BOOK A CHANNEL ISLANDS MARINE SANCTUARY WILDLIFE WATCHING TRIP
Witness the majestic wildlife of the Channel Islands! In order to enjoy a seamless experience, it is very important you book your trip correctly. Please follow the steps below to book your trip.
Select Your Trip!
Anacapa Non-Landing Shoreline Cruise
Year Round
A perfect way to discover the natural environment of Channel Islands National Park without going ashore! This three-hour tour includes a narrated cruise along the rugged north shore of Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island. Highlights are of sea lions, seals and birds. (A variety of marine animals and birds may also be encountered during the channel crossing) You’ll have plenty of time to capture it all on film so don’t forget your camera. Relaxed, enjoyable and educational, the north shore cruise is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. Cruise is 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
ANACAPA ISLAND SHORELINE WILDLIFE CRUISE
Passengers traveling to Anacapa transit the newest International Whale Heritage zone, while the shoreline cruise of Anacapa offers many photo ops of bird life, seals and sea lions as well as an up close and personal look of the lighthouse and Arch Rock, the landmark of the park. Big doings for a 3 ½ hour trip! Please Note: Wildlife cruises may stop briefly at the Islands to offload passengers who booked the island landing trip.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
ANACAPA ISLAND SHORELINE CRUISE – Oxnard Departure
(Formerly known as Island Wildlife Cruise)
Cruise out to the Channel Islands in search of local marine life! Please Note: This wildlife cruise may stop briefly at Anacapa Island to offload passengers who booked the island landing trip.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
Whale Watching
Winter Whales
December thru mid April
Every year the Pacific Gray Whales migrate 6,000 – 10,000 miles to secluded lagoons in Mexico to breed and bear their young, then journey back to feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. View these magnificent mammals as they pass thru the waters of the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Cruise is 3 hours.
Summer Whales
June thru September
In the summer months several of the large baleen whale species visit the Santa Barbara Channel to feed on the abundant resources found here. Possible sightings on this excursion include Humpback, Blue and Fin Whales plus a brief cruise along the shoreline of one of the iconic Channel Islands.
Whale Watching
VENTURA SUMMER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a summer whale watching excursion looking for Humpbacks and Blue Whales! Cruise and search for Whales and other local marine life on this summer whale watching cruise. Summer Whale Watches are longer in duration than Winter Whale watches due to greater distances traveled.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $79
- Senior (55 and up): $74
- Military (Active): $74
- Child (3-12): $64
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- 6 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
OXNARD SUMMER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a summer whale watching excursion looking for Humpback and Blue Whales! Cruise and search for whales and other local marine life on this summer whale watching cruise. Summer Whale Watches are longer in duration than Winter Whale watches due to greater distances traveled.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $79
- Senior (55 and up): $74
- Military (Active): $74
- Child (3-12): $64
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 6 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
OXNARD WINTER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a winter whale watching excursion looking for Gray Whales! Cruise and search for Gray Whales and other local marine life on this winter whale watching cruise.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
VENTURA WINTER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a winter whale watching excursion looking for Gray Whales! Cruise and search for Gray Whales and other local marine life on this winter whale watching cruise.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
Ventura Pelagic Bird Trip
Look for a variety of seasonal pelagic species including the newly named species Townsend’s Storm-Petrel. Heading south of Channel Islands, we will search deep waters and warm currents for this range restricted Storm-Petrel. Other possibilities are tube-noses: Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Leach’s Storm-Petrel; Pink-footed, Flesh-footed (rare), Sooty, & Buller’s Shearwater.
Fares:
- $175 per person
- Ages 13+
- 10 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
Sci Scrub-Jay & Pelagic Birds
View Scrub-Jays on Santa Cruz Island and cruise the Santa Barbara channel for pelagic birds! Although primarily a non-landing trip, this trip allows approx. 1 hour on Santa Cruz Island to observe the endemic Island Scrub-Jay and other terrestrial birds. After reboarding, there will be ample time to explore the SB channel for more wildlife and birds, then allowing us to motor along the coast of Anacapa Island and look at the groups of seabirds congregating for the nesting season.
