Balboa Island Ferry

My first time in America taking a ferry with a car! It was such a fun experience and I didn't know about this place until I saw it on the news quite a while ago.

But I thought this was a great day to try it out and also go to the beach. The boat can fit one car and it takes you literally across which is not that far away so it only takes a few minutes.

They do charge you to do this but it was super low. Just a few dollars is all you need for a fun adventure. If you haven't done this I feel like you should.

Sesame the doggie was so fascinated by it and it was also her first ferry ride too!

Blink and the ride is over. LOL

This is a ferry where you can cross to the other side via your vehicle or on foot. We paid to drive our car onto the landing port and then drove over once we got off the ferry. It was a nice view and fun experience.

OK, I'm from the state of Washington which has REAL ferries. Ones that hold 100+ cars. You can get out and walk around the boat. Of course, those trips usually take 30-40 minutes. So, I kind of laughed a little when I saw this this 3-car ferry that was more like a small barge. Still, I have to admit, it was fun for the 5-minute trip the $4.00 I paid.

They were super organized and professional in the way they load you in, especially since you're with people on foot and with bikes. You drive on and then pay once the ferry gets under way.

I have to admit, we actually started moving as soon as I stopped my car on the ferry. They ask you turn off the engine, but I thought my car was rolling and I keep hitting the breaks! It was a weird feeling moving on the ocean while sitting in your car. It took me minute for my brain to kick in that I'm on a boat and it's OK.

Now, for the important part. Go to their website sign the petition to save this ferry. The state wants them to go all electric which will cost $5 million dollars!!! At $2 per person, that's 2.5 million people, and with the average ride probably taking in $40-50 bucks, you can do the math on this one. People will use more gas to drive around to the bridge, not to mention create more hectic and slow traffic. It's insane. But more importantly, if the bridge is closed, the ferry is the only way on/off the island unless you own a boat.

I love being around water. This ferry will get you to the island and back in a snap. Or you can take it from the island to The Fun Zone.

The Balboa Island Ferry is an iconic part of Newport Beach that has been in operation for over a century. It also helped me win a bet with my kids that our minivan could drive on the ocean!

The ride is very short, only about 200 yards or so, but it's really the only ocean-going ferry that I'm aware of in Southern California, or maybe the whole state. While the ride is quick, it is definitely scenic. It can be pretty cool to see the boats on either side.

Despite being somewhat unncessary as you can just drive around, this little shortcut remains super popular. It can get pretty crowded, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons. So if you are in a car, be prepared to wait. They do have a time-tested, quite efficient method using three separate boats - one at each end, and one waiting in the middle. So it's not always that long.

Also, it's cash only, but not that expensive. Plan on about five to 10 bucks for a group of adults.

If you're looking for a quirky and fun way to cross Newport Harbor, or win a bet with your kids about cars driving across the ocean, this is definitely it. Worth the experience at least once. Five stars!

It's so exciting to go over water no matter how far or long it may be. It's always nice doing something different on a nice day in summer and just be spontaneous. The ferry sparked my interest, as it was warm in the valley and the crowds are not as large on Balboa Island, as the Fourth of July is over. At first, I wanted to drive my car onto the ferry, but realized I'd need to deal with parking , so walked aboard and enjoyed the 5 minute trip across the Pacific. A fun way to stay cool and enjoy something different on a Sunday afternoon... BTW, travel for the two of us was $3.00; quite a deal!

Very cool place to get away with family and very friendly staff!! They got all the amenities and stuff to keep the family busy like bike rental, boating and swim on the bay or swimming pool and also fire pit for the night!!

The Balboa Island ferry is the main mode of transportation between Newport beach and Balboa Island. The tickets are cheap and The Fairy as fast..

THE DEAL: have your phone ready to capture
scenic views, both coming and going!

*****CASH ONLY***** $4 for 1 car and 2 adults. Not sure how they're charging it cuz the website and the front prices are different than how they're coming up with $4

******CASH ONLY*****

Great way to get from Balboa Island to Balboa Peninsula where there is Balboa Pier.

5 min boat ride.

You can bring your car on the boat.

They collect your money when you're on the boat.

Long wait when you're going to the Balboa Peninsula. There's a small sign when you're waiting to make sure you turn off your car engine. Maybe cuz of neighborhood don't want to smell gas or save environment....

You can even ride it without a car.

Cool experience.

The perfect mode of transportation to Balboa island. This a 3 car + people standing barge /ferry. The staff is always gracious and very gentle crossing the few hundred feet of water to and from Balboa island. It also give a beautiful view of the waterfront homes and gives travellers the opportunity to get a different prospective.