We Had An Awesome Time! June 2025…read moreCaptain Dan and his Bosun, Dennis provided an exceptional sailing trip to Anacapa Island for us. We enjoyed the sail over to the island where we anchored and had a delicious Mediterranean style lunch. We got to see a lot of Sea Lions, a few dolphins, and a huge Mola Mola Sunfish. My future daughter-in-law took her turn at the wheel and really enjoyed being able to do that! We had some pretty big waves on the sail back to the harbor but Captain Dan's and Dennis's sailing expertise navigated us back to the harbor safely. We highly recommend sailing with Sail Channel Islands

Our family was very pleased with Captain Dan and the Sail Channel Islands funeral at sea…read moreservice/experience. Captain Dan is extremely skilled at boating and sailing which made us feel very confident. The boat is beautiful and we had wonderful weather (May 30 2025), overall it was exactly what we were looking for as we said our goodbyes to our Dad. Thank you Captain Dan and Nico! Shelley and Autumn

We got in touch with Captain Sean to help celebrate my girlfriend's 30th and had a fantastic time!…read more We set sail in the morning to the Channel Islands, then kayaked through sea caves, snorkeled in the kelp forests, hung out with the seals, and chilled on the boat with a some drinks, sandwiches, potato salad, and cake. Captain Sean also didn't blink an eye when I had a couple dietary restrictions in terms of provisioning the boat. Overall the experience was definitely an adventure we'll remember and we're already itching to find a way to get back in the sea again.

People were friendly and informative! We saw whales, a massive school of dolphins and seal lions…read morethey were knowledgeable and attentive.

We had a great experience with Island Packers Cruises two days in a row! I booked our day trips…read morewell in advance to Santa Cruz Island (Scorpion Anchorage) and Anacapa Island. We got super lucky with the weather and both sailings went smoothly. Island Packers staff members were friendly and knowledgeable about the channel and islands. We also got to see so much marine life! Both days we spotted humpback whales, which the staff were quick to point out. We also got to see two massive pods of common dolphins! This was such a cool experience, especially since they love to play in the boat wake. Overall, Island Packers provided a seamless, well-organized experience.

I used this company 3 times to get out to 3 of the 5 islands that are part of The Channel Islands…read moreNational 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!

This place is good for anyone that wants basic, fun experiences with sailing but not as useful for…read morethose who want more serious and rigorous sailing skills and knowledge. Cheap but very slow. Some college kids (volunteers?) Instructing the lessons.."no kidding" It would really take years to get real sailing skills and certificates to enjoy sailing...LOL. I highly recommend though young kids try the summer camp programs there; kids would love it and be inspired for the ocean activities

This is the single best experience in the area. Learning to sail has been a lifelong dream, and the…read moreinstructors at Leo Robbins made that dream a reality. My wife and I took the Intro and Small Boat classes, and both were fantastic. A big 'hi' to John and Dave and the whole gang. They're all amazing.

I just purchased my first sailboat - and it's big. (My rigging guy patiently explained that…read moreusually, you buy a 25 foot boat in your younger days, then move up gradually). Well, my circumstances dictated a larger first boat. Insurance was difficult to obtain, and when I did, they asked for 30 hours of sailing and a sign off from a licensed captain. Captain Joe of Far West marine agreed to be my mentor, and I could not be happier; an expert sailor, an intuitive teacher, and an interesting person to spend time with. We have finished our insurance requirement and I feel like I've made a good friend. Im sure we will sail again in the future.

I recently bought a 27 foot yacht but had no clue how to drive it. I had a few "expert" friends…read morevolunteer to teach me but the size of the boat was bigger than anything they had experienced so they kept crashing into stuff and causing all kinds of problems. I quickly realized I'd need professional training or else the boat would never be enjoyed and might as well be sold. Luckily, I was able to find Captain Joe online. Joe is everything you would want in a marine mentor or coach. He's extremely knowledgeable but also patient and knows what to say and when to say it so you learn while also feeling safe . After a few hours under his tutelage we went from not even being sure how to really start the boat to being able to pull it in and out of the slip ourselves, get it to the ocean , get it on plane, drop anchor. He also went around and did a basic safety check of everything on the boat and gave some recommendations for a simple maintenance plan . Joe is also full of good stories so it's fun just to hang out with him. I'd definitely recommend far west marine for anyone interested in getting into nautical piloting and seamanship .

