THE SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL
ENCOMPASSED BY THE CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
CALIFORNIA'S GREATEST NATIONAL PARK
We patrol the far reaches of the diverse Santa Barbara Channel. This productive marine feeding zone is encompassed by the 4 Northern Channel Islands, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel! They're often visible on our tours and if you're lucky during our summer whale watches, we may sneak into one of their many anchorages or the infamous Painted Cave!
SAN MIGUEL ISLAND
ANACAPA ISLAND
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
SANTA ROSA ISLAND
The four northern Channel Islands make up the southern boundary of the Santa Barbara Channel. Joined by Santa Barbara Island, these five make up the Channel Islands National Park. The water surrounding these five islands to a distance of three miles comprise the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, with an area of 1,110 square nautical miles
Channel Islands Gallery
The Channel Islands have a rich history of human use and habitation. There are records of native American occupation dating as far back as 13,000 years, putting them among the oldest in North America. The Chumash thrived on the northern islands surviving on the abundance of sea food and the collection of fresh water between Santa Cruz Island's two mountain ranges. They crossed the channel in seagoing canoes called tomols and traded with other tribes throughout western North America. More recently, explorers, fur hunters, squatters and ranchers made their homes on the islands for varying periods of time. Today, the islands are protected and have been restored to their natural ecosystems. They're and open to controlled visitation through the city of Ventura.