Island Packers Cruises

Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive ferry company for the Channel Islands. It requires booking in advanced as boats tend to reach capacity days and sometimes weeks prior to disembarking. The parking is free (at least when we went) and the service waa friendly. There is a Channel Islands store with great merchandise and knowledgeable syaff. Freedom Coffee was also excellent. There are restrooms avaliable in this building as well. Ladies, if the line is long (and it often is), there is an all-gender restroom a little further down the corridor that many people don't realize is there. As for the cruise itself, the views were spectacular and we saw so many animals! Several humpback whales, a megapod of dolphins, sea lions, habror seals, and even a juvenile fin whale! The captain will slow the boat for optimal wildlife viewing and was very insightful. There is a small galley with snacks and beverages (alcohol and non) available for purchase. This is also your last change to use a working toilet, as there are only latrines and no running water (or trash cans) on the islands.

This was such a treat! The plan was to get a ferry boat ride to Santa Cruz, Island and hike for the day and take the ferry back to Ventura Harbor. We had some pretty hefty swells, but I sat at the back of the boat Which I highly recommend if you get seasick. I also recommend check the weather, the wind gust so that you can dress appropriately for the boat ride. The sea life was very active on our way out to the island of Santa Cruz. We saw lots of dolphins, but on our return ferry trip, we saw even more dolphins that came up to the boat and swam along side of the boat as well as seeing groups of sea lions, swimming in formation as well as humpback whales. I was so impressed with the boat, allowing us to slow down and watch the whales as they came closer to the boat and swam under the boat. It was such a great experience. I would highly recommend it. I also liked how they took very good precaution at all times and were very courteous to those who are feeling seasick, making sure that they were seated in a place that would help them. Also, on some of the bigger swells, the boat would slow down to help ease with the impact of the wave against the boat so I appreciated that very much as well. The crew was always very professional and helpful. The deck hands were very kind to answer any questions I had and they were very friendly. I will definitely be visiting the channel Islands through Island Packers, again! ❤️

Our recent journey with Island Packers to Santa Cruz Island & Painted Cave was truly memorable. As a wildlife photography studio devoted to documenting California’s coast, we were impressed by the crew’s professionalism, depth of knowledge, and genuine respect for the environment. From the moment we arrived at the harbor, everything ran smoothly. Boarding was easy, the staff was welcoming, and shared fascinating insights about the islands and local wildlife throughout the day. Highlights included a breathtaking visit to Painted Cave, spotting hundreds of dolphins, and watching harbor seals bask on sunlit rocks. The views from the boat were stunning, and there was ample time to soak in the scenery both from the water and on the island itself. For anyone planning a Channel Islands trip, we recommend packing light, dressing in layers, and always keeping your camera close. We’ve included a selection of our favorite images from the journey. Thank you, Island Packers, for an unforgettable day on the water. We’re already looking forward to our next Channel Islands adventure with you. This trip was so good, we wrote a whole travel log about it on our website. ☺️

Five stars for the team at Island Packers! We took the Island Explorer for a whale watching tour out of Ventura and had a wonderful time. A huge thank you to Cherryl and her team for being so helpful and accommodating when we had to shift our plans due to the weather. The trip was spectacular—we saw two humpback whales and an incredible mega pod of dolphins! In addition to the wildlife, we had stunning views of the Channel Islands and even saw a waterfall cascading down the island cliffs from the recent rains. Excellent service and a truly great day on the ocean. A must-do in Ventura!

We had the best time on a Christmas caroling cruise the other night! 🎄✨ We sang our hearts out, soaked in the holiday vibes, and admired all the beautiful lights in the Ventura Harbor with Island Packers. Grateful for cozy winter nights on the water, good music, and great company. 🚢🎶❤️ The singer was great and keep us all engaged. Such a fun time.

This ferry is part of the fun when visiting Channel Islands National Park. The captain will seek out wildlife and point it out to the passengers, and of course the ride itself is full of beautiful views over the ocean. They will also take all of your gear and even a kayak to the island for your trip. Just make sure to book tickets before the popular times sell out.

"Island Packers" provides various trips from Oxnard and Ventura to the Channel Islands National Park, which is situated in the Pacific Ocean between 12 and 70 miles off the California Coast. There are different options for visitors who want to explore the islands or simply take a boat ride around the islands. There is so much incredible wildlife to see in the ocean near the islands and on the islands as well. Whales (seasonal), dolphins, sea lions, various seabirds, and so much more. The reservations are available either online or over the phone. There is plentiful paid parking ($10.35 per day) by the headquarters of Island Packers in Ventura. One has to pay via an app with a credit or debit card. They have a gift shop and restrooms there. Their personnel is very friendly and professional.

The cruise out to the Channel Islands is part of the experience. I’ve been using Island Packers Cruises for over 5 years now and I still get excited to get on the boats! The crew is fantastic and the captain will help you see wildlife and accompany the sighting with fun facts. I’ve taken people with sea sickness issues out to Scorpion on Santa Cruz with no issues on calm days, the crew also lets everyone know how to manage sea sickness. Always a pleasure to be on these boats, I make sure to tip the crew in cash at the end!

