Channel Islands Kayak Tours

Overview
Kayak at Scorpion Anchorage and explore Channel Islands National Park. We’ll spend 2.5-3 hours 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 here.

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.

• Most Popular!
  

• Pricing

  $169 per adult + ferry transportation ($63)*
  $158 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.

• Preparing for your trip

Overview
Our Discovery Sea Cave Kayak Tour is a shortened version of our Adventure Sea Cave Kayaking Tour. In 1-1.5 hours of paddling time you will experience sea caves, kelp forests and pristine coastlines. This tour is great for first timers to the island who want to be able to experience numerous activities in a day. Channel Islands National Park offers hiking, snorkeling, birding, endemic species, a rich history and more.

Availability
March-Sept: Most days
Oct: Fri-Sun

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

  $124 per adult + ferry transportation ($63)*
  $109 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.

• Preparing for your trip

Overview
The longest of our kayaking tour options, the Ultimate Sea Cave 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. Bring your lunch and snorkel gear.

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 select days 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.

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

  $232 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.

• Preparing for your trip

Overview
On our guided kayak and snorkel tour at Scorpion Anchorage, guests will receive expert knowledge while exploring beautiful kelp forests and sea caves along pristine coastlines. Guides will offer discussions of marine ecology and the natural history of the island while guests view sea life up close.

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 Monday and Friday at 9:30am from July 1st through September 30th on days when there is an 8am ferry departure

Snorkel & 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.

Ferry return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 4:00pm 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

  $232 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.

• Preparing for your trip