Malibu-to-Santa Monica ferry backers say $60 million in hand Play

Advocates for a ferry service to link the Malibu Pier to Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, and maybe down to Long Beach say they have $60 million in private funding lined up for the project.

Pier to Pier's funding goal is $120 million of private funding for infrastructure upgrades and operations. This would fund approximately the first 18 months of service — summer 2026 through December 2027.

State Sen. Ben Allen has submitted a $2 million request for state funding.

Pier to Pier is a group of Malibu residents who propose ferry service from Malibu Pier to Santa Monica Pier, Marina Del Rey, and maybe Redondo Beach, San Pedro and even Long Beach. Pier to Pier is proposing to launch a scheduled water transportation service, initially for events, then slowly adding daily routes.

In their latest written update to the city, the company says it would charge fares of about $50 plus tax, round trip. They have a line on two large catamarans, each 100 feet long, clean air, 149 passengers.

Right now they need a permit from California State Parks to use the Malibu Pier. Monday night, Pier to Pier will go before the Malibu City Council to ask for a letter of support to take to California State Parks. The city would not have to pay anything for the service.

The original idea was to take commuters off of the coast highway. But at $50 per round-trip, and with service limited to areas near the piers, the practicality of a ferry as a commuter route seems very much in doubt.

But as a tourist attraction, and as a way to bring visitors to Malibu's commercial businesses in the Civic Center area, that is another matter.

Pier to Pier says the catamarans could help the city recover lost sales tax from the fire. They say ferry service would utilize the city's brand to attract visitors, investment, and residents through strategic outreach. And they say a ferry could help evacuate Malibu during a fire — not to mention deliver high quality public services and spaces for education, recreation, and culture.

One question: does Malibu really need to market itself as a tourist shopping experience?

Pier to Pier goes before the City Council next Monday night.