Santa Barbara Adventure Company has been selected to receive a new 10-year concessions contract to operate guided sea kayak tours, limited convenience item sales, snorkel equipment rentals, and guided snorkel tours at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.
Santa Barbara Adventure Company, doing business as Channel Islands Adventure Company, has provided guided sea kayak services for more than 18 years, and has operated in Channel Islands National Park since 2007.
The park’s 2015 General Management Plan directed the transition of the Scorpion Area Kayak Guide Service from a limited, Commercial Use Authorization opportunity to management under a Concessions Contract. The contract contains additional authorized services, including snorkel equipment rental, guided snorkel tours, and the sale of limited convenience merchandise.
“This is a significant step towards improving visitor access and enjoyment,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau. “The contract will, for the first time in the park’s history, afford visitors the opportunity for guided kayak and snorkel tours on the island, with no prior reservations needed.”
The new guided sea kayak tours concession contract at Channel Islands National Park will take effect on March 1. The new contract resulted from a bidding process, in which concession contract proposals for Channel Islands National Park were solicited by the National Park Service from May 19, 2016, through August 23, 2016.
