Island Packers Cruises is Running Our Full Schedule.
Visit Channel Islands National Park – Don’t Miss the Boat, Book NOW!
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 from March through November on a limited schedule.
Island Packers Cruises also offer trips that get close to the Channel Islands without going ashore which are designed so you can 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. We also have Harbor Cruises with dinner and live music during the Summer months.
Covid-19 Information
Island Packers is running our vessels to comply with the United States Coast Guard and National Parks Service Covid-19 Guidelines.
We will meet all government guidelines as we provide safe travel to the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary.
Click the button below for complete Covid -19 guidelines and requirements.
Island Trips and Wildlife Viewing Options
December 26- Mid April
Winter Whale Watching
Island Packers’ Gray Whale Watching departs from both the Channel Islands and Ventura Harbors. This 3-3.5 hour cruise takes you to the Southern California waters of the Santa Barbara Channel.
These waters are known for their marine mammal diversity and you may get to see other species of marine mammals along with the migrating Gray Whales. Seals, Sea Lions and several READ MORE
December 8 -23 Holiday Lights Cruise
December 17 & 18 Parade of Lights
Holiday Harbor Cruises
Join us again for our annual Holiday Harbor Cruises. Choose from a 1 hour cruise to see the decorated home and boats (Holiday Harbor Lights). Or choose a 2.5 hour (approx) trip to watch the Parade of Lights from one of our Catamarans (Parade of Lights). Either way these trips really bring home that holiday spirit.
READ MORE
Visited Year-Round
Santa Cruz Island -SCI
Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands. At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz is over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and has 77 miles of shoreline. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor. READ MORE
Available – Year-Round
Channel Islands
Wildlife Cruises
This 3.5 hour cruise will take you through the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Park.in, Pacific White Sided Dolphin and Dall’s Porpoise. READ MORE…
Available – February
through November
Santa Rosa Island – SRI
At 84 square miles, 53,000 acres, Santa Rosa is the second largest of the eight Channel Islands. There are two relatively high mountains on the island; Black Mountain, 1298 ft (396 m); and Soledad Peak 1574 ft (480 m). READ MORE…
Visited July-November
San Miguel Island – SMI
San Miguel island ranks third in size at 9,500 acres.Transportation is primarily for camper drop of and pick up. In the Fall Island Packers takes day passenger out while the weather is at its READ MORE…
Visited Year-Round
Closed for Landing Improvements
Starting February 2022
Closure Estimate 3-4 months
Anacapa Island
Anacapa Island is the second smallest island in Channel Islands National Park, only slightly larger than Santa Barbara Island. Although approximately 4 miles tip to tip, Anacapa includes just under a square mile of land. Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland. From either harbor of departure, it lies 12 to14 miles offshore. Due to its close location, READ MORE…
Available – Limited Year-Round
Multi-Port Day Trips
Prisoners Harbor, SCI with Painted Cave
&
Prisoners Harbor, SCI
and Anacapa Island
Multi-Port trips allow visitors to explore several island destinations in the same day. Passengers on these trips spend a little more time on the boat but fill-up their day with a greater appreciation for the variety of ways to enjoy the Park. READ MORE
News & Announcements | Things You’ll Want to Know
Get the App!
Channel Islands
National Park
The Official Channel Islands National Park Mobile App (Free)
Enrich your visit to Channel Islands National Park with the official, free app from the National Park Service (NPS). Digitally explore the park—by map or by topic of interest. Discover the natural and cultural stories in context with their locations. Find the information you need about visitor centers, events, services, and self-guided tours and trails throughout the park
The app is free and available on the App Store and on Google Play.
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 Buttons Below to View the latest Marine Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service.
This map is a representation of the map you see when you click the Marine Forecast button below. The yellow area is the area we travel for Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Wildlife and Winter Whale Watching. The actual map on the NWS site is interactive and you can click in the general area of the yellow highlight and get the marine weather forecast for the area you will be traveling in today.
Mask Guidelines Update 8/16/20
Island Packers must operate under the guidelines from both the United States Coast Guard and the National Park Service. The National Park Service has updated their guidelines due to the increasing spread of the Delta Variant.
Protect The Channel Islands
National Park
Bio Security
Non-native, invasive species threaten endangered animals and plants on the Channel Islands and are costly to control. The following bio security regulations and guidelines can help prevent the introduction and spread of nonnative species before they become a problem.
To prevent the introduction of nonnative species, the following items may not be brought to the park:
Live or Potted Plants, Soil, Cut Flowers,
Firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks), Corrugated boxes, Tools or equipment with attached soil, Motorized vehicles, Bicycles
This restriction action is necessitated for the protection of the islands unique values, ecological systems and protection of breeding populations of marine mammals, endangered species of seabirds, eagles, islands foxes and other unique and rare species of flora and fauna inhabiting the Channel Islands National Park. Less restrictive measures would have the potential for introduction of nonnative species that could adversely effect many species and/or endanger the islands ecosystems.
Requirement for Face Masks on Marine Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs
Traveling on public transportation increases a person’s risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 by bringing people in close contact with others, often for prolonged periods, and exposing them to frequently touched surfaces. Air travel often requires spending time in security lines and busy airport terminals. Travel by bus, train, and other conveyances used for international, interstate, or intrastate transportation poses similar challenges. Staying 6 feet away from others is often difficult on public transportation conveyances. People may not be able to distance themselves by the recommended minimum of 6 feet from other people seated nearby or from those standing in or passing through the aisles on airplanes, trains, or buses.
Travel contributes to interstate and international spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Wearing masks that completely cover the mouth and nose reduces the spread of COVID-19. People who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) or are not yet showing symptoms (per-symptomatic) might not know that they are infected but can still spread COVID-19 to others. Masks also offer protection to the wearer.
CDC has issued an Order that requires face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation (which includes all passengers and all personnel operating conveyances). People must wear masks that completely cover both the mouth and nose while awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares as they are traveling into, within, or out of the United States and U.S. territories. People must also wear masks while at transportation hubs (e.g., airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations, seaports, U.S. ports of entry, and other locations where people board public transportation in the United States and U.S. territories). READ MORE
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Island Day Trip
Preparation
Discover All There
is to Know
For a complete list of the wildlife of the islands, trail maps, points of interest, activities, highlights and more, we strongly recommend passengers download the Channel Islands National Park app so you can access the information while visiting the islands. This app is a fantastic resource for both return visitors and first-timers. Cell reception on the islands is limited.
Download before
you go!
Get the App!
The app is free and available on the
App Store and on Google Play.
Camper Transport
What you Need to Have & Bring
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. All additional Islands of the Californias are also included.
Quick Links to a Few Great Topics