I have used Island Packers many times in the past 8 years to visit Channel Islands National Park, and it has always been a great experience whether I was camping or on a day trip. They have detailed information about packing on their website, are communicative, and have clear instructions the day of about things like where to park your car for a camping trip, where to sit on the boat if you're feeling seasick, etc. Although it's a little pricey to go on a boat (versus just driving to a National Park), I think the price is fair. Aside from the fact they are great at providing transportation to the islands, there are two bonus things: First, I always look forward to the trip because we'll usually see dolphins jumping in and out of the water and the boat will follow them for a bit. They'll also point out if there are whales, rare birds, etc. Second, they will stop to scoop up balloons out of the ocean, so they're also a company that I feel good about supporting!

Only official way to get to the Channel Islands NP. Great service and well maintained boats. Boats have limited heads (bathroom), some light drink and food service. We arrived early at the loading zone, as recommended at 7am, for our camping trip. However, others arrived later than 8am, and still made it on. But I would follow their extensive guidelines on the website before going for camping trips. They have details on what you can take, when to get there, parking and lots of information. We separated our water and fuel, set our packs down and waited until 8:30 ish. After setting down, there are bathrooms, we went to desk in the office to check in, get tickets, and parking tag. The parking tag will cover the first day and tell enforcement that you are camping. Then you pay for parking for the next day(s). They call campers to help load items, then go wait in the line with day passengers. If it is busy maybe have someone hold a spot in line, while the other loads. There is a shop that has some gallon waters, beachwear and other drinks and gifts. Loading was busy and it is packed. Find a good seat and then ship off. The captain and crew gave safety talk, and then on the water shared about the area and wildlife. They will detour to seek out wildlife. We found a large grouping of camrans and pelicans, then hundreds of dolphins, and finally the tail of two whales as they dove. It was a cloudy day with a light fog. Nice trip. Disembark passengers at island, then campers standby to form a line to help unload. Pickup fuel, Get a camping briefing from the ranger and then cut loose. Departure is about the same, get in a line, load fuel, help load camping gear, get back in line then load with other passengers, Make sure you have your ticket. Trip back found even more dolphins, went around a large cargo ship. Clearer skies. Same unloading process. Great transport to islands, crowded but great staff.

Everything was fantastic, from check-in to boarding, hospitality to knowledge. We had a great experience with Island packers. We boarded the vessel heading to Santa Cruz Island & the painted cave. We were spoiled to see thousands of dolphins and about 10 whales. The captain, was so kind to spend a lot of time with the mammals. One whale came so close to the boat, as curious about us as we are it. It was incredible. I appreciated the knowledge of the staff, they told history of the Channel Islands as well as the oil rigs. After about 2 hours we dropped off 1/3 of the passengers to the island and made our way to the painted cave. It was another 30 minutes north. The captain nestled the boat as far as she could into the cave. Very impressive in the tight space. We could see sea stars, sea lions swimming in the cave and just the impressive rock formation it was! (Next time, I'd skip the cave and allow more time to explore the island. We only had 2 hours before embarking back to Ventura) Tip: It can be rough seas out there, and nobody wants to hear ppl puking! If you know you struggle with motion sickness - prepare wisely. LISTEN to crew staff. They know best. Take water & snacks to the island! Take your own TP... I brought my she pee funnel. Just sayin' the "pits" are disgusting. It was a great trip!

I used this company 3 times to get out to 3 of the 5 islands that are part of The Channel Islands National Park and every experience was very good. First day I took this ferry out from Ventura Harbor to the Santa Cruz Island and it was about 90 minutes and we got to see plenty of dolphins and whales. And if wildlife is spotted, they make it a point to stop so we can watch the animals up close! Note that day trippers and campers are all packed onto this ferry. Second day, I took the ferry from Ventura Harbor to Santa Rosa Island and the ride out was 3 hours, so plan for that. Again, we saw quite a lot of wildlife. We also on the way back, got a really nice look at the Painted Cave. Third day, I took the ferry from Oxnard Harbor to Anacapa Island and it was about an hour. This was a much smaller ferry, limited selection in their galley. Again, saw plenty of wildlife and got a nice video of a humpback whale. All 3 experiences were excellent and would use them again. Note that ferry ticket isn't cheap, so plan for that. Also not the different harbors that have ferries out, lots of options. I would definitely use them again next time I return!

They will take you on a ferry to the Channel Islands. Then they will take you on a kayak or snorkel tour while you're there. The operation is professional and reliable. The ferry isn't luxurious but it's as comfortable as the ferries that ferry you to Catalina. Even better, when they see whales or dolphins--which you definitely will--they slow down so you can see them and take your pictures. Even though you didn't sign up for a whale or dolphin watching experience, you get the experience anyway. I like that. The kayak tour we took was excellent. Our guide was perfect. We were well-instructed, well entertained, and were given some education at the same time. High marks for this outfit.

