Enjoy this one of a kind, adventurous wildlife and excursion package in Santa Barbara! Includes:

A day trip for two to Santa Cruz or Anacapa with Island Packers, and an exclusive tour of Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) facility.

Channel Islands National Park (and National Marine Sanctuary):

Enjoy a day trip for two to Santa Cruz or Anacapa! Island Packers Cruises is the Official Boat Concessionaire of the Channel Islands National park. They offer year-round transportation to the "local islands".

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz has over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and 77 miles of shoreline. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor. Santa Cruz Island offers two primary landing sites which the vast majority of guests to the island visit. Both landings are situated on the closer, northern side of the island. Scorpion Anchorage on NPS property, lies on the east end of the island, and Prisoners Harbor to the west, at the border of National Park and The Nature Conservancy property.

Anacapa Island is the second smallest island in Channel Islands National Park, only slightly larger than Santa Barbara Island. Although approximately 4 miles tip to tip, Anacapa includes just under a square mile of land. Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland. From either harbor of departure, it lies 12 to14 miles offshore. Due to its close location, Island Packers visits Anacapa Island year-round. Anacapa is comprised of three small islets. The West Islet is the largest breeding site for California Brown Pelicans in all the United States. It is a restricted breeding area. Visitation to the Middle Islet is also restricted. It is home to thousands of cormorants and the remnants of multiple sheep ranching efforts. Day visitors and campers at Anacapa are permitted to explore the East Islet, home to numerous Western gulls and some of the best views in California.

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI)

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute's (CIMWI) goal is to create a world-class marine mammal institute and this historic school site is a perfect location with 2.81 acres. The combination of classrooms, support buildings and open areas provide ample space for the Institute. The school grounds accommodate outdoor rehabilitation enclosures with pools, while the indoor facilities include a Hospital/Quarantine Room, Laboratory/Pharmacy, Fish Kitchen and Surgery/Treatment Room with a plan for future research facilities, administrative offices and education space. This adventure and tour will get you acquainted with the most diverse wildlife from all across the nation.