The Balboa Island Ferry, also known as the Balboa Ferry, Balboa Island Car Ferry, or Balboa Car Ferry, is a daily pedestrian and vehicle ferry service between the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California and Balboa Island. The crossing is a very short ride at approximately 800 feet and takes between 3 and 5 minutes to complete. It has provided continuous service since 1919.
Balboa Island Ferry Schedule
The Balboa Island Ferry operates 365 days a year between the hours of 6:30 AM and 12:00 AM. Ferry departures occur approximately every 10 minutes.
Balboa Island Ferry Fares
A one-way ferry ride on the Balboa Ferry costs $1.50 for adults and $0.50 for children ages 5 to 11. Vehicle with driver fare is $2.50. Additional passengers are extra.
The table below lists the prices for the Balboa Island Ferry that are currently in effect.
| Fare Description | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $1.50 |
| Child (5-11 years old) | $0.50 |
| Child (Under 5) | FREE |
| Adult w/ Bicycle | $1.75 |
| Child w/ Bicycle | $0.75 |
| Motorcycles & Scooters w/ Driver | $2.00 |
| Cars & Trucks w/ Driver | $2.50 |
| Unspecified Vehicles w/ Driver | $2.50 |
| Adult Vehicle Passenger(s) | $1.50 |
| Child Vehicle Passenger(s) | $0.50 |
For commuters and those frequently riding the ferry, a commuter ticket booklet valid for 30 crossings can be purchased for $54.00. This is a 34% savings compared to the regular fare.
Please note the Balboa Island Car Ferry is a cash-only ferry ride, and bills over $20 are not accepted.
Balboa Island Ferry Terminal
The Newport Beach Balboa Ferry terminal, on the Balboa Peninsula, is located at 410 Palm St, Newport Beach, California 92661. It is near the Balboa Fun Zone and ferris wheel.
The Balboa Island Ferry Landing is located at Agate Avenue, Newport Beach, California 92662.
Vessels
Three boats service the Balboa Island Ferry crossing across the Newport Bay. They are the Admiral, Captain and Commodore.
The boats are double ended and made of wood. Each have capacity to transport up to three cars and 75 pedestrians per crossing.
History of Balboa Island Ferry
In 1919, Joseph Allan Beek was granted permission by the city of Newport Beach to launch a ferry transportation service that would connect Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula by crossing Newport Harbor. He charged a fare of 5 cents per person.
The Ark was the first ferry vessel Beek operated for the new ferry service. It was a giant rowboat with a small engine. Beek carried oars on the vessel in case the engine failed and he had to row it across the route.
Three years later, in 1922, Beek used the revenue generated from the ferry rides to build a new vessel. It was called Fat Ferry and had capacity for 20 passengers. He also built a small barge with capacity for one car. He would use Fat Ferry to propel the car barge along the trip.
Balboa Island Ferry Renovations
The automobile ramps leading to the boats were rebuilt in 2008. This caused the ferry service to be shut down for two weeks.
Road construction in January 2022 caused the Balboa Island Ferry to only serve foot traffic, but not vehicles.
A mandate by the California Air Resources Board requires the Balboa Island Ferry to switch to zero-emissions engines for all their boats by the end of 2025. It is estimated this would cost the ferry service $2.5 million to convert their first boat and $1 million for their other two boats.