Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Sail Channel Islands in Oxnard

4.9 (48) 3150 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035, United States

Categories

Sailing school
Sailing club
Tour operator
Tourist attraction

Location on the map

Oxnard, Ventura County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-750-7828
Site: https://sailchannelislands.com/

Opening hours

Monday:8 AM–5 PM
Tuesday:8 AM–5 PM
Wednesday:8 AM–5 PM
Thursday:8 AM–5 PM
Friday:8 AM–5 PM
Saturday:8 AM–5 PM
Sunday:8 AM–5 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.9

48 Reviews for Sail Channel Islands 2024:

Review №1

2024-04-14 21:33:53

My friend Laura and I took the ASA 101 class. We had to split up the class because of work and we live in Monterey. We finished it in March. I can say Captain Dan is the best instructor! I had taken the class before elsewhere, but did not take the test to be certified. He teaches so much more than any other instructors. He gave us more confidence in our sailing skills. He is a lot of fun to sail with, he has a lot of interesting stories. We had a blast while learning. I highly recommend taking a class or chartering a sail.

Review №2

2023-03-18 05:39:38

How can I add 6 stars? It was better than 5 stars! Truly. We went out for 4 days, 3 nights. Captain Dan helped us through American Sailing Associations (ASA) level 103 and 104. We learned not just from his teaching but from his stories/experiences. Dennis was on board to cook, but they both have so much experience that we feel we both learned as much from the stories as the actual learning portion. Our goal with taking 103 and 104 was to be able to sail a bareboat charter in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand for our honeymoon. Mission accomplished! Thank you Captain Dan and Dennis. You really are the best. And after sailing in NZ, we cant wait to be back at the Channel Islands.

Review №3

2023-11-21 01:15:07

Initially my cousin and I took up sailing to combat the boredom of the pandemic. First I fell in love with learning how to sail, then I fell in love just with spending time with Captain Dan (he’s hysterical)!My cousin returned back to her regular life on the east coast after getting her 101, I continued all the way through my 104!I continue to sail regularly with Captain Dan and, because of the skills he taught me and the confidence with which he imbued me, my husband and I have now taken two bareboat charters (no crew) down in the British Virgin Islands!Sailing will be a lifelong hobby, and Captain Dan a life long friend!

Review №4

2021-07-13 20:29:10

Captain Dan is the man! Hes a fantastic teacher that takes what could be a very daunting experience and makes sure you feel comfortable, learn a lot, and have fun. My partner and I started with him for ASA 101, and went back to him for 103 and 104. When we continue our sailing journey, we will make our way back to Captain Dan.

Review №5

2022-04-05 03:58:42

Captain Dan & Mark took us out on a 6 hour sail that was so much fun! We got a great safety briefing - which is great for a neurotic person like me. They answered all of our questions about the boat, the area, and sailing in general and let us hoist the sails and even steer! Anchoring at Anacapa Island for lunch was so much fun! Lots of wild life and beautiful weather made for a great trip. The lunch provided was perfect - sandwiches, fruit, cookies and chips. The highlight was seeing a pod of humpback whales. It was a #sundayfunday for the books.

Review №6

2020-01-18 00:23:16

TLDR: We received ASA101, ASA103, ASA104, and ASA106 certifications in five days, sailing with Captain Dan at Sail Channel Islands. Our biggest learnings: anchoring, driving backwards, using the chart plotter in case of man overboard, and I’m not as bad at docking as I advertise. Captain Dan and Dennis are great hosts and company. For us this was a good way to get certified while spending time in a National Park.Finding ourselves recently sailboat-less, we wanted to take this opportunity to charter in places around the world. Our sailing resumes include over a decade of sailing and sailboat ownership, but no ASA certifications. Without at least the ASA104 certification, we cannot charter in most places.The beginning ASA courses are for people new to sailing. I was not excited to pay a bunch of money to identify a genoa. I did some web searching and found Captain Dan at Sail Channel Islands. I called Captain Dan and explained the situation. I’ll be damned–we weren’t the first folks to learn to sail without ASA instruction! We came up with a plan. We’d charter for 5 days and get certified through ASA106. Note, we did take ASA105 in advance (don’t get me started on Tom Tursi, ASA105 instructor). We set dates to sail in January, as the weather is on par with our June in Seattle.Prior to departure, we:- Studied and took ASA105- Ordered paper charts for the Channel Islands and plotted our course.- Signed up with the Nature Conservancy to be able to hike the islands.- Worked with Dennis to craft a menu that met our particular preferences.- Asked Captain Dan a bunch of random questions.We flew to Santa Barbara and took the cheaper ride sharing option to meet Captain Dan at the marina in Oxnard, CA. We got a brief intro to Sancerre and discussed trip goals together. My husband and I stayed on Sancerre that night, and Dennis and Captain Dan joined us the next morning to depart.Sailing Highlights:- We had decent wind. Sometimes too much, gale, and sometimes too little.- Dolphins!!! playing in the bow wake when we left the marina and when we returned the last night.- We ate good food and drank good wine thanks to Dennis, took teacup showers, kayaked, hiked, and learned to anchor.- The scenery is beautiful.Our last day in Oxnard, Captain Dan gave us a tour of the Channel Islands museum and garden and took us back to the airport.If you have experience and you’re looking to get appropriate ASA certifications, I recommend calling Captain Dan. If you don’t have sailing experience and want to enjoy the most bougie glamping experience in a National Park, call Captain Dan. If you just want to be on a sailboat, call Captain Dan.