Island packers is a first class company that can take you on various cruises, including to Channel island NP! We did a weekday trip out to Santa Cruz Island, getting off at Prisoners Harbor for some hiking. The cruise out there is as packed full of campers and day visitors, almost all of which got off at the first stop, Scorpion Harbor. We loved our 4ish hours off of Prisoners Harbor. We did a nice few mile hike on rhe pelican bay trail with two guides from the boat. We also had time to picnic and walk around the lovely beaches in our own. We encountered a lot of wildlife on this trip including a pod of over 1000 dolphins, humpback whales, the endemic island fox, many plants and the island scrub jay. The boat captain really took time to stop for the dolphins and humpbacks, which we really appreciated. We also loved the snack bar on the boat and the staff as a whole.

Orca show. Had the best nature cruise Saturday to Anacapa island. We saw around 6 humpbacks. Then later we came on the second mega pod of dolphins. This mega pod was being chased by four orcas. To see orcas off California was amazing. The crew shared many interesting facts, and were so professional and safe.

They are a very organized company with clear instructions to prepare for your cruise to the Channel Islands National Parks. Priced fairly. Great crew both ways that are very helpful and experienced. About an hour to the Santa Cruz Island. They also have a gift shop with clothing and accessories. They also have 2 stamps for your passport book. Bathroom nearby. Free parking during the week but paid parking on weekends.

I have never been on these cruises before, and this is my first time whale watching. I have always dreamt of going to the channel islands, and we did not see any whales today probably because it was too early in the season for them to surface. We saw a ton of dolphins 3 kinds to be exact and some sea lions. Everyone on boat was polite and everything was clean, I do want to come back. The tour guides were kind and would linger around where we'd see wildlife. Id come back again and really enjoyed the boat ride and the experience. Wish I saw whales

We got tickets to go to the Santa Cruz Island and I love how this company is super communicative with updates. They text and email all the info you need to enjoy your time at the island and they highly prioritize your safety. When we got on the boat they went through how to put on a life vest and when we arrived to the island, there was an orientation that went over safety and common sense things to follow. All their tips were great and straight to the point.

We booked our trip on Island Packers to finally make the trek over to Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park. If you're looking to go to one of the islands, Island Packers is the only way to get there without renting a private transportation. All that being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the experience was. They have both indoor and outdoor seats, and you can seat/stand on the second deck and look out over the water. Really enjoyable (as long as you don't get seasick). We went during prime whale-watching season, and they spent extra time on the way there and back to see the whales and dolphins that were all around us. It was so unexpected, so cool, and such a wonderful treat. They do sell some snacks onboard and you can pre buy a breakfast or lunch if you want. But definitely make sure to bring some food of your own as well. Very organized boarding and offloading process. Overall, a great experience and would gladly return to the islands on them.

We took the 8:30 AM ferry to the channel Islands on Saturday and returned on their 4:30 PM ferry back to Ventura. The staff on both ferries were extremely organized, and also very educated and nice. The trip took about an hour and a half each way. The staff made sure to slow the ferry down and even stop at some point so that we could enjoy the wildlife. We saw dolphins seals, sea lions, many birds, and even a couple of whales! The staff also made sure to give us some educational information about the animals, the channel Islands themselves, and climate/sustainability initiatives. We had a great time and we would definitely go on this cruise to channel Islands again.

Come for the boat ride, flee from the birds Ah, East Anacapa Island. A name that will haunt us in our dreams... or at least every time we see a seagull or hear the words "protected ecosystem." Let me start by saying the boat tour operator was a gem--knowledgeable, friendly, and, most importantly, the only sane part of this fever dream. The voyage out was promising... if you ignore the biblical plague of flies that decided we were their promised land. Bug spray? More like bug soup. But nothing--and I mean NOTHING--could have prepared us for what awaited on the island. Picture this: a barren rock floating in the Pacific, covered in bird poop and anger. It's like nature said, "What if we took Hitchcock's The Birds, added a million screaming seagull babies, and turned the whole island into a maternity ward from hell?" We bravely (foolishly) set out on the hike, which was less a scenic adventure and more an avian battleground. These seagulls were not just protective. They were tiny feathery assassins. One dive-bombed my head so hard I swear I briefly saw my ancestors. Every step was met with screeches, flapping wings, and the constant fear that we might not make it back with both eyes. Our hike turned into a speed-walk of terror, dodging poop bombs and bird rage, until we finally begged--yes, begged--the boat to take us back to the fly cloud, which at that point felt like a spa retreat. Would I recommend this island? Only to someone I deeply dislike or someone training for survival reality TV. Would I do it again? Only if the seagulls sign a peace treaty

