How to Get to Channel Islands National Park: Channel Islands Tours

Article Summary: Channel Islands Boat Tours, Island Packers, How to Get to Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Park Tours

Off the coast of Southern California is a group of islands showcasing the pristine and picturesque. Thanks to Island Packers, the sole concessionaire authorized to provide Channel Islands tours, these islands aren’t out of reach.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five of California’s Channel Islands, including Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Each island has its own attractions, drawing in visitors from around the world. Figuring out how to get to Channel Islands National Park is its own challenging game.

Here’s a detailed list of the Channel Islands tours Island Packers offer and things to do on in the Channel Islands.

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How to Get to Channel Islands National Park

The only authorized ferry service is operated by Island Packers Cruises. They offer a variety of tour options, detailed below. They offer Channel Islands tours to each of the five islands in addition to various wildlife cruises and special trips, including bird-watching cruises. For more information and to book, visit their website.

The only air service authorized by the National Park Service is Channel Islands Aviation. The only island they can land on is Santa Rosa. On a trial basis, there may be trips to San Miguel as well. You can check departures and reserve a seat on their website.

Channel Islands Tours by Island Packers

Currently, the only concessionaire authorized by the National Park Service to provide Channel Islands tours via ferry is Island Packers. They offer a variety of Channel Islands tours to each of the five islands.

Some Channel Islands tours are day trips while others will bring you to the islands so you may camp overnight. They also offer wildlife cruises in addition to other special events.

Below, you’ll find details about each of their regularly-scheduled Channel Islands tours. Details are subject to change; check their website for the most up-to-date information and to book your ticket.

Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

This tour focuses on searching the Santa Barbara Channel for wildlife and does not land on any of the islands. On the half-day trip, you will cruise by Anacapa Island and get a view of Arch Rock.

You may also see seals and sea lions here, as well as Anacapa Island’s fully operational lighthouse. Other wildlife you may see on this journey includes a variety of dolphins and whales. Brown pelicans and Western gulls are also common.

Duration: 3.5 hours

Cost: $38/adult, $34/senior  (55+), $28/child (3-12)

Three-Quarter Day Wildlife Cruise

This tour focuses on searching the Santa Barbara Channel for wildlife and does not land on any of the islands. On the three-quarter day trip, you will cruise by Santa Cruz Island for a view of the Painted Cave. With additional time on this cruise, you may be able to go where wildlife has been reported recently.

Duration: 5 hours

Cost: $57/adult, $53/senior  (55+), $42/child (3-12)

Anacapa and Santa Cruz: Day Trip

If you’d like to see two islands in one day, this trip is for you. This is also the trip I selected for my venture to southern California.

You’ll depart Ventura for Santa Cruz and have about 2 hours to spend there. We hiked a portion of the Del Norte trail for some amazing views of the Channel Islands, then returned to the beach for lunch.

Sadly, we didn’t see any of the island foxes but did get to see another endemic species, the Island Jay. I’d love to return to Santa Cruz one day to camp, hike more of the trails, and hopefully catch a glimpse of a little fox.

Then, we took a short ride to Anacapa Island. This island is much smaller, so we had a chance to explore it in its entirety.

In addition to its fully operational lighthouse, there’s also a small visitor facility with exhibits and a park stamp.

The trails lead to stunning views, and you’ll see more gulls than you could possibly count. We also saw sea lions resting on a sandy beach below the cliffs.

Departing the island, we sailed passed the famous Sea Arch and were able to get photographs of it. We also saw an incredible number of dolphins from the boat, easily in the thousands. Before we arrived back in Ventura, we also got lucky enough to see one Gray Whale.

If you have limited time and want to see as much of Channel Islands National Park as you can, this is a great tour for you.

Duration: 7 hours

Day Trip Cost: $59/adult, $54/senior (55+), $41/child (3-12)

Anacapa Island: East End Landing Cove Day Trip

A major highlight of this tour is the historic lighthouse that still operates on the island. Furthermore, there are about 1.5-miles of easy hiking from one end of the island to the other.

There is no beach access as Anacapa is a cliffed island. As part of the tour, you can snorkel or kayak from the landing cove.

Cost: $59/adult, $54/senior (55+), $41/child (3-12)

Duration: 7 hours

Need to Know: You’ll need to depart the boat by stepping onto a wooden ladder and climbing up to the dock. From there, you’ll climb 157 steps to the island’s plateau.

