FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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. Island Packers 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.

Service animals are welcome in the mainland visitor center and on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands and do not require prior approval. 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.

Service animals 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.

For additional information you may contact the National Park at (805) 658-5730 or visit the NPS website.

There is no public transportation on island.

Campers bring more weight onto the boat with their gear than day passengers. When there is more weight, it takes more fuel to make the passage to and from the islands. When passengers go out and back on the same day, we only have to make two channel crossings to transport day passengers. To transport campers out and back on different days Island Packers makes four channel crossings.

We do not guarantee sightings as whales are wild animals. However, our captains have many years of experience finding whales. We also closely follow their migrating patterns so we are highly successful at locating them. Please refer to our Marine Mammal Sightings page for the most up to date information.

You can access the sea caves at Santa Cruz Island by kayak or by taking a Painted Cave Trip

Kayaking is accessed by:

1. Purchasing a Guided Kayaking Tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company
2. Bring your own kayak
3. Rent a Kayak.

Please visit our Kayaking page for complete details on Kayaking the sea caves.

Painted Cave trips are available on specific dates. You may also view Painted Cave on return trips from Santa Rosa or San Miguel Islands (weather permitting). Viewing the Painted Cave occurs from the deck of our vessel. There is no landing at the Painted Cave. We do not offer kayaking trips to Painted Cave.

Each island experience is different. You may see many endemic species of plants, birds and fox. You will experience nature in a very personal way.

There is very little cell phone reception on most of the islands. Santa Cruz Island sometimes has cell reception, however it is spotty and unreliable. It is a good idea to turn off your cell phone or put it in airplane mode during the crossing and your stay on the island otherwise your phone will roam searching for a signal and drain your battery.

There are no shops, stores or restaurants on any of the Channel Islands that make up the National Park. You should bring the provisions you will need with you.

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.

Island Packers does not travel to each island on a daily basis. Boat transportation arrangements to the island must be made before making a campsite reservation. You will have to coordinate traveling on the boat and check campsite availability prior to making either reservation. Campsites can be more difficult to obtain than boat transportation in some cases. Scheduled trips to the outer islands are less frequent so campsites may be available but we are not traveling to that location.

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.

Due to limited space on the vessel, gear restrictions apply to carts. 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, fold-able wagons are permitted as long as they fold as shown below. This style of wagon incurs an additional transport fee of $10.

Acceptable Carts for Island Packers Transport:

Free Island Packers Transport:

Other Important Information:

• 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 are usually about equal between the morning and afternoon trips.

Kayak rentals are available from Channel Island Kayak center. Please see our kayaking page for more information. Island Packers does not rent camping gear. Some kayak outfitters have camping gear that you can rent when using their guided outfitter service.

Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage is the most popular kayaking area. Kayaking at the local islands is best for beginners and novices. The Outer Islands are for experienced kayakers who are used to the open ocean and rough water conditions.

There is a public parking lot outside of each Island Packers building. Parking is free but very limited, especially in summer months. Groups should carpool whenever possible. There is a designated overnight parking area for campers in the Ventura Harbor. Campers will receive a parking pass when checking in on the day of their departure.

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 $1.00 and $2.00
• Beer and Wine cost between $7.00-$9.00
• Snacks and microwavable items cost between $1.00-$5.00

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: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/management/upload/Channel-Islands-NP-Superintendent-s-Compendium-2023.pdf