FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shuttles between locations are only for campers on select dates that can accommodate their schedule. There are no shuttles between Anacapa Island and the other Islands.

Inquire about possible shuttle dates by phone at (805) 642-1393.

Click HERE for more shuttle information!

There is NO transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed by foot, private boat, or kayak. Bicycles are NOT allowed on the islands.

Yes. Ventura Harbor has has limited space available for customer bicycles in our storage facility at our main office in Ventura. Our facility in Oxnard has outside bike racks available. Island Packers is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Island Packers Policy on Service Animals

Island Packers welcomes service dogs on all trips. Please note that pets are not permitted.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Service dogs are not considered pets.

Please be aware that emotional support animals and service dogs in training are not recognized as service animals by the U.S. Department of Justice and are not allowed onboard. Service dogs landing on the Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island do need PRIOR approval and are required to have health screening prior to coming ashore on Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and San Miguel Island. The island fox is a unique, endemic species found on the Channel Islands and nowhere else in the world. Island fox subspecies are recovering from near extinction due to disease and predation. The recovery plan requires the park to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Because the islands have never been connected to the mainland, a limited number of mammals have reached the island’s shores. This increases the risks and consequences of disease transmission. Ensuring that service animals have been vaccinated as well as received parasitic screening and prophylactic treatment decreases the risk of disease to and from service animals. Keep in mind that dogs can and do get seasick. Animals are expected to be leashed, monitored and if necessary, cleaned up after.

If you would like to bring your service animal, begin by filling out this FORM.

For service animals landing onshore, it needs submitted to both Island Packers ([email protected]) as well as the Chief Ranger at [email protected].

They are welcome on the mainland visitor center and on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Island. However, during the western gull nesting season (April through mid-August), service animals may have an unpleasant experience due to the birds being aggressive and territorial with their chicks and eggs

For additional information you may contact the National Park at (805) 658-5717 or visit the NPS website.

Please note: many destinations require disembarking via a ladder from the boat onto the pier. The passenger is responsible for making sure the service animal can navigate ladder. Animals can also get seasick just like humans and the owner is responsible for all cleanup.

There is no public transportation on island.

Camper tickets are priced higher because they require more resources to transport. Campers bring additional gear, which increases the overall weight on the boat. Due to safety regulations, heavier loads mean we must reduce the total number of passengers on board.

In addition, transporting campers involves more travel. While day passengers go out and return on the same day—requiring just two channel crossings—campers are dropped off and picked up on different days. This means Island Packers makes four separate crossings for each camper trip, resulting in higher fuel and operational costs.

These factors combined contribute to the higher fare for camper tickets

While we do not guarantee whale sightings, as whales are wild animals and their movements can be unpredictable, our captains have many years of experience locating them. We closely monitor whale migration patterns and marine activity, which makes our trips highly successful in spotting whales and other marine life.

For the most current information on recent sightings, please visit our Marine Mammal Sightings page

Exploring the Sea Caves at Santa Cruz Island

The sea caves at Santa Cruz Island, including the famous Painted Cave, can be viewed or accessed in a few different ways:

Kayaking the Sea Caves

Kayaking is a great way to explore the sea caves up close. There are three ways to access kayaking opportunities at Santa Cruz Island:

1. Join a Guided Kayak Tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company
2. Bring Your Own Kayak
3. Rent a Kayak

For full details, including launch points, requirements, and reservations, please visit our [Kayaking Page] (https://islandpackers.com/kayaking/).

Viewing Painted Cave

Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world, can be viewed on:

• Prisoners Harbor Painted Cave Trips
• Return trips from Santa Rosa or San Miguel Islands (weather permitting)

Please note:

• Painted Cave is viewed from the deck of the boat — there is no landing at the cave.
• We do not offer kayaking trips to Painted Cave.

Painted Cave trips are available only on select dates. Be sure to check our schedule for availability.

Each island offers a unique experience. You’ll find yourself immersed in nature, with opportunities to see endemic species found nowhere else in the world—such as the island fox, rare plants, and a variety of seabirds.

Visiting the Channel Islands is like stepping back in time. The landscape is far closer to what the Chumash people once knew than modern, urban California. It’s a place where you can experience the natural world in a quiet, personal, and meaningful way, free from the distractions of everyday life.

Cell phone reception is very limited on most of the Channel Islands. Santa Cruz Island may have occasional signal near the beach, but it is spotty and unreliable.

We recommend turning your phone off or switching to airplane mode during the boat crossing and your time on the island. Otherwise, your phone may continuously search for a signal, quickly draining your battery.

Visiting the islands is a great chance to unplug and enjoy the natural surroundings.

No—there are no shops, restaurants, or stores on any of the Channel Islands within the National Park. Visitors must bring all necessary food, water, and supplies with them, as there are no services available once you arrive.

Plan ahead to ensure you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable visit.

There is no electricity for public use on any of the islands.

In the event of an emergency you can contact the Ranger on duty when available. You may bring a marine radio and contact the Coast Guard.

We recommend checking both boat transportation availability and campsite availability before making any reservations, as they need to be coordinated.

