channel islands snorkeling tour

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Last updated: September 22, 2017

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1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001

805 658-5730

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Snorkeling Channel Islands

Crystal clear waters, corals, crabs, fishes, and so much more!

$295/person (tour+transportation)

76 Miles from you

National Star: Exceptional experiences within the country that are must-dos for adventurers Learn more

Description

Go to Santa Cruz Islands and dive into crystal clear water to see real ocean life. You can bring your own snorkeling gear or rent from an Island vendor. Dive at your own pace and enjoy the show. You will see a variety of marine life in the wild nature. Reconnect with the ocean and feel like you belong underwater! Book your Ferry Here:  Island Packers

Perfect for

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• Arrive at Island Packers Ferry dock for check-in an hour before your departure time
• Meet your Channel Islands Adventure Company guides just outside of the Island Packers building
• Board the Ferry and enjoy your ride (1-1.5 hours)
• Meet your guides on the island
• Get your gear and safety instructions
• Enjoy your tour/snorkeling experience (3 hours)
• Spend the rest of the day on the beach
• Get picked up by the ferry
• Enjoy your ride back to the Island Packers Ferry Dock (1-1.5 hours)

Location & Hours

Channel Islands Adventure Company, Santa Cruz Island, CA

Working Hours

Packing List

• Waterproof bag

   4.9  ● Google reviews

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12 months ago

Nearby experiences

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Nearby cities

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Our most popular activities, adventure sea caves kayak tour, santa ynez wine tour, sunset kayak tour, gaviota coast kayak tour, snorkel & kayak tour, full-day surfing lesson, stand-up paddle lesson, choose your adventure.

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Snorkeling Channel Islands, Southern California

Some of the best snorkeling in the world awaits you at the Channel Islands National Marine Park . This marine wonderland encompasses the five northern islands of the 160 mile archipelago off California's coast. The kelp forests, sea caves, and beautiful coves of this underwater park offer great exploring opportunities to swimmers, snorkelers, and divers alike.

The best islands for snorkeling are Santa Barbara Island , Anacapa Island, and eastern Santa Cruz Islands; that's where you'll find the more desirable and interesting habitats including the rocky reefs and kelp forests. The shore access at Santa Cruz is mostly a sandy sea bed except for a very shallow 5-15 foot rocky habitat near the pier at Scorpion anchorage. If you enjoy the wonders of tide pool exploration, be sure to visit Frenchy's Cove at Anacapa Island.

Shore access at Santa Rosa and San Miguel are also mostly sandy sea beds unless you go by kayak to other access sites. The extreme winds on Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands are not so welcoming to novice explorers. Only well-trained, fully-conditioned and equipped travelers should attempt the adventurous snorkeling experiences in the waters surrounding them.

Preparation and self-reliance are essentials for your visit to the Channel Islands. With the absence of food stores and gear rental shops, there are no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived. Be sure to pack in what you will need for the day, including food and water, and then, in keeping with the heart of a true nature lover, pack out all your trash.

If you don't own a boat, by now you are probably wondering how you'll get to these enchanted islands. My first choice to to go by plane; to do so, contact Channel Islands Aviation from www.flycia.com . Traveling by boat, you may leave from Ventura or Santa Barbara. Contact Island Packers from www.islandpackers.com for departures from Ventura or Oxnard harbor and for departures from Santa Barbara, contact Truth Aquatics at Sea Landing from www.truthaquatics.com .

You will find a variety of half-day, full-day and multiple day trips available for some of the best snorkeling adventures ever.

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Santa Barbara Channel Islands National Park Tours

Day Trips start at $99/adult. Kayak secluded coves, encounter dolphins, explore sea caves, and snorkel the marine sanctuary kelp forests. Best in California.

Explore Channel Islands National Park

Only accessible by boat, the Channel Islands is one of the least visited National Parks in the U.S. providing a unique experience of marine wildlife viewing as well as biologic diversity seen nowhere else on the Pacific Coast of North America.

Channel Islands National Park Expeditions

Our custom expedition fleet boats are the perfect way to see these off-shore hidden gems. We have over 20 years of guiding experience and over 20,000 happy clients!

Snorkeling Adventures from only $45 + boat trip

• Visit the world’s largest sea cave, Painted Cave on every trip.
• We have an expedition for everyone!
• Our day trips start at $79.

