Guided sea cave kayak excursion includes: kayaking gear (paddle jackets, helmets and wetsuits as necessary), double kayak, knowledgeable guide(s), kayaking lesson, natural history and marine ecology.

Starting point and time: Ventura Harbor, 7am or 8am with a return to the harbor around 5pm. Actual start and finish times for kayaking may vary.

Destination: Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Level of difficulty:  Beginner through advanced welcome. Children under 12 must ride in double kayak with a parent.

Cost: $215 adult, $197 child under 12 years old for the Adventure Tour. (Includes ferry boat transportation). Single kayaks are an additional charge of $15 per kayak.

What if I already have ferry boat tickets?
Then the cost is $153 per adult and $143 per child under 12 years old for your tour. Please call our office if you have any questions about this process.

Group Discount Rates: $143 per adult and $133 per child under 12 years old (16+ people). Group discount rates cannot be used with other promotional discounts.

Additional discounts may be available for non-profit, scouts and school groups. Please call to inquire. 

Paddling time and distance: 2.5 miles, 2.5 – 3 hours of island kayaking.

Highlights: Marine mammal sightings (Dolphins!) on the boat ride, incredible Channel Islands kayaking, Channel Islands National Park visitors center, options for snorkeling and hiking, and an overall amazing island experience.

What if I want to snorkel?

We have snorkeling equipment for rent on the island. There are 5mm and 7mm wetsuits, hoods, fins, snorkels and masks.

Is food provided?

No, please bring your own food for the day. There are a number of convenient options for purchasing food nearby Ventura Harbor. Please see the link below for more information.

Additional Information on preparing for your Channel Islands Day Trip

Overview

Scorpion Anchorage is within a Marine Protected Area and also a part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. No other area of the park offers as many sea cave kayaking, snorkeling and hiking opportunities. Some of the most beautiful sea caves in the world can be found at Scorpion Anchorage.

Santa Barbara Adventure Company is an authorized kayak guide and outfitter for the Channel Islands National Park. We are the number one choice for Channel Islands outfitting and tours. Dangerous conditions may exist at any time of the year, and we cannot guarantee cave exploration.

PLEASE NOTE:
If your preferred date is less than 2 days from now or is not available in our online reservation system, please call us and we can probably fit you in!
(805) 884-WAVE or toll free (877) 885-WAVE.
Letsgo@sbadventureco.com

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Scorpion Anchorage is closed currently due to the construction of a new pier. This location is set to reopen summer 2020. During this time, we are happy to announce that we have a special tour that will still give you the option to come sea cave kayaking with us this spring!

When are trips running?

Guided tours will be April 11th and April 18th, 2020 to the sea caves in Channel Islands National Park.

The cost of this trip is $299 per adult and $289 per child under 12 , which includes the ferry transportation and guided kayak tour.

This is a beginner to advanced activity and guests under 12 must ride in a double kayak with an adult.

*All trip dates require minimum numbers and are subject to cancellation due to weather conditions. Call our office for the most up to date information and availability. (805) 884 -9283

Where and when does the boat leave?

The Vanguard is a Chartered Boat ride that will leave Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, CA at 8am. Check-in for this trip will be at 7am. The boat will return to the harbor by 5pm. This is a full day of being on a boat and kayak without stepping foot on the island.

Island Packers – Oxnard: 3600 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035

3550 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035 is the listed address on Island Packers website and will bring you to the same location in the harbor.

After about 1.5 – 2 hour boat ride, the Vanguard will stop along the coast of Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy whale watching and dolphin sightings while crossing the channel! The boat will put kayaks in the water and clients will have to climb down an 8-foot ladder into the kayak supported by the guide. Check out our guide to kayaking in Channel Islands National Park for more insight on if you are best suited for this adventure!

What does the kayaking look like?

Kayaking will be about two to three hours on the water. While kayaking, you may see sea caves, kelp forests, and wildlife. Guides will check the safety of caves based on weather conditions and guide clients through them.

