CHANNEL ISLANDS EXPEDITION
MERMAIDING, DIVING, ADVENTURE, PHOTOSHOOTS, KELP FORESTS
JULY 9TH - 13TH 2026
We cannot believe it but we get to do this trip one more time!!! 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 Peace Dive Boat! Each day is filled with diving, Mermaiding, wildlife encounters, underwater photoshoots, movement and breathwork 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 adventure that offers world-class diving in the Kelp forests with abundant underwater life.
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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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Days full of diving and Mermaiding
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Boat prom with your built in besties
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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
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Option to add on media shoots
Whats not included: airfare, transportation to and from boat, dive and mermaid gear
Cost: $3200+ per person
Location: Ventura, California
Dates: Thursday July 9th to Monday July 13th 2026
Check in time: 5:00 PM GMT-5 July 9th
Check out time: 5:00 PM GMT-5 July 13th
all timing is to the local California area
ACCOMODATIONS
The Peace Dive Boat is a very comfortable and well equipped 62 foot wooden hulled live aboard dive and expedition vessel built in 1972. Nestled in the Ventura Harbor for the past 35 years with the Channel Islands in the background, she is the perfect way to spend multiple days exploring this California archipelago. This vessel has 24 bunks, sundeck, hot tub and dive deck. Bunks have a reading light and privacy curtains. Please bring pillows, blankets and sheets to dress the bunk.
Standard bunk $3200 per person 6 LEFT
Oversized bunk $3600 per person 2 LEFT
Shared oversized bunk $3400 per person 2 LEFT
The Peace 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 brings the great vibes at lunch and dinner for all! Best part of all, there is a salt water hot tub on board for you to enjoy after diving anytime!
Where she really shines is the dive deck. Easy access to the water from 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 Peace Boat 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 5:00 PM SHARP
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Dinner & Orientation to follow after check in
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Duration: 5 day and 4 nights
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Return to Ventura 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
Ventura Harbor
1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura CA 93001
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 $750 - 6 edited images
Video session $450
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 payment and sign all forms to save your spot
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.
If you are over 45 or have any medical conditions - please see the required medical form before signing up! There are no refunds if you sign up and do not pass your medical. Medical form can be found here. Pay close attention to the questions, not everyone will need a doctors signature so be sure to check if you do or not!
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!