Review №7

2021-11-02 20:49:09

My friend and I were looking for a nice adventure and after no avail we found Dan!! Captain Dan!! We had the most amazing experience!! Dan is also such a wonderful captain and made sure we had a great trip. I definitely will be booking again and enjoy some ocean time!! Thank you Dan!!

Review №8

2021-04-27 20:09:30

Dan is one hell of a Captain and an all-around great guy! I chartered a day sail to Anacapa island with my parents... Dan was a gracious host, easily made - and exceeded at - accommodating dietary preferences. My family looks forward to our next sail with Captain Dan.

Review №9

2023-06-19 01:21:00

Captain Dan is a class act. My family and I had a wonderful time on Wiley. 6/5 recommend Sail Channel Islands. Cant wait to come back again.

Review №10

2021-04-22 00:15:56

Learning to sail is exhilarating and a challenge, but with the steady and knowledgeable captainship of Captain Dan you will be in good hands as you trim the sails and ready your crew. Captain Dan is a highly experienced, thoughtful, and diligent when it comes to teaching his students to sail in the Santa Barbara Channel. I am very happy that my girlfriend and I went with Sail Channel Islands and Captain Dan, and we highly recommend him!

Review №11

2022-12-07 00:20:11

We did a week of private sail school with Capt. Dan onboard the Wiley and Sancerre and we would highly recommend him and his fantastic crew. Sailing with Capt. Dan and Sail Channel Islands is absolutely the best way to complete ASA certifications in safety, comfort, and style. Capt. Dan is an extremely knowledgeable and effective teacher, and we have taken away with us many great memories and new skills. Thank you, Capt. Dan — we will be back to visit and sail with you again in the stunning Channel Islands whenever we are next out your way!

Review №12

2023-06-05 18:08:12

Great experience sailing with Capt Dan. He came aboard my 40ft Hunter for a morning of docking practice and an afternoon orientation day sail. He can take minimal experience and serve as a polishing school with a lot of attention to detail. Could not recommend enough!

Review №13

2019-11-07 19:36:26

This last summer I had the pleasure of sailing every week as my bosses son was learning how to sail. Captain Dan is not only an incredible instructor but a wonderful person and his knowledge of life and his tremendous ability on the boat has been wonderful to have experienced. Although the sailing has ended for now, I am happy to have made a lifelong friend and cant wait to get out there on the water not only for the sailing,but for the time I will get to spend with a really good friend.I highly recommended for anyone that wants to either learn to sail or just go out to sea to meet Captain Dan in Channel islands for a great day!

Review №14

2022-06-24 15:01:19

Wonderful!Captain Dan is very knowledgeable yet personable. We are transitioning from sailing a Catalina 22 to a larger boat. He explained and demonstrated in a relaxed and easy to understand format. We left the lessons feeling more competent and confident. Can’t wait to go back for our next phase.

Review №15

2016-06-23 15:58:32

Captain Dan was amazing. My sister and I had never been on a sail boat before and thought that would be the best way to end our big Pacific Coast Highway Trip. It was by far the best way to end it, Capt Dan was very kind and easy going and obviously knew what he was doing. His boat was great and he let me steer while he dropped the sails. We were unable to get a good view of the Channel Islands on our 2 hour trip due to the June gloom, but he filled us with a lot of history and information. I would highly recommend any trip with Capt Dan and I will definitely take the opportunity to sail with him when I come back to California.

