Planning for Channel Islands National Park – Summer 2024

Here are some tips

• You are likely to get sick on boat ride - come prepared
• You are likely to see marine life - be prepared for a longer boat ride
• It's cold - dress warm
• No shade - be prepared (sunscreen, hat, etc)
• Can only visit one island per ferry ride (no island hopping)
• Camping - $15/night
• No food and some places no water - carry everything with you

Here's a few links so far:

• https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm
• https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
• Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park:
  • https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
  • 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 658-5730
• https://santabarbaraca.com/plan-your-trip/beaches-parks/the-channel-islands/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_Islands_(California)

Islands

Santa Cruz Island - Most Popular

Campsite - most likely place to see foxes

Potato Harbor - best views

Kayaking Tours

Anacapa Island

has lighthouse - can't go all the way to it. Not much else on the island

Inspiration Point on other end

Santa Rosa Island

Boatride 2-21/2 hours depending if Santa Rosa Island is stopped at first

Torrey Pines Forest

San Miguel Island - Closed

San Miguel Island Closure (Island Packers): All trails and facilities on San Miguel Island, except the sandy beaches of Cuyler Harbor, are closed to the public until emergency repairs can be made to Nidever Canyon Trail. Island Packers Message: Estimates are for this closure are now to last through August. However, this closure could exceed the estimate. We will update this message as more information becomes available.

Santa Barbara Island - Closed

Santa Barbara Island Closure (Island Packers): The damaged pier prevents us from safe landings at this time. Currently there is no time frame available for re-opening of the pier.

Catalina Island

https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/

Catalina Casino: https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/catalina-casino/

Avalon Theatre: https://www.theavalontheatre.com/

7-4-24 Thursday:

Drive to Oxnard/Ventra

7-5-24 Friday

Ferry to Santa Cruz Island - Bring seasick avoidance stuff

Guided Kayak Tour to the Sea Caves

Hike to Campground to see the mini foxes

Run back to catch the Ferry

Ferry back - hope to catch wildlife sightings

7/6 Saturday

cool stuff

7/7 Sunday

Drive Back to Santa Clara

July 2024 Calendar

Transportation to Channel Islands

Channel Islands Ferry

Cost - $66 round trip (buy both ways)

Santa Cruz Island - Most Popular

Scorpion Harbor/Prisoners Harbor - from Ventura

$33 one way - must book both ways separately

https://islandpackers.com/kayaking/

Transportation to Catalina Island

Catalina Flyer - Catamaran

https://www.catalinainfo.com/

$78/adult round Trip - Newport to Avalon

75 min 1 way

Catalina Express

https://catalinaexpress.com/

$92/adult round Trip - Long Beach to Avalon

60 min 1 way - Rough seas - arrive 1 hr before departure

Kayaking Tours

• https://islandpackers.com/kayaking/
• https://www.islandkayaking.com/preparing-for-your-trip/
• https://www.islandkayaking.com/kayaking/
• Channel Islands - Kayaking Tour - Option 1 - 4 hours - Adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour
  • Cost - $205 + ferry ($66)
  • Tour Time (~4 hours)
    • ~1 hr – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
    • ~2.5-3 hours – Kayaking
  • Paddling Distance - 2.5-3 miles
  • Level of Difficulty - Beginner through advanced levels
  • Ferry Tickets
    • The 10:30am tour requires a ferry departure of 9am or earlier from Ventura Harbor. The 9:30am tour requires a ferry departure of 8am. Check-in is one hour prior to departure.
    • Ferry return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 4:30pm and 7:00pm).
• Kayak Tour - Option 2 - 2 hours - Discovery Sea Caves Kayak Tour
  • $145 per adult + ferry transportation ($66)
  • Tour Time (~2.5 hours) - Santa Cruz Island at 9:30am and/or 10:30am as well as 12:30pm and/or 1:30pm
    • ~1 hr – Orientation, gearing up, and paddle talk
    • ~1-1.5 hours – Kayaking
  • Paddling Distance - 1.25 miles
  • Level of Difficulty - Beginner through advanced levels.
  • Ferry Tickets
    • The 9:30am tour requires an 8:00am ferry departure (7am check-in time). The 12:30pm tour requires a 10:00am ferry departure or earlier (check-in is one hour prior to ferry departure). Ferry options typically will be 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:00am. The 1:30pm tour requires a 4:30pm or later return from the island.
    • Ferry return times vary daily and will depart anywhere between 3:30pm and 5:00pm (arrival in Ventura between 4:30pm and 7:00pm).

Channel Islands - Kayaking Tour

Option 1 - 4 hours - Adventure Sea Caves Kayak Tour; Cost - $205 + ferry ($66)

Option 2 - 2 hours - Discovery Sea Caves Kayak Tour; Cost - $145 per adult + ferry transportation ($66)

Catalina Islands

Cost - $80-100/person (must buy both ways)