Rachel is awesome! Super knowledgeable of the ocean, water, marine life, and history of the area…read more What a rad human being to have guiding the tour. As it turns out, all of the harbor seals, and sealions have names. We befriended one named Steve, he is much better at swimming than I am. He also taught me secret techniques to paddling. This one Pelican named Parry got into a barking match with some sealions, which is a fight he wasn't gonna win, let's be honest. Though I was hoping to see an M-A-N-A-T-E-E ... next time! If you're gonna go down on Haley street, where the dogs are easy and the sun is cheap, you never know just who you'll meet, on Haley. (But hopefully it's Rachel from the Santa Barbara Adventure Company, and you get her kayak tour; shout out!)

A heartfelt thank you to Santa Barbara Adventure Company for creating such a memorable birthday…read moreexperience for our daughter. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. We had a fun ferry ride to the islands and even got to slow down to watch a large Sunfish (Mola Mola) snacking on some jellies. I recommend getting in line early to secure the best view seating on the ferry. Our kayak guides, Chuck and Adam, were exceptional--knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They made the entire trip both fun and informative, while ensuring we always felt safe and well cared for. We were fortunate to have perfect weather and warm water, which allowed us to explore all seven sea caves--many of which are inaccessible during high tide or rougher conditions. It made the experience even more special. Having lived in Santa Barbara for 22 years, this was my first time visiting the islands, and it was truly unforgettable. The pristine landscapes, abundant sea life, and even spotting several tiny island foxes while enjoying our picnic lunch, made it an unforgettable adventure. We can't wait to do it again--highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and exceptional experience!

I love the Ventura Harbor and it's my most frequented harbor in Ventura county. This one feels like…read morehome and has that nostalgic feeling since I've moved here as this was always the place I'd escape to for some good eats and seaside vibes. There is so much to love about the Ventura harbor. They host great events here and there is always something going on. I love when they hire live music on the weekends so that when you're walking around you can enjoy the tunes. A great selection of restaurants here and some nice variety. I love that the harbor has Mexican cuisine, seafood, brunch spots and Greek food. Also some newer spots with arcades and beer have popped up which is great for pulling in a larger crowd/audience. This harbor has always seemed relatively safe to me. I don't see much of security or law enforcement presence but I appreciate that as it just is on the safer side. Like anywhere be aware of your surroundings but I'm happy it's always a safe and family oriented spot. Plenty of parking, easy to get to from the freeway. It's a perfect tourist destination but also locals love it here as well. Cute shops, especially their clothing and pottery store. There is a lot to see at the Ventura harbor but it's also quaint and cutesy. Not too big and you can see everything in about an hour or two depending on your pace (and spending) lol. Happy that the Ventura harbor continues to thrive, really a great spot.

We used to very much enjoy visiting this area for its eateries and entertainment venues…read more It turns out that they now are charging for simply parking. We turned right around and went back home. Not going there any more! Forget that noise. Too many businesses buckle and dimeing. Gouging were they have no business charging. Not a recommendation!

This is a wonderful place to visit or stop by with your yacht. Lots of room on the guest dock. The…read morestaff and members are very friendly and helpful. The food is good too. Their juniors program is exceptional including summer training camp.

Amazing people and all are so friendly. Not a crowd of privileged members but a family. All kinds…read moreof members from all walks of life. Lots of family activities and wonderful food with friends. Amazing youth sailing programs with awesome instructors. Very safe and teach everyone about boat safety. Lots of club cruises with loads of fun. It's a family!