Santa Barbara Adventure Company Won 10-Year Contract

The National Park Service awarded a new decade-long deal for visitor services at Scorpion Anchorage.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a sea kayak on a rocky shore beneath steep cliffs, depicting a Channel Islands coastal landscape. — The National Park Service has awarded Santa Barbara Adventure Company a 10-year contract to provide visitor services, including kayak tours, at Scorpion Anchorage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Park Service has selected the Santa Barbara Adventure Company to continue providing visitor services at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. The new agreement secures the firm's role in the Channel Islands National Park for the next decade.

Why it matters

This contract ensures the continuity of guided tours and equipment rentals for park visitors while maintaining the provider's established commitment to sustainable island operations.

The new 10-year contract begins in 2027 for services at Scorpion Anchorage. The company has operated in the park since 2007 and held the concessioner role there since 2017.

The players

Santa Barbara Adventure Company

This Santa Barbara-based business provides adventure tourism services and has been recognized as a top-rated tour operator by national publications.

National Park Service

This federal agency manages the United States' national parks and oversees the bidding and administration of concession contracts for visitor services.

Channel Islands National Park

This protected area off the California coast encompasses five islands and their surrounding waters, managed by the National Park Service.

The details

The operator provides essential guest services, including guided sea kayak and snorkel tours, equipment rentals, and convenience sales. The company maintains a Certified Green Business designation, emphasizing waste reduction and solar-powered operations on the island.

The company began offering guided sea kayak tours in the park in 2007.
The current 10-year concession contract was initiated in 2017.
The National Park Service selected the company for the new agreement on October 1, 2026.
The new 10-year contract is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Travel Outlook

The contract award follows the established competitive procurement process required under the National Park Service's Concessions Program operational standards. This selection highlights the industry-wide shift toward prioritizing sustainability and certified green practices in remote tourism sites.

Visitors to Santa Cruz Island can expect continued access to guided kayak and snorkel tours through this provider through 2037. Travelers should anticipate the same environmental standards, such as solar-powered services, remain in place for all island-based excursions.

The takeaway

Reliable concession management remains vital for maintaining environmental safety in sensitive park ecosystems. Tourists should prioritize booking with certified green businesses when visiting remote island locations to minimize their ecological footprint.