YOUR BEST ECONOMICAL OPTION! SAFE & SPEEDY US Coast Guard inspected and they have the process dialed in! Board vessel, take your seats (open seating), receive safety speech, depart, arrive, enjoy island. Return is same in reverse! SEATING Board early and get a spot on the inside. You can always step out to enjoy the sea air. You can't do the opposite if all the inside seats fill up and you get cold! Enjoy! :)

These folks know what they're doing. 60 years in business and not one incident (we were told). They ain't cheap (not even close), but I guess this is the price you pay to have a peace of mind. We utilized their transportation services for a couple of day trips from Ventura to Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island. Everything ran smoothly. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Volunteers are often on board to provide additional information about the Channel Islands National Park. The boats have two floors (one indoor, the other outdoor) and are reasonably spacious. The restrooms - believe it or not - are kept clean and odorless throughout the journeys. An additional bonus is provided by the fact that if they run into wildlife on their way to an island, they'll make as many stops as they need to make sure passengers can see the animals. So, what you paid to reach/leave an island may as well turn into a whale watching experience with no additional cost. This happened to us on our way to Anacapa Island, where we saw dozens of dolphins and a handful of whales (a couple of whom swam directly next to the boat). That was pretty sweet, but of course you can't count on it to happen. Either way, although you really don't have a choice (they seem to have the monopoly of transportation services to the Channel Islands), this company delivers what advertised. Get at the dock in a Ventura an hour early if you want to choose your seat, as they're all on a first come first served basis. Restrooms also available at their dock (with drinkable water) and a gift shop for the younger ones.

While in the area everyone I talked to said that visiting the Channel Islands was a must. The only way on and off the islands is by ferry run by Island Packers. I went to Santa Cruz Island and got off at Scorpion Cove. The booking is straight forward and done online. It books up well in advance so make sure you plan ahead. The ride out takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending upon what wildlife you encounter. On the way out we saw dolphins and a couple whales. On the way back we saw several pods of dolphins. The temperature is pretty breezy so make sure you dress accordingly. There is a lower cabin and then an upstairs exposed deck. If you are prone to seasickness stay on the lower deck. There is a small galley where you can get snacks. I got a pickle and trail mix to compliment what I had brought. It was surprisingly cheap. The crew of the ship was friendly and seemed passionate about the job. There was a nice narration on the trip filled with facts about the area and wildlife. The ship was punctual, so make sure you get there early as recommended in the booking. Overall I had a fantastic experience.

Stroke of luck, today the sea was calm and the sea life was all over us! Great crew, I'd imagine even if seas hadn't been so perfect. Whales flocked to us.

I've done all three Island Packers cruises -- whale watching, Santa Cruz Island, and Prisoners Harbor -- and every trip was incredible! The crew is super friendly and makes the whole experience fun and informative. Be ready for a bumpy ride (seasickness is real!), and dress in layers -- it gets chilly out on the water. For day trips, don't forget snacks, lunch, extra water, SPF, and a spare bag for your trash (no bins on the islands!). Island Packers is a fun way to explore the Channel Islands, beautiful and totally worth it!

I used Island Packers last weekend on my trip to the Santa Cruz Channel Island. I had a wonderful experience with their team. Booking was made easy through the app, and even when they were booked out for the date/time I wanted, they had a waitlist option. This was ultimately the reason I was able to go this past weekend. Their location is easy to find with plenty of parking. They have a gift shop and bathrooms. The boat was bigger than I expected and the crew was very friendly. They went around making sure that people were not feeling sea sick and were very helpful to the ones that were. We saw dolphins on the way there, and extended the boat ride to slow down and see them. On the way back, we saw multiple whales, in which we stopped to look as well!! Highly recommend this company that streamlined this process so efficiently and was incredibly friendly throughout the process!

Island Packers is the only boat concessionaire approved to run trips to and from the islands within Channel Islands National Park. But it's still a family owned company- with two children of the founder still operating the company! And even though you're a captive audience, they still strive to provide an excellent experience - I've loved every trip I've taken with them! Their main office and departure location is in the Ventura harbor marina. They do also offer trips out of Oxnard to certain islands so be sure to check your location when booking online - bc there are options sometimes where you can book to leave from Ventura and return to Oxnard and vice versa. Check in is a breeze - the staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and give you tons of info. After checking in and getting your boarding pass, you'll board in an orderly fashion with clear instructions and help from the staff. Once on board, the staff give a brief safety orientation, open the galley, and you're free to move around as you see fit. There's lots of booths and tables inside, as well as rows of seating outside in the back of the lower level and more on the upper level. The galley offers all sorts of snacks and hot food, as well as hot coffee, tea, and cocoa. Prices are really inexpensive - the drinks and packaged snacks are decent. I tried a breakfast burrito on my last trip but it was not that great - just a standard microwave variety so I probably wouldn't get that again. Their catamaran style boats are designed to navigate through inclement weather and handle the huge rolling waves of the Pacific to give a smoother ride. I've taken three trips with them over the years and all have been relatively smooth. The waves can get quite large, especially on the way out - but it's absolute mad fun to stand on the front of the boat when it's like that - feels like a roller coaster!! If you suffer from sea sickness, I recommend taking your medicine. Most (if not all!) of the staff on board are trained naturalists who love to educate on any wildlife we may come across while on our journey. The captains do a fabulous job of looking out for and getting close (safely) to any pods of dolphins, seals, and whales we may come across. I've seen dolphins and seals on every trip!! Prices for the trips run around just over $60 depending on the length and landing. I've been to both ports on Santa Cruz Island (Scorpion Cove & Prisoner's Harbor) for day trips and I did a half day boat-only trip to Anacapa. They give you plenty of time on the islands. And there are some options to extend your trip and camp as well. They do tell you to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before departure. The office Same for your return departure- and they always say they leave on time - but honestly I've never seen them leave an island without making sure every single ticket holder is either on board or accounted for - so I don't think they'll just up and leave you if you're running behind. The main office has clean bathrooms, limited supplies, and some concessions as well as plenty of parking in a private lot. I love the boat rides over to the islands - Someday I'll make it to all of them!!