Island Packers does not travel to every island daily, especially to the outer islands, where trips are scheduled less frequently. This means a campsite may be available, but we may not have a boat traveling there on the dates you need.

In some cases, campsites are harder to secure than boat reservations, so it’s important to plan ahead and be flexible with your dates.

To ensure a smooth trip, we suggest:

1. Checking Island Packers’ boat schedule for your preferred island.

2. Confirming campsite availability through Recreation.gov.

3. Booking transportation first, then immediately reserving your campsite once your travel dates are confirmed.

A Whale Watching trip travels through the Santa Barbara Channel and looks for migrating whales as well as other species of marine life. It may or may not go near the islands and occurs seasonally in winter and summer. An Anacapa Shoreline Cruise (formerly Wildlife Cruise,) goes out to Anacapa Island. It looks for marine life along the way and along the shore of the island.

Beginning September 2nd, 2025, We will no longer transport carts to Santa Cruz Island. This is due to limited space on the vessel. Any cart/hand truck must comply with Island Packer guidelines: No more than 30” high/long x 20” wide, must fold up flat to 4” and weigh 20lbs or less. Examples of the type of carts that meet our requirements are the MagnaCart, Ruxxac Cart or the Milwaukee folding hand truck. Larger 4-wheel, foldable wagons are not permitted. All carts taken incure an additional transport fee of $10.

Acceptable Carts for Island Packers Transport:

• How to Pack Your Overnight Gear
• View Island Packers Camping / Overnight Gear Guidelines

Yes, we offer a discount for military service members and one dependent. The discount is equal to our senior rate.

Whale sightings tend to be about the same on both morning and afternoon trips. We haven’t observed any consistent pattern that makes one time of day better than the other. Since whales are wild animals, their movements are unpredictable, and sightings can happen at any time.

Choose the time that best fits your schedule—you’ll have a great chance either way!

Kayak rentals are available through Channel Islands Kayak Center—please visit our Kayaking page for details.

Island Packers does not rent camping gear, but you may find rentals at stores like REI in your area. If you forget essential items like a tent or fuel, please check with Island Packers, as we may have some equipment available for loan.

For snorkel gear rentals, contact Channel Islands Adventure Company or Ventura Dive and Sport—advance arrangements are required.

Some of the best snorkeling spots are Santa Cruz Island (Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor) and Anacapa Island—all rich in vibrant marine life and sea kelp forests.

For kayaking, Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island is the most popular due to easy access to beautiful sea caves.

Anacapa Island is better suited for experienced kayakers because there’s no beach landing—you must enter the water from a dock and ladder.

If you’re a beginner or novice, the local islands offer calmer waters perfect for kayaking. The Outer Islands are recommended only for experienced kayakers comfortable with open ocean conditions and rougher water.

Currently, there is free public parking along Spinnaker Drive at Ventura Harbor.

Starting July 11, 2025, Ventura Harbor will begin charging for parking in within the parking lots. For the latest details, please click [here](https://venturaharbor.com/parking/).

Overnight passengers will need to obtain a parking pass from Island Packers in addition to paying Ventura Harbor for the parking spot.

Parking at Oxnard Harbor remains free.

Groups are encouraged to carpool whenever possible to minimize parking needs.

For campers, Ventura Harbor offers designated overnight parking areas:

• Whale Lot: for stays under 72 hours

• Turtle Lot: for stays over 72 hours

Campers will receive their parking pass when checking in on the day of departure.

The current Ventura Harbor parking rates are:

• $1 per hour for the first 4 hours

• $10 for a full-day pass

Yes, however there are no public moorings or all-weather anchorages around the islands. For detailed information about private boating to the islands, please refer to the Park Service website.

There is no entrance fee to get into the Channel Islands National Park.

When going for the day, food, and water are essential as there is nothing for sale on the island. A jacket is another great choice because it can be breezy on the boat ride. Comfortable, closed toe shoes are necessary for the boat as well as hiking around the island. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses should be brought as well.

There truly is no “best island.” They are all vastly different. Each offers a unique experience.

Anacapa Island is a great choice for the first time. It takes a short time to arrive and after climbing the stairs it offers a short hike, lighthouse, and inspirational panoramic views. Santa Cruz Island is another great choice. It offers a variety of hiking trails. It also has an interactive visitor’s center as well as a cobblestone beach.

Yes, we offer a selection of snacks and beverages including beer and local wine for purchase.

• Non-alcoholic beverages cost between $2.00 and $3.00
• Beer and Wine cost between $9.00-$11.00
• Snacks and microwavable items cost between $2.00-$8.00

Visit the Galley Snack Bar Menu page for complete details.

For Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island, the normal channel crossing time is slightly over one hour. Time can vary because we do stop for wildlife, dolphins and whales. Santa Rosa and Santa Barbara Island crossings take 2.5-3.5 hours depending on whether the vessel is scheduled for a drop off or pick up along the way at Santa Cruz or Anacapa Islands. San Miguel Island crossing takes from 3-4.5 hours depending on itinerary, wildlife and weather.

Use of Unmanned Aircraft:

• Launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Park Superintendent.

• Definition: The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g. model airplanes, quad-copters, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including recreation or commerce.

Link to newest park compendium: Law and Policies-NPS