Largest Sea Caves on Earth

We pioneered kayaking into sea caves almost 30 years ago. Our sea cave kayak expeditions are high adventure and for those with some experience.

Discover Mega Pods of Dolphins

The Santa Barbara Channel is world famous for whale watching. Our journey to the islands each day takes us right over a feeding shelf 6 miles from Santa Cruz Island. As we encounter this shelf we experience feeding frenzies with dolphins, whales, and marine birds.

Gourmet Galley - Market Salads - Smash Burgers

We source local ingredients and always serve healthy options on our Santa Barbara vessels.

Custom Vessels for Kayaking, Snorkeling, SCUBA Diving, and Hiking

Our vessels and crew have been taking people to the Channel Islands National Park for over 20 years. A professional crew will act as naturalists and guides sharing knowledge and making your island experience rich and informational.

Whale and Dolphin Tours

Sunset cruise, channel island tours.

The Spectre Dive Boat

Venture beneath the waters of anacapa and santa cruz islands, video of your dive day.

• Most Popular!

This is an all day diving trip to either Anacapa or Santa Cruz Islands. Dive locations are selected by best overall conditions for that day.

Starting at: $95/Snorkel and $149/Scuba

This is an all day scuba diving trip to either Anacapa or Santa Cruz Islands. Dive locations are selected by best overall conditions for that day. Depths typically range between 20 and 50 feet and are suitable for open water divers.

Dive Trip Calendar

• Chevron down Dive Information
• No one is closer to Channel Islands diving than the Spectre dive boat.
• Year-round day trips departing at 7 A.M.
• All ages and skill levels welcome. Dive, snorkel or relax in the hot tub.
• Rent gear online before your dive! It will be on the Spectre when you arrive.
• Remarkable meals, daily barbeque, drinks, snacks and dessert are included.
• Check our dive boat calendar for open dates and easy booking for securing your trip now!
• Chevron down Cancellation Policy

For full refunds or reschedules cancel by the following times:

Weekend dive trip – 7 days before departure. Weekday dive trip – 72 hours before departure. Rental equipment – 72 hours before departure.

“No shows” or last-minute cancellations are never refunded or rescheduled for any reason. The captain of a dive vessel may cancel a trip due to weather. In this case, refunds are always given. If you have any questions about cancellations please ask before you book a trip. We are here to help.

Gear Rental

• Rent gear online before your dive!
• It’ll be on the Spectre when you arrive. 
• Dives fill up quickly!
• Book online now to guarantee your spot.

Scuba & Snorkel Gear Rental

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#1 Tour in Ventura On TripAdvisor

As usual, the Captain and crew took care of us from the moment we stepped on the boat. The Captain found the best possible dive sites given the day's conditions. The crew kept things running smoothly, and jumped to help passengers sometimes before we knew we needed it. And of course the food was as tasty as ever. Another fun day of diving on the Spectre. I will definitely be back!

Fantastic outfit. Easy to use website for booking, big + comfortable boat, boat and equipment are in great shape, boat crew are super competent and friendly, the cook somehow conjures up tasty breakfast and lunch from a tiny galley… and the dive sites are beautiful. Go!

Top notch crew and boat! Dive sites were well chosen and effortlessly organized. Dive briefing was full of great and useful information. I will be recommending to all my dive buddies! Hot tub - need I say more?

Always goes to the best available dive locations. Every year when we make the trip out from Colorado to dive from the Spectre the boat always shows upgrades. Very clean, organized, and well managed. Food is delicious with generous portions. Good air fills and ready to dive at each dive site. We saw octopus, sea lion, Seals, and even a Mola Mola. Fantastic trip and a great way to spen three days diving.

Cal Boat Diving

Our aim at Cal Boat Diving is to ease you from your seat by the computer to a rocky reef beneath the kelp forests of the Northern Channel Islands. We are a specialized company devoted to getting you scuba diving under the waters of Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands. We take you to the best channel islands scuba diving sites available, deliver rental gear to the boat, and make this one of the most memorable dives of your life.

Expedition Channel Islands

Expedition Channel Islands National Park

Itinerary & Maps

Trip details.

Expeditions at a glance

5 days (4 full days and 1 boarding/transport day)

Departure Harbor

Santa Barbara Harbor

Departure & Return Times

Check-in is allowed after 10am. You can drop off your luggage and enjoy the town, we’ll be ready for you at our Welcome Dinner at 6:30pm.

