Discovering Channel Islands National Park: A 5-Day Voyage

5 days

Oct 2026 - Nov 2026

National Geographic Venture

2026

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Discovering Channel Islands National Park: A 5-Day Voyage

from $3,932 per person

5 days

National Geographic Venture

Date:

Discover a hidden wild side of a well-known region. Just off the coast of California, one of the lesser-known U.S. national parks beckons, with dramatic sea cliffs, grassy headlands, and rocky islets. Dayboats can take you to individual islands to hike or camp, but our small ships provide a mobile base camp from which to actively explore the full natural splendor of this unique archipelago.

Itinerary Suites & Cabins Ship info

Itinerary

day 1 | Los Angeles, California

Home of the famous Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame, Los Angeles is the place to visit for anyone interested in film and television and hoping to get a glimpse at some famous actors and artists. Stroll down the Walk and enjoy the glamorous atmosphere and famous surroundings, or take a break on the Santa Monica pier and watch the sun set on the sea.

day 2-3 | Santa Cruz Island, California

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz has over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and 77 miles of shoreline. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor. Santa Cruz Island offers two primary landing sites which the vast majority of guests to the island visit. Both landings are situated on the closer, northern side of the island. Scorpion Anchorage on NPS property, lies on the east end of the island, and Prisoners Harbor to the west, at the border of National Park and The Nature Conservancy property.

day 4 | Catalina Island

Spend the day discovering the colorful history and natural wonders of Catalina Island. Once a haunt of smugglers and gold diggers, the island was transformed into a resort destination by chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley, Jr. in the 1920s. Some 50 years later, William’s heirs, Philip K. Wrigley and Dorothy Wrigley Offield, established the Catalina Island Conservancy, protecting nearly 90 percent of the island. Meet a conservancy member to learn about their work on the island before heading out on the trail for spectacular views of the coastline and the Catalina backcountry. With luck, catch a glimpse of the elusive bison herd that have resided on Catalina Island since 1924. Head for the water to kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner and a last evening at sea under the stars.

day 5 | Los Angeles, California

Ships

National Geographic Venture

Following the build of National Geographic Quest at Nichols Brothers shipyard, her sister ship, the 100-guest National Geographic Venture, floated into the bay on Whidbey Island, becoming the fourth ship in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet built at this storied Pacific Northwest shipyard. In the 1970s, Nichols Brothers built the twin ships National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, which continue to sail the waters of the west coast of North America and Central America.

National Geographic Venture follows the seasons from Alaska, along the coast of British Columbia, through California’s Channel Islands National Park, and along the Baja California coast and into Mexico’s Gulf of California. Her design innovations were informed by 50+ years of expedition expertise to ensure extraordinary discoveries.

Larger than her sibling twin ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Venture has the same shallow draft, enabling her to nimbly navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate, ‘insider’ experiences of the charismatic regions we explore.