Just do it! This is an incredible company that will whisk you to some of the most magical places that are just in our back yard. You will be asking yourself why you haven't ever done this before and planning the next trip before you land back in Ventura. Book online to one of the five islands. We have been to Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa and we recommend Santa Cruz. It costs about $120 per person round trip and the boat ride itself is worth the cost. Every time we go we get a free dolphin show. There are something like 250,000 dolphins in the Santa Barbara Channel and they love to chase the ship. We must have seen at least 2,000 on our last trip, and many babies! You will also see pelicans, cormorants, and occasionally, even whales and sharks. Bring a lunch and water and be prepared to hike once you land. There are multiple walks of varying lengths and difficulty--something for everyone. You can also kayak in the sea caves if you bring your own kayak or sign up for a super cool tour with Santa Barbara Adventures. So surprise a loved one by booking this trip. You will thank me:)

As the only real way for folks to make it to Channel Islands National Park, you're really limited to Island Packer Cruises for transportation if you want to experience the Park. As a NPS concessionaire, they're above average when it comes to service and professionalism, but that also gives them a monopoly over transportation to the islands in the park. The trip to Santa Cruz is fairly enjoyable, even in colder winter weather (when dressed appropriately for colder overwater transportation temperatures!), when on the bow looking out toward the waves and scenery. They have a small snack stand on board (which I didn't personally experience) but it definitely makes far more sense to bring all the food/drink yourself to the island. On our return trip, the pilot noticed some dolphins and humpbacks which he diverted our cruise to see unnecessarily adding time to their work day which was much appreciated by most on board. This was definitely a bonus but something not to be expected on every journey, but given the additional effort/time by the staff, it certainly earned them a tip! Overall, the trip is pleasant and the staff may even go out of their way to give you a better wildlife experience if conditions allow. That said, compared to other, similar experiences, I feel the roundtrip price is just a bit too high solely for the transportation service provided given the number of passengers on each voyage and the fact it's the only way for the general public to experience the national park.

Such a fun and beautiful experience even though I got sea sick! Thank you so much Marc for making it better by getting me ginger candy and an endless supply of barf bags, water, and paper towels. I was treated with dignity and respect, such a huge plus!!! You are the best! This crew was awesome and their communication was amazing!

My famliy and I have used Island Packer Cruises twice, once to Anacapa Island and most recently to Santa Cruz Island for day trips. Both trips went very smoothly and the crews were professional and helpful. But the most recent trip back to Ventura from Santa Cruz takes the cake. We had left for SC island in the morning and felt very fortunate to have seen one humpback whale on the way over. The captain was great, stopping the boat and alerting us to the whale's presence so that we could take pictures. What luck, I thought! On the same boat back to Ventura, our captain then alerted us to a huge pod of dolphins surfing on the swells around us, jumping and seeming to have lots of fun in our wake. Amazing!! THEN............our captain alerted us to a group of humpack whales breaching far off in the distance. I looked over and saw a gigantic splash, not believing my eyes. It happened again, and again, and again. The whales (a group of two adults and a calf) breached separately and together, partially out of the water and all the way out of the water. Absolutely mind-blowing. Our captain navigated the boat way off course to enable us to see this incredible sight up close, all the while giving us important information regarding whale behaviors and safety. As he said, we won the whale lottery on this trip, which wasn't even supposed to be a whale watching trip. Reluctantly, after about 30 minutes, he let us know it was hard to leave but we had to return to harbor. I would give Island Packers and this captain in particular 100 Yelp stars if I could. For the very reasonable price of boat fare, my family and I had the experience of a lifetime, thanks to the fantastic captain and crew. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

They were all so helpful and accommodating. Marie helped us and was very patient in answering all our questions. She was also very helpful in assisting us with a good itinerary for our trip to the channel islands. We never felt rushed and spent so much time with us. Great service especially for a couple (us) who didn't have any set plans! Thanks marie! Thank u guys!!

