SoCal Aquatraction

In California you must be 16 or older and hold a California Boater Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft. Someone aged 12 to 15 may operate that same class only while supervised on board by a person at least 18 who is also in possession of a California Boater Card. The supervising adult needs the card, not just the years. State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways administers it. The rental company sets its own minimum rental age, often higher, so confirm it when booking.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, dbw.parks.ca.gov and californiaboatercard.com (parks.ca.gov)

California requires a Boater Card, rather than a conventional boating license, for most recreational operators of motorized vessels. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies regardless of age and includes personal watercraft. Operators generally must be at least 16 for vessels over 15 horsepower; ages 12 to 15 may operate only if supervised on board by an attentive adult 18 or older, and must either hold a card themselves or be supervised by a cardholder.

Rental vessel operators are exempt. Exemptions also cover direct supervision and qualifying temporary visitors. Approved applicants may print a 90-day temporary card while awaiting the permanent card. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways administers the program.

Source: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

From Oxnard, you can cruise Channel Islands Harbor and Mandalay Bay, or leave through the jetties for the Santa Barbara Channel and the islands. Trailer boats can put in at the public ramp in the harbor’s east channel. Channel Islands Harbor is protected by an offshore breakwater and has a 5 mph limit; its west channel passes under Channel Islands Boulevard into Mandalay’s residential waterways. Beyond the entrance, the Santa Barbara Channel is exposed, changeable ocean water for experienced crews. East Anacapa’s Landing Cove is not an all-weather anchorage, while Santa Cruz Island’s Scorpion Anchorage has a pier but no public mooring buoys.

Source: Ventura County Channel Islands Harbor (channelislandsharbor.org)

From Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor, boaters can make day trips to East Anacapa’s Landing Cove, Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor and Smugglers Cove. Landing Cove provides dock access near paddling routes to Arch Rock, sea caves and wildlife viewing. Scorpion Anchorage draws visitors with easy beach access, kelp beds and a sea cave shoreline. Prisoners Harbor has a pier, scenic kayaking and island scrub-jay viewing, while Smugglers Cove offers beach access and some of Santa Cruz Island’s better tidepooling. The harbor’s visitor guide recommends a full-day sail for landings on Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island.

Source: Ventura County Channel Islands Harbor (channelislandsharbor.org)