Channel Islands Harbor Inlet

About

Introduction:

Located in Oxnard some 10 miles south of the city of Ventura and about a mile northwest of Port Hueneme, Channel Islands Harbor Inlet leads to Channel Islands Harbor, which is home to not only commercial squid and urchin fisherman, but also boasts a large recreational boat harbor that is home to many local mariners.

Channel Island Harbor is the departure point for many whale-watching expeditions, which are very popular between January and March here when the grey whales make their way from Mexico back to Alaska. Much of the surrounding area is the city of Oxnard; a large and vital farming and produce area.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 18725.

Approach from the southwest. Evident in the overview image above, Channel Islands Harbor has a parallel breakwater that protects the inlet and enclosed harbor from the predominant westerly swells from the Pacific. A flashing white light marks the northwest end of the parallel breakwater, while the southeast end is capped with flashing green one. The southeast approach is preferred.

Once clear of the protective breakwater, two more breakwaters mark the inlet into the harbor itself. Flashing green “3” and flashing red “2” (with horn) mark this entrance and project depths inside are 11 feet, shoaling to nine feet farther up the marina facilities.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.