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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The Channel Islands are home to incredible biodiversity. Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America because of the number of different animals found there, the Channel Islands support over 100 endemic species (or species found nowhere else on the planet).

Whether by land or by sea, these animals are sure to astound you as you watch in awe — and from a respectful distance, of course!

Here are just a few of the amazing creatures you might find at Channel Islands National Park:

Terrestrial Animals

Many of our animals show obvious signs of adapting to island life. One indicator that evolution has acted on an island species is its size. Through a process called island dwarfism, over many generations, species that are larger than a breadbasket in size tend to shrink, including the island fox and island spotted skunk. On the flip side, island gigantism results in species smaller than a breadbasket growing larger, which is the case for the island scrub-jay.

Island Fox

The island fox is a small fox (only about four pounds), native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. There are six subspecies, each unique to the island it lives on, such as the Santa Cruz Island Fox (above). Island foxes are generally docile, and often bold when accustomed to humans. They’ll even hop on the picnic table in hopes of stealing your lunch!

Island Scrub-Jay

The island scrub-jay, as compared to its mainland cousin, the western scrub-jay, is larger, darker blue in color, and has a distinctive call, making it the most differentiated of all the island endemic birds. This species is the only scrub-jay on the Channel Islands and is found only on Santa Cruz Island. They are remarkable for their intelligence, memory and curiosity.

Island Spotted Skunk

While most people wouldn’t automatically describe a skunk as ‘cute,’ we sure think the island spotted skunk is adorable! The island spotted skunk is also an endemic species, and can be found on the two largest Channel Islands, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. The island spotted skunk is largely nocturnal and very hard to find, but it’s that much more rewarding when you do!

Marine Animals

Many of the marine animal sightings happen during the journey to Channel Islands, specifically while boating across the Santa Barbara Channel (between mainland Santa Barbara and Ventura and the Channel Islands). The Channel is rich in nutrients and food, drawing a third of the total species of marine mammals (whales, sea lions, seals, and more) to the Santa Barbara Channel. The Channel (as the name implies) quickly drops off to become very deep (over 1,000 feet in some places!), supporting a healthy marine ecosystem from the bottom up.

Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are named for the characteristic dorsal fin that sits on a large “hump” on the back, which is noticeable when the whale arches its back to dive, or sometimes breach in acrobatic leaps. Generally, the Humpback whale can be seen in the Santa Barbara Channel from mid-May to mid-September on whale-watching boats. During the humpback season, it is common to find Humpbacks.

Common Dolphin

Common dolphins are one of the most numerous cetaceans in the world, with a population that is estimated to be over one million. Nearly every ride across the Santa Barbara Channel includes interaction with common dolphins. Common dolphins are found in all of the world’s temperate seas (basically, wherever the ocean is free of ice). In the Channel, visitors can find both long- and short-beaked common dolphin playing in the boat wake or by the bow.

California Sea Lion

ARF! ARF! ARF!

Did you know that sea lions produce loud roars and barking, which explains why they’re named after lions? The deepest dive ever recorded by a California sea lion was 900 feet and it lasted just under ten minutes. San Miguel Island is home to one of the largest rookeries in the world for California sea lions with a breeding population of approximately 80,000 animals. That’s one crowded beach!

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