CHANNEL ISLANDS EXPEDITION
MERMAIDING, DIVING, CAVE KAYAKING, PHOTOSHOOTS, ISLAND HIKING
AUGUST 8TH - 12TH 2025
Join us on this unforgettable California wilderness experience unlike any other on an immersive and magical 5 day, 4 night live aboard retreat to the Channel Islands! Escape the main land and prepare for a trip that will change your life through exciting adventures, stunning underwater worlds and captivating sights.
ABOUT THE EXPEDITION RETREAT
Enjoy 5 days and 4 nights aboard the incredible vessel named the Vision! Each day is filled with diving, hiking, sea cave kayaking, wildlife, underwater photoshoots, movement and breath workshops and more. This retreat is all inclusive which means we take care of your accommodations, daily schedule and meals so that you don't have to worry about a thing! The retreat is a full bodied experience that allows you to grow and transform in ways you never thought possible while connecting with other like minded individuals. The energy of the group coupled with our highly experienced team of professionals creates a safe and welcoming environment that you are sure to enjoy. This retreat is open to everyone whether you are a diver, adventurer, mermaid or someone just looking to get away from the main land and explore the beauty of the Channel Islands! Couples are also welcome and our double beds are a perfect option! You do not need to be a diver or a mermaid to attend this retreat!
WHATS INCLUDED
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Explore Channel Islands National Park on a unique multi-sport adventure that offers world-class diving, kayaking, hiking and wildlife
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Dives through kelp forests and see abundant underwater life.
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Kayak through sea caves and arches along the dramatic volcanic coast line.
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Island hiking with the most beautiful views
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Option to scuba dive the kelp forests (must be certified)
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Ocean wilderness experience, you’ll be in a remote area with the experts.
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Guides and naturalists share knowledge of Channel Islands National Park
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Healthy and delicious food served everyday
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5 star galley services w/ beverage bar
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Sleeping accommodations on the boat
Whats not included: airfare, transportation to and from boat, dive and mermaid gear
Cost: $3200+ per person
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Dates: Friday Aug 8th - Tuesday Aug 12th 2025
Check in time: 7:00 PM GMT-5 Friday August 8th
Check out time: 5:00 PM GMT-5 Tuesday Aug 12th
all timing is to the local California area
Laguna Beach day and photoshoots to follow on Thursday August 14th for those who are interested in seeing beautiful Laguna and relaxing with us after the trip! (not included in the retreat)
ACCOMODATIONS
The Vision, known as the “Queen of the Coast”, is a very comfortable and well equipped live aboard dive and expedition vessel. Built on the Santa Barbara coast with the Channel Islands in the background, she is the perfect way to spend multiple days exploring this California archipelago. This vessel has 13 oversized bunks and 17 personal sized bunks + outside pads on the sundeck. Bunks are dressed with pillows, 1 blanket, reading light and privacy curtains. Please feel free to bring sheets and any additional blankets and pillows to your liking!
Standard bunk $3200 per person (twin size)
Oversized bunk $3600 per person (full size)
Shared oversized bunk $3400 per person (for couples, only 4)
If traveling with a partner you can share an oversized bunk, please let us know in your application! All bunks are first come first served
Oversized bunks have a larger shelf for storage and the bed fits up to two people. Standard bunks are similar to a twin bed with a smaller shelf. If staying in a personal oversized bunk, you will need to store your luggage in your bunk. There is plenty of room! The oversized corner bunks are the largest option and reserved for two people first.
The vision has a cruising speed of 10 knots and boasts a spacious climate controlled bunk room, forward shower rooms with two vanity sinks and plenty of room to clean up after a day of exploring. The galley is a full sized catering kitchen ready to cook whatever meal you desire. A wrap around salon with bench seating seats 40 people comfortably and brings the great vibes at lunch and dinner for all!
Where she really shines is the dive deck. Easy access to the water from 3 dive doors and the swim platform on the stern bring you closer to the water for easy on and off. Watch the islands from the sundeck while we make our way around the beautiful landscape of the National Park. The Vision has plenty of room to get away, but she’s intimate enough that all on board become family while underway.
Important Times
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Check In between 7:00 PM SHARP
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Dinner & Orientation 8:30 PM GMT-5
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Duration: 5 day and 4 nights
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Return to Santa Barbara by 5:00 PM GMT-5 on the fifth day
Destinations (weather dependent)
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Santa Cruz Island
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Santa Barbara Island
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Anacapa Island
CUISINE
Healthy and Delicious Food Served Fresh from our Galley
We source most of our produce from the local farmers’ markets in order to serve a seasonal, sustainable, and healthy menu.
