Preparing for Your Trip

What about food at the Channel Islands National Park?
The Channel Islands National Park does not permit any food service on the islands, so please bring your own lunch and snacks (please do not bring glass). There will be no where to purchase food once you are on the island. If you’d like a high-quality, prepped meal delivered to the harbor on the morning of your tour, we highly recommend Channel Islands Provisioners. However, our Painted Cave Tour does include breakfast and lunch as part of the charter boat ride to the islands.

Is there drinkable water on the island?
Yes, there is potable water in the Scorpion Ranch campground on Santa Cruz Island and the Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island, but we recommend that you bring enough drinking water for the whole day. There is no water available on Anacapa Island.

How long is the boat ride across the Channel?
About 1.25 hours for most trips and 2 hours for Painted Cave Trips.

I have never been to the Channel Islands, what should I bring?
The Channel Islands National Park is a remote destination. There are very limited services on the island and no food vendors. There is a snorkel shack on the island with sunscreen, small dry bags and limited other goods for sale. It is important to plan accordingly for your trip. There is basic information on planning for your day on your confirmation form. Additional information can be downloaded from our website.

What is the difference between Scorpion Ranch and Painted Cave Kayaking?
This is a great question. We devoted an entire blog posting to answer this question. Read the differences between Scorpion Ranch and Painted Cave Kayaking. The Discovery, Adventure and Ultimate kayak are all at Scorpion Ranch.

Who can take a kayaking tour?
Our staff works with a variety of guests from all skill levels. Beginner Kayak Tours are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria:

1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support
4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion
5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket*
8. Get in/out or on/off of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft*
10. Reenter or remount the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have
    the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation*
12. Ages 5 and older