I cannot rate this team highly enough for a fantastic day trip to Santa Cruz. They alerted and prepared us for all the possible challenges like sea sickness and hydration and being extremely careful time wise and exiting the boat and the elevation and rockiness of the trail. That being said, my husband took a hard fall and the entire team worked together to get him back on board and administer first aid. We went to urgent care when we returned to the mainland and all was superficial scrapes that they intended to clean again But the Dr said wow they did such a thorough job and it's already healing, we need to just offer a Rx antibiotic cream and leave it to heal. Thank you ever so much for a wonderful day and caring well for those of us who were overconfident even with all your cautions.

Island Packers got us to The Channel Islands from Ventura. The staff is organized and goes out of its way to point out sea lions, dolphins, and whales. We did not encounter whales on the trips there and back but the crew was searching. A crew member of the boat invited a few children and their guardian to go up front on the crossing and the kids had a lot of fun. The crew is attentive when guests step on or off the boat so as to prevent anyone from falling. The counter staff was friendly. The boat left on time in the morning and again as scheduled from the island in the evening. We were on the last returning ferry ride out for the night going to Ventura and the captain pulled us back to the dock just after departure as a single person was late and missed the departure by a couple minutes. It was nice of the company to not leave the woman stranded on Santa Cruz Island overnight even though her lateness was not the Island Packers' fault. With the amount of people that line up to board the ferry each way, it seems like the seating will be difficult to find but there was space for all with the ticketing system. The company is well run.

such a great experience with my daughters field trip. the crew was very friendly and informative. Definitely want to book another trip!

Truly one of the best days ever. I went for Santa Cruz island and got so much more. We saw hundreds of dolphins, humpback whales, tons of birds diving for fish and the captain slowed down so we could see. Once we got to the island, the hikes were amazing, the water was the clearest I've ever seen in California and the wildlife was off the hook with the island fox, ravens, tiny birds and more. We also saw whales on the way back, with them circling the boat. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Could not have asked for a better day. Thank you, Island Packers!

We had an amazing time on the February 19 afternoon whale watching trip from Ventura. On the way out, we encountered a megapod of dolphins - we were completely surrounded by what appeared to be thousands of dolphins. Over by the islands, we saw a couple of gray whales, but they were pretty shy and kept their distance. As we were heading back from a wonderful afternoon, the captain said "One o'clock - humpback breaching!" After checking to make sure no one had to be back by 5, the captain stopped for about half an hour to let us watch the humpback. I was at the very front of the boat with my granddaughters and we got a fantastic view. I have been on several Island Packers trips before and this was the best yet. As always the captain, crew, and volunteer naturalists from the Park Service were great at providing information and answering questions. I had heard that there were fewer whales recently, but we lucked out and had a fantastic trip!

I booked with Island Packers a few months in advance of our trip. The website was easy to understand and I decided to do the most popular destination, Santa Cruz Island - Scorpion Cove, for our first try to Channel Islands National Park. It was about $130 for 2 people round trip. I ended up calling a few weeks later to request our inflatable paddleboards to be added to the reservation, $40 for 2 people round trip. They didn't charge my card immediately and said I would be charged upon check-in, which I was happy with if I happened to change my mind or weather wasn't good for paddling. Came on a Saturday and arrived at 7 am for our 8 am boat reservation from Ventura. Parking was easy this early in the morning and there were way more people than I expected. Finding the check-in office and bathrooms were easy. Check-in was fast and they were very helpful with my questions about the wind for paddling and gave clear instructions where to drop off our gear and where to wait. Everyone working was friendly and knew exactly what they were doing. Once aboard the boat, we took our motion sickness medicine and enjoyed the trip out. A little bit into leaving, my partner and I got up to go to the front of the boat (you're not required to sit at your seat) so we could look at the water and sealife. We were fortunate to see a humpback whale breach on the way to the island! It was also not too choppy so there wasn't much boat rocking. Debarking the boat was easy and quick. There was a short orientation with some volunteers and we were left to our own devices. My partner and I immediately got to work pumping up our paddleboards. We were able to explore some sea caves which were gorgeous! After paddling, we prepared to snorkel. We were able to see so many different kinds of fish. It was our first time snorkeling but we brought our own gear (I know a company does rentals nearby the Island Packers office). It was so thrilling! The island is well equipped for visitors, with bathrooms, changing rooms, potable water, and fox boxes to keep out the indigenous foxes. If you don't have food; you're welcome to leave your items on the beach because no one will take them. We were promptly on the pier at 3:30 pm for our 4 pm departure. On the way back, we saw another humpback whale breach and a huge pod of hundreds of common bottlenose dolphins. Literally such an amazing experience. Everything went smoothly and blew our minds. We will definitely be going back and we hope to try some of the other destinations!

My boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary by riding the Island Packer boat to Santa Cruz Island, and we were so happy with our experience. The boat ride took about 1 hour and 20 minutes due to some high winds, and it was a fun time. We rode alongside hundreds of jumping dolphins and I (surprisingly) didn't get sea sick! There was plenty of space on the boat for us to move around and get multiple views. Once on the island, we took the more "ambitious" trail towards Potato Harbor, which led us to some gorgeous views. The hike was about 5 miles round-trip and, despite some hills, was very manageable. I would recommend that you pack food and enough water to last you 5-ish hours on the island. We made sure to bring some Subway sandwiches and were careful to not leave behind any food scraps or trash, which is necessary because the island is a protected national marine sanctuary. On our ride back on the last (4 pm) boat, we enjoyed a vibrant sunset while pleasantly exhausted from the day we had. Overall, everything went smoothly and the day was filled with good energy, beautiful nature, and a fantastic boat ride. Thanks to the crew for being awesome, too!

Always a great experience I have been whale watching with them 3 times and it's so fun every time. Always feel safe and well taken care of. The boat is a great size and offers many seats and places to see the beautiful ocean and all its creatures! I even got to see orcas one time! Such a rare treat

I went on a winter whale watching tour. The wildlife we saw, orcas, hundreds of dolphins, humpback whales, was amazing! The staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The boat was very clean. The restrooms were the nicest I have ever seen on a boat! I recommend using Island Packers. I will use them again.

We attempted to take the cruise to the Channel islands but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. Island packers was great getting info out there to let you know what to do. We ended up reschedule for a whale watching tour instead. The guides were great, rebooking was super easy and the options were very clear.

I've used Island Packers twice. Once we took a trip to Santa Cruz Island. The second time we took their holiday harbor lights cruise. Both times we had a fantastic time. They are professional, responsible and helpful. Their trips depart on time. They board quickly. The snack bar on board is reasonable in prices. The views from outside are great. The seats indoors are comfortable.

From before the start of my trip to disembarking, Island Packers (IP) was great! Family and I decided on a trip to Santa Rosa island (Channel Islands National Park) for a birthday camping trip and realized we needed a ride to the island! IP was great in providing all the relevant information via their website and over the phone. The website was super easy to use and ordering tickets was a breeze. The day of our trip, we received a text message at 530am telling us about inclement weather that would be delaying our departure. Although the news wasn't great, I was impressed at the communication effort made by IP. Check in was fast and simple, all staff was very thorough with instructions. Remember to park in the turtle or whale lot if you're leaving your car overnight. Staff often asked if it was our first time and when we said yes, they offered additional tips and information. Boarding was also very simple and no fuss. We were given a safety talk and shown how to use life jackets if we were to need them. The trip itself was enjoyable (if you don't get sea sick!) there was plenty of seating room. Snacks, coffee, soft drinks and beer were offered for sale at very reasonable prices. When we got close to the island, we saw dolphins swimming next to us in which the captain slowed down and let us enjoy the views and minimizing impact to wildlife. Once having arrived at the island, we were asked to form a "fire brigade" (teamwork!) to unload everyone's gear. We were then greeted and briefed by National Park Service staff. When it came to the return trip, everything was still great, seamless and enjoyable. My entire experience with IP was truly enjoyable, I cannot wait to return to the islands and also enjoy a nice ferry ride. IP has got this down! They are friendly, efficient, kind, and helpful! Thank you Island Packers!

We went across to Santa Cruz Island, the boat ride over was fantastic! Th e crew is very professional! We came back from the island and this crew was equally as professional!!! Loved the day at the island! I'm

We used Island Packers Ventura to scatter my late brother's ashes at sea. They were wonderful. They helped me plan the event and were so kind. It went perfectly. We're looking forward to going back someday to see the islands or go whale watching.

Yesterday, I simply called in to learn about the available ferry options and I left with a wealth of knowledge about Channel Islands National Park as a whole! I've always wanted to visit the Channel Islands, but every time I researched about them online, I got a bit overwhelmed since are so many different islands and a lot of information. However, Andrew Henry at Island Packer Cruises was the ticket to really allowing me to understand the differences between all of the islands in such an easy and fun comprehensive way. He was SUPER helpful, patient, friendly, honest, and knowledgeable. Andrew literally walked me through each of the islands, what makes each special, and even shared minute details like overall trip time / what seasons they're closed / activities allowed / & even the level of clearness of the water for each island. Because of him, I've booked a trip to the islands immediately after our call. Thanks so much for the help and I seriously cannot wait to head there soon! I'll follow up with another review after my trip there, but I am confident that it's gonna be smooth sailing :)

My best friend and I took our kids on the 6 hour whale watching boat tour today. We saw whales, dolphins, different birds. It delivered exactly what it said it would, and the boat was clean. But I'm leaving this review for the crew. My friend's 3 year old got sick first. They immediately brought a bag for my friend to put the dirty clothes in and checked in on her a couple of times. Then I got sick. I'm a 40 year old woman. It was not pretty. I was sick for 4ish hours. One crew member came over a couple of times to change my barf bag. Like she took the dirty one and gave me a clean one, 2 or 3 times. Another crew member checked on me a few times and gave me some ginger chews. Not only were they very knowledgeable about the wildlife we saw, but they were kind and sincere and seemed to really care about everyone on board. Some of the other guests were kind as well, one gave us water and another gave us oil to put behind our ears to make us feel better. Obviously nothing went as planned but the crew did everything they could for us. Highly recommend them!