We can accommodate the following diets and ALL severe food allergies:
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Vegetarian
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Vegan
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Gluten Free (we do not provide gluten free bread)
Departure Harbor
Santa Barbara Landing – Santa Barbara Harbor
301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
PACKING LIST
Mermaid tail and top if desired
Gowns if desired
Other creatives things to shoot in
Mask, snorkel and fins if you want to freedive/snorkel
Wetsuit 5mm closed and 3mm open or higher
Eco friendly sunscreen and sun protection clothing
Reusable water bottle
Comfortable shoes for an island "hike/walk"
Athletic, swim wear and comfy clothing
Rain or all weather jacket
Comfy shoots for on deck like crocs or slides
Any camera gear you want for content
Headphones and sleep mask
Scopolamine patches or other options for motion sickness
Sleeping bag and comforters for additional comfort
Alcohol will mostly not be served on the boat but you are welcome to bring some aboard! There are some quick convenient spots nearby to the harbor you can walk to once you get settled on the boat. We will cover all the snacks, food and beverages you need but if there are specific things you want or need please feel free to bring them!
There is a local dive shop right next to the boat should you need to rent dive gear, please check in advance they have what you need (they don't rent freedive weights)! We absolutely urge you to bring or rent a warm wetsuit. We highly reccomend ordering a Oceaner wetsuit for your trip, its an investment that you will love if you are a diver or plan to become one! Use code brandee15 for a discount on all their products www.oceanerfreediving.com.
PHOTOSHOOTS
Add on a photoshoot to capture your time in the stunning kelp forests! We have two packages available for the trip as well video.
Mini shoot $450 - 3 edited images
Full shoot $650 - 6 edited images
Video session $350
Shoots will take place in an array of different kelp forests throughout the islands over the course of the weekend. Mermaid, freediver or conceptual themes are available for the shoots. You can book more than one shoot and photo/video combo packages as well!
Please note you can also create your own content at any time! There will be many hands to help you get great shots if you don't want to book a full pro photoshoot!
THE SIGN UP STEPS
-Read through this page carefully
-Hit the apply now button at the bottom
-Submit your application and include full responses (we read through all applications when considering approval)
-Once you have submitted your application wait for a response
-If you receive an acceptance response you will be sent an invoice and forms to sign
-You have 24 hrs to submit a $500 non refundable deposit and sign all forms to save your spot
-Once you make your non refundable deposit you officially have a spot on the retreat pending you complete all payments.
Due to the nature of this retreat we must meet a minimum of attendees to run the expedition. If we hit our minimum, the additional full amount on your invoice is due by March 1st, 2025 (monthly installments available). If we do not need our requirements, you will receive a full refund on March 1st!
-If we meet our quota, you will receive a payment reminder for your remaining balance which will be due on March 1st, 2025
-Once payment is received you will receive a welcome book with all the information and details for the trip
IMPORTANT INFO:
This retreat has very limited spots and is non refundable at all times.
If flying in, we recommend using LAX or Santa Barbara airport. If flying into LAX grabbing an uber to Santa Barbara is really easy. Ubers from LAX are normally around $160 each way and will drop you off right at the boat so you don't have to worry about anything! There is also the option of an airbus from LAX as well. We are also happy to help organize your travel to meet with other attendees and ride share back and forth! Once you arrive at the harbor, you will board the boat and we will take care of the rest until its time to end the trip. We end our expedition in the evening time so we recommend an air bnb in Santa Barbara or LAX so you can grab a ride back to the airport. SB is 2 hours from the LAX airport so please plan timing accordingly! Latest to board the boat on the 8th is 7:00 PM GMT-5!
Most of the group will fly in the day before the trip and stay in the Santa Barbara area as well as the night the trip ends but you can do whatever is comfortable for you! We will do a group dinner before boarding the boat on the 8th. You can also drop your luggage off at the dive shop earlier in the day on the 8th while exploring the area!
THESE SPOTS ARE ABSOLUTELY NON REFUNDABLE!!!!
There are no conditions in which your spot and payment would be refunded to you unless the retreat is canceled by Mermaid Freedive or we do not meet our minimum requirements to run. These retreats are highly time intensive for our team and very limited in spots. We highly recommend purchasing dive trip insurance to cover you in case of an unforeseen need to cancel. Please note that everything is weather dependent.
WOHOO YOU MADE IT TO THE END! LET'S DO THIS! This is a first come first serve sign up so please be ready to pay when you hit apply!