Balboa Island Ferry

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Balboa Island Car Ferry

1 History
2 Other Nearby Historic Sights
3 External links
4 External Images
5 Historical External Images

[edit] History

In 1919, Joseph Beek obtained the rights from the city of Newport Beach to provide a ferry service between Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula.

Before starting the ferry service, Mr. Beek owned "The Ark". The Ark consisted of a giant rowboat and a small engine. Mr. Beek used the Ark as his first ferry vessel. The Ark carried oars in the event of engine failure.

In 1919, Mr. Beek charged a nickel (5 cents) per person. (As of 2005, the Beek family charges 60 cents per person and $1.50 per vehicle).

Three years after commencing operation, Mr. Beek built the "Fat Ferry". This vessel held twenty passengers. Joseph Beek further built a small, one car, barge. The Fat Ferry pushed the barge across the channel between Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula.

In the 1950s, Mr. Beek built three wooden boats for his ferry service: (1) the Admiral, (2) the Commodore and (3) the Captain. These three boats are still presently in service.

These three ferries have transported over two million persons. Each ferry holds about three cars maximum. These ferries have seats for pedestrians and room for bicycles as well.

Currently, Mr. Beek’s three sons all run the business.

The ferry boats travel under 1,000 feet from Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula (Fun Zone area) and vice versa.

The ferry boats reach a top speed of four miles per hour. The speed limit in the harbor is 5 miles per hour.

[edit] Other Nearby Historic Sights

Balboa Fun Zone (Est. 1936). Rides, food, shops, merry-go-round, and ferris wheel.
Balboa Pavilion (Est. 1906). Newport Beach's most famous landmark.
Balboa Pier (Est. 1906). Built as a sister project with the Balboa Pavilion to attract landbuyers to the Balboa Peninsula.