Balboa Island Ferry, Newport Beach, CA

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About Balboa Island Ferry in Newport Beach, California

There are several ways to get between Balboa Island and Newport Beach Peninsula. You can access both from Pacific Coast Highway, but you can also get from one to the other via a ferry which crosses the channel. Each ferry takes three to four cars and can carry around 40 passengers. The ride is inexpensive if you board on foot, but isn’t expensive even with a car (passengers in cars pay the walk-on fee). Bicycles, motorcycles and dogs on leash are permitted, too.

The Balboa Island Ferry has operated continuously since 1919. The trip across the bay is about a quarter of a mile and takes usually 10 minutes including boarding time.

There are usually several ferry boats running back and forth to lessen the wait for a ride. While taking a car across is one popular method of enjoying this experience, we recommend you “hoof it.” Park your car on the peninsula side for ease of parking. If you have kids with you, the Balboa Fun Zone is right next to the ferry dock on the peninsula. Once on the island take a walk along Bay Front. It’s an easy stroll with lots to look at.

There’s a public dock to break up your walk, beautiful benches surrounded by flower pots where you can sit and gaze at the boats gliding by, and in a few minutes, you arrive on Marine Avenue, the heart of shopping and dining for Balboa Island.

Energized and ready to burn of some calories, you can casually stroll back to the ferry, or extend your walk over the bridge to Little Balboa. It will take you a few hours minimum to do it right (including shopping or a bite to eat.) But a trip on the Balboa ferry is a ride that offers exercise that you’ll hardly notice, thanks to the lovely surroundings. When you are back on the peninsula side Balboa Pier Beach is just a couple blocks away.

Our hours of operation are from 6:30 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, hours of operation are from 6:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.

Address: 305 Palm St
Newport Beach, CA 92661
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