Channel Islands National Park is open every day of the year, and picking the best time to visit is not easy. Any given day can be idyllic or awful depending on the weather, and rough seas or inclement weather can prevent scheduled transportation services from reaching the islands. Because of this, it’s best not to plan a trip well in advance unless you have a backup plan or are spending several days in the area. If you’d like to go whale watching, gray whales migrate through the area from late December through March. Blue and humpback whales come to feed between July and September. After a year of average rainfall, the wildflower bloom peaks around late winter/early spring. Type and abundance of wildflowers varies from island-to-island, so be sure to inquire at a visitor center if you’re interested in flowers. Ocean conditions for SCUBA, snorkel, swimming, and kayaking are usually best from summer through fall.