Return: We return at 5pm on the last day of your trip.

The Vision is 84’ fully equipped vessel built for Channel Islands National Park and is USCG approved with many recent safety upgrades.

All meals are included and feature sustainably caught local fish and organic local produce.

Featured activities

Paddle with elephant seals and into the world’s largest sea cave.

The Liveaboard Experience

Enjoy your journey on our 84’ vessel, Vision

Bring your SCUBA or use the provided snorkeling gear for an even “deeper” experience.

Explore the islands’ range of habitats from white sand dunes to ancient Torrey Pine forests.

Let’s talk  weather

The true defnition of an “expedition” should replace “organized plan” with “A plan that is certain to change due to the weather”.

We don’t stop monitoring the weather forecast, period. However, the forecast takes a back seat to actual conditions once we arrive at the islands, and so our experience guides our decision making each day.. And many times throughout the day. The reality is that we look for the best places based on the current weather.

Sample daily itinerary

Expedition; (n)  an organized journey take for a specific purpose

Our specific purpose on this Expedition: To disconnect from modern digital life and reconnect with the wild ocean, the rustic islands, and the creatures that call these places home.

What makes this  Adult Summer Camp?

• This expedition is for travelers 18 years and older.
• Welcome Solo travelers! Bring your group of friends or make new ones onboard.
• Guided journaling and thoughtful introspection each day.
• Bunk room offers privacy but a “camp” atmosphere.

Places we visit and things we do there

San Miguel Island

• Kayaking with Elephant Seals and California Sea Lions at Harris Point.
• Hiking white sandy dunes and giant coreopsis forests.
• Snorkeling/diving Prince Island Marine.

Santa Rosa Island

• Kayak along the rugged coastline while being on the lookout for sea birds, seal and sea lions.
• Hike through endangered Torrey Pine forest while on the lookout for island fox, spotted skunk and munchkin dudleya.

Santa Cruz Island

• Kayak along some of the 77 miles of coastline surrounding Santa Cruz Island and into one of the world’s biggest sea caves, Painted Cave.
• Hike on some of the well marked trails and roads that travers Santa Cruz Island that will take you to breathtaking overlooks of the island’s coastline.
• Dive and snorkel the most divers array of dive sites out of all eight Channel Islands.

Anacapa Island

• Kayak on a downwind route snaking along the coastline and exploring the many sea caves along the way.
• Hike to inspiration point.  One of the most spectacular hikes in Channel Islands National Park.  Looking west you can see as far as Santa Rosa on a clear day.

Expedition Vessel

The 84’ vision has been custom built for channel islands exploring above and below the surface..

She is a USCG inspected vessel approved for carrying 33 overnight passengers or 107 day passengers. She is outfitted with 30 bunks for passengers and 8 bunks for crew. We leave several bunks open on all voyages to keep the bunk room spacious enough for your gear.

An experienced crew consists of

• 2 USCG 100 Ton Master Captains
• 3 Expedition Guides
• 2 Galley Chefs
• 1 Night Watch crew (responsible for our night watches)

Equipped with

• 3 restrooms
• 2 private indoor showers, and 2 deck showers
• Full service galley/bar (beer, wine, cocktails for purchase)
• Relaxing sundeck for wildlife viewing
• Expedition deck where we store our wet gear and prepare for operations.
• Zodiac fast boat for landing and ocean support.
• Kayaks and necessary gear for exploring the islands and the sea caves.
• Snorkel gear and wetsuits for all guests. This is not freediving gear, this is basic tourist fins, masks, and straws. If you want to get more advanced gear, you can rent from the Santa Barbara Landing where the boat departs.

The Bunk Room

The bunk room is air conditioned and comfortable. All passengers and some crew will be staying in this area. She is serviced by 2 exit hatches that lead to the “weather deck” or the walk around area of the boat. There is 1 changing room in this area.

The bunks are equipped with a privacy curtain, a reading lamp, a pillow, and a blanket. You recommend you bring a sleeping bag for extra comfort. There are no hooks or drawers to hang your clothing, so you will be using your luggage for your gear. We have a wet gear drying area at the after area of the expedition deck where you can keep your ocean/wet things.

