Adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour
OUR MOST POPULAR TOUR!
Overview
Experience the stunning beauty of Channel Islands National Park on our Adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour at Scorpion Anchorage. On this tour, you’ll spend 2.5-3 hours exploring the unparalleled natural wonders of this unique area. With more sea cave kayaking opportunities than any other part of the park, Scorpion Anchorage is the ultimate destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and kayaking enthusiasts.
Availability
The Adventure Tour meets on Santa Cruz Island daily at 10:30am and select days at 9:30am
Tour Time (~4 hours)
~1 hr – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
~2.5-3 hours – Kayaking
Paddling Distance
2.5-3 miles
Level of Difficulty
Beginner through advanced levels. Children under age 5 not permitted.
Ferry Tickets
The 10:30am tour requires a ferry departure of 9am or earlier from Ventura Harbor. The 9:30am tour requires a ferry departure of 8am. Check-in is one hour prior to departure.
Ferry return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 4:30pm and 7:00pm). If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ’s page.
Pricing
Public tours:
$186 per adult + ferry transportation ($63)*
$174 per child 12 and under + ferry transportation ($50)*
Private tours:
$1,488 (1-8 guests) + ferry transportation*
$2,784 (9-16 guests) + ferry transportation*
$4,176 (17-24 guests) + ferry transportation*
Tours often sell out. Please book in advance.
*Ferry tickets must be purchased to get to the island. You’ll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.- Preparing for your trip
Discovery Sea Caves Kayak Tour
Overview
Our Discovery Sea Caves Kayak Tour is a shortened version of our Adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour. For 1-1.5 hours you’ll kayak through stunning sea caves, kelp forests, and pristine coastlines. Perfect for first-timers visiting the island, this tour allows you to pack in multiple experiences into one day, from hiking and snorkeling to birding and exploring endemic species. Don’t miss out on the rich history and breathtaking scenery that this national park has to offer.
Availability
March-November: Most days
Meets on Santa Cruz Island at 9:30am and/or 10:30am as well as 12:30pm and/or 1:30pm (meet times depend on the ferry schedule to Santa Cruz Island – Scorpion Anchorage)
Tour Time (~2.5 hours)
~1 hr – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
~1-1.5 hours – Kayaking
Paddling Distance
1.25 miles
Level of Difficulty
Beginner through advanced levels. Children under age 5 not permitted.
Ferry Tickets
The 9:30am tour requires an 8:00am ferry departure (7am check-in time). The 12:30pm tour requires a 10:00am ferry departure or earlier (check-in is one hour prior to ferry departure). Ferry options typically will be 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:00am. The 1:30pm tour requires a 4:30pm or later return from the island.
Ferry return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 4:30pm and 7:00pm). If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ’s page.
Pricing
Public tours:
$136 per adult + ferry transportation ($63)*
$120 per child 12 and under + ferry transportation ($50)*
Tours often sell out. Please book in advance.
*Ferry tickets must be purchased to get to the island. You’ll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.
Private tours available. Email letsgo@islandkayaking.com for pricing and more info.- Preparing for your trip
Ultimate Sea Caves Kayak Tour
Overview
The longest of our kayaking tour options, the Ultimate Sea Caves Kayak Tour is for the true ocean adventurer. We’ll explore incredible sea caves and kelp forests along our route to the famous Potato Harbor, a remote area of the park that allows for a truly breathtaking and memorable experience with its aqua-colored cove and pristine shoreline.
This tour is best for
1. Intermediate-Advanced kayakers who are looking for a longer day on the water, must have 8am ferry departure and 4:30pm return
2. Campers on their 2nd day at the island, so they can enjoy a first full day exploring the island on land
Availability
This tour is offered on Friday-Sunday and Wednesdays from May through November.
Meets on Santa Cruz Island at 9:30am.
Tour Time (~5 hours)
~1 hr – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
~3-4 hours – Kayaking
Paddling Distance
4-5 miles
Level of Difficulty
Intermediate – Advanced
Ferry Tickets
This tour requires a ferry departure of 8am (check-in at 7am) or prior nights camping on Santa Cruz Island. This tour also requires a 4:30pm or later ferry return.
Ferry return times vary daily, departing at 4:30pm or 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 6:00pm and 7:00pm). If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ’s page.
Pricing
Public tours:
$255 per person + ferry transportation (adults $63 / children 12 and under $50)*
Tours often sell out. Please book in advance.
*Ferry tickets must be purchased to get to the island. You’ll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.
Private tours available. Email letsgo@islandkayaking.com for pricing and more info.- Preparing for your trip
Snorkel & Sea Caves Kayak Tour
Overview
Explore Channel Islands National Park both above and below the ocean’s surface on our expert-led Snorkel & Sea Caves Kayak Tour at Scorpion Anchorage. Kayak through vibrant kelp forests, sea caves, and the island’s pristine coastlines. Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a journey through marine ecology and the rich history of the island. Get up close with sea life and leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the underwater world.
This tour is best for
1. Guests who already have previous kayaking and snorkeling experience. Guests should be comfortable in the ocean and comfortable swimming with a snorkel.
2. Campers who are already on the island and want a full day of adventure on & in the water
Availability
Our Snorkel & Kayak Tours run every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:30am from July 1st through September 30th on days when there is an 8am ferry departure
Snorkel & Sea Caves Kayak Tour Time (~5 hours)
~1 hr 45 min – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
~1-1.5 hr – Kayaking
~15 min – Lunch
~45 min – Snorkeling
~30 min – Gearing down
Level of Difficulty
Intermediate through advanced experience levels recommended. Minimum age 10; children 12 and under must be escorted by an adult guardian on the tour. All guests MUST know how to swim. Prior snorkeling experience is REQUIRED.
Includes
• Snorkel & Mask*
• Fins
• 3-piece, 7mm Wetsuit
• Snorkel flotation device
• PFD (personal flotation device) for kayaking
• Ocean kayak**
• Knowledgeable guide(s) on exploring sea caves as well as the local natural history and marine ecology
*We do not have prescription masks. If you have contact lenses, you should wear them.
*We provide wetsuits and snorkel masks; however, if you would like to bring your own, you are more than welcome to do so.
**By default, even-numbered parties will be paired in a tandem (2-person) kayak. For single or odd-numbered parties, single (1-person) kayaks will be provided.
Ferry Tickets
This tour requires an 8am ferry departure (7am check-in) or prior nights camping on Santa Cruz Island. This tour also requires a 4:30pm or later return.
When booking ferry tickets on our website, the return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 4:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 5:00pm and 7:00pm). If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ’s page.
Pricing
Public tours:
$255 per person + ferry transportation (adults $63 / children 12 and under $50)*
Tours often sell out. Please book in advance.
*Ferry tickets must be purchased to get to the island. You’ll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.
Private tours available. Email letsgo@islandkayaking.com for pricing and more info.- Preparing for your trip