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) and planes (Channel Islands Aviation) 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: flycia.com and 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 from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a 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: Visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a pier at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. When the piers are closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach.

Santa Rosa Island
Operator: Island Packers and Channel Islands Aviation
Frequency of Trips: Flights are year round on demand. Boat trips run April through early November, 2-4 days per week.
Travel Time from Camarillo Airport and Ventura Harbor: Flights are 25 minutes. Boat trips are 3 hours.
Landing Conditions: Flights land on a dirt airstrip. Boat visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a pier at Bechers Bay. When the pier is closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach.

San Miguel Island
Operator: Island Packers and Channel Islands Aviation
Frequency of Trips: Flights are year round on demand. Boat trips run April through early November, 4-8 days per month.
Travel Time from Camarillo Airport and Ventura Harbor: Flights are 40 minutes. Boat trips are 4 hours.
Landing Conditions: Flights land on a dirt airstrip. 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
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.

 

 

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.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 45 seconds

 

Public Airplane Transportation
Public airplane transportation is available year-round to Santa Rosa Island by park concessionaire Channel Islands Aviation. On a trial basis, flights are available to San Miguel Island as well. Flights depart from Camarillo airport. For departures contact:

Channel Islands Aviation
305 Durley Avenue
Camarillo, CA 93010

[phone]

www.flycia.com

Click here for driving directions to Channel Islands Aviation.

Visit YouTube for an island flight overview.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 33 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...