The Channel Islands National Park, referred
to as “The American Galapagos,” encompasses
five remarkable and remote islands right off the Ventura
coast: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and
Santa Barbara. The Channel Islands and encircling waters
are home to over 2,000 plants and animals, of which
145 are found nowhere else in the world including the
Island Fox. Established as a National Park in 1980,
each of the islands is a fascinating world unto itself.
World class diving, hiking, kayaking, sea cave exploration,
photography, snorkeling, camping, wildlife and wildflower
viewing, the Channel Islands offers uninterrupted time
with family and friends while relaxing to the soothing
sounds of the natural world.
Open 7 Days a Week
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Ventura Harbor
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001-4354
Free parking at Harbor Cove Beach on Spinnaker
Drive
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. The viewing
tower offers one of the best views of Ventura Harbor,
the Channel Islands, and the Ventura coastline..
Visitors
can also enjoy the newly released high-definition 25-minute
movie entitled, “Treasure in the Sea”, narrated
by Kevin Costner. (Daily Showings or Click Below to
View Movie)
Island
Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel
Islands National Park, offers both landing and non-landing
trips to all five islands. Landing trips provide the
perfect setting for island hiking, camping, and kayaking.
Non-landing trips include whale watching into the waters
of the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands
National Marine Sanctuary to view the larger of the
marine mammals, the Pacific Gray Whales and Humpback
and Blue Whales. In addition, Island Packers also offers
Wildlife Cruises featuring a three-hour narrated tour
along the rugged north shore of Anacapa or Santa Cruz
Island with highlights including sightings of sea lions,
seals, and island birds.
Camping in the Channel Islands National Park
Reservations: www.recreation/gov
Camping Permits: 877.444.6777
Fast, comfortable and spacious, the
Raptor departs Ventura Harbor from Ventura
Dive & Sport for spectacular Channel Island
dive sites. The Raptor offers 2 and 3 tank dives to
Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. Equipment rental and
dive courses are available at Ventura Dive & Sport
located in Ventura Harbor Village. www.raptordive.com www.venturadive.com
Channel Islands Kayak Center
arranges kayak tours or rentals to the Channel Islands,
and is located next to Islands Packers in the Ventura
Harbor. Join a kayak sea caving tour, or rentals include
easy to use sit-on-top ocean going kayaks, a full safety
briefing, map of the island caves and up-to-date weather
information before your trip. For reservation information
visit www.cikayak.com.
Visitors
can also enjoy the newly released high-definition 25-minute
movie entitled, “Treasure in the Sea”, narrated
by Kevin Costner. (Daily Showings or Click Below to
View Movie)
Island
Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel
Islands National Park, offers both landing and non-landing
trips to all five islands. Landing trips provide the
perfect setting for island hiking, camping, and kayaking.
Non-landing trips include whale watching into the waters
of the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands
National Marine Sanctuary to view the larger of the
marine mammals, the Pacific Gray Whales and Humpback
and Blue Whales. In addition, Island Packers also offers
Wildlife Cruises featuring a three-hour narrated tour
along the rugged north shore of Anacapa or Santa Cruz
Island with highlights including sightings of sea lions,
seals, and island birds. 
