![]() ![]() 5) Santa Cruz Island Campingįor the complete Channel Islands outdoor experience, pitch a tent at the Scorpion Ranch campground. And no matter your luck with the whales and the time of year, on almost every cruise chances are you’ll find yourself in the midst of dolphins who love to flirt with the boat’s wake. The Condor Express, based in Santa Barbara, offers year-round excursions and is going to be your best bet for encountering these giants. ![]() Then from December through April, over a thousand California Gray Whales swim through on their annual migration. Blue whales, the largest mammal on the planet, visit the area from May to November, along with finback, humpback, and killer whales. With over 30 species of whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions, whale watching near Santa Cruz Channel Island is about as thrilling as whale watching gets. Exploring Scorpion Canyon gives you your best opportunity to see the unique island scrub-jay.įor a full list of trails and a hiking map, visit the Channel Islands National Park website. Scorpion Canyon is also a great place to head for exploration, especially if you are looking for a bit of shade. If you don’t have a lot of time, the Cavern Point Loop is only 2 miles and drops you right near the ferry area to catch your boat home. Bring some binoculars for a chance of seeing whales and keep an eye out for eagles and the ridiculously cute four-pound Channel Island fox. Those who are willing to hoof it to the top of the ridge will be rewarded with expansive views that, on a clear day, extend all the way to Santa Barbara on the mainland.ĭepending on how long you have on the island, the 5-mile Potato Harbor hike offers incredible coastal views almost the entire way including vistas over the pristine Potato Harbor. The Channels Islands offers beautiful hiking, and Santa Cruz Island is no exception with over 15 trails ranging from an easy half-mile stroll to a strenuous 10-mile Montañon Ridge Loop. ![]() They have regularly scheduled trips out to the islands and rent all the equipment you need including that heavy-duty wetsuit that you’ll want for those frigid water temps! 3) Santa Cruz Island Hiking If you want to go deep, check out Santa Barbara Divers in the Ventura Harbor. If you know you want to snorkel, it’s best to confirm this with them before you head out to the island to make sure they have equipment for you. It is $50 for a snorkeling bundle that includes a mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit or $28 without the wetsuit. If you keep walking past the bathrooms and the visitor center towards the campground you’ll find their hut on the right. You can rent snorkeling gear on the island from the Santa Barbara/Channel Islands Adventure Company at their “Snorkeling Hut”. You might even get lucky and see leopard sharks (don’t worry, they only eat crabs and other small critters off the seafloor).Įxcellent snorkeling exists directly off the beach at both Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage, both locations where the ferry lands on Santa Cruz Island. ![]() California sea lions and the Garibaldi, which resemble giant goldfish, playfully lurk in the kelp forests, and sightings are almost guaranteed. In order to experience all that Santa Cruz Channel Island has to offer, you need to take a peek below the surface. Kayak tours are offered year-round with the best conditions for the caves generally from June to October.Įncounters with California sea lions and harbor seals are also a common occurrence, so have that camera ready!Ģ) Santa Cruz Island Snorkeling or Diving The Santa Barbara Adventure Company runs and operates the Channel Islands Adventure Company which offers tours that range from 1.5 hours of paddling to 5 hours of paddling.Įven if conditions force you to skip the caves, you will be mesmerized by the 600-foot vertical cliffs as you slowly glide over the giant kelp beds that hug the coastline. The National Park Service has selected one authorized kayak guiding and outfitting concession for the Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island. Some of the caves you enter from one side and come out another, navigating the small passageways.Įntering the caves does require some finesse and local knowledge, so it’s worth considering a kayak tour. From Elephant’s Belly to Marge Simpson to Green Room to Limbo they all have unique names based on their features. Santa Cruz Island’s coastline is littered with dozens of sea caves just waiting to be explored. 5 Best Things to Do on Santa Cruz Island 1) Santa Cruz Island Kayaking ![]()
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