Island Packers Cruises - Oxnard — Local services in Oxnard

My husband and I spent an incomparable 3 days camping on Santa Rosa Island, among the Channel Island off Ventura, CA. We traveled with Island Packers, concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park. The captain and his crew and the Park Naturalist, Lisa Anderson,were totally dedicated to the passengers' safety and enjoyment. On the way out, we paused to watch whales, to take close ups of pelicans and seals, and to drop off day trippers at various islands. The sea was choppy and the wind strong, but we had expected that since since all of us were warned when we made reservations and before we boarded.

When we reached Santa Rosa, we unloaded into rubber dinghies at Water Canyon Beach. Getting down with all our gear was tricky, but the crew helped every step of the way. When we got to shore, we had to climb out and walk through the surf, but again, we had been warned and we were helped whenever we needed it. Once on land, we were on our own; still, it wasn't complicated to figure things out.

The 1/4 mile hike from the beach to Water Canyon campground was the most difficult part. The climb from the water to the camp site was very steep and carrying all the gear was arduous for 60+-year-olds. Again, we knew what to expect and just made our way. Two young men very nicely helped with the heaviest item. The campground is gorgeous, with endless views of the hills and sea. And Lisa Anderson is an outstanding Naturalist and guide. She laid out the possibilities for our stay and scheduled hikes to the far side of the island as well as to the more accessible and warmer side. We hiked both routes and were amazed at the depth of Lisa's knowledge and her kindness in making sure we got to see everything. What we were interested in was what formed her presentations. The hikes are on a tight schedule, and at times require sure-footed hikers, but they are not rigorous. Viewing the Pacific from the far side of Santa Rosa was the highlight of the stay.

On a tight schedule, and through a rough sea, the Island Packers boat met us on the third day. Again, we had to walk through the surf, but the crew handled all of the gear and made sure we all arrived safely on board. On the way back, we had a wonderful adventure. We stopped to pick up a few passengers on Santa Cruz Island, and then we began an unforgettable tour. The captain knows every inch of the channel Islands and he had a hundred fascinating stories to tell. We had to be careful because of the waves, but we paused to enter Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island and to leisurely progress along the bays of the island. Then the captain announced that he had been informed by another boat that there was a dolphin feeding frenzy going on on the west side of the island. Hang on! We raced out to see the frenzy, then we roared along in the middle of hundreds upon hundreds of dolphins in the water and birds in the air. They leaped and swept and dove and screamed. and we slid along with them. As we turned toward Ventura, all of a sudden it was wintry. It was wet. It...

The people here are very knowledgeable and passionate. We went in mid October. Check in at the port was easy. You can stand in line to save your place. Be prepared for a cold, bumpy and wet ride (if you’re outside). Also, I get sea sick, so bring the motion sickness pills: they don’t sell them on the boat! But they do provide vomit bags and snacks, beer, coffee, drinks.

We signed up for the kayak tour on Santa Cruz Island. As soon as we got off the 90 minute ferry, it was well marked how to go to our tour. I loved the changing areas, clean bathrooms, cold water in jugs, and they give you all the supplies included: wet suit, crocs, thick wind breaker, life vest, life jacket, paddle, boat. The only bad thing that happened to me and my boyfriend is that the conditions were not the best but they okayed the tour. Halfway to the shore, our guide brought us to the side advised my b.f. not to go in these conditions (right before we started). It was probably a situation where they were debating if they could go or not. Just would have liked to know that in advance so we didn’t waste time getting in the gear and everything. But ultimately glad our guide advised us against it (my boyfriend being a newcomer to kayaking…these weren’t the conditions to learn). After a few hours when our group returned, we learned that the rest of the members in our group had a difficult time and were getting slapped against the sea cave wall and fell into the cold waters and had to paddle against the wind for the whole tour. Apparently, the most experienced guy in the group said these were the worst conditions for any kayak tour he has been on (and he’s done a lot in his life). He turned around. Also, found out that these kayaks are for lakes, not for white cap ocean conditions. Wish they used different kayaks for different conditions. They would probably be ok for smoother conditions. Instead of kayaking, we enjoyed 2 small hikes to the top. There’s bear proof bins to store your belongings and a ranch house at Scorpion Cove and a tiny info museum. You can get your stamp there. There’s national park staff to answer any questions. Felt comfortable with the bathroom, water jugs, storage and the staff. Bring a bag for your own garbage (no trash cans on the island) and a lunch. You can enjoy it at the top like we did and had amazing views! Saw the islands fox and those huge ravens. Want to come back to hike Anacapa or do a snorkel/kayak tour, but in the summer when the fog comes in and there’s smoother water.Our guide said the fog means the water will be calm. It’s the clear windy days that are a bit dangerous for kayaking. Be an experienced swimmer and a strong paddler if you go in these conditions. The guide is there for you but if you’re be like us, ask ahead if it’s advisable for newcomers to the sport and have a plan B for hiking instead if the kayak tour doesn’t go as planned. We got a full refund and they were really nice and...

I had a terrible trip. Now, why give it 5 stars? Because the staff and crew are really lovely and helpful. We just had some really bad luck and I think the crew was tired. We went on the 3.5 hour Oxnard Winter Whale trip. Now, we know going in that there's never a guarantee of seeing whales, especially this early in the season. However, we've spoken to several people who have all seen at least one or two this season. We had an open weekend and decided to try. First, we took the afternoon cruise, and we ended up leaving late because the morning cruise took longer to get back in. That's actually a good thing as I'll explain later. But what that meant was that the crew probably didn't get enough of a break between cruises because they turned it around pretty quickly.

As we learned, they were late because they didn't see anything until the end of their trip when they came upon a pair of gray whales. Well, that's good! It means the crew wanted to give the passengers a good experience and was willing to take the time and make the effort. We didn't mind that, and were hoping we'd get the same. We did, to a point..meaning they tried. They were communicating with other boats in the area and had an idea where the whales were, but we never saw them. We never saw anything. So, they gave up and started heading toward the islands in hopes of finding other wildlife. But at some point, they turned around and just went back to the harbor, giving up. I think everyone was tired and just... done for the day. You could just tell by the morale of the crew, and the captain confirmed it when he came on and apologized, saying he hoped we'd enjoyed the boat ride. LOL. We were out there less than 3 hours, too, and a few of the passengers griped about that, coming in at 4:30 instead of 5, especially when the prior cruise went long. At the very end as we were coming in to the harbor, the captain saw a pod of dolphins in the distance, but we couldn't go that direction for some reason, and we kept going in to the harbor. A few of the passengers saw the dolphins, but didn't. We were on the other side of the boat and couldn't get over there.

So... we saw nothing, except a bunch of seagulls, on a cruise that left late and got back early. That was bummer. But the crew did their best as far as I can tell, and they were all very nice. I just sensed they were exhausted...