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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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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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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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