Review №16

2021-11-04 18:34:27

My husband and I, newbie sailors, took Captain Dan’s ASA 101 course over 4 days, spending about 4 hours each day on the boat. Dans excellent pacing allowed us to pass our course with plenty of time for practicing our skills and enjoying time on the beautiful sea. Dan is deeply experienced and knowledgeable, and his stories are delightfully entertaining. We’re coming back for our 103 course as soon as we can get there!

Review №17

2017-04-24 02:22:38

Captain Dan is the perfect host and an experienced sailor. His passion for and knowledge of the Channel Islands is endearing. The Catalina 36 is ideal for a private, romantic sunset sail for two or a small party. First-time sailing? No problem, sit back and enjoy. But, if you know a bit about the wind and sail, he just may let you take the helm! Thanks again, Dan, for a terrific trip!

Review №18

2019-12-18 05:20:12

Sail Channel Islands is always an excellent experience, Captain Dan is extremely knowledgeable and ready to deal with any situation that arises at sea. Having sailed with him for almost a year, I plan to continue for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys sailing or just being on the water.

Review №19

2018-09-17 16:58:29

My wife and took sailing lessons for five days with Dan, including an overnight out to Santa Cruz Island. It was fantastic! Dans knowledge and experience are unbeatable. Dan is a great teacher, clear explainer, patient, and warm. We learned a tremendous amount and gained a new friend in the process. The Channel Islands are beautiful and Dan knows them like his back yard. Whether your are looking for lessons or just want to go for a sail you cant do better than signing on with Dan.

Review №20

2022-06-29 04:34:33

Thank you Captain Dan and Bosun Dennis! We had a terrific 3+ day ASA 106 Advanced Cruising course experience. Somehow this dynamic duo was able to deliver relaxing gentle breezes, a challenging 30 kt blow, a moon-lit night cruise, dolphin escorts, stunning vistas of Santa Cruz Island, gourmet meals, rare wines, crystal clear water and with sunlight streaming through kelp forests, harbors all to ourselves and many hours of great story telling. We learned a ton and came away feeling like wed been handed the keys to the Channel Islands.

Review №21

2012-07-14 12:12:38

We went on a wonderful sunset cruise for our honeymoon. Captain Dan was great and we had so much fun - he even ended our sail with champagne. It was definitely an adventure that we will never forget! If you are thinking about getting into sailing, or are looking for an adventure, Captain Dan is the man. We would highly recommend sailing with him and hope to go back one day!

Review №22

2013-09-24 00:08:44

Sailing with Captain Dan was a very enjoyable experience. He was fun, instructional, and very personable. We had a recent tragedy in our lives and sailing out on the ocean on a beautiful day was relaxing, peaceful, and good for the soul. It was exactly what we needed to give life balance and perspective. It was fun being at the helm and we learned a lot from Captain Dan who was patient, positive, and has a great sense of humor. We were also graced with a large pod of dolphins swimming and leaping around us. What a great day it was and all around perfect. Thanks Captain Dan.

Review №23

2020-01-03 15:37:01

Michael ackerMy wife Maureen and I just completed a sailing adventure with Captain Dan and his First Mate Dennis around Santa Cruz Island in Chanel Island National Park. We had an absolutely fabulous time sailing in all types of conditions from heavy seas and winds to more calm conditions. Every night we found amazing secluded anchorages with the most beautiful views. During our trip I received my ASA 106 certification. Dan was a great teacher and sailor. He has unparalleled experience and the most patient manner of teaching. He was always calm and collected even when conditions got really crazy. We had so much fun! The food prepared by Dennis was truly delicious and the plentiful animal life seen --all type of dolphins, sea lions seals of water birds-- was really special. Best of all was the wonderful conversation covering all topics under the sun. We definitely plan a return sail with Dennis and Dan and explore the other islands in the future.

Review №24

2019-11-07 19:40:54

Capt. Dan loves sailing and after a day on the water with him youll love sailing too. He is an extremely experienced and capable sailor and can answer all your questions about the wildlife and the Islands. A really great day. Looking forward to doing it again soon.

