BOOK YOUR FERRY TRANSPORTATION TO
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK HERE
A trip to Channel Islands National Park is a bucket list experience. In order to enjoy a seamless experience to the islands, it is very important you book your trip correctly. Please follow the steps below to book your trip.
SELECT YOUR TRIP TYPE:
Trips to the Channel Islands
NON-LANDING TRIPS (WHALES, BIRDS, DOLPHIN)
Summer Whale Watch
Fares:
- Adult (13-54): $84
- Senior (55 and up): $79
- Military (Active): $79
- Child (3-12): $69
- Infant (under 3): $0.00
The perfect way to experience whales in the Santa Barbara Channel!
This 5-hour trip is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and search for the incredible whales and dolphins that migrate through or call our waters home in the summer months. From the comfort of our vessels, passengers traverse the Santa Barbara Channel, take in sweeping island views, and receive narration from a professional naturalist. While sightings are never guaranteed, your crew makes every effort to locate and visit with these animals. Summer often brings encounters with humpback whales, blue whales, fin whales, and large pods of dolphins and sealions
These trips are great choices especially for:
• Wildlife enthusiasts eager to see the largest animals on earth
• Families with children
• Visitors who want a unique and memorable experience on the water
• Passengers who prefer to stay aboard the boat instead of going ashore
• Photographers and nature lovers of all kinds
! Please Note: Summer Whale Watching trips do not land on any of the islands.
- 5 Hours (Times are approximate)
- All ages
- 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:
- $223 per person
- Ages 13+
- 10 Hours
- Non-Landing Trip
LOOKING TO BUILD A FULLY CUSTOM ITINERARY?
Island Packers has recently expanded options for traveling between the Channel Islands. On select dates, inter-island and inter-port shuttles are available for campers to visit and/or extend their camping experience. Click the “Book a Custom Trip” button to get started
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PLEASE READ: Suggested Route Options
On select dates, CAMPERS can:
- Extend their camping experience at a different location or
- Visit a different destination on their day of return
On select dates inter island shuttles are available to connect campers between the following destinations for a day visit and/or extended camping:
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- Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa Island (camper visit or extended camping)
- Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz to San Miguel Island (camping only)
- Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz to Prisoner’s Harbor, Santa Cruz Island (camper visit or extended camping)
- Prisoner’s Harbor, Santa Cruz to Scorpion Anchorage (camping only)
- Santa Rosa Island to San Miguel Island (camping only)
- San Miguel Island to Santa Rosa Island (camping only)
- Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa Island (camper visit or extended camping)
Campers who extend their stays must have a camping permit for all dates and destinations. Campers visiting other destinations for the day on their return do not need an extra permit.
For example, on select dates, campers at Scorpion Anchorage can now:
➤ Return from camping via a day visit to Santa Rosa Island: Hop on boat that is dropping off passengers at Scorpion en route to Santa Rosa (approximately a 1 ½ hour boat ride,) spend the day exploring Santa Rosa and see world famous Painted Cave on your ride back to the mainland.
➤ Return from camping via a day visit to Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island: Hop on the boat that is dropping off passengers at Scorpion en route to Prisoner’s (approximately a half-hour boat ride,) spend the day exploring Prisoner’s Harbor before heading back to the mainland.
➤ Extend their camping experience at Santa Rosa or San Miguel Island: Hop on the boat that is dropping off passengers at Scorpion en route to Santa Rosa/ San Miguel (approximately a 1 ½ – 2 ½ hour boat ride) spend an extra day or two camping and exploring another island and see world famous Painted Cave on your ride back to the mainland. Campsite reservations are required at all overnight destinations. Water is available on Santa Rosa, but not on San Miguel. Campers to San Miguel must pack in their own water.
➤ Extend their camping experience at Del Norte Campground at Prisoner’s Harbor: Hop on the boat that is dropping off passengers at Scorpion en route to Prisoner’s Harbor (approximately a half-hour boat ride,) spend an extra day or two camping at this remote, back country destination before returning to the mainland. Campsite reservations are required at all overnight destinations. There is no fresh water available at Del Norte. Campers to Del Norte must pack in their own water.
Similar travel plans can be made for other destinations. Not all options are available every day. Dates for transport to the outer islands of Santa Rosa and San Miguel are limited while transportation between Scorpion and Prisoner’s Harbor is available most days during the Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Interested in booking a shuttle, but not sure where to start? We are happy to help. If you see a day where your desired ports for a shuttle origin and destination are listed, we can probably shuttle you and your group to the next leg of your adventure.
Campers who would like to book a shuttle can often do so on our website when making reservations. If you already have reservations, or the shuttle you want is not listed, you’ll have to contact our office and speak to our reservation team, we will be happy to help you customize your trip to maximize your camping enjoyment.
Shuttles, like all ocean activities, can be affected by sea conditions. Rough seas can mean the cancellation of a trip leg. Santa Rosa and San Miguel are particularly subject to heavy winds and heightened seas. Campers should be prepared with flexibility and extra supplies in the event sea conditions affect travel plans.
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