Frequently asked questions channel islands national park. Island packers now offering whale watching tours to channel. For a schedule of their whale watching trips, please click here. It is home to hms excellent, the oldest shore training establishment within the royal navy, and the location of the navy command headquarters. Island packers ventura 2020 all you need to know before. Channel islands dolphin adventures specializes in safely leading small groups on dolphin and whale watching excursions out of the channel islands harbor in oxnard ca. Download printable pdf channel islands harbor oxnard. Supposed to be 23 hours to reach the feeding grounds and i guess the same getting back. Island packers conejo valley guide conejo valley events. Groups scheduled to go to harbor cove will continue on spinnaker. We boast more than 100 years of combined experience in the islands and have led excursions for hundreds of thousands of satisfied guests over 24. Let your island adventure begin with the experienced crew from island packers.
Take a halfday flight to santa rosa island with channel islands aviation or a halfday nonlanding boat tour around anacapa or a halfday, express boat trip to anacapa or santa cruz islands via island packers. The other three islands san miguel, santa barbara, and santa rosa are accessible by boat from april to octobernovember. From december to march the california gray whales can be seen migrating through the santa barbara channel off the ventura coast, and from june to september there are blue and humpback whales feeding in the channel islands. This small slice of old california makes for a unique day trip. There are two seasons each year where we specifically go out into the waters of california s santa barbara channel and the channel islands national marine sanctuary to view the larger of the. Island packers is an authorized concessionaire to all five islands in the channel islands national park. Island packers cruises 4 miles see the shore from a different perspective while aboard a boat at island packers cruises. As well as trips to the spectacular islands just off the coast, island packers offers whale watching excursions and. Whale island is a small island in portsmouth harbour, close by portsea island.
I took the day trip to santa cruz island with the added ride up to the painted cave and had the most fantastic time. Last month, the harbor department hired a commercial real estate firm to find a longterm tenant to run a new restaurant at the location. Every week, they run dozens of whale watching tours, harbor cruises, and excursions to the channel islands national park and marine sanctuary. Island packers from half and full day trips, wildlife cruises, to camping, island activities, and special tours island packers has a variety to suit all ages and interests. We take you on a tour aboard our stateoftheart 30ft commercial tour boat. Island packers ventura harbor villageventura harbor village. Driving directions ventura harbor cruising the california channel islands for education. Winter whale watching excursions island packers cruises. The staff was outstanding, providing a smooth and helpful boat ride to and from the island including a short detour for a humpback whale sighting. Driving directions channel islandsoxnard harbor cruising the california channel islands.
As well as trips to the spectacular islands just off the coast, island packers offers whale watching excursions and seasonal harbor dining and taste cruises. During gray whale season december through april, take a halfday whale watch trip out of ventura, oxnard, or santa barbara harbors. Wildlife whale watching, channel islands, aug 11,2012, page 1. On the island we took the hike to potato harbour with return via cavern point. The map below is to island packers in ventura harbor. In addition, island packers offers whale watching trips. The tour guides were very informative and knowledgeable and we saw. Filled with some 2,000 gleaming boats of every shape and size, ventura countys largest harbor is also filled with opportunity. During our trips to and from, we saw thousands of common dolphin, hundreds of california sea lions, a grey whale. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. Nature led hikes ashore on anacapa or santa cruz island, camp, kayak or whale watch. Our day trip with island packers to santa cruz island scorpion anchorage was wonderful.
Oxnard, ca its that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during whale watching season taking place off the coast of oxnard. A permit is required, but if you travel with island packers, channel islands. The other three islands san miguel, santa barbara, and santa rosa are. We did have one afternoon open and came upon a whale watching tour as we checked out the ventura harbor. Island packers gray whale watching departs from both the channel islands and ventura harbors. General info founded in 1968, island packers is an authorized concessionaire to the channel islands national park. Summer whale watching cruising the california channel islands for education, recreation and research since 1968. Visitors to ventura can board an island packers whale watching vessel in the ventura harbor village. Between san pedro st and vista del mar dr 805 64293.
To get to prisoners harbor, take the island packers ferry. Channel islands kayak center arranges kayak tours or rentals to the channel islands, and is located next to islands packers in the ventura harbor. Both island packers and condor express offer on line booking. The difference is that when you shop on amazonsmile, the amazonsmile foundation will donate 0.
The island is linked to portsea island and thence to the mainland by road bridges. Summer whale watch with island packers there are some spots left on this epic, ontothewater adventure. Channel islands national park best time to visit top. Island packers offers both winter and summer three to threeandahalfhour whale watching cruises along the santa barbara channel, with the option of extending your trip to a full day to land on anacapa or.