Review №25

2015-07-31 21:16:39

Absolutely loved it and cant wait to come back. Capt Dan is awesome, a real gentleman and Captain of 2 beautiful sail boats. Strongly recommend!If you are in Oxnard or Ventura Beach, you really should go to Capt Dans for a sailing charter or for a few hours on the open ocean. If you have time, take a few days and check out the Channel Islands.We saw sea lions and dolphins, they swam right about to the boat. He even allowed me to take the wheel and let me for a while. We brought snacks and booze and had a great time. Excellent way for a family or couple to spend the day for just a few hours. Next time, I want to go out to the channel islands and stay for a few days!

Review №26

2013-10-01 00:03:38

Thanks Captain Dan!! After purchasing my boat, I was quick to realize I needed some help to refresh my sailing skills. I spoke with Captain Dan who seemed like the perfect teacher to help improve my skills and confidence and he would do it on my own boat. It was the perfect call as Dan was very knowledgable and patient in showing me individual techniques for docking and trimming the sails specific to my vessel! I will certainly call him again for future advance instruction on anchoring and transiting to the Channel Islands. Thanks for an informative and fun day Dan!

Review №27

2021-11-03 18:47:23

I came out the Oxnard for a solo trip. I couldn’t have given Captain Dan shorter notice. He went above and beyond to make sure I got out there on the water. The dolphins come right up to the boat and swim along with it! They made this boy from west Texas very happy. I’ll definitely be back to do the overnight trip. And will plan more in advance next time. This was the highlight of my whole vacation. Thanks Captain Dan!

Review №28

2017-06-10 23:15:48

I had been planning to take a trip with my father and wanted to include sailing in it as we both love being on the water. After googling Oxnard sailing and realizing I couldnt afford most of the sailing packages being offered, I honestly chose Captain Dan solely based on price. What a fortuitous choice it turned out to be! Captain Dan made the trip! He is an amazingly skilled sailor and even in 10 foot waves, I never once doubted our safety and felt free to just enjoy the (wild!!!) ride. My poor father turned green, but thats a whole nother story.To wrap this up, Captain Dan exudes the confidence and joy of someone whos passionate about what they do, has a million entertaining stories and a healthy dose of irreverence. Sail with him and you wont be sorry.

Review №29

2016-06-25 17:18:34

Wow, what a great day!Sailing with Captain Dan and my bothers, Dave, Randy & Gene. Whales, Dolphins and Sea Lions were plentiful during our outing. We christened Captain Dan with a new nick name. From this day forward Captain Dan will be referred as the Whale Whisperer as we relive our memories of this wonderful day.Captain Dan was the perfect Host for an Epic day on the ocean! Thank you Captain Dan (Whale Whisperer) for a perfect day! We will be back and will make sure to have some Sangria when we see again.Your faithful crew,Randy, Don, David and Gene

Review №30

2019-11-08 19:26:56

Capt Dan is the most knowledgeable and patient sailing teacher on the planet!! We loved our lessons and time out on the water!! We loved our first lesson so much, my wife insisted we take another one for our anniversary. Thank you Capt Dan for spending our anniversary with us!!

Review №31

2023-02-24 23:52:58

Excellent sailing with Captain Dan. Channel Islands has the best sailing in Southern California and Sail Channel Islands has the prettiest boats and best company you can find out there.

Review №32

2013-03-10 23:36:05

We were in Ventura and decided we needed to go on a sailboat ride. We called Captain Dan and scheduled a trip for a 4 hour excursion. The boat was clean, in great condition, Captain Dan was a wonderful guy and a great conversationalist. We really enjoyed the trip and will schedule the overnight next time we go to Ventura. I recommend Captain Dan and his activities to everyone!

Review №33

2015-04-21 18:34:05

My wife and I started from the beginning with Captain Dan. He made learning and sailing fun, interesting and totally enjoyable. My wife really enjoyed how safe he made her feel. After many classes, we ended up doing a week sailing in the Brittish Virgin Islands on our own, a chartered boat, which my wife still swears to this day was the best vacation shes ever been on (and weve enjoyed our fair share of adventures!). We owe this to Captn Dan. Thanks!

Review №34

2017-08-04 22:24:39

Captain Dan was fabulous, fun, informative, and quite handsome to boot! We had such a pleasant sunset sail last night. I highly recommend Captain Dan. We sailed on Wiley, a wonderful vessel! Thanks, Captain Dan!

