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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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Montecito Peak

Length: 5.8 miles

Level: Moderate to Difficult

This long and windy trail starts in near Cold Springs Creek and goes up the canyon before ascending up Montecito Peak. While the views are good along the way, the 360-degree panorama view at the top makes it all worth it. On a clear day, one can see many of the Channel Islands out to the west and all the way to Ventura down south, making it one of the most expansive views of the best Santa Barbara hikes.

Potato Harbor

Length: 5 miles

Level: Moderate

This is definitely the most unique and stunning trail on our list. To start this hike you need to take Island Packers Ferry from the mainland to Santa Barbara’s offshore islands: The Channel Islands. (While you are there be sure to kayak in the sea caves as well!) Starting at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, this hike follows the cliff side and offers unparalleled coastal views. This trail can be done as an out and back passing Cavern Point, or as a loop to the Upper Campground. You will most likely see the resident Channel Islands fox (about the size of a house cat) on the way, found nowhere else in the world. Walking from Scorpion Anchorage to Cavern Point and on to Potato Harbor, one has almost continual cliff side views, perfect for a chance to see some marine animals and snap scenic photos. The view over Potato Harbor looks like you are much closer to the tropics, with crystalline waters below and incredible rock formations jutting out of the coast. This hike is definitely one not to miss! Planning a day at the Channel Islands? Join us for sea cave kayaking in the morning and a hike to Potato Harbor in the afternoon! For other hikes on the Channel Islands, check out the National Park hiking guide.

Inspiration Point

Length 3.75 miles

Level: Moderate

This one is a Santa Barbara hiking classic. It starts with at Tunnel Road with a moderate uphill through the Santa Ynez Mountains up to Jesusita Trail. The trail leads to panoramic views of both the ocean and downtown Santa Barbara. This is a great trail to really get a feel for the area and learn where you want to go next. This is the #1 iconic Santa Barbara hike, especially at sunrise!

Lizard’s Mouth

Length: 0.5 miles

Level: Easy

This short hike leads to a unique rock formation (which the hike is named for) that overlooks Santa Barbara. The path wanders through boulders and brush before leading to “the lizard”. Nearby boulders make this a lovely area to lounge and enjoy the view. Fan of bouldering? Lizard’s Mouth is a climbers’ paradise with numerous routes to test your skills (don’t forget a crash pad!).

Saddle Rock Trail

Length: 3 miles

Level: Easy to Moderate

There are a couple different ways to do this hike. The trailhead is in Montecito and winds between a neighborhood before you take a right at the trail. Start by going up to Castle Rock with incredible views of the ocean above Montecito and a perfect rock to sit on (with the iconic heart shape below you). Then, decide if you’d like to carry on to the entire Hot Springs or Cold Springs trail, you can follow the hills for as long as you’d like. Check out the view of the Channel Islands (dubbed the “Galapagos of North America”) out in the distance.

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Pinnacles National Park

Set alongside Gabilan Range, the Pinnacles in the national park are believed to have been moved by the Pacific Plate along the San Andres Fault line. This location is a great weekend destination for families to go rock climbing, search for California Condors and other historic birds, check out Talus Caves, hike up to High Peaks, Bear Gulch Reservoir, see wildflowers and the historic ranch house. With clear night skies and friendly knowledgeable staff, there is an excellent campground, Pinnacles Recreation Co, to stay at for all the adventures. Learn about the campground amenities and reserve your site.

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is composed of 5 islands and is considered the Galapagos of North America! Top three islands to visit are Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Santa Rosa Island. All three have great hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and on Santa Cruz Island there is sea cave kayaking. Another great spot to camp with clear night skies are these islands, so be sure to book your ferry and campsite well in advance.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are known for the giant sequoia tree. The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park. With the lowest elevation at 1,360 feet and highest at 14,494 feet, this range leads to 1,200 species of plants living within the parks. Additionally, there is a Crystal Cave that visitors can be guided through with friendly naturalist providing a history of the unique features and formations. There are several great campsites to explore within these parks.

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According to the National Park, in general, the islands have a coastal Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island.

Summer

Summer time around the Channel Islands is the peak season to visit. Thus, visitors will want to book well in advance to ensure they have a spot on the ferry (see: Island Packers), a spot on a much coveted guided kayak tour, or even campsite. Holiday weekends especially book up well in advance!

During the bustling summer months, there is typically ample sunshine and most days are around 70 degrees. Early summer can bring gray weather (*see: may gray, june gloom) and cool, often misty conditions. Afternoon winds are common, although these winds usually don’t pick up until after most kayak tours have ended. Fog tends to diminish near midsummer. Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer and continue through October.

