Santa Cruz Island Trips - Ventura Departure | Island Packers (2024)

Santa Cruz Island Trips - Ventura Departure | Island Packers (1)

BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR TRIP:

You must select the correct ticket type on both your departure and return trips. You will not be guaranteed transportation if you book the incorrect ticket type. We have very strict inventory control with camper / day trip passenger allocations

• DAY VISITORS: People departing and returning to a mainland port without an overnight stay.

• CAMPERS: People staying overnight one or more nights.

SELECT YOUR TRIP:

VENTURA → SCORPION COVE

*You must purchase your departure trip AND return trip

  • One way trip from Ventura to Scorpion Cove, Santa Cruz Island
  • Return trip from Scorpion Cove back to Ventura

Day Fares – One Way:

  • Adult (13-54): $33.00
  • Senior (55 and up): $30.50
  • Military: $30.50
  • Child (3-12): $23.50
  • Infant (under 3): $0.00

Camper/Overnight Transport Fares – One Way:

  • Adult (13-54): $44.00
  • Senior (55 and up): $41.50
  • Military: $41.50
  • Child (3-12): $32.00
  • Infant (under 3): $0.00
  • All Ages
  • 1.25 Hours (times are approximate)

VENTURA → PRISONERS HARBOR

*You must purchase your departure trip AND return trip

  • One way trip from Ventura to Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
  • Return trip from Prisoners Harbor back to Ventura
  • Disembarking at Prisoner’s Harbor requires passengers to climb a ladder of 2- 8 rungs depending on the tide, and to descend the ladder when reboarding.

Day Fares – One Way:

  • Adult (13-54): $33.00
  • Senior (55 and up): $30.50
  • Military: $30.50
  • Child (3-12): $23.50
  • Infant (under 3): $0.00

Camper/Overnight Transport Fares – One Way:

  • Adult (13-54): $44.00
  • Senior (55 and up): $41.50
  • Military: $41.50
  • Child (3-12): $32.00
  • Infant (under 3): $0.00

VENTURA → PAINTED CAVE EXCURSION → PRISONER’S HARBOR → VENTURA

Painted Cave excursions originate on select departures to Prisoner’s Harbor. Crossing time to Prisoner’s is approximately 1.5 hours, more if we find wildlife in the channel. After a brief stop at Prisoners, the boat continues to Painted Cave along the north shore of Santa Cruz. Our 64′ catamaran will enter the first chamber of the cave to view one of the largest known sea caves on the planet. There is no landing at Painted Cave, but the photos and memories should be unforgettable.

After visiting Painted Cave, passengers return to Prisoner’s Harbor to disembark and spend the rest of their time ashore. Disembarking at Prisoner’s Harbor requires passengers to climb a ladder of 2- 8 rungs depending on the tide, and to descend the ladder when re-boarding. Passengers have approximately 3+ hours to spend the remainder of their day hiking, picnicking and exploring Prisoner’s Harbor. Prisoners Harbor has a recently renewed wetlands area. The National Park and The Nature Conservancy together recovered this area once lost to ranching needs.

Day Fares:

  • Adult (13-54): $86.00
  • Senior (55 and up): $79.00
  • Military: $79.00
  • Child (3-12): $63
  • Infant (under 3): $0.00

BOOKED YOUR TRIP? - LEARN MORE BEFORE YOU GO!

Santa Cruz Island Trips - Ventura Departure | Island Packers (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get to Santa Cruz Island from Ventura? ›

The fastest way to get from Ventura Harbor to Santa Cruz Island is to ferry which takes 1h 48m and costs $32. How far is it from Ventura Harbor to Santa Cruz Island? The distance between Ventura Harbor and Santa Cruz Island is 34 miles.

How much is the senior rate on the Island Packers? ›

Day Fares – One Way:

Adult (13-54): $33.00. Senior (55 and up): $30.50. Military: $30.50. Child (3-12): $23.50.

Where do Island Packers depart from? ›

Island Packers departs from two different harbors: Our Home Office is located in the Ventura Harbor. Satellite Office is in the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

How much does it cost to get to Santa Cruz Island? ›

The fastest way to get from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island is to ferry which takes 1h 48m and costs $32.

Is Santa Cruz Island worth it? ›

The snorkeling is really really good, and the caves will blow your socks (booties) off. A kayak rental will allow exploring, which is more fun than a group tour. The hiking is fine, but there is good hiking on the mainland too. There is nothing like the snorkeling or caving on the mainland.

Does Santa Cruz Island have bathrooms? ›

Potable water is available in the campground area. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach and two in the campground area. Picnic tables are located near the beach and in the Visitors Center area. A 31-site campground area begins one mile from the pier and is an easy flat walk.

Who owns Island Packers? ›

Island Packers was founded by Bill M. Connally, who wanted to provide a means for people to venture out to the Channel Islands. His wife, Lillian Mae, sons Mark, Kirk, and Brad, and daughter, Cherryl, worked hard helping him to fulfill his dream.

What age is seniors day at the bay? ›

Seniors Day at The Bay happens on the first Tuesday of every month, and it gives shoppers age 55 or older an extra 15% off on eligible in-store purchases. To get your Senior Day savings, all you need is a valid form of ID and membership of their in-house rewards program, HBC Rewards.

What is the senior age for the Long Island Railroad? ›

The LIRR, Metro-North and NJ Transit also offer special fares for those who are 62 or older. Amtrak offers 15% off for 62+, and Greyhound offers 5% off for 62+.

Can you swim at Santa Cruz Island? ›

The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, nearby camping, year-round Island Packers boat transportation, extensive kelp forests, and a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore.

How to reach Santa Cruz Island? ›

To reach the islands—Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa—visitors need to take a ferry or plane. Ferries with Island Packers go to both Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands year-round and ride times range from one to three hours; service to the other three islands is seasonal.

Which channel island is the best? ›

Santa Cruz Island is the the most visited of the five islands in the national park, has the best weather, and has the most frequent ferry schedule coming in from the mainland. The top recreational activity on Santa Cruz is hiking.

What is special about Santa Cruz Island? ›

Painted Cave is one of the largest known sea caves in the world. Santa Cruz has the greatest number of plant and animal species of all the Channel Islands, including over 60 endemic, or unique, species. The island scrub-jay is only found on Santa Cruz Island.

Can you stay overnight at Santa Cruz Island? ›

Yes, you can stay overnight on the Channel Islands. Camping is available on four of the five islands in Channel Islands National Park: Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, and San Miguel. Each island has designated campgrounds with basic facilities such as picnic tables, pit toilets, and water (except San Miguel).

Is a painted cave worth it? ›

Painted Cave is an incredible site to visit and many charter boats will enter the front end of the cave on a trip to the island.

Can you drive to Santa Cruz Island? ›

To reach the islands—Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa—visitors need to take a ferry or plane.

Is there a ferry to Santa Cruz Island? ›

Hop on Island Packers Ferry

They offer daily services to Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands. They also have seasonal ferry services to Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara Islands. The ferry trips depart from Ventura Harbor. Depending on your destination, the trips can take one to two hours each way.

How far is Santa Cruz Island from shore? ›

Santa Cruz Island lies about 20 miles from the California mainland coast. At 22 miles long and up to six miles wide, it is the largest of the Channel Islands.

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