Catalina Express is the gift that keeps on giving. The leading ferry service to Catalina Island, with departures from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point to Avalon and Two Harbors, announced today that that it is lowering its fares along with the launch of a new departure schedule.

Fares have decreased an average of four percent, or just below 2012 fares, to the following round trip fares, taxes and fees:

ROUND TRIP FARES (INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES)                         

Long Beach                    Dana Point & San Pedro   

Adults:   $72.00              $74.00

Seniors:  $65.00              $67.00

Children (2-11): $56.50   $58.50

Infants:  $5.00           $ 5.00

Bicycles/surfboards: $7.00    $ 7.00

Commodore Lounge        $15.00 each way, per person, additional, Long Beach/San Pedro

Greg Bombard, president of Catalina Express, says, "Though costs are going up, the price of fuel has been dropping and we are pleased to pass along these savings to our passengers. Our new schedule is designed to allow our vessels to run more efficiently, giving our passengers more convenient departure times and to allow on-time departures and arrivals with crossing times remaining at just over an hour each way."

More than 25 million passengers have ridden Catalina Express since it began service 35 years ago. Generations of families have built a lifetime of memories via Catalina Express and its more recent Ride Free on Your Birthday and Birthday Island programs.

About Catalina Island and Catalina Express

Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from three ports via Catalina Express: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors, transporting more than one million passengers annually. It offers comfortable airline-style seats and grouped table seating. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built/purchased specifically for comfort and speed. Catalina Express is an unparalleled resource in Southern California, and one of the world's most respected ferry fleets. For information and reservations, call 800-429-4601, or visitCatalina Express.

Catalina Island's clear blue waters and Mediterranean climate and ambiance are a Shangri-La. This laid-back island town is chock full of places to eat, drink, shop. Catalina has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, unique animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. Sightseeing opportunities are numerous and varied from escorted tours around town, adventure rides into the interior, jeep eco tours, hummer rides, to zip lines, rock climbing and undersea adventures. Independent activities are plentiful, camping, hiking, snuba, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments, beach lounging, golf, boating, parasailing, fishing, and more.

###