Ocean temperatures begin to warm, reaching the high 60s by end of summer. Underwater visibility also increases into the summer. The ocean is often the calmest in summer and fall, although we experience swell from the south during the summer which influences many caves at Scorpion Anchorage.

Summer is a very busy time for tourists, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Fall

Fall brings dry, hot days and often the calmest ocean, when the Santa Ana winds are not blowing. The temperatures are often warmest in the fall months and, since it’s shoulder season, the crowds have thinned out. Late fall starts to bring swell to the region.

Fall brings the highest likelihood of warm weather, calm winds, and seas. However, beginning around October, strong east or Santa Ana winds (hot and dry winds) are possible. Ocean temperatures may reach 70°F in early fall and visibility is often best during the fall.

Winter

In the winter, which we consider low season, the island conditions can be rough. Air and water temperatures are cold during the winter. The water temperatures are often in the mid- to high- 50s (°F). Wetsuits are required and provided as part of your tour. Most rain falls between December and March. Nevertheless, we still experience beautiful, sunny, clear winter days between rainfall. Visitors to the National Park will want to speak with the office at Island Packers (phone: (805) 642-1393) ahead of their trip and should monitor weather conditions as big swell and windy conditions are more frequent this time of year. We will also reach out via email should weather impact the status of your trip.

Spring

Spring time! With a green, lush island that is bountiful with flowers comes rain and wind.

Although spring temperatures get warmer after a cold winter, strong winds often occur during this season. Spring is most known for wind events that bring rough, white-capped seas. Dense fog is common during the late spring as we approach the summer, and often into summer. Ocean temperatures range from the mid 50s to low 60s (°F). There are some nice weather windows in spring, but this shoulder season tends to result in weather cancellations.

Another great weather forecast resource is NOAA National Weather Service. Here is the weather for Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage.

For more information about seasonal weather at the Channel Islands National Park, click here!

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Food can make or break a good trip, so when you are traveling to the Channel Islands, be sure to put some thought into your meals for the day. Since food vending is not permitted on the islands, you need to make sure to pack all your food ahead of time and bring it with you on your excursion. Here are a few options we recommend for our guests.

1) Pack your lunch at home and bring it with you. This is the cheapest way to get food to the islands. If you are kayaking on the island, there will be storage options for your cooler or pack while kayaking. Please do not pack any glass containers, as items shift in transport and can break. We recommend packing plenty of food and snacks, including items easy to carry in your PFD pocket (granola bars, trail mix, etc.) that you can munch on during your kayak tour.

2) Pick up lunch on your way to the dock. There is a Von’s Supermarket at 2433 Harbor Blvd. It usually opens at 6am. You can pick up items there to bring with you for the day. If you are purchasing your food the morning of your trip, be sure to leave plenty of extra time. The ferry boat will depart on time and it is never fun when a guest misses the boat.

3) Lastly, the ferry boat does have some snacks and drinks for sale onboard. We would not count on purchasing food for lunch on the boat, but in a pinch, you could grab some drinks, chips and a candy bar.

Have a great trip and if you have any questions, just call our office.

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The Seasons

Of course, as the seasons change, so does the day length and the ferry times. Summer days depart from Ventura Harbor at 8 or 9 am (later departures are sometimes available) and arrive back to the mainland around 6 pm. Winter (off-season) boat rides often depart at 9 am and leave the island around 3 or 3:30 pm, so you’re left with less time to explore the island. For more detailed ferry schedules and to book your round-trip boat ride to the islands visit Island Packers. Please be sure to book your ferry tickets well in advance during holidays and peak season (late spring to early fall).

The Boat

Most visitors that have only one day on the Channel Islands choose to take a shorter boat ride (1 to 1.5 hours from Ventura Harbor) to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz Island. That will maximize all of the adventurous activities you can do on the islands.

The Activities

In a day’s time, if you’re ambitious, you could fit in what we call the Island Trifecta: Hike, Kayak, and Snorkel* (*during the warmer months: May-October). Please check out our blog about What to do in the Channel Islands National Park for more!

Last, please be sure not to miss your boat! The ferries are on a tight schedule, which means day visitors should plan to be waiting by the pier for the boat no later than 15 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart.

~Wishing you happy trails!~

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Many travelers are familiar with Catalina Island’s many attractions, and a week of outdoor school at Catalina is almost a given if you grew up in Southern California, but we have reasons to believe the “grass is greener” on Santa Cruz Island (especially after a good rainy season ).

Before even arriving on the island, visitors to Santa Cruz are guaranteed sights of an amazing array of marine life in Ventura Harbor and the Santa Barbara Channel, expertly guided by the ferry staff, our own Adventure Company staff, and certified naturalists on-board every boat. Though there is only one departure harbor to the island (relative to several departure points for Catalina), it’s nice to know that you and your fellow passengers will be the only people at the country’s most exclusive National Park.

