Most people who sail Southern California have heard of Catalina. Fewer know about the Channel Islands — five islands off the Ventura and Santa Barbara coast that together form one of the more biologically rich marine environments in North America. Channel Islands National Park receives roughly 350,000 visitors per year, compared to 12 million for Yosemite. From the water, the working reason is clear: access requires a crossing of open ocean and either a private boat or an expensive ferry. The islands reward the working effort with isolation, wildlife, and anchoring that bears no resemblance to the marina-dense Southern California coast 30 miles to the east.
For the canonical destination overview see the Channel Islands Cruising Guide.
The islands, one by one
Anacapa Island (19 nm from Santa Barbara, 12 nm from Channel Islands Harbor). The closest island to the mainland and the most visited. Anacapa is actually three islets — East, Middle, and West Anacapa. The landing cove on East Anacapa is the main destination: arch rock, a lighthouse, tide pools, brown pelicans, and Brandt’s cormorants nesting on the cliff faces. NPS mooring buoys available; anchoring allowed in the landing cove in settled conditions.
Santa Cruz Island (25 nm from Santa Barbara, 20 nm from Channel Islands Harbor). The largest of the Channel Islands at 96 sq mi, with dramatic volcanic cliffs and sea caves on the north side. Two main anchorages: Prisoner’s Harbor on the north coast (NPS moorings, good hiking, relatively calm) and Scorpion Anchorage on the east end (largest anchorage, camping ashore, good diving). The Nature Conservancy owns 76 percent of the island; NPS owns the eastern 24 percent. Kayaking into the sea caves on the north side is one of the working great coastal experiences in California. Painted Cave on the western (Conservancy) end is among the largest sea caves in the world — 1,227 ft long, 130-ft entrance arch.
Santa Rosa Island (50 nm from Santa Barbara). Remote, wind-swept, and significantly less visited than Anacapa or Santa Cruz. Bechers Bay on the east side is the main anchorage — NPS moorings, good protection, occasional strong NW winds that can make the anchorage untenable. Santa Rosa has a herd of reintroduced tule elk and extraordinary endemic plant species. The crossing requires a full day and commitment to overnight anchoring.
San Miguel Island (65 nm from Santa Barbara). The outermost island, exposed to the full brunt of Pacific weather. Point Conception lies just to the east, and conditions at San Miguel reflect its outer-coast exposure. Cuyler Harbor on the east side is the anchorage; NPS mooring buoys available. The working attraction: the Point Bennett rookery — up to 30,000 pinnipeds in season (California sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, Guadalupe fur seals), one of the largest pinniped concentrations on the Pacific Coast. Passage to San Miguel requires a weather window and respect for the conditions.
Santa Barbara Island (38 nm from Marina del Rey, 38 nm from Newport Beach). The smallest and most isolated of the Channel Islands, a single rocky platform rising from the sea. Anchorage in the cove on the north side; NPS moorings. Known for its Xantus’s murrelet colonies and a significant sea-lion haul-out. Visited by very few boats — a genuinely working remote destination.
The wildlife
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary encompasses the waters around all five islands. What lives there is extraordinary:
Blue whales feed in the Santa Barbara Channel from June through October — drawn by the krill-rich upwelling that the cold California Current produces. Seeing a blue whale (the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth) from a small boat at anchor is not an unusual experience here.
Humpback whales join the blue whales in the channel, often more acrobatic and easier to find near the islands.
Island foxes on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa — endemic species found nowhere else, recovering from near-extinction after a federal recovery programme.
California sea lions hauling out everywhere, particularly at Scorpion Anchorage.
Elephant seals at San Miguel — the sheer number of animals on the beach during pupping season (November–February) has to be seen to be believed.
Brown pelicans nesting on Anacapa — among the larger brown pelican rookeries in the United States, and a visible recovery story since the DDT-era collapse of the 1970s.
How to get there
The Channel Islands are 12–65 nm from mainland departure points. The working options:
From Channel Islands Harbor (Ventura/Oxnard). The closest harbour to Anacapa and Santa Cruz. Anacapa is 12 nm; Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz is 20 nm. Workable as a long day trip; overnight is more relaxed.
From Santa Barbara. 19 nm to Anacapa, 25 nm to Prisoner’s Harbor. A working base for extended Channel Islands cruising with full services. See the Santa Barbara guide.
From Marina del Rey or Newport Beach. Anacapa is 35–40 nm — a long day-sail, better as an overnight passage. Santa Barbara Island is roughly the same distance from both.
Planning: NPS rules
Channel Islands National Park has specific rules that differ from casual anchorage:
- NPS mooring buoys. Required at most anchorages. Reservation system available through Recreation.gov for popular anchorages. First-come availability often exists in shoulder season.
- No fires. Strict fire prohibition throughout the islands.
- Wildlife buffer zones. Stay 300 ft from marine mammal haul-outs. The sea lions at Scorpion Anchorage are habituated to boats but the rules still apply.
- Caves and coves. Many sea caves are open to kayaking; check with rangers for current rules.
- Camping. Available on Anacapa, Santa Cruz (Scorpion), Santa Rosa, and San Miguel with advance permits.
The working best season
May–September. Reliable NW winds, good visibility, active wildlife including blue whales. Santa Cruz and Anacapa are most accessible. The main season.
October–April. Fewer boats, dramatic light, elephant seal pupping at San Miguel (December–February). More weather variability and NW wind events. Scorpion Anchorage can be untenable in strong NW conditions.
June. The local working anomaly. June Gloom — persistent marine layer — is worse in the Santa Barbara Channel than almost anywhere else on the coast. Visibility can be under a mile for days at a time. Not dangerous if the boat has radar, but disorienting.
Starting working: Santa Cruz as a first island trip
For sailors new to the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is the working starting point. Scorpion Anchorage is large, well-protected from NW swell, has NPS mooring buoys, camping facilities, and ranger presence. The sea caves on the north coast are accessible by kayak from the anchorage. The crossing from Channel Islands Harbor is 20 nm — a half-day sail in reasonable conditions.
Prisoner’s Harbor on the north side of Santa Cruz offers mooring buoys and good hiking into the island interior. Less visited than Scorpion, often a working better choice on busy summer weekends.
Closing notes
The Channel Islands are 30 miles from the Los Angeles Basin. They feel like the opposite of it. Plan accordingly, file a float plan, and leave time to watch the blue whales.
For a Southern California sailing base for working Channel Islands access, see Santa Barbara, Marina del Rey, and the Southern California Cruising Guide.
Related: Channel Islands Cruising Guide · Santa Barbara Sailing & Cruising Guide · Sailing to Catalina Island · Marina del Rey Cruising Guide · Southern California Cruising Guide · Marine Safety Equipment