Beach Guide

Things to Do

Santa Barbara · cruises, tours & watersports

Channel Islands
year-round

The Harbor

tap a boat
Islands · Full day

Channel Islands Day Trip

Islands

Island Packers runs day trips from Ventura and Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz Island -- kayak sea caves, snorkel with sea lions and hike the Channel Islands National Park.

tomorrow

Next boat

Full day

Trip

$90

From

Departures · Santa Barbara Harbor

LIVE CLOCK

Dock wisdom

·

Channel Islands day trips book out weeks in advance in summer -- reserve online before you arrive.

·

Blue whale season in the Santa Barbara Channel peaks in July and August, often with sightings within a mile of shore.

·

The harbor is fully protected -- boats load in calm water even on windy days.

·

Kayak tours launch from the harbor launch ramp and cover the sea caves west of the harbor most mornings.

fair winds

Operators are real local fixtures — confirm current sailing times and prices with each operator before you go. Countdowns run on the real local clock and the sunset sail time is computed from tonight’s actual sunset.

At Santa Barbara East Beach, the sun sets at 8:16 PM today — about 14h 27m of daylight. Sunrise was 5:48 AM. Live water temperature, surf height, UV index, wind and tide for Santa Barbara East Beach update at the top of the conditions page.