One of the biggest differences between the two islands is amenities available on each island. Catalina offers a full spectrum of options, from luxury resorts and restaurants in the city of Avalon to primitive, hike-in campsites and everything in between; it all depends on what you’re looking for. Santa Cruz Island offers two options for accommodations on land: Scorpion Harbor and Del Norte Campgrounds. Both locales are picturesque primitive campgrounds, but only Scorpion Harbor provides drinking water. For any adventure at Santa Cruz Island, all visitors must bring their own snacks and meals with them, and remember to protect your food from the island wildlife!

The California Channel Islands (an archipelago of eight islands, including both Catalina and Santa Cruz Islands) are frequently compared to the Galapagos Islands in terms of natural endemism—plants and animals that are found no where else in the world. A landmark achievement of international conservation, the Channel Island fox is now a common sight on Santa Cruz Island, and sustains a population of about 2,000 individuals on Catalina, though they are less-frequently spotted around the developed areas.

Unique to Catalina is a small herd of American bison originally introduced for the purposes of filming a movie in the early years of Hollywood; and while these creatures are generally gentle giants and have been adopted into the island culture, they can be extremely dangerous and disrupt the native ecosystems.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking are the most popular activities on both islands, but each destination offers a different flavor. Catalina offers 165+ miles of hiking trails, whereas Santa Cruz Island hikers have access to about 100 miles of canyons, hills, and ridges. Both islands are international snorkeling and diving destinations, and offer one-of-a-kind ocean kayaking experiences, however the main attraction of kayaking at the Channel Islands is sea cave kayak tours on Santa Cruz Island! Scorpion Harbor is host to dozens of navigable sea caves, and many of our knowledgeable guides have been sharing their wonders with guests for over a decade.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, there are countless learning opportunities to be appreciated on both islands, and a variety of options to fit the needs of any group. Catalina offers a plethora of pre-programmed science camps to choose from, whereas a trip for a school or other group to Santa Cruz Island will be completely customized to your group’s needs by our Outdoor Education team. Both islands offer similar opportunities for studying marine biology, island ecology, geology, anthropology, or oceanography—it just depends on how you want to experience it.

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Island Fox

The most photographed, and arguably the cutest animal on the island, is the island fox. This small mammal lives on six of the eight Channel Islands and is found nowhere else on earth. In fact, each Island has its own subspecies of the fox, yet they all descended from the mainland gray fox. Although this fox is easily found on Santa Cruz Island, the fox was on the endangered species list less than 20 years ago due to an unbalanced ecosystem. Thanks to drastic conservation efforts, the island fox population is now healthy once again. At only about a foot high, it is hard to believe, but this little animal is the top predator on the island, so they are now plentiful and easy to spot while exploring Santa Cruz. Just resist the urge to feed them!

Island Scrub Jay

Did you know that there is a famous bird that people travel all over the world to see on Santa Cruz Island? The Island Scrub Jay is a vibrant blue bird with a distinctive call, which makes it relatively easy to spot and a treat to see. This bird is related to the mainland Western Scrub Jay and is slightly larger and bluer than its mainland relative. The Jay is only found on Santa Cruz Island though there is historical evidence that the Jays also used to live on Santa Rosa Island. Although the birds seem plentiful on the island, because they only live on the one island, they have an extremely small population and are one of the rarest birds in the United States!

Spotted Skunk

The Island Spotted Skunk is another mammal endemic to the islands, found only on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. This little guy is named after the white broken lines marking its back that appears like spots against its black glossy fur. It is one of two terrestrial carnivores on the islands, the other being the foxes.  The spotted skunk is a nocturnal animal, most active in the early morning hours just before dawn and tends to stay away from humans, so it is one of the more difficult animals to spot.

Island Paintbrush

An endemic plant found throughout the national park is Island Paintbrush. Species of this beautiful plant are found throughout North America, yet this specific variety grows only on the islands and is well adapted to the dry, Mediterranean climate in which it grows. The flower of this plant is typically red, but yellow blooms can be found as well. The spring season is a great time to get out and hunt for flowers.

Torrey Pine

One other plant worth noting is the Torrey Pine. It is found in two places in the world, Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park and Northern San Diego. The interesting disparity between the range of the plant relates back to the geological theory that the Islands were once off the coast of San Diego and moved their way up over the centuries. The Torrey is one of the rarest pine trees and grows well in the coastal climate in which it dwells; it is drought tolerant and often grows beautiful, twisted trunks as the wind daily shapes it. Although it is more out of the way, it is a great tree to see!

Learn more about animals at the Channel Islands National Park here!

With all these unique plants and animals out on the Channel Islands, try to spot some on your next trip out, they are well worth the hunt!

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