Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Location
Santa Barbara, California
Group Size
24 people per guide
Duration
10 hours
Location
Santa Barbara, California
Group Size
24 people per guide
Duration
10 hours
PADDLE INTO THE DEEPEST VOLCANIC SEA CAVES IN THE WORLD
Travel to the west end of Santa Cruz Island and explore steep cliffs, deep caves, and fissures winding up to 1/4 mile into the island. After kayaking, you can relax aboard while enjoying a hot-cooked lunch.
Dolphins and whales are often seen during the channel crossing aboard the Truth from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz Island.
Painted Cave Kayak is the perfect day trip departing from Santa Barbara to experience sea cave kayaking at Channel Islands National Park.
- Minimum Age: 12 years
- Minimum Number of Guests: 6
- Distance Paddled: 4 miles
- Snorkeling instruction included!
Important Times
- Check-In: 7:00 am
- Briefing and Departure: 7:30 am
- Lunch: hot lunch served during your advenutre.
- Kayaking: 3 hours into the world’s largest sea caves.
- Return to Santa Barbara: By 6:00 pm
What’s Included
- Boat trip from Santa Barbara Harbor to Santa Cruz Island
- Continental Breakfast, hot lunch, snacks and cold and hot beverages (sodas, coffee, and tea)
- Guides and naturalists
- Tandem or single person kayak w/ backrest, seat, and adjustable paddle
- 3mm Farmer John Wetsuit
- Wetsuit top
- Mask, Snorkel, Fins*
- Lifejacket (PFD)
- Cave helmet
*A Note About Snorkeling - you will have given a mask to take with you kayaking, and this is considered swimming. At the end of your kayaking tour you will reboard the boat and you will have 45 minutes to snorkel at the pick-up location. If you bring your own wetsuit, you will be more confortable.
Channel Islands Expeditions
Founded by people whose lives have been forever positively changed through adventures aboard the Truth and Vision. Over the past 40 years, these boats have provided access to all eight Channel Islands and the California coastline for adventurers, researchers, educators, and many others. CIEx is honored to carry on the long-standing and cherished tradition of sharing the stoke of the Channel Islands aboard the Truth and the Vision… both above and below the waves.
The Guides
Where you'll meet
The details
What to bring
- Water – reusable water bottles can be filled onboard.
- Warm clothing – street clothes are fine, dress in layers and bring warm clothes.
- Kayak Clothing – bathing suits and sun tops. You will be given a farmer John style wetsuit (like overalls) and a wetsuit top.
- Sunscreen – We prefer reef safe sunscreen. Learn what makes sunscreen reef safe here.
- Waterproof cameras – we strongly recommend you take your phone or camera kayaking only if you have a waterproof case for it.
- Motion sickness medicine and personal medications.
- Gratuity for guides and crew.
Cancellation Policy
Day Trips
- You can cancel or modify your reservation at any time before 5 days from your departure date.
- Full refund or credit for changes or cancellations before 72 hours (5 days) of the departure date.
- We cannot offer a refund for changes or cancellations made within 72 hours (3 days) of the departure date.
- If WE have to cancel for any reason you get a full refund or credit, this includes not meeting our passenger minimum.
- If you use a gift card or credit and change your reservation these policies apply to that value.
Multi-Day Trips
- You can cancel or modify your reservation at any time 14 days prior to your departure date and get a full refund or credit.
- We cannot offer a refund for changes or cancellations made within 10 days of the departure date.
- If WE have to cancel for any reason you get a full refund or credit, this includes not meeting our passenger minimum.
- If you use a gift card or credit and change your reservation these policies apply to that value.
Our precautions for COVID-19
What you can expect from us:
Feb 15, 2022
- We follow guidelines issued by the County of Santa Barbara and the United States Coast Guard.
- We sterilize and clean all surfaces in all quarters of the vessel after each trip.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home and contact us.
- At this time masks are not required.
More trips from Channel Islands Expeditions
Reviews
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide:
By Stetson B. on September 05, 2022
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide:
By Claude C. on August 22, 2022
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide: Craig B.
Wonderful. Amazing food, hospitality, our guide Spencer was awesome at explaining everything and really did a thorough job.
By Becky L. on August 21, 2022
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide: John R., Jacob O., Garrett K.
Had lots of fun. Great trip
By Ivan B. on June 25, 2022
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide: John R., Jacob O., Garrett K.
By Hongjie (david) Z. on June 16, 2022
Trip: Giant Sea Caves @ Painted Cave Kayak Adventure
Guide: John R., Jacob O., Savannah L., Garrett K.
We had our first sea cave kayak trip yesterday and it was a BLAST. 12 kids, giant sea caves, crystal clear water, loads of sea creatures and a lot of laughs. We learned a lot about the history of the island, from geology to stories about the relationship indigenous Chumash had with Santa Cruz. Food was also absolutely delicious after the Paddle. So so good. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you CIX! - The Sea League
By Chris R. on June 10, 2022
