Ocean Kayaking Tour Descriptions

Ocean kayak with the Central Coast's most diverse adventure touring company! Explore spectacular island caves, coves and wildlife.
You CAN do it! Special athletic ability and prior sea kayaking experience are NOT required.

California's Channel Islands

The Channel Islands National Park, located just off the coast of Santa Barbara , are a dream-come-true for marine nature lovers. The crystal clear Pacific channel waters, many mysterious and eerie sea caves, breathtaking cliffs, abundant wildlife, and mild weather combine to lure kayakers, experts and novices alike, to explore these natural wonders. Each encounter with the island caves, arches and grottos,  formed by submarine fissures and openings, and the contorted volcanic island formations creates a unique blend of sights and sounds. Marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, seals, and sea lions abound. For many species of sea birds, the pristine habitat offers a rare respite from human development. On Santa Cruz Island, historic ranch buildings and collections of Chumash Indian artifacts provide a window into California’s past.

Guide Experience

Leading Channel Island trips since 1988, Adventours Outdoor Excursions' guides have acquired the knowledge and experience required to assure you of an unforgettably more enjoyable experience. In addition, our guides are familiar with all of the Island's hidden secrets and can lead you to many stunning locations.

Tour Options

Adventours makes regularly scheduled trips to Scorpion Ranch and Smuggler's Cove on Santa Cruz Island’s east end, and East Anacapa Island. Custom trips may be scheduled with groups as small as four. One option is the west end of Santa Cruz Island where you'll find a series of sea caves, including, Painted Cave, the largest navigable sea cave in the world--four football fields long! Or, enjoy a fantastic two-island overnight paddling excursion from Santa Cruz Island to Anacapa Island (some paddling experience and your personal or rented sit-inside kayak are required for this trip). Cross-channel passage is by power boat. All passage and kayak equipment fees are included in trip pricing.

Santa Cruz Island One-Day Trip

We gather in Ventura Harbor at 7:15 AM. After some initial paperwork and gear handling the boat leaves the harbor at 8:00 AM. While crossing the channel, sea lions, seals, dolphins, or whales (though most likely during migratory seasons) often appear. Some whale species reside in the channel all year round and sometimes we get lucky and spot them. A naturalist accompanies the boat trip and delivers a running commentary on the wildlife we encounter and offers historical narratives on the islands and the Chumash natives that once inhabited them. As we approach the island we determine the best course of action based upon the particular charter vessel being used and the sea and weather conditions. Most days, we elect to take both gear and lunch onshore. On other days, we take some snacks along with us, board the kayaks directly from the charter vessel and save lunch for later. There is usually very little surf at the landing site--a one foot break is normal. After a brief introductory orientation, we explore the widely varying sea caves and rock gardens as we paddle alongside towering cliffs. The islands' rocky shores expose an array of intricate passageways where we'll find an abundance of wildlife. During certain tides, the spray from numerous "blow holes" provides us with a welcome mist of cool water. After an extraordinary day filled with exploration, we return to our anchorage and prepare to depart for the mainland. Normal return time is between 5:00 and 6:00 PM depending upon the wind, seas, and the time spent visiting with any marine life we come across.

Santa Cruz Island Multi-Day Trip

Overnight camping trips begin in the same manner as one-day trips. The first order of business upon landing on the island is to set up camp in a sheltering eucalyptus grove behind Scorpion Ranch and eat lunch. We'll spend some time at the historic ranch house adobe (also a museum and dormitory), and then head down to the beach for a kayaking introduction and orientation. Our first day of paddling takes us to the sea caves, rock gardens and towering cliffs that we explore on our one-day outing. After a day of ocean kayaking that you won't soon forget, we head back to camp. Daylight permitting, we hike to the island's clifftops for an eagle’s-eye view of Santa Cruz Island, towatch the setting sun and get an eastward perspective of Anacapa Island and beyond. After our evening meal, you may choose to sit around the campfire with your fellow adventurers, go for a moonlight swim or partake in any activity your heart may desire. You'll enjoy the next morning's breakfast, including hot coffee and tea, with eager anticipation of what the day's excursion will bring. We'll carry our lunches so that we can travel to some of the island's less frequently explored sea caves, including "Surging T Cave," which has three huge openings. Just beyond the cave we'll land at Potato Harbor and eat lunch. Potato Harbor presents a perfect opportunity to swim and snorkel, explore the cove, or just relax on the secluded beach. We might even investigate the cove's nearby sea lion rookery and Chumash midden. Our return concludes with breaking camp and stowing our gear. If time allows, we can stroll around the hillside or swim in the clear waters prior to the voyage back to the mainland. Similar to the day-trip, normal return time is between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, again depending upon wind and sea conditions, as well as any time we spend visiting with marine life.

Usually there is time to take a hike up to the cliff tops for an eagle's eye view along the length of the island. It is the perfect place to to watch the sunset over Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands beyond to the west.

