I was looking at the website of the ferry service provider (Island Packers), and it seems that on a few of the weekends I'm considering, there are no available departure and return ferries at the times I am seeking. The boats go out daily to the five islands: Santa Barbara, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel and Santa Rosa. The 2020 Island Packers Birding Excursion schedule is set. Not only do they act as wildlife interpreters, but they have also served on various rescue missions around the island. Winds and my tent: Do you really need 4 season tent? ”While we’re here working, just being outdoors and getting to enjoy nature is such an incredible resource,” Corey said. These are all easily seen on the Island Packers boat tours to Southern California’s Channel Islands. Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum. 2 years ago.

ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-90624023', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Catalina Island, where there are more ferries to and from every day.

Steve Silvas, who began working for Island Packers in May 2007, recalled giving aid to hypothermic kayakers that strayed too far from the islands, transporting visitors with breaks and sprains back to the mainland, and even contacting the Coast Guard by radio when a man jumped off a cliff last year. My question is, if I am unable to book a same day ferry to one of the islands, is there an alternate means of accessing them? As far as I know, Island Packers is the only company licensed by the national park to land at the islands in the park. https:/…visitor-services-list.htm. We are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Channel Islands ferry is only way to go. Thanks colinaz, I really appreciate the tips. Click on the video at the left to see an audio slide show of the Island Packers ferry trips to the Channel Islands, narrated by writer Alexandra Leon. For departures out of Ventura and Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors contact: Island Packers 1691 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 642-1393 islandpackers.com Available pick-up times from the islands will be shown after a departure time is chosen. The Chumash lived on the islands 10,000 years prior to European contact.
Second Capt. “Bread and crackers help.”. And if they absolutely cannot hold it in, Corey’s job as captain is to inform visitors to release their waste over the side of the boat instead of turning the bathrooms into their own personal “torture chambers.”. The company, which has been serving Channel Islands National Park visitors since 1968, dedicates itself to providing an outlet for education, recreation and research on marine and island wildlife. I did recommend the alternative of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Santa Rosa vs. Santa Cruz Prisoners Harbor in February, See All Channel Islands National Park Conversations, Trip Report - March Visit to Santa Maria Island. The two catamarans, the Islander and the Island Adventure, depart from Ventura Boat Harbor in Ventura, Calif. University of Miami. The crew has also proved an incredible resource to visitors to the islands. “Nothing seems difficult after a rescue.”. You can also fly to Santa Rosa and San Miguel. For campsite reservations go to recreation.gov or visit the Island Packers page for your destination and click on the  Reserve a Campsite link. There is no fee to enter Channel Islands National Park. Barrett’s advice to avoiding becoming what he jokingly calls a “vomit zombie,” is to eat the proper types of food. Posted November 19, 2010 By ALEXANDRA LEON. The company, which has been serving Channel Islands National Park visitors since 1968, dedicates itself to providing an outlet f. or education, recreation and research on marine and island wildlife. The federal lands passes, including versions for seniors, active military, and the disabled, cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal lands. Digitally explore the park—by map or by topic of interest. colinaz is right - the only other option is (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? for a more complete island experience. You will be able to delete any leg of your itinerary prior to making final payment. As of July 1, 2015, Channel Islands National Park will no longer sell federal lands passes. Camper/Overnight Fares are for boat transportation only. School of Communication. Special payment terms apply to groups of 20 or more. To view availability, go to our reservations page and select the Special Trips tab.

VENTURA, Calif. — Dolphins, humpback whales, gray sharks, sea lions. Camping/Overnight Gear Transport Guidelines. Reservations that are to be paid for by more than one person must be separate reservations for each payment type. Most of the crew is certified to lead hikes and educational programs for school groups. Public boat transportation is available year-round by the park concessionaire Island Packers. Reservations for one to nine passengers may be booked on line. ”We get to see all kinds of odd stuff since we are the only boats that are constantly out here,” Silvas said. Re: Ferry service to Channel Islands. For Barrett, his most memorable moment on the boats was when he saw a blue whale get eaten by a blue shark.

