Captains Log: August 21st- August 25th 2025

Captain’s Log | August 21st–August 25th, 2025
Channel Islands Marine Safari Adventures
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Captain: Dave Colker

Vessel: North Sea

Ahoy adventurers!

Captain’s Log
Channel Islands Marine Safari Adventures
August 21st – August 25th, 2025

We kicked off this stretch of adventures with a lively birthday celebration on board. Our adventurers came well-prepared, carrying takeout from Fisherman’s Catch, our local seafood gem. Captain Dave even got a taste of their clam chowder—and let me tell you, it was out of this world. There’s something in that recipe that makes it next-level tasty. (Mark your calendars for September 14th: Chowder Fest at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Fisherman’s Catch will be competing against 14 other local restaurants, and if you ask me, they’re the ones to beat!)

Once fueled up, we set off for a 90-minute marine safari through the Channel Islands Harbor. Along Safari Alley, we were greeted by our resident land “wildlife”—yes, the giraffe and gorilla are still keeping watch! To top it off, we caught our first sighting of a pygmy mammoth sculpture, courtesy of Mike over at Channel Islands Kayak. Between the playful “wild animals,” the ships, gondolas, boats, and even Keith and Arlene cruising their famous tiki bar, the harbor was buzzing with life. In fact, we became the attraction ourselves as locals snapped pictures from shore—thanks for the shot, Ron!

At Sea Lion Cove, our sea lion friends put on a playful show, leaping, climbing, and looking like they were ready to swim over to the Rudder Room for a cold one. From there, we headed to the break wall, where cormorants, pelicans, and gulls stretched their wings against the sea breeze. Out toward Silver Strand Beach, the party was in full swing with sea lions joining the action alongside a massive inflatable bouncy-house waterslide.

But perhaps the most magical moment of the weekend came on our way back. A monarch butterfly joined us, fluttering alongside Captain Dave’s cabin as if he wanted to hop aboard. He stayed with us for a surprisingly long time—an unforgettable little blessing from nature.

This week also marked a first for CIMSA: a Monday sunset cruise in honor of an anniversary celebration. And what a cruise it was! Keith and Arlene’s tiki bar made another appearance—this time fully decked out and cruising in style. On the water we spotted an impressive lineup of harbor wildlife: multiple blue herons, a snowy egret, gulls, pelicans, cormorants, our playful sea lions, and even a fleeting glimpse of a dolphin. The sunset itself was breathtaking, making it nearly impossible for Captain Dave to pick just one photo for “Sunset of the Week.”

All in all, it was a stretch of adventures filled with laughter, wildlife, community spirit, and memories we’ll be talking about for years. Thank you to all our adventurers and local partners for making these moments possible.

Looking ahead: next weekend is Labor Day—the final hoorah for our USA theme on the North Sea. And because you’re reading the Captain’s Log, here’s a sneak peek at what’s next… The theme is shifting to Full Tiki. Expect bamboo, island vibes, and a deck transformed into a floating tiki lounge. Paint goes on Tuesday after Labor Day, and Captain Dave couldn’t be more excited.

Until next time—thank you to everyone who makes the harbor the special place it is. 

Captain Dave… Over ‘N Out 

— Until next tide, adventurers!