Island Transportation

While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) or private boat. Advanced planning is highly recommended.

There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.

 

General Public Island Transportation Schedule

Please refer to the concessionaire's transportation schedule for more detailed information: islandpackers.com

Anacapa Island
Operator: Island Packers
Frequency of Trips: Year round, variable schedule 3-7 days per week
Travel Time from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors: 1 hour
Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb up steps from the boat to and adjustable platform on the dock. Then up a steel-rung ladder to the top of the dock. Once ashore, visitors must climb 157 stairs to the top of the island. Non-landing trips are available.

Santa Cruz Island
Operator: Island Packers
Frequency of Trips: Year round, variable schedule 5-7 days per week
Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: 1 hour
Landing Conditions: For Scorpion Anchorage, visitors must climb up steps from the boat to an adustable platform on the pier. Then walk up a ramp to the top of the pier. For Prisoners Harbor, visitors must climb up steps from the boat to a steel-rung ladder to the top of the pier. When the piers are closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach.

Santa Rosa Island
Operator: Island Packers
Frequency of Trips: . Boat trips run April through early November, 2-4 days per week.
Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: Boat trips are 3 hours.
Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb up steps from the boat, then up a steel-rung ladder to a lower landing, and then climb up stairs to the top of the pier at Bechers Bay. When the pier is closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach.

San Miguel Island
Operator: Island Packers
Frequency of Trips: Boat trips run April through early November, 4-8 days per month.
Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: Boat trips are 4 hours.
Landing Conditions: Boat visitors are skiffed onto the beach—be prepared to waterproof gear and possibly to get wet. Strong winds and rough seas are possible.

Santa Barbara Island
NOTE: Due to dock damage at Santa Barbara Island, Island Packers is not currently running trips to the island.
Operator: Island Packers
Frequency of Trips: Spring through Fall, variable schedule 2-4 days per month.
Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: 3 hour
Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb a steel-rung ladder to the top of the pier from a skiff. Once ashore, visitors must walk uphill 1/4 mile with 131 long steps to the top of the island. When the pier is closed, landings are via skiff onto the rocks.

 

 

Public Boat Transportation
Public boat transportation is available year-round by the park concessionaire Island Packers. In addition, Island Packers offers whale watching trips.

For departures out of Ventura and Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors contact:

Island Packers
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001

[phone]

islandpackers.com

Click here for driving directions to Island Packers.

 

Open Descriptive Transcript

Descriptive Transcript

visitors on boat in a large cave with words "explore channel islands national park with island packers"

aerial view of arch rock and god with words "leave the mainland behind" and "islandpackers.com or call 805-642-1393"

boat moving through water wtih the words "let the islands take you away"

dolphins swimming in ocean, fox moving along trail

boat next to pier wtih words "where your island adventure awaits"

kayaker along coast with words "kayaking"

hiker in low forest hiking on trail with words "hiking"

volunteer ranger talkign to visitors on dock with words "interpretive hikes" and hikers in a large forested area. 

campground with picnic tables, tents, visitors and trees with words "camping"

hikers with backpacks on trail and words "backpacking"

orca whales in ocean and spouting with words "whale watching"

large blue whale spouting along coast

hikers along coast with words "enjoy your island time"

island packers logo with whale tail and islands with words Island packers since 1968, islandpackers.com, authorized boat concessioner to channel islands national park call 805-642-1393

Duration:

1 minute, 45 seconds

 

Private Boat Transportation
Private boaters may land on all five islands within the park throughout the year. More

 

Private Airplane Transportation
Private aircraft may not land within park boundaries. All aircraft must maintain a minimum 1000-foot altitude above land and sea surfaces within the park. However, FAA regulations state that pilots are requested to maintain a minimum of 2,000 feet above ground level over national park. More...