“You can feel the solitude and the quietness when you’re there because you’re 60 to 100 miles away from a city of 10 million people. Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland, just 12 miles from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Island Packers is really your only option. If you wanted to just do a wildlife cruise, sail or kayak, then there are other options. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. “It was worth coming out on the boat just for this.”. Prices: Depending on activity, ranges from $24 to $85. Island Packers recommends passengers utilize the Channel Islands National Park App . ”The same exact trip can be so different because the seasons, the people, the animals are always changing,” said Joel Barrett, an Island Packers crewmember who has been working with the company since 2004.

Stepping back in time takes the islands to the days when the Chumash, a native Californian people, inhabited them. Get answers to your questions about Channel Islands... Channel Islands National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide, Hotels near Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Browse all 134 Channel Islands National Park topics », http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. ”I’m never going to forget that moment,” Barrett said. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-90617556', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Island Packers is the only company licensed by the national park to land at the islands in the park. If you wanted to just do a wildlife cruise, sail or kayak, then there are other options. On average, the boats collectively transport around 300 to 500 people per day. Island Packers Cruises Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. And if they absolutely cannot hold it in, Corey’s job as captain is to inform visi, tors to release their waste over the side of the boat instead of turning the bathrooms into their own personal “torture chambers.”, Campers love quaintness of Channel Islands, Everglades can be overwhelming for visitors, Ellis Island museum tells compelling story, Fort’s re-enactments give lessons in history, University of Miami School of Communication. As far as I know, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-90623765', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Truth Aquatics but they do not drop people off on the islands, so that will not work for your trip.

The app is free and available on the App Store and on Google Play. She took the teaching position to make up for the limited pay that working on a boat crew offers. Along with their trips to the island, they conduct whale-watching tours, wildlife and harbor cruises, memorials at sea and private charters.

ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-90616747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz Island or Anacapa Island. Here, a pod of whales surfs the waves made by the Islander. You won't even know there's anyone else on the island. “It’s something I would have never seen anywhere else.”. Save. These are all easily seen on the Island Packers boat tours to Southern California’s Channel Islands. The couple had been planning the trip since February and agreed that the boat ride itself was more than which they had bargained. My hobby is gardening and California natives, I do know a bit more than average, what's most likely to happen is the weather will warm and tender shoots will not thrive If any blooms, they will be stunted, so harder to see. Download Now for use at the Islands. Get the New Channel Islands National Park App. Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. As I mentioned, more than 80% of it is wilderness, and the Catalina Island Conservancy manages those trails. ”This isn’t a high paying job, it’s hard to survive on the pay, but no other job provides this uniqueness and it’s a great company. The company, which has been serving Channel Islands National Park visitors since … VENTURA, Calif. — Dolphins, humpback whales, gray sharks, sea lions. Thanks SBSuz and Plumeria D, your advice is greatly appreciated! ”Keep your body full of good food and drink if you’re seasick,” Barrett said. I am wondering if there are other private ferry companies or perhaps even Ventura/Oxnard-area locals with boats who would be willing to ferry my group to and from the islands for a fee. For a full list of boat fares, visit http://www.islandpackers.com/fares.html.

Ventura Harbor: 1691 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105 B, Ventura, Calif. 93001 and Oxnard: 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93035. Maybe the many salvia shrubs will have a good show, that'll likely be in May. ”That was incredible,” Ocanas said. ”We respect the environment and encourage people to appreciate the nature of the island,” Connally said. Although they were wiped out 200 years later, the oldest human remains in the North American continent were found in their territory. The cruise company’s monohaul, the Vanguard, departs from Oxnard Harbor in Oxnard, Calif. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. View all Trips to Santa Cruz Island by Clicking the Months below. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.
A pod of more than 100 dolphins seen on a day trip to Santa Cruz Island was what most impressed Jose Ocanas, a first-time Island Packers passenger.

September.

Yet, she is still glad to be working on the boat some days. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Despite the dangers of being in a vast, completely natural environment, Mark Connally, who owns the 1968 company with his sister Cherryl and mother Lillian, believes the isolated nature of the island is one of its main attractions. Just Released.