Santa Cruz: Scorpion Anchorage Day Trip or Camping

The Scorpion Anchorage area of Santa Cruz is known for its variety of hiking trails, ranging from trails easy for families to extremely strenuous trails. Most days, a naturalist will lead a hike on the Cavern Point Trail. Hiking is one of the best ways to see the island’s endemic Santa Cruz Island Fox.

Day Trip Duration:

Day Trip Cost: $59/adult, $54/senior (55+), $41/child (3-12)

Campsite Cost: $15 per night

Ferry Cost for Campers: $79/adult, $74/senior (55+), $57/child (3-12)

Santa Cruz: Prisoners Harbor Day Trip or Camping

Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel Islands. From Prisoners Harbor, there are a few hiking trails you can choose to spend your day exploring. Two popular options include the Del Norte Trail and South Side Overlook. Island Packers staff also provide a guided hike to Pelican Bay on Nature Conservancy property.

You can add the Painted Cave, detailed below, to your trip. You’ll need both a camping reservation and a ferry reservation if you wish to stay overnight.

Day Trip Duration: 8.5 hours

Day Trip Cost: $59/adult, $54/senior (55+), $41/child (3-12)

Campsite Cost: $15 per night

Ferry Cost for Campers: $79/adult, $74/senior (55+), $57/child (3-12)

Santa Cruz: Painted Cave Exploration

If you’re interested in seeing one of the largest sea caves in the world, you can add this to your Prisoners Harbor Day Trip. Once the campers and day-trippers have been dropped off, you’ll cruise into Painted Cave.

There is no landing inside Painted Cave. Then, you’ll return to Prisoners Harbor and have about 3 hours to explore before heading back to the mainland.

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: $75/adult, $68.50/senior (55+), $54.50/child (3-12)

Santa Rosa: Day Trip or Camping

The second-largest island, Santa Rosa offers a unique paradise. Being here will remind you more of the Big Sur Coast than southern California. There are two large peaks on the island, Black Mountain and Soledad Peak, in addition to a plethora of rolling hills and canyons. This island is a dream come true for hikers. Guided hikes are often provided on the Cherry Canyon Trail.

If weather permits, you may briefly stop at the Painted Cave on Santa Cruz on your way to or from Santa Rosa. Be prepared for rough seas as the channel you’ll be traveling in is known for rough waters.

If you wish to camp overnight, make sure you have a camping reservation and a ferry reservation booked separately.

Day Trip Duration: 9.5 hours

Day Trip Cost: $82/adult, $74/senior (55+), $65/child (3-12)

Campsite Cost: $10 per night

Ferry Cost for Campers: $114/adult, $114/senior (55+), $90/child (3-12)

Santa Barbara: Day Trip or Camping

Santa Barbara is the southernmost island of the Channel Islands chain. It’s also the smallest island in the park. Still, it packs a big punch when it comes to adventure. You’ll find a number of hiking trails, pristine beaches, and plenty of endemic life.

Summer and fall are great times to visit Santa Barbara and see its native wildflowers bloom. There is no potable water or shade on the island, so come prepared. Campers must have a camping reservation and a ferry reservation.

Day Trip Cost: $82/adult, $74/senior (55+), $65/child (3-12)

Campsite Cost: $15 per night

Ferry Cost for Campers: $114/adult, $114/senior (55+), $90/child (3-12)

San Miguel: Day Trip or Camping

Getting to San Miguel is just as adventurous as spending time on the island. Day trips are only available in the fall, and only a few days per year. You’ll have to sign a waiver at the Island Packers office when you check in. Then, expect to board an inflatable vessel that will take you from the main boat to the shore.

If you’d like to venture away from Cuyler Harbor during your visit, you must be accompanied by a guide or park ranger. Some of the best sights include Caliche Forest (sand casts of ancient trees) and Point Bennett (a great place for sea lions and seal viewing).

The Caliche Forest is a great option for day trippers while the 16-mile hike to Point Bennett is best for campers. When returning to the mainland, you may stop at the Painted Cave on Santa Cruz, weather depending.

Campers must have a camping reservation and a ferry reservation.

Duration: 11 hours

Day Trip Cost: $105/adult, $95/senior (55+), $84/child (3-12)

Campsite Cost: $15 per night

Ferry Cost for Campers: $147/adult, $136/senior (55+), $126/child (3-12)

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