4 Full Days at Sea + Boarding/Departure Day

This Expedition has been carefully curated by co-owners Garrett/Kaia Kababik and Joel/Sarah Mulder over the past 20+ years of cruising the Channel Islands and leading groups on custom charters.

Here is what we think makes this trip amazing:

• Take your time exploring the islands with experienced guides, we are just as excited to see new and incredible things as the guests.
• Delicious and healthy food made all day, just for you! We like to eat healthy and so we bring that love and passion to our meals. You will be well fed and happy!
• Kayak at remote areas on paddles we have chosen to be our favorite based on wildlife and scenery.
• Experience the underwater scene from the colder temperate waters of San Miguel Island to the semi-tropical/temperate waters of Anacapa Island.
• We seek something unique each trip and we pay attention to the ecosystem and let it guide us to wildlife encounters that are unbeatable.
• This is the only way to see all of the islands without buying a boat or befriending one just for that benefit.
• No cell service – yes this is a perk! We have Starlink internet service for emergency communications.
• Be free to relax or keep moving, it’s up to you. Our itinerary is designed to give you just the right amount of up and down time.

Culinary Delights

Healthy and delicious food served fresh from our galley.

We source most of our produce from the local farmers’ markets in order to serve a seasonal, sustainable, and healthy menu.

We can accommodate the following diets and ALL severe food allergies:

• Gluten Free (we do not provide gluten free bread)

1 Dive per Day*

This is no your typical SCUBA trip where we seek out the best dive spots all day long. This is an expedition where our purpose is varied.

*We do our best to get one dive per day, but can make no guarantees (read earlier part about the weather)

• You must bring your own SCUBA gear, tanks, and weights.
• We provide you with air fills.
• You must dive with a buddy , if you are coming solo talk to us and we’ll let you know if we can match you up with another passenger.

Expedition FAQ

How many people can fit in an oversized bunk.

Each person is assigned a bunk, you may reserve an oversized bunk for $100 additional. Each bunk has a privacy curtain. Our nightwatch crew is there for the safety of passengers and the vessel.

Can I bring SCUBA gear?

Yes, you are welcome to bring SCUBA gear. We have air compressors to fill tanks, so you only need one tank. We do not carry tanks or weights, but you can get both from  Dive Santa Barbara  @ Landing prior to our departure.

We may only have the chance for  1 dive per day , and we may not be able to dive everyday. Once we get to Santa Cruz Island and Anacapa Island, we have more chances for diving.

This is not a typical dive trip where we are focused on finding great diving all day long, we must find a place that is good for diving and snorkeling, so this may mean shallow dives.

If you have questions about diving on the Expedition, call us at 805-899-4925.

What does our itinerary look like?

The true definition of an “Expedition” is that we don’t know exactly what we are going to do until we have a reliable weather forecast. The forecast reliability window is about 24 hours. We have many tricks up our sleeves and we know how to make the best of the weather we are handed. But our daily itinerary changes based on weather.

Because of that here is a sample itinerary for a day:

• 7am continental breakfast
• 7:30am wake-up call
• 7:30-8:30 am hot breakfast served in the expedition lounge.
• 8:30am Expedition team briefing about the plan for the day
• 9:00a-12p morning ocean operations (kayaking)
• 12:30-1:30pm lunch and repositioning of the vessel.
• 2:00-5:00 afternoon land operations (hiking)
• 5:30-7:30p snorkeling, diving, reading, journaling, happy hour
• 7:30p Dinner in the expedition lounge .
• 9pm-10pm Evening entertainment
• 10p-7a quiet hours

What does check-in day look like?

You can drop off your gear anytime after 10am and head out to enjoy lunch and shopping in Santa Barbara. At 6:30pm you board and meet crew and get to know the other passengers during our welcome dinner and briefing.

After dinner and briefing you can retreat to you bunks and we get underway in the middle of the night on our way to the Channel Islands. You’ll wake up the next morning to a lost world where wildlife and breathtaking landscapes are your backdrop to breakfast and coffee.

What is the Age Limit?

The minimum age for this trip is 18 years old.

Do I need to know how to swim?

In order to snorkel you must know how to swim. You can kayak by just being comfortable floating in a PFD. You don’t need to be excellent at swimming laps, but you need to be comfortable treading water and being in deep water.

How difficult is the kayaking?