It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a lovely scenic boat ride out to the island. Seeing these amazing mammals upclose and personal is a must for any nature lover. A day trip consists of 2 to 4 hours ashore to hike on your own or with our naturalist. Our team of highly qualified crew set us apart from the competition. In cooperation with island packers, condor express is offering shuttle transportation to and from santa barbara harbor to ventura harbor for the duration of the 101 freeway road closure. January until march has the highest chance for gray whale sightings. They have regular trips to all of the islands and whale watching excursions too. Whale watching cruises offer a chance to get close to view the whales as they travel as well as views of the channel islands. Blue and humpback whale watching comes to an end in early fall. For more information on island packers cruises, please click here. Island packers oxnard, ca 93035 attractions, tourist.
December 26 marks the official start of the gray whale migration period, and an island packers whale watching excursion is an exciting way to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. The main office is on ventura harbor in ventura 1691 spinnaker dr and the other is on channel island harbor in oxnard 3600 harbor blvd. Theres yearround sport fishing and, from december through april, almostdaily gray whale watching excursions. Island packers has scheduled trips departing out of the ventura and oxnard harbors and is the only exclusive boat conce. Channel islands national park best time to visit top tips before. Island packers cruises is your ticket to channel island national park. May 21, 2017 a young humpback whale that got itself stuck in a california harbor found its way out overnight, according to the ventura harbor patrol. Mar 25, 2014 whale watching, island packers, ventura, orca, hd aquasurround. The five islands are accessible by plane yearround though by boat only anacapa island and santa cruz island. Whale island tours whakatane 2020 all you need to know. Driving directions oxnard harbor island packers cruises. The vanguard is a 68foot wood and fiberglass vessel, specifically designed for the ocean conditions around the channel islands. Island transportation channel islands national park u. Find island packers in ventura with address, phone number from yahoo us local.
Summer whale watching island wildlife cruises birding excursions winter. Both island packers, ventura countys official concessionaire to the channel islands national. The viewing tower offers one of the best views of ventura harbor, the channel islands, and the ventura coastline. However, accessibility is always weather depending. By alysia gray painter published september 6, 2017. The park transportation concessioner island packers has temporarily cancelled boat service to the islands. Driving directions ventura harbor island packers cruises.
The santa barbara channel, the surrounding waters, and the channel islands national park, are a marvel of nature. The waters surrounding channel islands national park are. Petfriendly ventura, ca hotel four points by sheraton ventura. Mar 28, 2015 my wife and i on a business trip to california for 4 days. Join a kayak sea caving tour, or rentals include easy to use sitontop ocean going kayaks, a full safety briefing, map of the island caves and uptodate weather information before your trip. Rent a kayak at channel islands kayak center and explore the calm harbor. This will prob be a once in a lifetime trip for me so i dont mind the extra travel if its a better experience, however i know. On all of island packers trips to the channel islands we cruise with an eye out for wildlife, especially everyones favorites, whales and dolphins. Yearround visitors are greeted by dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals, but it is the whales that often spark the most excitement. View our island trips for details on day trips, camping, island activities and special trips. Island packers, one of the park concessionaires, offers whale watching during the year. Island packers provides transportation services for island hiking, camping, kayaking, whale watching, school field trips, sightseeing and harbor cruises. Island packers cruises operates year around to the channel islands national park. Island packers runs fullday and halfday trips to anacapa island.
Island packers cruises offers whale watching trips from two locations, ventura harbor, and oxnard harbor. One ideal day on santa cruz island the outbound collective. Amazonsmile is a website operated by amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as. Youll need to catch a boat ride from island packers to get there boats depart from ventura and oxnard harbors. The channel islands national park visitor center features a bookstore, gift items, live tidal pool with daily talks, viewing tower, and exhibits featuring the unique character of each park island. Sharks as big as a bus seen off southern california coast. Winter whale watching cruises begin in ventura keyt kcoy. Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale sightings on every tour. Anacapa island santa cruz island santa rosa island san miguel island multiport day trips camper island hopping. Head back along the coast and scan the water for whale tails.
Pictures from wildlife and whale watching, channel islands, aug 11, 2012, page 1. The city of oxnard, which is less than 10 miles from channel islands national park, is a perfect home base for a whale watching excursion. Island packers visits all five of the islands that make up the channel islands national park and national marine sanctuary. In the summer months, island packers offers an allday whale watching excursions to santa rosa island with a visit to painted cave on santa cruz islands north shore.
Visit island packers on your trip to ventura or united states. For departures out of ventura and channel islands oxnard harbors contact. Since 1968, their professional staff has provided first rate transportation services for island hiking, camping, kayaking, whale watching, school field trips, sightseeing, and harbor cruises. Best camping in and near channel islands national park hipcamp. Whale watching, island packers, ventura, orca, hd youtube.