Review №35

2015-04-20 19:39:02

Welcome back to ASA teaching Capt. Dan and Sail Channel Islands. You have been away way too long and I am glad that you are back into teaching and you have my strongest recommendation!! Your instruction took me from never sailing before to certification on a 36 foot Hunter, and I enjoyed the learning experience every step of the way. From Basic Keelboat Sailing (101) thru Basic Coastal Cruising, (103) to Bareboat Charting (104) and Coastal Navigation (105), it was a learning experience that I will never forget. Your attention to the technical requirements of sailing, combined with practical experience made the learning process one that was both educational and fun!! It was a great experience and one that I would recommend to anyone!!My employment has keep me from active sailing as of late, but when I return, you will be the first that I call to hone my skills and get back out on the seas.Welcome back to ASA teaching!! Fair Winds, my friend!!

Review №36

2017-10-08 20:46:01

Capt Dan is a hoot and made what could have been a solemn sail most enjoyable. Very relaxed sail and and fun too! Well maintained sail boats and you too can take the helm😀. Fun in the sun at a reasonable rate. I would highly recommend this company.

Review №37

2017-07-12 05:19:59

Captain Dan and the Bosun Dennis are two of the most fantastic people youll meet. My friends threw a bachelor party for me on the Sancerre and we had a blast!! Dennis sure knows how to cook, and they will show you the time of your life!One of my best friends is a vegetarian and Dennis somehow made the rest of us carnivores forget we ever cared for meat with his amazing cooking (breakfast chorizo! an amazing rice/spice dish I cant fully remember because I scarfed it down so quickly! some of the best lasagna Ive ever had -- I think it was zucchini lasagna)Some of the awesome things we got to do:* Saw blue whales, harbor seals, and sea lions* Kayaked all around and into caves* Got a good hike in* Got some sailing even though there wasnt much wind on the trip* Motored about some of the most beautiful scenery and anchored in a gorgeous cove without other boats or people around* Awesome evenings around the dinner table with stories from Dan / Denniss aviation days -- ask them about it!Will never forget our trip!

Review №38

2016-07-24 04:21:26

We chartered the Sancerre for a party of 6 on July 4th weekend including 3 relatives in town from NJ. What an enjoyable sail to Anacapa Island! It was a beautiful, cloudless day and the winds were solid for the trip out of Oxnard. No whales spotted but we did sea plenty of seal lions and harbor seals. Saw some porpoises too.Captain Dan and his brother are top notch hosts. They ensure your safety and comfort. Their knowledge of the Channel Islands was impressive. We look forward to future trips - an overnighter next time!

Review №39

2018-11-05 03:44:36

A great experience. I spent three days and two nights with Captain Dan and Bosun Dennis on Sancerre, getting my ASA 103 and 104 certifications. We sailed out to Santa Cruz island and practiced everything. Dennis is a fabulous cook, BTW! I feel I learned a lot and was in very capable, knowledgeable hands. I highly recommend.

Review №40

2014-06-03 04:26:25

Moved back to California and knew I needed my sea legs again. My first charter with Cap. Dan was on Wiley. Great boat, fantastic Captain, wonderful sail 😃Looking forward to going back again soon!!

Review №41

2021-06-21 18:22:09

Captain Dan is awesome! We had a great time and will be starting sailing lessons soon. Thank you Captain Dan!

Review №42

2021-06-25 23:08:06

Had an amazing time sailing with Captain Dan! Would highly recommend! Very professional, knowledgeable and great company! Will book again!

Review №43

2015-11-08 01:07:23

Had a perfect day with Captain Dan. He was flexible with our schedule and made sailing very fun for beginners.

Review №44

2022-02-06 04:51:44

Great, great & great! The islands, the Captain & the adventure. Words cant do it justice, just book something and go, you wont regret it.

Review №45

2012-11-27 18:14:01

Great captain, knowledgable, and fun. The boats are clean, and equipped. Cant wait for the next outing with Capt Dan!

Review №46

2020-01-21 13:00:15

Very Good experience with Capt. Dan. He is a professional, easy to get along with. I highly recommend.

Review №47

2022-08-06 20:38:30

Convenient and fun. Dan is an enjoyable captain and instructor.

Review №48

2015-08-31 21:50:36

The weather and water were spectacular. We had a great time overall.