Generally, the level of difficulty of kayaking on this trip is moderate and downwind for the most part. Since we are vessel-supported, all of the paddling will be downwind. However, you may have to paddle in a range of conditions so we recommend that participants be in reasonable physical shape and comfortable on the ocean.

What is your cancellation policy?

• Cost is per person in single bunks.
• Oversized bunks are available but limited.
• Group rates are available for 2 or more guests.
• Deposit is 50% due at booking with balance collected 60 days prior to departure.
• Bookings made within 60 days require payment in full.
• Payments are non-refundable.
• If you cancel before final payment, you will be issued a credit for what you have paid that must be used within 12 months of your cancellation date, you will not be liable for the remaining balance.

What if WE have to cancel? If we have to cancel for ANY reason including but not limited to the following, we will refund all of your payments in FULL. We highly recommend you get travel insurance for the remaining legs of your journey (airfare etc) as the only thing the CIEx Trip Protection covers is the Expedition booking. Weather (this is very unlikely on a multi-day expedition) -Mechanical issue with the boat -Government order (read “COVID-19 again”) -Minimum not met (we will confirm at 30 days). Confirmation details will be sent to paid guests at time of the booking and at intervals as your expedition gets closer. A waiver and medical questionnaire will be required to be completed prior to bunk assignment.

Parties of 2 or more

Solo traveler, trip reviews, anacapa tour.

If you are interested in whale watching and an up close visit to the Channel Islands, we highly recommend booking with Channel Islands Expeditions. Captain Tim and First Mate Travis were top notch - Experienced, Knowledgeable, Outgoing, Patient and Accommodating. We could absolutely not have had a better day! The trip to Anacapa Island was full of wildlife encounters and the details... Read More

Channel Islands Expeditions has a top notch kayak trip experience. As a native, I had never made it to the islands just a few miles of the coast of my hometown; Craig our guide and Alex the captain made sure we had a memorable experience. We kayaked the northern tip of Anacapa which is closed most of the year into sea caves and along the... Read More

Painted Cave Tour

This was a wonderful and beautiful experience. We came here on my birthday, it was my 53rd birthday. My husband is semi handicapped and we were pleasantly surprised that the group were very helpful and in helping him with the kayaking and the snorkeling so that way he can experience everything just like a full able-bodied person can. We are also gluten-free vegans which... Read More

Group Charter Trip

What an incredible experience. Captain John, Chef Tim (Chefro), 2nd Captain Beth, and crew Tina and Troy made this dive trip the diving adventure of the year for me. Captain John exceeded his “guarantee” of 50% more diving than anticipated and Chefro poured his heart into making sure we had the best meals and snacks ready to go after every single dive. Beth, Tina, and... Read More

We had the best day out with CIX on our trip to Painted Cave. The trip was a kayak and snorkel day trip. The crew was amazing, everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable. The kayaking was so beautiful and it was cool to get into the caves and learn about them through the guides. The snorkeling was super pretty also! The crew was also awesome... Read More

Amazing trip! I loved the boat. We had a great time kayaking. The crossing was incredible with dolphins, sea lions, and humpback whales literally breaching out of the water! We really explored the sea caves with guides so far in we could get not see without the help of the guides light. It felt like an adventure but also safe as we had a... Read More

My recent kayaking trip with Channel Islands Expeditions was an absolute gem. We departed from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. There was a CIEx sign set out so I knew I was in the right place to meet. Right from the start, the crew's professionalism and attention to safety made me feel secure and excited. The crossing on the Sunfish was awesome! We got... Read More

Amazing! So happy I went with this company. You can bring coolers on board & dry bags with snacks are allowed on the kayaks, & take a ball cap for helmet. Dan was our guide Super friendly, very patient, all staff was great. Went on a Thursday, the experience was more intimate, because all the caves were empty, & our group was only 5 visitors.

