Courtesy photo,
VENTURA — With the official beginning of Summer Solstice this month, visitors can now board an Island Packers vessel to experience cruises and specialty trips as part of the company’s full transportation schedule to the Channel Islands National Park, in addition to popular Summer whale watching. To book, visit www.islandpackers.com and visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/d
Ventura Harbor Village
Trips from Ventura Harbor are offered on select days and Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Island National Park, recommends that visitors make a reservation in advance.
Here’s a preview at what’s planned for the warmer months ahead:
Anacapa Shoreline Cruise offers a 3.5-hour tour to view the rugged coastline, historic lighthouse, and arch rock. Highlights of this non-land based trip include viewing of sea lions, seals and island birds, plus other potential marine sightings during the crossing.
Specialty Trips –Painted Cave and Prisoner’s Harbor, Santa Cruz Island gives sea goers the option to take advantage of direct service to this popular destination. Visitors go on a coastal tour culminating with an “in the island experience” at Painted Cave. The trip is followed by landing ashore at Prisoners Harbor for a couple hours to picnic, hike, snorkel or lounge. There is the opportunity for a naturalist-led hike or on own exploration.
Cueva Valdez or Fry’s Harbor day trips feature landing ashore on The Nature Conservancy property on Santa Cruz Island. Shore access is via small boats, with a possibly wet landing. Island Packers staff are available to share the natural and human history of the area. The excursion includes approximately two hours to picnic, hike, snorkel or lounge.
Summer Whale Watching – The Santa Barbara Channel has been newly designated as a Whale Heritage Area, and is one of only two in the United States. This area is renowned for its rich biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystem, where more than 25 cetacean species have been documented. Over the summer months, visitors witness visiting humpback, fin or blue whales, and can view resident groups of seals, sea lions, or dolphins on a non-land based trip. Occasional sightings of sharks, sunfish or swordfish. A six-hour day spent on the ocean in the company of these creatures can be awe-inspiring and truly memorable.
Anacapa Shoreline Cruise: Adults: $ 45, senior $ 41, and child $ 32.
Painted Cave and Prisoner’s Harbor Day Trip: Adult $ 86.00, senior $79.00 and child $ 60.
Cueva Val Dez or Fry’s Harbor Day Trip: Adult: $87.00, senior $ 82 and child $ 68.
Summer Whale Watching: Adult: $79.00, senior $ 74 and child $64.00.
About Island Packers:
As the authorized boat concessioner to Channel Islands National Park, Island Packers has been providing island transportation and wildlife viewing in the Santa Barbara Channel for more than 56 years. Captains and crews on all trips have many years of experience finding and viewing wildlife. Their thoughtful narration informs guests about the history, human impact, and unique characteristics of the channel and wildlife encountered. Visit Island Packers official website www.islandpackers.com or call 805-642-1393 to book online or for more information and details on regularly scheduled transportation to the Channel Islands, specialty trips and to view the marine sightings viewed on all the various trips.
About Ventura Harbor Village:
Situated along the picturesque California Central Coast, endowed with breathtaking views, Ventura Harbor Village is a sun-kissed seaside playground in Ventura Harbor, bordered by the City of Ventura on three sides and the Pacific Ocean on the West. Ventura Harbor is 20 miles from Santa Barbara and is 60 miles from Los Angeles and just minutes off scenic US Highway 1 and 101. The Ventura Harbor offers several sandy beaches for beach-goers, and wide open spaces for boating & recreation. The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center makes it home in Ventura Harbor. For information regarding Ventura Harbor Village, visit Ventura Harbor Village or call 805-477-0470. Harbor Village is located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura. Post, share, and like #VenturaHarbor