Fares:
- $125 per person
- Ages 13+
- 9 Hours
Bird Trips
This 10 hour, offshore, deep water, pelagic trip is very similar to the 12-hour trip. It allows Passengers to reach the offshore waters beyond the scope of most day trips. Passengers have a chance to see a number of outstanding pelagic birds and marine mammals. Look for sought after species like Red-billed Tropicbird, Least Storm-Petrel, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Townsend Storm-Petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet, Craveri’s Murrelet, various Boobies, Shearwaters, and more.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $185
- Senior (age 55+) $185
- Military (Active) $185
- Ages 13+
- 10 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
More time, more birds. This 12 hour, offshore, deep water, pelagic trip allows you to get out to the offshore waters beyond the reach of most day trips. You will have a chance to see a number of outstanding pelagic birds and marine mammals. Look for sought after species like Red-billed Tropicbird, Least Storm-Petrel, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Townsend Storm-Petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet, Craveri’s Murrelet, various Boobies, Shearwaters, and more.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $210
- Senior (age 55+) $210
- Military (Active) $210
- Ages 13+
- 12 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
This 8 hour, offshore pelagic trip allows you to experience the abundance of birds in the Santa Barbara Channel and nearby Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary along with a some of the deep water south of Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. You will have a chance to see a number of outstanding pelagic birds and marine mammals. Generally, we see a variety of Alcids, Shearwaters, and some migratory and resident bird species.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $140
- Senior (55 and up): $121
- Military (Active): $121
- Ages 13+
- 8 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
Oxnard Scrub Jay Trip
Cruise the coast of Anacapa Island and look at the groups of seabirds congregating for the nesting season. Later, arrive at Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island where we disembark for an hour or so to observe the Island Scrub-Jay and other terrestrial birds. On the crossing home, we will have a good stretch of water to cover with more pelagic birding opportunities.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $130
- Senior (55 and up): $130
- Military (Active): $130
- Ages 13+
- 9 Hours
- Landing Trip
Cruise through the Santa Barbara Channel looking for birds and other wildlife en route to Santa Cruz Island. After arrival at the Island, passengers disembark for an hour or so to observe the endemic Island Scrub-Jay and other terrestrial birds. The remainder of the day is filled with pelagic birding in waters of the eastern Santa Barbara Channel, nearby islands, and time permitting waters south of the islands.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $130
- Senior (55 and up): $130
- Military (Active): $130
- Ages 13+
- 9 Hours
- Landing Trip
Other
These offerings may be seasonal; posted at times, concealed at other times
HARBOR HOLIDAY LIGHTS CRUISE
Take in harbor views of festive Ventura Harbor decked in lights! Cruise Ventura Harbor in marinas and part of the Ventura Keys. Seating available inside the lower cabin and upstairs. Dress Warm and Please NO HIGH HEELS. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks are available to purchase with credit card or cash. No outside alcohol permitted on board. Please notify us if you have special boarding needs. Dine and shop downtown or the harbor before or after your cruise.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $20
- Senior (55 and up): $18
- Child (3-12): $14
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 1 Hour
VENTURA BOAT RIDE
All ages • Variable Duration • Enjoy the ride, no landing
Sometimes you just want to get out on the ocean. Midday trips primarily transport campers to and from the park and often sail with light loads. Extra seats on these trips are sold at a discount for those who want to see the islands and hopefully find some wildlife in transit. The inbound leg of this trip will pick up passengers at the island and is frequently more crowded on the ride home.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military: $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- Varies
VENTURA WINTER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a winter whale watching excursion looking for Gray Whales! Cruise and search for Gray Whales and other local marine life on this winter whale watching cruise.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
1/2 DAY ISLAND WILDLIFE CRUISE
Cruise out to the Channel Islands in search of local marine life! Please Note: This wildlife cruise will stop briefly at Anacapa Island to offload passengers who booked the island landing trip.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
OUTER ISLAND WILDLIFE CRUISE
These trips focus on finding wildlife in the Marine Sanctuary and along the shorelines of the outer islands of the Park. Visitors stop to view secluded beaches often filled with pinnipeds (seal/sea lions) and travel over waters typically teeming with wildlife, including whales, dolphins and dozens of pelagic and migratory bird species. These trips also visit Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island.
As part of their route, vessels stop at Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands to drop off / pick up passengers visiting the National Park.
Fares:
- $100 per person
- Ages 13+
- 10 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
VENTURA PELAGIC BIRD TRIP
Look for a variety of seasonal pelagic species including the newly named species Townsend’s Storm-Petrel. Heading south of Channel Islands, we will search deep waters and warm currents for this range restricted Storm-Petrel. Other possibilities are tube-noses: Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Leach’s Storm-Petrel; Pink-footed, Flesh-footed (rare), Sooty, & Buller’s Shearwater.
Fares:
- $175 per person
- Ages 13+
- 10 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
VENTURA SUMMER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a summer whale watching excursion looking for Humpbacks and Blue Whales! Cruise and search for Whales and other local marine life on this summer whale watching cruise. Summer Whale Watches are longer in duration than Winter Whale watches due to greater distances traveled.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $79
- Senior (55 and up): $74
- Military (Active): $74
- Child (3-12): $64
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- 6 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
Anacapa Island Shoreline Cruise
Wildlife Cruises are 3 ½ hour non-landing trips that include a narrated crossing of the Santa Barbara Channel, a shoreline cruise of Anacapa Island including Arch Rock, seal and sea lion rookeries, and any wildlife encountered along the way. These trips frequently make brief stops at Anacapa Island to drop-of and pick-up visitors of Anacapa.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
OXNARD WINTER WHALE WATCH
Join us for a winter whale watching excursion looking for Gray Whales! Cruise and search for Gray Whales and other local marine life on this winter whale watching cruise.
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $45
- Senior (55 and up): $41
- Military (Active): $41
- Child (3-12): $32
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
- All Ages
- 3.5 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
SCI SCRUB-JAY & PELAGIC BIRDS
View Scrub-Jays on Santa Cruz Island and cruise the Santa Barbara channel for pelagic birds! Although primarily a non-landing trip, this trip allows approx. 1 hour on Santa Cruz Island to observe the endemic Island Scrub-Jay and other terrestrial birds. After reboarding, there will be ample time to explore the SB channel for more wildlife and birds, then allowing us to motor along the coast of Anacapa Island and look at the groups of seabirds congregating for the nesting season.
Fares:
- $125 per person
- Ages 13+
- 9 Hours