Helicopter to Catalina Island
Fifteen minutes from Long Beach to Avalon. Scheduled seats, private helicopters for your group, and where you land on the island.
- One way from
- $199 per person
- Long Beach
- About 15 min
- Santa Monica
- About 30 min
- Lands at
- Pebbly Beach, Avalon
Flying to Catalina
Scheduled flights with Maverick Helicopters, which bought Island Express in 2023, start at $199 per person one way. Long Beach to Pebbly Beach near Avalon takes about 15 minutes and Santa Monica about 30. A private helicopter for your group is quoted per trip; Maverick's private Heli-Picnic from Long Beach starts at $2,999 for two.
The helicopter turns the ferry crossing into about a quarter of an hour over the water, and lands a mile from Avalon's harbor.
Island Express Helicopters flew the route from 1982. Maverick Helicopters bought it in 2023 and runs scheduled transfers from the Queen Mary terminal in Long Beach and from Santa Monica Airport in Airbus H130s.
Private charters can leave from Burbank, Orange County, Newport, Hawthorne or LAX, and from Van Nuys through its FBOs. That suits groups who want their own time and pickup point.
Flying a plane yourself? Catalina's Airport in the Sky takes aircraft up to 12,500 lb in daylight; most business jets are too heavy.
Sources:Maverick Helicopters: Catalina Island transfersCity of Long Beach, Oct 2023: Maverick acquires Island ExpressCatalina Island Chamber: getting here by airLove Catalina: Catalina by airCatalina Tours: Long Beach helicopter to AvalonHeliHub, Feb 2024: Maverick expands in Southern California
Ways to fly to Catalina
- From
- Long Beach, Queen Mary terminal
- Flight time
- About 15 min
- Price
- From $199 per person one way
- Notes
- Book a time window; the exact time is confirmed later
- From
- Santa Monica Airport
- Flight time
- About 30 min
- Price
- Varies by season and demand
- Notes
- Same operator and helicopter
- From
- Burbank, Orange County, Newport, Hawthorne, LAX, Van Nuys
- Flight time
- Varies
- Price
- Quoted per trip
- Notes
- Whole helicopter, your own timing
- From
- Avalon, Long Beach, Orange County or Santa Monica
- Flight time
- About 2.5 hours in all
- Price
- $1,999 to $3,999 for two, plus $249 per extra guest
- Notes
- Private landing and picnic; S-76 upgrade available
- From
- Long Beach
- Flight time
- About 15 min
- Price
- $959 (Nov to Apr) or $1,075 (May to Oct) for two
- Notes
- One night at Hotel Metropole with round-trip helicopter
Fares from Maverick, Catalina Tours and Hotel Metropole, checked October 2026. The one-way fare was $179 in 2023.
Sources:Maverick Helicopters: Catalina Island transfersCatalina Tours: Long Beach helicopter to AvalonMaverick Helicopters: Heli-PicnicHotel Metropole: helicopter packageCranky Flier, Jul 2023: helicopter to Catalina trip reportHeliHub, Feb 2024: Maverick expands in Southern California
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Pebbly Beach heliport and Airport in the Sky
Where most helicopters land (FAA identifier L11), about a mile southeast of Avalon: a short taxi ride or walk to the harbor.
A 3,000 ft runway at 1,602 ft elevation, privately owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy, limited to 12,500 lb. Open 8 AM to 5 PM with no night flying, and closed to visitors on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
About 10 miles by the Wildlands Express shuttle. Landing fees run $40 (piston) to $200 (jet), with overnight parking $23 to $33.
Sources:Love Catalina: Catalina by airCranky Flier, Jul 2023: helicopter to Catalina trip reportAirNav: KAVX Catalina AirportCatalina Island Conservancy: Airport in the Sky
Private helicopter experiences on Catalina
- Heli-Picnic: from $1,999 for two from Avalon, $2,999 from Long Beach, $3,999 from Orange County or Santa Monica.
- Heli-Hiking from $2,500.
- Hummer Safari from $3,699.
- Zipline package from $3,799.
Sources:Maverick Helicopters: Heli-PicnicMaverick Helicopters: California experiences
US helicopter charter rates by type
Published estimates disagree, so treat these as ranges. Every private flight is quoted on route, positioning and waiting time.
- Passengers
- Up to 3
- Per hour
- About $470 to $900
- Good for
- Short scenic hops
- Passengers
- Up to 6
- Per hour
- About $1,400 to $3,500
- Good for
- Island and resort transfers
- Passengers
- Up to 6 or 7
- Per hour
- About $1,800 to $3,500
- Good for
- Tours, with a wide-view cabin
- Passengers
- Up to 6
- Per hour
- About $2,100 to $6,000
- Good for
- Twin-engine executive transfers
- Passengers
- Up to 6 to 8
- Per hour
- About $3,500 to $6,000
- Good for
- Hamptons and long over-water legs
Ranges from Blade's 2026 cost guide, Jettly (2026) and other published estimates. Repositioning often adds 50 to 100% of the one-way rate.
Sources:Blade: helicopter charter cost guideJettly, Sep 2026: helicopter rental prices
Helicopters on the Catalina run
Scheduled transfers fly the Airbus H130; the Heli-Picnic offers a Sikorsky S-76 upgrade.
Operators
FAA Part 135 operators that fly to Catalina.
Scheduled Catalina transfers and private experiences
Flew the route from 1982; now part of Maverick
Sources:Maverick Helicopters: Catalina Island transfersCity of Long Beach, Oct 2023: Maverick acquires Island Express
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow long is the helicopter ride to Catalina Island?+
About 15 minutes from Long Beach and about 30 minutes from Santa Monica.
How much is the helicopter to Catalina?+
From $199 per person one way on scheduled flights, varying by season and demand. Private helicopters are quoted per trip.
Where does the Catalina helicopter leave from?+
Scheduled flights leave the Queen Mary terminal in Long Beach and Santa Monica Airport. Private charters can leave from Burbank, Orange County, Newport, Hawthorne, LAX or Van Nuys.
Where does the helicopter land on Catalina?+
At Pebbly Beach heliport, about a mile southeast of Avalon.
Is there a weight or luggage limit?+
Passengers declare their weight when booking, and you check in 30 minutes before the flight. Ask about bag sizes when you book.
Can a private jet fly to Catalina?+
Only aircraft up to 12,500 lb can use Airport in the Sky, which is open in daylight only, so most business jets cannot.
Do babies fly free?+
Children under two fly free on a lap.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 13 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Maverick Helicopters: Catalina Island transfers
- 2.City of Long Beach, Oct 2023: Maverick acquires Island Express
- 3.Catalina Island Chamber: getting here by air
- 4.Love Catalina: Catalina by air
- 5.Catalina Tours: Long Beach helicopter to Avalon
- 6.HeliHub, Feb 2024: Maverick expands in Southern California
- 7.Maverick Helicopters: Heli-Picnic
- 8.Hotel Metropole: helicopter package
- 9.Cranky Flier, Jul 2023: helicopter to Catalina trip report
- 10.AirNav: KAVX Catalina Airport
- 11.Catalina Island Conservancy: Airport in the Sky
- 12.Maverick Helicopters: California experiences
- 13.Blade: helicopter charter cost guide
- 14.Jettly, Sep 2026: helicopter rental prices
Fly to Catalina on your own schedule.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.