Summer is for Island Days.
Experience the Channel Islands today.
Family-friendly snorkeling. One spot, all day. Anacapa or Santa Cruz — conditions decide. Running this summer from June – September.
Reserve your spot.
June – September. Choose a date — booking confirms instantly.
One boat, one spot, one price.
The Spectre leaves Ventura at 9 AM and runs you out to Anacapa or Santa Cruz — captain’s call based on conditions. We drop anchor over kelp forests and have guides in the water with you for two long snorkel sessions.
BBQ lunch is served between sessions — tri tip, chicken, or veggie burger. Back at the harbor around four, weather depending. One trip, one price.
All-inclusive. All day.
$199 covers the day — boat, gear, food, crew. Boat departs Ventura Harbor at 9 AM and returns around four. Weather depending. Show up at the dock and we handle the rest.
Mask, fins, snorkel & wetsuit
All snorkel gear included. Wetsuits fit 70 lbs and up. Toddler-to-adult size fins available — or bring your own if you prefer.
Breakfast, lunch & snacks
Coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, and pastries on departure. BBQ lunch onboard — tri tip, chicken, or veggie burger. Snacks and drinks all day.
Indoor seating & hot tub
Comfortable booth seating in the cabin. Hot showers and hot tub on deck for between snorkel sessions. Starlink Wi-Fi onboard.
In-water guide & deck crew
Experienced crew in the water during snorkel sessions and on deck at all times. Dedicated dive station. Flotation devices available on request.
Kelp forest, garibaldi, sea lions and harbor seals.
Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed — but they’re common. The Channel Islands are sometimes called the Galápagos of North America for a reason: the cold California Current meets warmer water here, and the marine life shows it.
The crew will brief you on what’s in season. Nothing here is approached or touched — we share the water.
- Garibaldi California state fish — bright orange, common
- Sea lions Active rookery at West Anacapa, summer-long
- Harbor seals Curious — often join the snorkel
- Kelp forest Some of California’s densest stands
- Giant sea bass California’s largest reef fish — endangered, often in the kelp
- Brown pelicans Anacapa is a major breeding site
Hour by hour.
A relaxed full day at the Channel Islands. No rigid schedule, no pressure. Jump in, warm up, eat, hop back in — at your own pace. Timings vary from day-to-day but this is what you can expect on a typical day.
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8:30 AMDock
Arrive at Ventura Harbor
Your snorkel gear is already set up and waiting at your station. Grab a hot breakfast sandwich, yogurt, pastry, oatmeal, or fresh fruit and settle in.
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9:00 AMCrossing
Cast off for the islands
About an hour and a half across the channel. Finish breakfast, explore the boat, watch for dolphins and whales along the way.
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10:30 AMSnorkel
Anchor and jump in
Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island — one spot for the whole day, captain's call based on conditions. Think snorkeling with a friend who has a boat. Jump in when you're ready, warm up, take a break, then hop back in whenever you feel like it. Kids, parents, first-timers — everyone moves at their own pace.
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12:00 PMGalley
BBQ lunch onboard
Tri tip, chicken, or veggie burger off the grill, served on deck.
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12:30 PMSnorkel
Back in the water
Second session, same easy pace. Snorkel more, relax on deck, warm up in the hot tub, or just sit with the island view.
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2:30 PMCrossing
Cruise back to Ventura
Settle in for one of Spectre's famous brownie sundaes on the ride home.
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~4:00 PMDock
Back at the harbor
Tie up at Ventura. The crew helps you off-load gear. Weather depending.
Ventura Harbor Village, Dock D.
About an hour from LAX, 90 minutes from downtown LA, 30 minutes from Santa Barbara.
Departure
Free Mon–Thurs
Park in the lot marked “Whale.” Free for guests Monday through Thursday, paid Friday through Sunday and holidays. Overflow parking along Spinnaker before the Whale lot.
How to show up.
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Wear your swimsuitUnder shorts and a tee. Wetsuits go on easier over a snug suit.
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Arrive at 8:30 AMThe crew needs the half hour to load the boat before we cast off around 9.
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Layer up for the rideIt gets breezy on the channel. A hoodie packs down small.
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Take a Dramamine the night beforeIf you tend to get seasick. The channel is calmest before noon.
Spend a day at the Channel Islands.
Bring a swimsuit. We've got the rest — gear, breakfast, BBQ, and brownie sundaes on the ride home.