The Guided Tour
Enjoy two days of guided kayaking around the Scorpion Ranch area! You'll experience everything found on the One Day Tour, plus much more! On day two, you may paddle to spectacular Potato Harbor for lunch on the beach, explore more sea caves, or paddle to the eastern tip of the island! Camp the nights in a fragrant eucalyptus grove.
Get away from every day life a little longer! In addition to multiple days of kayaking tours, self-led hikes and snorkeling opportunities abound. Numerous short hikes leave right from the campsite.
The most spectacular is the evening hike to Cavern Point to enjoy the sunset over the Santa Barbara Channel!
Schedule:
Arriving at Santa Cruz, we'll unload our gear from the ferry.  Our first day's kayaking tour soon after. We'll don our kayaking gear and receive instructions on sea cave exploration, basic paddling skills, and safety. Once on the water, we venture into and through many of the sea caves, arches and pocket coves as conditions permit. Some of these caves are big enough to drive a car into, and others are so small you can barely squeeze through! As we paddle along the coast of Santa Cruz Island the towering cliffs provide an excellent habitat for sea birds, sea stars, and sea urchins along the waterline. Sea lions and harbor seals play below us. Often, the water is crystal clear allowing you to see fish and marine life from on top of the kayak.
Along the way our guides act as natural history interpreters, informing you about the geology, plant, animal, marine life, and the history of Santa Cruz Island as well as the other Channel Islands.
 After our first day of kayaking we hike approximately a 1/4 mile into the Scorpion Valley where you will stay the night in your own campsite in the National Park campground. Situated in a eucalyptus grove, there is drinking water and pit bathrooms are provided, along with a picnic table at each site. There are no campfires allowed and cooking is typically done with gas camping stoves.
Scorpion Ranch Campground
Day two leave lots of time for further kayaking.  Explore more caves around Scorpion Ranch, kayak to scenic Potato Harbor for a beach picnic, paddle to the east end of the island, and spend more time checking out the local wildlife from your kayak! More self-led hiking and snorkeling, beach combing, and relaxation fill the afternoon. Then its back on the Island Packer's catamaran for the trip to the mainland.
Prisoners to Scorpion Kayaking (Additional cost will apply)
As Featured on California's Gold with Huell Howser's
After dropping off our camping gear at Scorpion Ranch (if you are already camping you will meet your guide at the pier at Scorpion anchorage at 9am with lunch and recommended gear),  we will continue west aboard the Island Packers vessel to scenic and historic Prisoners Harbor.
From there we will paddle the seven mile return to Scorpion Ranch. This trip is recommended for experienced kayakers, or ambitious beginners only. Stronger winds and larger swell are possible. We'll paddle past the white sandy beaches of China Bay, glide over expansive kelp beds.
We will explore numerous sea caves, what we believe to be some of the best caves in the Park(Coche Point). We'll take time to stop, rest and snack at picturesque Potato Harbor before finishing up at Scorpion Ranch.
Abundant wildlife, beautiful beaches, inspiring sea cliffs, caves, and fantastic views of Santa Cruz Island's canyons and mountains make this an amazing paddle. Then is time to set up camp, and maybe take a self-led hike or snorkel. Spend Day two more thoroughly exploring the sea caves and caves around Scorpion Ranch (See the One Day Scorpion Ranch tour for details) before boarding the ferry for the trip home.
On this tour Paddle Sports provides...
- Ferry Transportation
- Professional Guide
- Wetsuits, Paddle Jackets, Life Jackets, Helmets
- Sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks, paddles, backrests
Maps, Weather and Rules
Camping Rules and Regulations
 Map of East Santa Cruz Island
 Map of Santa Cruz Island
 Map of the Santa Barbara Channel
 Weather Forecast for Channel Islands
 Calendar
Pricing...
| Standard 1 Day Kayaking |
Price Per Person |
Size of Group |
| Scorpion- Caves and Coves |
$184(1) |
2-6 |
| Scorpion- Caves and Coves |
$170 |
7-12 |
| Scorpion- Caves and Coves |
$155 |
12+ |
| Additions |
|
|
| Camping |
|
|
| Camping (up to 14 nights) |
$13(1) |
all |
| NPS Campsite (2) |
$15/night |
2-6 |
| NPS Campsite (2) |
$30/night |
7-12 |
| NPS Campsite (2) |
$45/night |
12-18 |
| NPS Campsite (2) |
$60/night |
19-24 |
| NPS Campsite (2) |
call |
24+ |
| Trips |
|
|
| 2nd Day of Kayaking (3) |
$105 |
all |
| 3rd Day of Kayaking (4) |
$55 |
all |
| Prisoners to Scorpion Kayak |
$135 |
all |
| Prisoners Hiking (unguided) |
$20 |
all |
| Rentals |
|
|
| Snorkel Gear (5) |
$10/day |
all |
| Camping Gear (6) |
$50/2 nights |
all |
| Paddle Sports T-Shirts |
$14/each |
|
*Did you know you can book and pay for this trip ONLINE?
Notes:
(1) 2 Person minimum on this trip. If you are a party of one, you must call and reserve a space on a trip with 2 or more people.
(2) NPS Campsites are under a Paddle Sports reservation. 6 people, 2 tents per site max. No campfires. Alcohol is permitted for responsible campers. Quiet hours are at 10:00pm every night, but the beach is a short walk from the camping area for those of you wanting to enjoy the island past 10pm. All trash must be carried out, so please plan accordingly.
(3) Second day of kayaking is subject to current island conditions. Summer conditions at the islands allow for very calm morning paddling. Expect fog and unbelievably calm seas.
(4) Third day of kayaking is subject to available spaces on Scorpion Caves and Coves Tour.
(5) Paddle Sports is not licensed to guide snorkeling. We can, however, suggest some amazing spots where you can look at the crystal clear wilderness below your kayak or on your own time from the beach.
(6) Camping gear includes: Cooking equipment for 6 (plates, cups, bowls, etc.), frying pans, boiling pots, 2-burner propane stove, 5-gallon propane tank, propane lantern that extends from propane tank, lighter, bio-degradable soap, sponge, and trash bags. Paddle Sports does not cook your food. |
The channel crossing takes approximately an hour depending on the sea conditions and wildlife we encounter along the way. Santa Barbara Channel waters are rich with marine life -- dolphins and sea lions abound. In the spring and fall, migrating whales are frequently spotted during our crossing to the island. 