Tour of The Islands

Tour of the Islands trips are designed to be relaxing and family friendly experience. Sightseeing and photography are the focus of these trips which will explore the pristine marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, marine mammal habitats, geological wonders, and have dive site selection guided by the best available dive conditions. Diving protected areas means no gathering of game is allowed on these trips. This allows additional space to be dedicated to cameras and sightseeing equipment. Destinations can include any of the eight Channel Islands, offshore rocks and pinnacles, or the undersea mounts of Cortes Banks and Tanner Banks. Dive sites will be selected based on the best available diving conditions at the time of the trip. Tour of the Islands have a slower pace than typical trips, allowing time to process and share photos, share time with others, and enjoy the Peaceful marine environment. Tour of the Islands Trips may include night dives, conditions permitting.

Tour of the Islands Trips are Premium Limited Load Trip

Tour of the Islands Trips are intended to be premium trips. The Peace normally carries up to 24 passengers for multi-day trips, and 32 passengers for single day trips. These premium experience trips are limited to 18 passengers or less. This ensures everyone has plenty of space to spread out. Tour of the Islands trips also include upgraded amenities and services. 

Mini -Tour of the Islands Trip

This economy version of the Tour has the same sightseeing and photography focus, but does not include some of the more remote destinations.

Where you will be diving 

The Channel Islands includes Channel Islands National Park, as well as multiple California marine protected areas and marine sanctuaries. Most of these areas do not allow commercial or recreational take of some or all game. The island environments are critical habitat to numerous sea mammals and birds, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds. Many plant and animal species in the islands are found only there. The marine environment is rich and diverse, with each island having its own unique ecosystem and dominant species. 

The Islands also have a rich and historic human culture with historic native peoples sites, lighthouses, research stations, camping areas, beautiful beaches, historic farms, and current military use areas. The Peace team highly recommends you schedule your trip with time to visit the Channel Islands National Park Visitor’s Center.  The visitors center is in Ventura Harbor, about a 10 minute walk from the Peace’s dock.

Dive sites may include historical sites, wrecks, reefs, hydrocoral reefs, sea mammal rookery, kelp forests, off-shore pinnacles, marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, and natural wonders such as sea caves or arches. 

What kinds of life are common

Common sights include varieties of sea mammals, sharks, eels, rays, reef fish, rock fish, pelagic fish, garibaldi, lobsters, crabs, nudibranchs, mollusks, giant black sea bass (up to almost 1000lbs), and the many unique residents of the beautiful kelp forests. 

What is included

All meals, snacks, soft drinks, air fills, and use of on-board amenities is included. On board amenities include a salt water hot tub, sun deck, showers, charging station, and freshwater rinse for cameras.

Number of Dives

Typically Tour of the Islands Trips will offer between 4 and 5 dives per day. More dives may be offered depending on locations, conditions, if night dives are appropriate, and input from the group. This allows for passengers who want to dive more, to do so. It also means if you would like to take a dive (or two) off for a rest, spend time in the hot tub, enjoy the fabulous scenery, or process photography, there will likely be another dive opportunity later.