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ACCESSIBILITY

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Island Packers strives to assist the National Park Service in making the Channel Islands National Park as universally accessible as possible. Due to the remote nature of the park and transportation requirements, there are added hindrances that may be encountered.

The islands are not readily accessible due to their isolation and rough terrain, so please review our various accessibility sections for detailed information to better plan for your visit. You can contact our office by emailing info@islandpackers.com or calling at 805-642-1393 for further questions on transportation.

You can also visit the accessibility pages on the Channel Islands National Park Service webpage here and/or contact them at 805-658-5730 for island specific questions.

ACCESS AT OUR MAINLAND DOCKS

➤ Ventura Harbor

For trips leaving from our Ventura Harbor location in Ventura, there is ramp access to the docks that varies in steepness depending on the tide. Access to the boats is via a ramp at deck level. The boat has inside and outside seating available on the lower deck while the upper deck has outside seating only.

The lower deck has two restrooms with one oversized restroom on each catamaran boat to accommodate wheelchairs. The upper deck is only accessible using narrow, steep stairs. Each deck narrows in the forward section of the boat, making part of the bow inaccessible.

➤ Channel Islands / Oxnard Harbor

For trips leaving from our Channel Islands Harbor location in Oxnard, there is ramp access to the docks that varies in steepness depending on the tide. There are 7 steps up to the boat and 3 large steps down into the boat.

The boat mainly has open back seating and narrow aisles on the lower deck. There are only narrow, steep stairs to the upper deck and no elevators. Assistance from the boat crew is available.

Photo 1: Stepping up to vessel Vanguard from the dock at the Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard. Photo 2: Steps down onto the boat deck.

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK ACCESS

➤ Anacapa Island

Accessing Anacapa Island requires a degree of agility. Visitors must offload from a live boat (not tied-off or anchored). Passengers step from a moving boat onto a stable platform with the assistance of a crew member, then climb a vertical ladder up to 8 feet tall depending on the tide.

The number of rungs on the ladder varies depending on the height of the tide. Once on the dock, there is a 154-step staircase which visitors must climb to reach the top of the island. There is no lift to the top of the island.

➤ Santa Cruz Island – Scorpion Anchorage

Visitors must offload from a live boat (not tied-off or anchored) to an adjustable platform on a pier. At the landing platform, there is a ramp that provides access to the top of the pier.

Most days wheelchairs can access the island via the stern or side gates of the catamarans, which is weather dependent. Once on the pier, visitors must use a flat, wooden planked pier to access dirt roads and trails.

➤ Santa Cruz Island – Prisoners Harbor

Accessing Prisoners Harbor requires a degree of agility. Visitors must offload from a live boat (not tied-off or anchored) onto a ladder.

The ladder can range from 0-7 feet depending on the tide. Once on the pier, visitors must use a flat, wooden planked pier to access dirt roads and trails.

Photo 1: Low tide causes a tall ladder to climb.
Photo 2: High tide raises the boat to almost pier level.

➤ Santa Rosa Island

Accessing Santa Rosa Island requires a degree of agility. Visitors must offload from a live boat (not tied-off or anchored) onto a ladder.

The ladder can range from 0-7 feet depending on the tide. A metal staircase leads to the top of the pier. Once on the pier, visitors use a flat, wooden planked pier to access dirt roads and trails.

➤ San Miguel Island

Accessing San Miguel Island requires a degree of agility. This island has a skiff landing onto the beach.

This requires visitors to climb down a boat ladder of 4-5 feet to a skiff or small boat. Then visitors must climb out of the skiff onto wet sand, and potentially ankle deep water.

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