Whale watching cruises operate from december through april. Whale watching ventura harbor villageventura harbor village. Island packers departs from two different harbors depending on the trip, call for details channel islands marine floating lab whale watch during gray whale season 4151 s. Island packers has boat trips to and from the channel islands.
Island packers summer schedule to include special trips. An exceptional show put on by a few humpback whales and lots of dolphins. View ventura aquatic center kimball pool in a larger map. Visit seals, sea lions, and all kinds of sea birds in their natural home, and keep on the lookout for whales on any day, you. Volunteer channel islands national park us national park service. Cruising the california channel islands for education, recreation and research since 1968 hiking, kayaking, school field trips, camping, whale. Planning a trip to prisoners harbor on santa cruz island channel. It offers travel packages for education, recreation and research to anacapa island, santa cruz island, santa rosa island, san miguel island and santa barbara island in california. Massive humpback whale gets stuck in ventura harbor. We were a family group ranging in age from 7 to 70 and everyone really enjoyed the experience. Over 40 years later, island packers is still a familyrun company with a warm, friendly attitude.
From there, they will travel through the southern california waters off the santa barbara channel. The island packers boat crew scans the horizon for sea creatures during the trip to the islands and slows the boat when a sighting is made so that passengers can view the wildlife. Island packers, best whale watchinghands down island. Island packers in ventura, ca featured on ventura county now. Visitors to ventura and locals alike can now explore select, seldomvisited destinations. Camping near channel islands national park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer. I took the day trip to santa cruz island with the added ride. Whale, blue whale, orca whale, minke whale, fin whale, common dolphins. Channel islands dolphin adventures experience the sea. An american beauty designed by the frank lloyd wright foundation, our california hotel is just a mile from island packers whale watching tours and near a. Island packers cruises 3600 harbor blvd oxnard, ca federal. Join island packers or ventura sportfishing for yearround whale watching and view the beautiful wildlife in the east santa barbara channel. Half day and all day nature tours, camping, kayaking and hiking on anacapa, santa cruz, santa rosa and san miguel island.
Whale watching tours last about two hours and each trip is fully narrated by the captain. Providing first rate transportation services for island hiking, camping, kayaking, whale watching, school field trips, sightseeing and. Island packers ventura, ca 93001 attractions, tourist. Channel islands naturalist corps participating vessels.
Ventura, ca with summer upon us, island packers is proud to announcethe addition of specialtytrips on selective dates to their already full schedule of summer excursions. Download printable pdf ventura harbor driving directions. Marine mammal sightings cruising the california channel islands for. While visiting the islands you can hike, camp, kayak or take a guided wildlife tour. Our boats are powered by biodiesel fuel and are eco friendly.
The main office is on ventura harbor in ventura 1691 spinnaker dr and the other is on channel island. Blue whale season is here venture to ventura for an island packers boat trip. Cherryl connally, coowner of island packers, said the sightings were plentiful a few weeks ago, with 10 to 15 spotted on individual trips. Island packers offers gray whale watching trips from late december through midapril from ventura harbor while blue and humpback whale watching trips are available from midjune through midseptember. Island packers holiday cruises ventura blog ventura. Pelagic birding and the channel islands national park california. The islands offer lots of fun for the entire family. By alysia gray painter published july 4, 2018 updated on july 7, 2018 at 1. Thank you for supporting the brands that make local adventurer possible. In addition to these landing excursions, island packers is also expanding its summer whale watching excursionsfor the viewing. Zydecocruiser tries wildlife and whale watching, august 11, 2012. They are also the authorized concessionaire for transportation to the national park through 2021.
Island packers whale watching cruises leave from both ventura harbor and channel islands harbor. Please refer to island transportation for contact information. The season officially begins the day after christmas, december 26 and continues through mid to late april 2019. We are lucky to have so much marine life bringing splashes and adventure to the waters off venturas coast. Island packers cruises, ventura, ca california beaches.
Depending on the time of year, you can catch a glimpse of dolphins, whales, seals or sea lions by booking a tour on these island cruisers that. The crew were all super friendly and it is easy to see that. Southern california waters of the santa barbara channel. Whale watching season begins off ventura county shoreline. I am lucky enough to work with this as my backdrop and have the opportunity to witness the day to day events taking place just off shore. Find their customers, contact information, and details on shipments. This is the dropoff and pickup location for the channel islands field trips. Whale watching, island packers, ventura, orca, hd video.
Boat tours are available, and are best enjoyed on a calm day. Island packers also offers gift certificatesperfect for gifts or stocking stuffers. Island packers cruises cruising the california channel. Island packers our whale watch from a couple of days. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealand s north island, about 9 kilometres 5. Island packers in ventura island packers 1691 e harbor. Cruising the california channel islands for education, recreation and research since 1968 hiking, kayaking, school field trips, camping, whale watching.
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