We had such a wonderful time kayaking the Channel Islands with Channel Islands Expeditions! The crew was fun, friendly and knowledgeable and made our day perfect. The food onboard was delicious and they even took care of my weird dietary needs. Kayaking through the island caves was so beautiful and they made it easy even for those of us kayaking for the first time. Leaving... Read More

I have been diving with the stellar crew and team at Channel Islands Expedition for several years. Their attention to detail, respect for the marine environment, safety approach, and great service is top notch. There is an adventure for anyone, whether you want to do a one day outing or a several day option. They have WiFi options for purchase and the food is yummy.... Read More

We signed up for the Sea Cave Combo package and it was the best trip ever. Originally we were put on a waitlist for a different (and more expensive) company that had us inconveniently book the ferry + activity separately, but then came across CIE last minute and booked through them. It was a much better choice. From start to finish the whole crew, especially... Read More

Garrett, Phil and the other crew members who guided us through Anacapa were outstanding! I would definitely put this on your Summer bucket list. A great way to get fresh air, exercise and actually go through not one, but like 10 sea caves. Emerald Cave and Roller Coaster Cave were favorites. We even jumped out of our kayaks and swam through a cave. We also... Read More

Awesome experience. Did a day trip to Santa Cruz Island and went on a guided kayaking tour. Captain Dan and his crew were all extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Also, the crew member Bailey made some delicious chocolate chip cookies with three different kinds of chocolate for everyone on board, would book this trip again just for the cookies alone.

Once in a lifetime experience!!! The crew (John, Randy, Beth, Jake, Bryson, Savannah and Max) were all amazing hosts and guides. They have thought of everything to make this a truly unique and memorable experience. The food was incredible, the activities and tours were fun and beautiful, and the Channel Islands and it's wildlife make you feel like you're in a different... Read More

We had the best day out with CIX on our trip to Painted Cave. The trip was a kayak and snorkel day trip. The crew was amazing, everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable. The kayaking was so beautiful and it was cool to get into the caves and learn about them through the guides. The snorkeling was super pretty, and we enjoyed the day out... Read More

Epic Weekender trip

Had a great 2 day one night trip recently on the Truth for the Epic Weekender trip. The crew was all very professional and helpful, from captain John to the guides to the chef Jake etc. We had 2 days of excellent cave kayaking with Max guiding us, and a very nice snorkel experience as well. Food was exceptionally great, props to Jake.... Read More

What an amazing adventure! I had the honor of going on a kayaking and snorkeling tour hosted by CIEx out of Santa Barbara. I was delighted with a boat vs dolphins race as we exited the Santa Barbara Harbor and headed towards the Channel Islands. We were escorted to the islands by a pod of dolphins HUNDREDS strong. It was like a dream! CIEx provided... Read More

Definitely recommend - Truly an amazing and unique experience. Recently I had the opportunity to join on the kayak/snorkeling trip at Anacapa Island with CIX. First of all, they have an awesome crew of knowledgeable individuals who love their job. They make sure you're comfortable and taken care of while also guiding you through a one of a kind experience. I learned so much and... Read More

We went out on our 20th anniversary and really enjoyed the whole trip. The crew was great Marc was very informative and helpful. Ally bubbly personality made the experience great. Our captain was awesome.

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100% refund for any reason!

You must purchase  CIEx Trip Protect  at the time of booking to receive a  full refund, for any reason up until day of departure.  Same-day cancellations do not qualify for the CIEx Trip Protect 100% refund. CIEx Trip Protect is applied per person.

CIEx Trip Protect is not insurance and does not cover any other related travel expenses or costs incurred with cancellations related to a CIEx trip cancellation. CIEx suggests you purchase travel insurance to protect other aspects of your travel.

Snorkeling in California at Channel Islands National Park

How does snorkeling at santa cruz island work.

Interested in snorkeling in California? The kelp forests at Santa Cruz are absolutely breathtaking for adventurous swimmers and snorkelers to explore. Given the isolation of the Channel Islands (20+ miles off the coast of California), we encourage all snorkelers to have prior snorkeling experience and be comfortable swimming in the ocean. We offer two options to support you with snorkeling at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.

      1. Self-Guided Snorkeling Rentals at Santa Cruz Island

Nothing is worse than having to carry heavy gear around while you are traveling. Snorkeling in California is easy with our on-island rental shop! We offer snorkel + mask, fin, and wetsuit rentals at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. Snorkel rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis every day from ~10:30am to ~4:30 pm. Our snorkel wetsuits are made specifically for cold water snorkeling and consist of 3 pieces (a 7mm farmer john suit, a 5 mm shortie suit to go on top & an optional hood). In the summer months, some guests might be comfortable wearing just 1 of the pieces but from October-April most guests opt for all 3 pieces.