Great experience from beginning to end. TLDR: The crew was super helpful and informative from beginning to end, so I felt well taken care of. Boat was smaller than expected, so seating was a little "competitive". It was windy on the day I went out (Friday, April 7, 2023), so the ride was really bumpy. I didn't get sea sick, perhaps due to taking Genexa motion sickness tablets once I got on board, but 6 passengers threw up. More Details: Plenty of parking in the lot when I arrived an hour before departure. There was even electric car charging available. Bathrooms were very clean and there was a filter water dispenser there. The earlier you arrive the better if you want your choice of boat seating, with the option of indoor or outdoor. I got in line about 40 minutes before departure and there was already a queue. On the boat, you can buy drinks, snacks, and food at a reasonable price. The island allows for bringing your own food and many people, including myself, brought lunch in a cooler. Santa Cruz has picnic tables, decent bathrooms, and a few places to fill up water bottles. With the weather in the 60s during my trip, I didn't need too many layers for the boat ride or walk around the island, but I'm glad I packed them just in case. Was also grateful to have a hat with a chin stap because it was very windy on the deck. Sunscreen was important too. Overall the trip was smooth, easy, and enjoyable. Would return! Only thing that didn't work out is that there were no wildlife spotting beyond birds.

The only way out to Channel Islands National Park unless you have your own private yacht...or possibly a helicopter? I was impressed with our experience with Island Packers. We had planned this trip last year over the 2020 holidays, and it was canceled due to the CA state government shutting down ALL California national park and state campgrounds. Transportation (Island packers) was also shut down. Fast forward to one year later, there was a huge storm that forced us to cancel the first 2/3 of the same planned trip. I called and was able to cancel my first ferry and totally change my second trip to different islands with ease. Granted, all these changes were made within the 72 hour cancellation window. I was emailed detailed instructions prior to our trip including when to call in (after 5:30am the morning of) for the latest updates. Luckily, our ferry took off as scheduled, and pretty smoothly too despite some forecasted wind! The staff is well trained and has the system down pat. On the return, we ran into a pod of 1,000 dolphins catching their dinner. OMG, what an experience! The captain looped around so we could really get immersed in it all. I've never seen anything like that. That totally made our trip!

I was very impressed with Island Packer Cruises. They were professional and efficient and very support of those going through the seasickness. I loved this Cruis to the Island and would recommend it highly to anyone wanting a great adventure and relaxing trip.

A girl worker, Felitia, put a big black full trash bag right in front of my mom and grandma (who can't walk well and uses a cane) feet while it leaked brown liquid all over because it wasn't closed properly and they had "nowhere else to put it" without even saying excuse me...there were empty trash cans upstairs and they stated they couldn't put the bag in there because it's recycling (they could've taken it out after we returned, obviously). When my mom went in to ask them why they couldn't put it in one of the empty trash cans upstairs and they acted like they (Felitia and Paige) couldn't hear her or understand her because she has an accent. They said that it's not their fault that the bag is leaking and were so rude I'm appalled. It's their job to check a trash bag to see if it's leaking before placing it in front of a paying guests feet, a huge health hazard on a boat where there's water which can make it run all over the place. I will NEVER go back here and I will make sure to warn everyone away.

The crew, employees, and customer service all get an A+ from me. My friends and I had an awesome time during our little weekend getaway to Channel Islands via Island Packers. The sunset on the boat was serene and seeing a humpback whale for the first time had me floored. Oh, also the crew member who gave us a play-by-play on whales is a G!!

I am so impressed with the level of service at Island Packers. Our trip was well organized, frictionless, and easy. All the staff were pleasant and friendly. We camped at Channel Is NP and they stored our gear and a rented kayak on board. Then they padded the kayak to shore for us at the island. On both trips there and back they stopped the boat to see whales and dolphins. It was a blessing to see them. Thank you !

I have traveled a few times with Island Packers. But on one particular trip returning from Santa Rosa Island, we spotted some whales and the crew gave us some cool insights on the whales. After that, we had a very scenic glimpse of a different side of Santa Cruz Island and we even went into one of the largest sea caves. These extra treats made my experience so much more memorable! Thank you so much!

Cruise to Santa Cruz Island. Beautiful trip with amazing pods of playful dolphins. Landing and Casting off from the Scorpion Cove pier, a storybook valley with groves of eucalyptus trees as the background. After a few hours of hiking, cruising back to Venture harbor as the sun creates shimmering ocean.