Michael Cohen is the founder and President of Santa Barbara Adventure Company (SBACo).
He established the company in 1998 with a small fleet of kayaks, a used truck, and a clear vision: to create meaningful outdoor experiences that connect people to the natural beauty of our region.
Raised in Santa Barbara, Michael brings more than 35 years of outdoor leadership experience. His background includes rowing expeditions through the Grand Canyon, guiding whitewater rivers in Idaho, leading sea kayaking trips in Belize, and working as a diving instructor in the British Virgin Islands. Across each of these environments, he developed a deep respect for both the technical demands of guiding and the impact these experiences can have on people.
That perspective took shape early in his career while working as an outdoor educator on Catalina Island. Seeing how direct experiences in nature could shift awareness, particularly for young participants encountering marine wildlife for the first time, became a defining influence.
That principle continues to guide SBACo today.
Building the Company
Over the past 28 years, SBACo has grown into one of California’s most established outdoor adventure operators. This has been driven by access to exceptional locations and a consistent standard of professionalism, safety, and interpretation.
Today, SBACo offers:
- Guided sea cave kayaking at Channel Islands National Park
- Wine country tours through the Santa Ynez Valley
- Santa Barbara kayak tours
- Surfing and stand-up paddleboarding
- Team building programs
- Outdoor education programs for youth and schools
While the experiences vary, the objective remains the same: to deliver well-executed, high-quality programs that are both engaging and educational.
Channel Islands & Guiding Standard
SBACo holds the only National Park Service concession permit for guided sea cave kayaking and snorkel tours at Scorpion Anchorage in Channel Islands National Park, one of the most biologically diverse marine environments in North America. The region is defined by expansive kelp forests, abundant marine life, and species found nowhere else on earth.
Each year, thousands of guests participate in SBACo programs. Central to that experience is the guide team.
SBACo guides are trained not only in safety and logistics, but also in natural history interpretation, local ecology, and regional history, including Chumash cultural heritage, along with guest engagement. The emphasis is on delivering experiences that are structured, informative, and memorable.
National Recognition
SBACo was named the #1 Best Kayak Tour in the Nation by USA Today in both 2024 and 2025. Newsweek also recognized the company as the #1 Best Adventure Tour Company in 2026, highlighting its ability to deliver “bucket-list-worthy guided outdoor experiences with an educational component.” Additional recognition includes a Sunset Travel Award and Hospitality Business of the Year from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
At the local level, the Santa Barbara Independent has recognized SBACo as one of the region’s most established outfitters and named its Wine Country Tours the best in Santa Barbara County.
Guest Experience
With more than 1,600 TripAdvisor reviews, over 1,100 five-star Google reviews, and a 5.0 rating on Yelp, SBACo maintains consistently strong ratings across platforms:
“Our guide described the Channel Islands as the Galapagos of North America — and he was right.”
— Verified Guest Review
“On the ferry we saw a humpback whale and hundreds of dolphins. Then we kayaked through sea caves. Best day ever.”
— Verified Guest Review
“Our middle school students had a fantastic time. Outstanding guides. We will be back next year.”
— Verified School Group Review
Stewardship & Community
Beyond guest experience, environmental stewardship remains a core part of the company’s operations.
Since 2011, SBACo has partnered with organizations including Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Island Packers, NOAA, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to remove thousands of pounds of debris from the remote shorelines of the Channel Islands. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to protecting the environments in which the company operates.
Michael continues to play an active role in both the organization and the wider outdoor and tourism community. He serves as Chair of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, sits on the Executive Board of Visit Santa Barbara, contributes to the America Outdoors Association, and is a Board Member of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
A Guiding Philosophy
Since the beginning, Michael has been guided by a simple belief: if people can directly experience the marine environment, see it, feel it, and understand it, they will care about it and ultimately help protect it.
The Real Story
Over the years, what Michael is most proud of is not the awards or recognition, though there has been no shortage of either. It is the tens of thousands of people who arrived as strangers to the ocean and left with a lasting connection to it.
Kids who saw their first dolphin. Families who paddled through a sea cave and talked about it the entire ferry ride home. Teams that found something out on the water that no conference room could provide.
That is the real story of Santa Barbara Adventure Company.
And after nearly three decades, Mike says the adventure has only just begun.
