Yesterday, I kayaked Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park for the first time and I was BLOWN AWAY that more people don’t know about this! We spent a full day on the ocean whale watching, kayaking through sea caves, and snorkeling through kelp forests. I feel like I became fully acquainted with the underwater half of Channel Islands National Park on what is definitely the BEST day trip from Los Angeles.
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Why is this the best day trip from Los Angeles?
You'll feel so far removed from the city!
Even though Channel Islands Harbor is only a little over an hour from the heart of Los Angeles and Anacapa Island is only 12 miles from the harbor, you feel like you’re in another world. In this new world, you’ll be surrounded by the sound of nesting seabirds on the towering volcanic cliffs above you and the splashing of playful California sea lions in the kelp forests below.
Unfortunately, traffic still might delay your boat passage. Whales and dolphins sometimes stop right in the middle of the channel for breakfast, forcing the Sunfish (your boat) to slow down and take a closer look.
The refreshing ocean breeze in the summertime just hits differently.
The concrete jungle gets a little toasty in the summertime, so the best day trip from Los Angeles would definitely avoid the heat. Out in Channel Islands National Park, the temperature rarely breaks 80 degrees. If you still get too warm? A dip in the ocean is sure to cool you off right away.
Where's your sense of adventure?
I personally believe you don’t see the real beauty of a place until you get out into nature and leave the city. There’s nothing that gets you closer to nature than paddling and snorkeling through one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world: the kelp forests.
Paddling through sea caves in the open ocean might push you a bit out of your comfort zone, but the experienced guides got your back! They expect you to have ZERO kayak experience and help teach you what to do. Plus, you can opt out of any caves you want…but why would you want to?
Paddle Anacapa with me!
The Details:
Here are the major things to note:
- Operated by Channel Islands Expeditions at Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park in April through November
- Roughly 8 hours harbor to harbor (Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, CA)
- Guided kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching included
- 90 minute boat passage each way
- 2-3 hours kayaking downwind
- 30 minutes snorkeling
- Wetsuits, kayak, and snorkel gear provided
- Food NOT provided
- Hot shower on deck afterwards
- “Challenge by choice” so you can opt out of anything you choose
- Should know how to swim
- Don’t need to know how to kayak
For more specific details of my own experience, keep scrolling!
For even MORE questions, feel free to contact me using the form at the bottom of the page.
My Personal Experience Kayaking Anacapa
I’ve been working around the Channel Islands since 2018, and have been DYING to hop on this kayak tour with Channel Islands Expeditions since I first heard about it. I always see them on the water and wish I could be out there with them exploring the sea caves. I finally got the chance yesterday (July 2, 2025) and it was more incredible than I could have imagined.
The Sunfish and the Dolphins
I arrived at Marine Emporium at 7:30am. The crew gave us a briefing and checked us in at 7:40, and we were pulling away from the dock aboard the Sunfish by 8:00am. We were bound for Anacapa Island, approximately 12 miles and 1.5 hours across the Santa Barbara Channel. During that time, pods of common dolphins came over to surf alongside the Sunfish TWICE!
I'm not the greatest kayaker...
Everything lined up perfectly: the weather, the sea conditions, the wildlife, and the people. It was a glassy July day on the water which meant gray skies, which was perfectly fine by me. The less wind and swell the better! I’m not the greatest kayaker. Luckily, our entire tour group was about the same level and only consisted of nine people on a Wednesday in July.
Though we weren’t super experienced, our guides Mark and Ella made it clear that they expected us to have NO KAYAK EXPERIENCE, and explained everything very thoroughly. It was a “challenge by choice” type of day, where we should speak up and opt out if anything made us feel uncomfortable. I felt safe and supported from the second I stepped onto the boat until we returned to the dock in the evening.
The best day trip from Los Angeles is an ADVENTURE!
This emphasis on safety meant I could fully focus on sending sea caves and appreciating Anacapa’s stunning beauty. After getting launched from the boat, we paddled downwind through pitch-black sea caves to find California spiny lobster scurrying around beneath us, scraped through narrow passages just wide enough for the kayak, and learned all about the unique cultural and natural history that make Anacapa Island worth protecting.
In early summer, Anacapa Island is a prime nesting ground for seabirds, namely the once-endangered California Brown Pelican. I even saw a nest with a chick up on the volcanic outcroppings above! Other seabird friends included Brandt’s Cormorants, Black Oystercatchers, and Western Gulls— all taking advantage of a predator-free island to lay their eggs.
After countless sea caves and arches, we finally arrived at Anacapa Arch on the far east end. Ordinarily, we might have been picked up earlier, but our whole group chose to push on instead of head back for lunch, so we got to paddle through the incredibly massive Anacapa Arch. No better way to finish a Channel Islands kayaking tour than to paddle through the most famous landmark!
Snorkeling with California Sea Lions
After a quick hop back on the Sunfish for a snack and snorkel gear, we were back in the water exploring the healthy kelp forests, swimming with sea lions, and startling unsuspecting garibaldi. We had great visibility, and there was no current that day which was a huge bonus. The sea lions were so curious and silly, and I’m stoked they paid us a visit!
Incredible crew made all the difference!
Once back on the Sunfish, we got to rinse off with a hot outdoor shower while peeling off the wetsuits, and the crew came around with windbreakers for anyone still cold on the hour-long ride home.
The crew (Captain Roger, kayak guides Mark and Ella, and crewmember Cooper) was honestly awesome and attentive to our every need. They had a lot of patience, a contagious passion for the job, and so much knowledge about the vessel and island. Don’t forget to leave them a tip at the end of the tour- they deserve it! They really go out of their way to ensure everyone has a safe and unforgettable time.
Booking the Best Day Trip from Los Angeles
After the experience I just had, I’m honestly shocked that the boat isn’t full every day during the summer. Although this tour is the only one of its kind at Anacapa Island, not many people know about it, not even locals. Weekends do tend to fill up, so booking in advance is key, but on Wednesday, July 2nd, there were only nine of us.
If you’re tired of crowds in LA and want the best day trip from Los Angeles, I can’t recommend this tour enough for visitors and locals alike. Far too many locals have never set foot (or paddle) within Channel Islands National Park which I think is a huge shame. What an incredible resource we have right off our coast!
If exploring Anacapa Island sounds like something you might be interested in, consider booking below, or learn more about actually setting foot on the island (hiking + camping) here!
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