California's Central Coast Kayak Tours

All Downhill Bike & Kayak Excursion

This tour brings together two great wonders of Santa Barbara:  the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. We meet at El Capitan Canyon campground at noon and take a short drive to the top of the Santa Ynez Mountain range where our downhill bike excursion begins. From here we take in the picturesque views of the Los Padres National Forest and Pacific coastline. The gently rolling hills atop the ridgeline provide alternating views of the Pacific’s Channel Islands and the Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country. Our descent begins shortly into the ride and drops us abruptly down Refugio Road toward Refugio State Beach through some of Santa Barbara’s most cherished country. We’ll glide alongside Ronald Reagan’s "west coast White House" and wind our way through the remote oceanside canyon. Approximately 16 miles from the top of the ridge, we’ll come upon Refugio State Beach, one of the coast’s best kept secrets. Here we'll enjoy refreshments and relax for a moment before continuing our journey to El Capitan State Beach by ocean kayak (see El Capitan State Excursion description above). After kayaking, we'll kick back, listen to the live music and partake in the Santa Fe style BBQ.

Santa Barbara's "American Riviera" Tour

This Santa Barbara waterfront tour will provide an opportunity for you to view our wonderful city from a vantage point rarely seen by thousands of annual visitors. These excursions begin at various locations and times depending upon the day's weather and tide conditions. Most often this tour will originate from either Leadbetter or Arroyo Burro Beach. After a brief sea kayak orientation and introductory lesson from our guides, we’ll launch our kayaks and paddle eastward toward the heart of the Santa Barbara waterfront, past Stearns Wharf and toward Montecito. A possible detour into Santa Barbara’s harbor, a breeze at our back and a "downhill" current make this trip particularly enjoyable for the first time kayaker. You’ll gain a unique appreciation for the panoramic views of the Channel Islands and the Santa Ynez hills, often referred to as the American Riviera, which provide a perfect backdrop to our Mediterranean-style city. The  Pacific waters, breathtaking beaches, majestic views and mild weather lure kayakers into Santa Barbara’s protected harbor to explore its natural beauty. This excursion provides an excellent introduction to the secrets ocean kayaking can unveil and the pleasures of sharing a day on the ocean exploring alongside family and friends.

Customized Kayaking & Biking Tours

Each year we lead mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, ocean kayaking and rock climbing tours in some of this country's most incredible wilderness. A few or our favorite destinations include: Telluride, Colorado, Moab, Utah, Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, California's Channel Islands and, of course, Santa Barbara.

Adventours Outdoor Excursions, Inc. specializes in designing tours for individuals and groups. We emphasize single-day or multiple-day trips that meet your personal goals and abilities. Our mission is to provide an environment where people with a common interest in nature and sports can share their experiences with new friends and old. Our tour leaders are professionals who create a supportive format for you to challenge your mental and physical abilities and leave you with a feeling of personal accomplishment. If you have ever dreamed of an active vacation, we encourage you to call us and make it a reality.

Additional information about your Adventour!

All of our professionally guided kayaking trips are designed for every ability level, from novice to expert, and include a fun, introductory kayaking lesson. Our tour guides are certified in CPR and first-aid. Ocean kayaks are specially designed for superior stability, unlike river kayaks which are narrow and tippy, so they can be righted easily. Kayaking knowledge and special athletic ability are NOT required!

All coastal kayak tours include kayak gear. Scheduled island tours also include channel passage and park permits. Bike rental referrals are available for combination kayak and bike excursions.

The following information is provided to assist you in preparation for your kayaking adventure. We have attempted to answer the most commonly asked questions but welcome and encourage you to ask us anything. More detailed information about things to do, what to bring, and what to expect will be provided once your trip has been confirmed.

About Clothing

Synthetic fabrics are warmer when wet and dry faster than natural-fiber fabrics. Diving booties, Aqua socks, or water sandals work better in kayaks than bulky shoes. Keep in mind that your life vest (Personal Flotation Device or PFD) is VERY insulating, so it’s unusual to require more than a T-shirt and windbreaker to keep warm. Any spare items that you wish to take with you in the kayak WILL GET WET unless enclosed in a dry bag. Double freezer ziplock bags can be used with reasonable confidence.

Group Rates & Scheduling Availability

Ocean kayaking tours are particularly suited for promoting  teamwork, providing an unusual adventure break for seminar and conference attendees, facilitating the study of marine and earth sciences, and recreating in a unique, easily shared and environmentally friendly manner. Kayak gear, guides, basic instruction, food, beverages, transportation to and from the trip location, and group camping permits can be included in the tour price. We can accommodate large groups with particular dates and specific needs. Island trips require advance charter boat booking. In addition, our in-house travel agent will gladly assist you in making airfare and hotel reservations.

Create Your Own Tour

We encourage you to incorporate any activities into your adventure (ie. biking, hiking, snorkeling, climbing, etc.). We can include just about any outdoor activity to make your Adventour as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

What do you want to see? Where do you want to go?
Contact us now!