What should you bring?

Layers, layers, layers! Seating inside the boat will comfortably fit about 10 people so plan on spending some time enjoying the fresh air and looking for whales!

Be water ready to kayak – we recommend wearing your bathing suit under your clothes in the morning; however there is a small bathroom on the boat. Most boats require closed toed shoes so an old pair of tennis shoes that can get wet is a great option.

Water bottle that can hold about 1 quart or greater of water.

Sun protection – a hat, sunglasses with a neck strap and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) is all recommended.

Bring a lunch and snacks! There will be coffee and tea upon arrival to the boat along with a few small snacks. There is a small snack bar on the boat to purchase snacks with cash only but don’t depend on this for a full meal.

Nearest grocery store is Ralphs (a 10 minute drive from the harbor), which opens at 6am if you would like to purchase food the morning of the adventure.

Other things to bring: towel, day pack, and a change of shoes, a watch, CASH if you plan on buying snacks on the boat along with tipping your guide (it’s customary but always optional), seasickness medication (optional), waterproof camera (optional), and gloves (again, optional and can be helpful to protect against abrasive cave surfaces).

Storage on the boat is limited so please pack efficiently and limit items to 1 backpack/duffel bag per person.

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Wildlife Watching

Even before you reach the Channel Islands National Park, you’re bound to see ample wildlife on the Island Packers boat ride. The usual sightings include common dolphin and seabirds. Depending on the season, visitors may also see whales such as humpbacks and blue whales, or even the very rare orca!

Hiking

Especially during the spring when wind flowers are blooming and the islands are so green they appear tropical, hiking is one of the best activity options on the island. When it’s too cold or windy to spend all day on the water, there are countless great hiking options. One of our personal favorites is to Cavern Point. Learn more about hiking trails in the Channel Islands National Park and plan your trip today!

Visitors also have the option to go on a guided hike with either Island Packers crew (meet the crew here!) or volunteer Naturalist Corps member, both are highly trained, knowledgeable, and passionate naturalists who love what they do! In some parts of the National Park, such as the Pelican Bay trail at Prisoners Harbor, guests must be lead on a guided hike.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and SCUBA Diving, Oh My!

During the warmer months of the year (May-October), many visitors to the Channel Islands opt to dip into the cool Pacific. Swimming and snorkeling around the islands is readily accessible (Santa Barbara Adventure Company will rent you wetsuits, hoods, mask, snorkel, and fins on the island). You can expect to see ample wildlife, including Garibaldi and California Sheephead fish, urchin, sea stars, sea lions, harbor seals, and much more!

If your willing to dive deeper, then SCUBA might be for you! The SCUBA diving on the Channel Islands has been named in the top 10 cold water dive sites in the world! You can take a day-trip to do 2 or 3 tank dives with The Raptor or The Spectre dive boat operators, both located in Ventura Harbor. From there, trips run primarily to Santa Cruz and Anacapa island for some of the healthiest kelp forest, cold water diving on the planet.

Camping

Want to spend more time on the islands and immerse in nature? There are many camping (and backpacking) options on the Channel Islands. Be sure to pack light as some of the camp sites are a mile or more away from the pier. Also, be sure to book your spot in advance through Recreation.gov! Pro tip: We recommend booking the ferry (Island Packers) before booking your campsite.

Kayaking

Sea kayaking is BY FAR our favorite adventure activity to do on the Channel Islands. Book your guided kayak tour with excellent guides at Santa Barbara Adventure Company. This way you get to see the best part of the National Park: the ocean and coastline!

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However, you can book kayaking and snorkeling tours on Santa Cruz Island year around by taking the ferry to the island. These tours have the advantage of a “landing” meaning you can also hike and explore the island.

While on the ferry you can whale watching, witness mega dolphin pods and enjoy a quick right to the island. Come and see blue whales, bald eagles, mega pods of dolphins and beautiful sea life.

Want to read more about Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s tours?

Then read about

Book your Channel Island National Park Tour online

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