Kayak Tours

Our Discovery Sea Cave Kayak Tour is a shortened version of our Adventure Sea Cave Kayaking Tour, with 1.5 hours of paddling instead of 3 hours. Channel Islands National Park offers a diverse array of recreational activities from birding to hiking to snorkeling to exploring the history of the island. Our Discovery Sea Cave Kayak Tour is great for first timers to the island who want to be able to experience numerous activities on the island. Also if you prefer a later start or just want a shorter kayaking tour at the Islands then this trip is for you!

Ferry Tickets
Ferry service is aboard modern catamarans operated by Island Packers, the sole transportation concessioner to Channel Islands National Park. You will be given the option to purchase ferry tickets from us during the checkout process after adding your kayak tour.

Ferry return times vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Your ferry will depart from Scorpion Anchorage at 4:00pm, 4:30pm or 5:00pm. If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.

• Pricing

  Adult $109 + ferry ($59)*
  Child $99 (12 and under + ferry ($46)*
  *You'll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers or will be camping on the island you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.

• Preparing for your trip

Our Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour is our most popular Channel Islands National Park tour. We’ll spend a half-day exploring the sea caves around Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. No other area of the park offers as many sea cave kayaking opportunities. Some of the most beautiful sea caves in the world can be found at Scorpion Anchorage.

Ferry Tickets
Ferry service is aboard modern catamarans operated by Island Packers, the sole transportation concessioner to Channel Islands National Park. You will be given the option to purchase ferry tickets from us during the checkout process after adding your kayak tour.

Ferry return times vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Your ferry will depart from Scorpion Anchorage anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura Harbor 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.

• Most Popular Island Tour!
  

• Pricing

  Adult $149 + ferry ($59)*
  Child (12 and under) $139 + ferry ($46)*
  *You'll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers or will be camping on the island you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.

• Preparing for your trip

The longest of our kayaking tour options and only for advanced paddlers, our Ultimate Sea Cave Kayak tour is for the true ocean adventurer or someone who has been kayaking in Channel Islands National Park previously. We’ll explore incredible sea caves and kelp forests along our route to the famous Potato Harbor, a less visited and more rugged area of the park that allows for a truly breathtaking and memorable experience. Bring your lunch and snorkel gear.

If this is your first time to the island, we recommend the Adventure Tour.

Ferry Tickets
Ferry service is aboard modern catamarans operated by Island Packers, the sole transportation concessioner to Channel Islands National Park. You will be given the option to purchase ferry tickets from us during the checkout process after adding your kayak tour.

Ferry return times vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Your ferry will depart from Scorpion Anchorage anywhere between 4:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura Harbor between 5:30pm and 7:00pm). If you would like to know your exact ferry return time for a specific date, please call or email us.

• Prior Experience Required
  Call for Availability in the Winter and Fall.

• Pricing

  Adult $179 + ferry ($59)*
  Child $169 (12 and under) + ferry ($46)*
  *You'll have the option to add a ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers or will be camping on the island you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.

• Preparing for your trip

Get ready for a full day at sea. Explore Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world! Painted Cave is within a Marine Protected Area and also a part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Enjoy breakfast & a hot lunch, as well as whale watching on the boat ride where you may spot sea lions, otters, dolphins, marine birds and whales. Snorkel the protected kelp forest after kayaking the massive sea caves. This is an adventure you will remember for a lifetime. Private Charters are available in the off season; call for details.

Availability
This is a seasonal trip offered on the following dates:

June: 6/8, 6/16, 6/28, 6/29 & 6/30
July: 7/5, 7/7, 7/10, 7/13, 7/17, 7/26, 7/27, 7/28 & 7/31
August: 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/7, 8/9, 8/10, 8/21

If you’d like to request a specific date, please email or call our office.

More info on planning a Painted Cave Kayak Trip

• Check Availability
  This tour is only offered in Spring and Summer.

• Pricing

  $299 adult, $279 child.
  Group rates for 6-15 people is $279 per person. Group rates for 16+ are $249/person. Group discount rates can not be used with other promotional discounts. Additional $15 charge per single kayak. No charge for snorkel gear.

On our guided kayak & snorkel tour, guests receive expert knowledge while exploring the beautiful kelp forests and along pristine coastlines. There may even be a chance to swim in and out of sea caves, conditions permitting! Guides will offer discussions of marine ecology and natural history of the islands while guests view sea life up close. For this tour, guests must know how to swim and also have basic snorkel & kayaking experience. 

Ferry Tickets
Ferry service is aboard modern catamarans operated by Island Packers, the sole transportation concessioner to Channel Islands National Park. You will be given the option to purchase ferry tickets from us during the checkout process after adding your kayak tour.

Ferry return times vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Your ferry will depart from Scorpion Anchorage anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura Harbor 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.

• Pricing

  Per Person $199 + ferry ($59)*
  *You'll have the option to add your ferry ticket to your cart. If you already have ferry tickets directly through Island Packers or will be camping on the island you can select to not add ferry tickets to your cart.