Preparing for Your Trip

Ferry tickets are not included as part of your tour, however, round trip day tickets to Scorpion Anchorage can be added during checkout. Camper ferry tickets are available directly through Island Packers, the ferry company.

Yes, ferry tickets are required for all of our tours. You will have the option to add them during checkout or you can purchase them directly through the ferry company Island Packers.

Of course, Adventure is always the perfect gift!

Buy gift certificates online here or email letsgo@sbadventureco.com and we’ll send you a certificate by email or in the mail.

Of course! Let us know your dates, the activities you’re most interested in, and if your plans are flexible. We will do our best to accommodate you.

We are unable to accommodate pets on our tours. Service animals are welcome. For Channel Islands trips specifically, there is a detailed process required by the National Park Service to bring animals along. More information is available here.

Due to our contract with the National Park Service, we are unable to sell ferry tickets for passengers who are not taking a kayak and/or snorkel tour with us. Ferry tickets for additional passengers who are not joining the tour must be booked directly with Island Packers.

 More information on camping at Santa Cruz Island is available here.

We do not offer senior discounts on ferry tickets. Ferry tickets for passengers 55+ ($58 per person) can be booked directly with Island Packers.

We only offer guided trips. We do not rent equipment.

Ferry tickets to the island and our tours sell out far in advance. Please make your reservation as early as possible to ensure your trip date. Same-day reservations are rarely possible.

About 1.5 hours.

Channel Islands National Park is a remote destination. There are very limited services on the island and no food vendors. It is important to plan accordingly for your trip.

There is basic information about planning your trip in your tour confirmation email. Additional information is available for download on the right sidebar of this webpage.

A set of complete directions will be included in your confirmation email. It is helpful to have your confirmation email accessible on the day of your trip.

Select the date you are interested in and view available trips here.

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 is nowhere to purchase food once you are on the island.

See our list of recommended Channel Islands National Park food options here.

Absolutely! Private tours are available for online booking here.

Planning a trip for a group of students or interested in team-building activities for your company? Fill out this form or send an email to letsgo@sbadventureco.com.

Yes, there is a weight limit to ensure the safety and performance of our kayaks. The maximum weight for kayaking is 450lbs. Guests weighing between 230-450lbs will be provided a single kayak. When making a reservation, please inform us if anyone in your party exceeds 230 pounds. You can find additional details on ocean kayaking requirements here.

There is potable water at the Scorpion Ranch campground at Santa Cruz Island, but we recommend that you bring enough drinking water for the whole day.

If your group booked separately, there is a field during checkout where you can list the name(s) of the other party.

Kayaking: 5 years old minimum (Must be comfortable swimming in the ocean, able to follow instructions, paddle and get in/out of kayak independently. Must be in a double kayak with an adult guardian if younger than 12)
Snorkeling: 10 years old

There is no maximum age limit if you are energetic and in sound physical condition.

We have adjusted our business model to accommodate COVID health and safety standards. For more information, visit COVID-Ready Operational Plan.

If you have already purchased ferry tickets to Scorpion Cove with Island Packers, you can skip the option to purchase ferry tickets during checkout. Please let us know your departure and return times in the comments section of the checkout page.

Channel Islands Adventure Company pays out considerable costs prior to the start of all trips. A full refund, minus a $35 per person processing fee, is available up to 7 days prior to your trip. No refund will be granted for a cancellation within 7 days of the trip.

Date changes are available up to 7 days prior to your trip for a 15% change-of-date fee. No date changes will be granted within 7 days of the trip.

We reserve the right to cancel, reschedule or adjust the trip due to dangerous weather conditions. This cancellation policy may vary for custom trips and events which require more preparation.

Departure times from the island vary by day. Generally, they are 3:30pm for the fall/winter and 4pm or 4:30pm for the spring/summer. You will arrive in Ventura approximately 1-1.5 hours after leaving the island. Our guides will let you know your exact ferry return time during check-in on the day of your tour.

The Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour is our most popular trip. This tour is nearly a full-day adventure. After getting to the island via ferry the kayak tour usually begins at either 9:30am or 10:30am and lasts a total of about 4 hours including gearing up, orientation, and kayaking. After the tour is done there is limited time to explore the island before boarding the ferry back to Ventura Harbor. For the Adventure Tour, you must have a 3:30pm or later return ferry ticket. This tour is perfect for those who want to spend more time kayaking and exploring sea caves during their time on the island.

The Discovery Sea Cave Kayak Tour is a shortened version of our Adventure Tour lasting about 2.5 hours in total. Generally, the Discovery Tour runs twice a day: first beginning at 9:30am-11:30am and another round at 12:30pm-2:30pm. This allows guests additional time to hike and explore the island on foot before or after kayaking. There are many hiking trails that have amazing views of the Channel Islands coastline, a visitor center, and plenty of space to sit back and soak in the beauty of the park. Guests on our afternoon Discovery Tour must have a 4:00pm or later return ferry ticket. This tour is best for those who would like to spend more time hiking during their time on the island.

Our kayak, surf, stand up paddle, snorkel and wine tours will all run rain or shine. All other tours have the potential to get cancelled in the case of heavy rain.

Should a trip not run due to inclement weather or sea conditions, we are able to offer a holding credit (no expiration), switch to a different date, or a full refund.

In terms of weather and ocean conditions on the island, conditions vary throughout the year. We recommend checking out our blog on what the various seasons at the Channel Islands may look like regarding weather. Most days are very nice with a light breeze picking up in the afternoon, however at times it can be very windy on the Channel Islands, and occasionally on the mainland.

When it comes to meet-up time on the day of your tour, you will meet us on the island (rather than prior to ferry departure as you would for a day trip).

Our Adventure Village is about a 5-10 minute walk from the pier where the ferry drops you off, back towards the campground. You will pass right by it as you make your way to your campsite. There is a large sign with Channel Islands Adventure Company on it. You will meet us there at the scheduled tour start time. There’s no need to arrive early.

Our staff works with a variety of guests and 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 underwater
3. Independently hold head upright without neck/head support
4. Manage personal care independently or with the 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 the 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 paddle craft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddle craft*
10. Reenter or remount the paddle craft 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