Giant Sea Caves of Painted Cave
Kayak Expedition
Day Trip to the "Giants"
Adults Only $399 (all inclusive)
Includes all you can eat breakfast, lunch, and paddling snacks. We provide wetsuits, paddling gear, kayaks, experienced guides and crew.
Expedition Highlights
Explore some the World’s Largest Sea Caves – Depart from Santa Barbara – All Inclusive
Kayak the largest sea caves at the Channel Islands, including the deepest sea cave in the world. Island wildlife abounds at this remote location. Our premier kayaking day trip!
- Prepare for “high adventure”, some paddling experience required.
- Downwind “vessel supported” kayaking. We drop you and the guides in the water at point A and pick you up 4-6 miles downwind at point B.
- Kayak into some of the largest and deepest sea caves on earth!
- Ocean wilderness experience, you’ll be in a remote area with the experts.
- Healthy and delicious food served all day.
- Guides and naturalists to share knowledge of the marine ecosystem.
- We provide all the necessary kayaking gear for paddling into sea caves.
Expedition Details
What your day looks like:
- Boarding Begins: 6:45 am
- TRUTH Departs: 7:00 am
- Return to Santa Barbara Harbor: 5:00pm
You can add additional “non-paddlers” to the boat trip only if you would like.
Check-in at the Santa Barbara Landing and hop onto the TRUTH for the day. We take great care in making your journey comfortable. When it’s time to kayak, you’ll dress up and walk down a short ladder to our swim deck and a guide will help you onto your kayak.
Your Expedition Vessel – Truth
- 49 Passenger USCG Inspected Vessel
- Bunks below deck for guest gear and napping
- Hot food is served all day with snacks
- Soda bar, hot beverages (coffee and tea) all day
- Sundeck
Destination
- Destination: Painted Cave region of west Santa Cruz Island
- Spend all day in Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary
Departure Harbor
Santa Barbara Landing – Santa Barbara Harbor
301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Some Previous Ocean Experience is Recommended
The west end of Santa Cruz island can experience variable weather conditions, from high winds to large swells. The conditions can also be very calm depending on the day. Since conditions can change rapidly, this trip is best for those with prior experience kayaking or on the ocean. If you feel comfortable paddling in variable ocean conditions this trip will be perfect for you.
If you are newer to kayaking and want to explore sea caves, our EPIC
Ancapa Island Cruise +Caves and Coves is a great option.
The Painted Cave Island Cruise +Adventure Cove is the perfect entry level kayak tour if you are brand new to kayaking
Minimum Age is 14 years old
This trip requires you to paddle for up to 4 hours. Paddlers must be 14 years or older.
Single Kayak Can Hold 250 lbs
Single kayak weight capacity is 250 lbs per kayak. Single kayaks are outfitted with a cave light tethered to the kayak forward of the seat. You must be 16 or older to paddle a single kayak.
Tandem Kayak Combined Weight Limit is 425 lbs
The maximum weight capacity in a tandem kayak is 425 lbs. If think you and your paddle partner will exceed this weight limit let us know ahead of time so that we have a boat ready for you.
If you weigh over 250 lbs, please inform us of that at check-out. We can accommodate you, we just need to know ahead of time. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need boat transportation?
No, this trip is all inclusive. You will be dropped off at point A from the big boat and picked up downwind 4 hours later.
What is the age limit?
The minimum age on this trip is 14.
All children 16 and under MUST BE with an adult in a tandem kayak.
Our age limits are for your safety and enjoyment.
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes, you must know how to swim to participate in this tour.
If I am solo or in an odd number group will I be in a tandem kayak with a stranger?
No, but you will need to select a single kayak at check-out for the solo or odd person in your group.
Can we land and hike on the island?
No, this is a NON LANDING trip.
Can we snorkel?
This is the one trip where we don’t have the time to snorkel if you are on the kayaking trip. Due to the area we are paddling and the nature of the caves, we are not likely to be anchored in a good snorkeling area anyway. To make sure we have a good paddling experience, we will focus on that for our day.
Day Trips with Snorkeling
Do we offer private trips to Painted Cave?
Yes, prices vary based on day of week and season. Please call or email with the dates you are interested in and we’ll get you a quote.