Our snorkel rental store is just a 10-minute walk down the main path from the pier. We look forward to seeing you out on the island!

      2. Guided Snorkeling Tours at Santa Cruz Island

We offer TWO two guided snorkel tour options.

Snorkel ONLY Guided Tour

From June to September, we offer guided snorkeling tours on Saturdays & Sundays only. Our snorkeling tours are recommended for those who have previous snorkeling experience and all guests should know how to swim. Please note that our snorkeling tours are not recommended for guests who don’t know how to swim or who have no experience with snorkeling – they are not lessons, they are tours. You can book a Channel Islands snorkel tour here .

Snorkel AND Kayak Tour

From mid-May to early October, we offer guided snorkel & kayaking combo tours on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays. The tour is recommended for those who have previous snorkeling and kayaking experience since it is fast-paced. All guests should know how to swim. Please note that our snorkeling tours are not recommended for guests who don’t know how to swim or who have no experience with snorkeling – they are not lessons, they are tours. You can book a Channel Islands Snorkel & Kayak Tour here .

General Information for Snorkeling in California from the NPS Regarding Snorkeling at the Channel Islands:

There are a few important things to keep in mind about snorkeling at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island:

• Since the marine environment can be unforgiving, use extra caution when engaging in these activities. Ocean conditions are highly variable and sometimes dangerous.
• The wind and swell generally come from the northwest and become stronger as the day continues . From October through January, visitors must also be prepared for strong east or Santa Ana winds. The ocean currents outside of coves and protected beach areas can be strong and extremely dangerous. These conditions should be carefully considered when planning your trip and entering the water.
• There are no lifeguards on duty , so all water sports are at your own risk. Visitors should be aware of boat landing operations at all times — avoid water sports near skiffs that are conducting surf landings.
• Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should always use the buddy system . This allows for someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.
• Before departing, swimmers, snorkelers and divers should leave an itinerary and/or float plan with someone who is onshore and can be easily contacted.
• Sea caves can be very dangerous — large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly.
• Due to cold water conditions (55° to 70° F), wetsuits and hoods are recommended .

[…] destinations that the Island Packers stops at. Both locations have many activities such as hiking, snorkeling, bird watching, ocean kayaking, and camping to check […]

[…] kayak and snorkel tours take you through Scorpion Marine Reserve on Santa Cruz Island, some of the most diverse, […]

[…] Snorkel Tour Options: Snorkel Tour explores the kelp forest right off the beach at Scorpion Anchorage with a friendly and knowledgeable guide who can teach the basics of snorkeling. Snorkel & Kayak Tour is for the adventurer who wants to do it all! Guests spend 1.5 hours paddling exploring sea caves and then 1.5 hours on a guided snorkel tour through a kelp forest. There is also snorkel gear for rental on the island. […]

Hi there! Will I be able to book five adults on a combination sea kayak/guided snorkel tour between March 29 and April 2? Also (be honest) is it “really” necessary to have a snorkel GUIDE…. (in other words is it hard to find the “good stuff: kelp, rays, etc. or can we see them close to shore?)

Hi Jayne, thanks for your interest in our Kayak & Snorkel Tour! Unfortunately, we only run this tour and all of our snorkel tours July through Labor Day every year. However, we do rent snorkel gear at the island year-round. We also have Sea Cave Kayak Tours available on the days you mentioned. If you have any further questions, we recommend calling our office at (805) 884-9283. Our friendly staff are in the office from 8am-5pm, 7 days a week and are happy to help plan your trip! 🙂

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Kayak tours.

Snorkel Rentals

• Handy Documents Download and Print for reference
• Preparing for Adventure Tour
• Preparing for Discovery Tour
• Preparing for Ultimate Tour
• Preparing for Snorkel Tour
• Preparing for Snorkel & Kayak Combo Tour
• How to Plan a Camping Trip
• Hiking Map of Santa Cruz Island
• Bird List of Channel Islands

ISLAND PACKERS

Boat transportation to channel islands national park, anacapa island, anacapa island day trips, camper transportation & island wildlife cruises, santa cruz island, santa cruz island day trips & camping transportation, santa rosa island, santa rosa island day trips & camper transportation, san miguel island, san miguel island day trips & camper transportation.

