Catalina Flyer is a decent sized ship, but it is also traveling through the open ocean (very choppy water). The ride feels more like a ski boat bouncing up and down than a yacht bobbing in the swell. Catalina is 27 miles off the coast so the trip does take a while. If your family is prone to sea sickness be sure to get a patch or take a dose of bonine. When I was in middle school we went to science camp on the island every spring and most everyone was always fine. I recommend wearing warm jackets so you can stay out on deck.

Catalina is wonderful-If you like snorkeling, boating, hiking, or bike riding. Best snorkeling outside of the Caribbean and Australia with Garibaldi (our state fish) that swim so close you could pet them. I recommend taking the safari bus over to the isthmus for some truly breathtaking views.

 

[KCmike]

Thanks Kelsers!

 

[endy]

We went for 5 days last July. Loved it & will go back again in the next couple of years. I don't remember it being rough at all tho I love being on any boat bigger than a canoe.
We didn't see any sealife on the way across. I did go on a dolphin and sea lion tour and saw lots of both.
There's a big thread from last July with lots of details on Catalina. We go to SoCal every summer and to date Catalina has been my favorite, the atmospere on the island is so calm and relaxing.

Have a great time.

 

[KCmike]

Thanks endy!