With Winter in full swing, visitors to Ventura Harbor Village can now board a whale watching vessel and travel from Ventura Harbor through the Southern California waters to see breathtaking mammals that cavort in waters near the Channel Islands.
The cruise can be awe-inspiring, with the possibility of seeing more than 28 species of marine mammals along with the migrating Gray, Fin and Humpback whales, seals, sea lions and large pods of dolphins identified within the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary of Southern California. Captains aboard the whale watching cruises have many years of experience sighting whales on the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel and will narrate and inform guests about all the varieties of marine mammals seen on your cruise.
Booking a whale watching trip is part of the full Ventura Harbor Village experience and makes for a great excursion with the entire family or as part of the Village’s March Mermaid month festivities. The Village is the place to be for a mid week or weekend getaway with more than 35 coastal shops, several hotels, waterfront restaurants, artisans, and live entertainment.
Whale Watching Excursions, now through April 1, 2020 marks the official start of the gray whale migration. Companies to choose from include:
ISLAND PACKERS:
Departure times are listed daily on the Island Packers website. Cost per person is $38 for adults, $34 for seniors 55+, $28 for children 3-12 years old and children under 3 FREE. Island Packers is the official concessionaire of the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public in the Channel Islands National Park. For more information about the Winter Whale Watching program, visit www.islandpackers.com or email Islands Packers at info@islandpackers.com
VENTURA SPORTFISHING (new this year!):
Ventura Sportfishing is also offering daily Whale Watching Trips out of Ventura Harbor. They will be running two trips a day from 9:30am to 12:30 and 1pm to 4pm. Must book in advance. To book a trip or for more information visit: www.venturasportfishing.com or call (805)676-3474