Island Packers, family owned and founded in 1968, Offers Daily Trips, As The Official Boat Transportation Concessionaire
Courtesy photos.
VENTURA — Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, has now re-opened!
A winter Whale Watch is a perfect way to gather with family and friends to view Pacific Gray whales migrating through the Santa Barbara Channel from their feeding grounds in Alaska to their breeding grounds in Baja. Pacific Gray Whales are normally sighted in the National Marine Sanctuary near Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island that began in late December and extending through middle of April 14, 2021. This mammoth migration of over 20,000 whales and 6,000 miles twice a year remains a major attraction in Southern California.
Sightings of the southern migration began in December for Pacific Gray Whales, and we also saw Humpback Whales, Fin whales, and occasionally Orcas. Common Dolphin are enjoyed year-round, delighting passengers as they frolic with the boat, and ride the bow and stern waves. For our most recent sightings visit www.islandpackers.com or find us on Twitter.
The half-day Winter Whale Watch Cruise provides stunning views of the Ventura coastline or the Channel Islands; depending on where the whales may be sighted.
Winter Whale Watch excursions are available now thru mid-April from Ventura and/ or Channel Islands Harbor departing at 9:30 a.m. and/or 1:30 p.m. Rates for half-day trips are $40 for adults, $36 for seniors, and $29 for children 3-12. Children 2 years old and
younger ride free. All-day trips with landings to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island are also available year-round. On Santa Cruz, both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoner’s Harbor are now open. All-day trips run from $ 62.00 to $ 84.00 per adult. Camping is NOT available on the Channel Islands at this time but will resume soon.
What makes whale watching a great activity:
- Affordable family fun – half day excursions start at $40 for adults; $29 for kids
- Flexible – winter trips depart twice a day, almost daily (weather permitting) until mid-April
- Educational – crew aboard the whale watching cruises have many years of experience sighting whales on the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel and will narrate and inform guests about all the varieties or marine mammals seen on your cruise
- Get in touch with nature – it is not just whales that make the area so special; you may also see sea birds, sea lions, and the coastline of the offshore islands while onboard
- Safety protocols keeping visitors to the Channel Islands safe and comfortable include:
- Passenger loads limited to under 50% capacity to better facilitate social distancing
- Island Packer employees are health screened before every shift
- Eating and drinking permitted outside cabin area
- Passengers will be given a health inquiry before being allowed access to office or boats and everyone required to wear face covering on board vessels
Office and boat crew wear appropriate PPE when in contact with the public
For more information about Island Packers, call 805-642-1393 or book or visit online at www.Islandpackers.com
About Island Packers— Island Packers is the authorized concessionaire servicing the Channel Islands National Park and has been family-owned and operated since 1968. For information, reservations or to purchase gift certificates: Visit www.islandpackers.com, call 805-642-1393, or visit Island Packers at 1691 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105B, in Ventura Harbor Village. Visit www.islandpackers.com or find us on Twitter to follow Island Packers most recent marine life sightings.
About Ventura Harbor— Situated along the picturesque California Central Coast, endowed with breathtaking views, Ventura County’s Ventura Harbor is bordered by the City of Ventura on three sides and the Pacific Ocean on the west, the site of one of the largest squid offloading harbors in North America. Ventura Harbor has a total of 1,500 boat slips, 40 unique shops and dockside restaurants, two waterfront hotels, beaches, green spaces, water sports, and boating and cruising options, all part of an affordable, multigenerational vacation destination. Ventura Harbor is 20 miles from Santa Barbara, within 15 miles of Oxnard and is 60 miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It is accessible in just minutes from scenic US Highway 101.
From 6-foot dinghies to 88-foot commercial fishing seiner boats, scores of pleasure boats call Ventura Harbor home. Ventura Harbor Village marina is one of the top offloading squid harbors on the Pacific Coast and in the nation and Ventura Harbor Village marina is home to some of the largest fishery companies. Ventura Harbor Marina & Yacht Yard, Ventura Isle Marina and Ventura West Marina service recreational and some commercial boaters. Ventura Harbor has two yacht clubs, two boat yards, and Ventura Boat Rentals in Harbor Village. Other boats docked at the Ventura Harbor include dive boats, 64‘Catamarans (concessioner for the Channel Islands), Vessel Assist, National Park Service Vessels, and two oil recovery vessels.
For visitor information, contact Ventura Harbor Village at 805-477-0470, online at www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. Ventura Harbor Village is located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura. Post, share, and like #VenturaHarbor