We’re Using a New Reservation System For 2024! Learn More Here ➜

Boat Transportation to Channel Islands National Park Island Trips, Wildlife Cruises, Camping & More

Island trips, camping information, whale & wildlife trips, kayaking information, general information, group charters, about island packers, cruising the california channel islands for education, recreation and research since 1968..

Island Packers Cruises is the Official Boat Concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park. We offer year round transportation to the “local islands” Santa Cruz and Anacapa. We offer trips to the “outer islands”, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara (NPS Closure) from March through November on a limited schedule.

Island Packers Cruises also offer trips that get close to the Channel Islands without going ashore. These trip are designed for you to view the abundant wildlife found in the waters of the Channel Islands National Park and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Seasonally, in summer and winter we offer Whale Watching trips.

Other special trips for birding and trips to special areas of Santa Cruz Island that are property of The Nature Conservancy are available as scheduled.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Island day trip preparation.

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• Pack food and drink for your time on the island. A small cooler or a backpack can protect your food from small animals and birds.
• There are no shops or restaurants on the island…

Protect Channel Islands National Park

Non-native, invasive species threaten endangered animals and plants on the Channel Islands and are costly to control. Please watch the following video on bio security regulations & guidelines to help prevent the introduction and spread of nonnative species before they become a problem.

Get the National Park Mobile App!

One app, every park at your fingertips. The NPS App is the new official app for the National Park Service (NPS) with tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide. Help plan your trip and enrich your visit to Channel Islands National Park with this official, free app.

Get the Latest Weather in Our Area

Weather is important. It can cause cancellations, a rough boat ride, or a truly beautiful day. Have the latest information to help plan your trip. Click the button below to view the latest Marine Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service.

Islapedia Celebrates 8 Years

ISLAPEDIA is a comprehensive California Islands encyclopedia covering hundreds of topics and thousands of entries on all eight California Channel Islands: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente Islands.

• Chevron down Quick Links to a Few Great Topics
• Islapedia Homepage
• Non-Fiction Books & Articles
• Santa Cruz Island
• Anacapa Island
• Santa Rosa Island
• San Miguel Island

Camper Transport

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure a full hour before your departure time. Late arriving gear may not be loaded onto the boat.
• An Island Packers boat reservation.
• A campsite reservation. Please be prepared to give your campsite number at check-in as required by the National Park Service…

Santa Barbara Channel becomes the 9th Whale Heritage Area

The Whale Heritage Area (WHA) recognizes & accredits destinations that support / demonstrate responsible and sustainable whale & dolphin watching tourism. Island Packers is proud to be one of over 30 local organizations to promote sustainable practices to ensure the conservation of the Santa Barbara Channel.

Accessing Sea Caves

Many people like to experience sea caves from the water in a kayak. Visitors to the islands can kayak the caves three ways:

• Purchase a guided tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company.
• Bring your own kayak.
• Rent a kayak

Media Articles & Videos

The Channel Islands National Park and Island Packers Cruises have had many articles and interviews published over time. These articles are independently written, by professions journalists as well as bloggers, hikers, kayakers, divers, travel writers and happy visitors to the park. Click the button to view these articles and videos.

TOP-RATED FERRY TRIPS TO CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Island Packers is the only boat concessionaire approved to run trips to and from the islands within Channel Islands National Park. But it’s still a family owned company- with two children of the founder still operating the company! And even though you’re a captive audience, they still strive to provide an excellent experience - I’ve loved every trip I’ve taken with them!

Everything was smooth…Online tickets, picking up boarding passes, embarking…even the water. Found a table by the window and just enjoyed the view. Saw some sea lions on the way out chilling on a buoy. We landed at Scorpion Cove, and it was quite a day’s adventure. On the way back, I sat on the top deck. We saw so many dolphins, you just couldn’t count!

We cannot say enough great things about our experience with Island Packers! From the moment we checked in at the office, the staff was welcoming and friendly. The dock crew politely and efficiently instructed us how to load our camping gear and board the boat. The captain made special efforts to point out and share fun facts about the local marine life!

What a wonderful day! We went to Prisoners on Santa Cruz Island. Adam, the naturalist who was on the boat, led us on a hike toward Pelican Bay. He was so knowledgeable and thoughtful. We saw island scrub jays and even a couple of island foxes. Even the porta potties were clean. We saw dolphins on the ride out and a humpback whale on the return trip!