Things To Do

Channel Islands National Park provides a delightful break from the congestion and clamor of urban life. The islands are ideal for quiet, uninterrupted time with family and friends—wonderful places to hike, camp, snorkel, kayak, birdwatch, take photographs, sketch, or just relax to the soothing sounds of the natural world.

Consider the following activities if you have:

One Hour
Stop by one of our visitor centers in Ventura or Santa Barbara. More...

Half Day
Take a half-day non-landing boat tour around Anacapa or a half-day, express boat trip to Anacapa or Santa Cruz Islands via Island Packers. During gray whale season (December through April), take a half-day whale watch trip out of Ventura, Oxnard, or Santa Barbara Harbors.

Full Day
Take a day trip to any of the park islands via our park concessionaires. During blue whale season (Spring through Summer), take an all day whale watch trip out of Ventura or Santa Barbara Harbors.

Multiple Days
Camp on any of our park islands or take a multi-day, multi-island, live-aboard boat trip with Truth Aquatics .

 

Picnicking

Picnic tables are available for day use on all islands except San Miguel. If weather permits, many visitors enjoy picnicking on the islands' beaches. Visitors must bring their own food and water (potable water is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island and the Water Canyon Campground on Santa Rosa Island). Public pit toilets are available on all islands.

Due to scavenging animals (including birds), please secure food and trash at all times.

Boating

Boating (excluding personal watercraft—see Laws and Policies for more information) is a unique and rewarding way to experience the pristine marine environment of Channel Islands National Park. You will find solitude and splendor. Here you will also face new challenges and may encounter unexpected dangers. This section is designed to help in planning a safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sound boating trip in the park. Private boaters may land on all five islands within the park throughout the year.

Planning Your Trip
To help you decide which island to visit, specific island information is available at Places To Go or from the visitor center through publications, exhibits, and the park movie.

Detailed boating information about the channel and islands may be obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) "Local Notice to Mariners" publication by contacting the Coast Guard at (510) 437-2981. Cruising guides to the Channel Islands and nautical charts are available from local marine stores and online bookstores. Refer to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Survey charts 18720, 18721, 18725, 18727, 18728, 18729, and 18756.

Visitors may boat on their own or with a park authorized commercial service operator. Due to challenging weather conditions, boating should not be attempted by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped. Currents, shifting swells, fog, and strong winds can change quickly in the channel. The trip to the islands also takes the boaters across some of the busiest shipping lanes in California. Ship speeds of 25 to 35 knots present a special hazard to boaters while crossing the channel.

There are no public moorings or all-weather anchorages around the islands. It is recommended that one person stay on board the boat at all times. Boaters are responsible for any damage to the resources caused by their boat.

Weather
Conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel and around the islands are variable and the ocean is unforgiving. Only experienced boaters with vessels capable of withstanding severe weather are advised to make the cross-channel passage. Boaters should obtain the latest weather broadcast provided by the NOAA Weather Service by calling (805) 988-6610, visiting Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary's Internet Weather Kiosk and by monitoring weather radio on VHF-FM 162.475 MHz (weather station 3) for marine forecasts and VHF-FM 162.55 MHz (weather station 1) and VHF-FM 162.40 MHz (weather station 2) for land-based observations.

Weather conditions vary considerably in the channel. The calmest winds and sea conditions often occur August through October. The other months are subject to a much greater chance for adverse wind and seas with sudden unexpected changes. High winds may occur regardless of the forecast. Forty-knot winds are not unusual for Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands have more moderate winds.

Winds are often calm in the early morning and increase during the afternoon. Generally the wind comes from the northwest, but boaters must be also be prepared for strong east or Santa Ana winds at anytime, especially from September through April.

Dense fog is common during the summer months, but may occur at any time, making chart and compass navigation mandatory. Ocean currents of considerable strength may be encountered both near and offshore from the islands. Ocean water temperatures range from the lower 50s (°F) in the winter to the upper 60s (°F) in the fall.

Safety
Due to challenging weather conditions, boating should not be attempted by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped. Currents, shifting swells, fog, and strong winds can change quickly in the channel. There are no public moorings or all-weather anchorages around the islands. It is recommended that one person stay on board the boat at all times.

Float Plans: Boaters should always file a formal float plan with the harbormaster before departing. Family and/or friends should also be informed of your float plan. Names and addresses for the boaters, as well as emergency phone numbers, should be listed. Plans should also include the number of boats and boaters on the trip as well as the color, size, and type of craft used. Any survival and special emergency equipment should be listed (EPIRB, VHF, food rations, flares, etc.). The place, date, and time of departure and return should be logged as well as destination(s). This information can be invaluable for a search operation if something goes wrong. Remember to be flexible with your plans. Weather should always determine your course of action.

Shipping Lanes: Major shipping lanes lie between the islands and the mainland. Boaters should be aware of their location and use caution when crossing them. All boaters should listen to the USCG notice to mariners broadcast on VHF channel 22 since the waters in and surrounding the park are sometimes closed for military operations.

Sea Caves: Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves. See Laws and Policies for sea cave closure information.

Landing Permits and Procedures
There are no landing permits required for the islands administered by the National Park Service (NPS). However, a landing permit is required to land on The Nature Conservancy (TNC) property on Santa Cruz Island.

There are closed and restricted areas on each island. Please note that rocks or islets on or near any of the islands are closed year-round to any landing and pets are not allowed in the park. Please refer to Laws and Policies and Limiting Your Impact for more information on regulations and guidelines.

It is recommended that boaters contact the park ranger on each island before landing for an orientation, information on daily events, island safety, landing instructions, weather conditions, or camping check-in. Park rangers occasionally monitor VHF Channel 16. Channel 16 is a hailing frequency only, and rangers will instruct you to switch to another channel upon contact. If you cannot hail the park ranger on the island on which you plan to land, try contacting one of the other island rangers on a neighboring island, as island canyons and mountains sometimes obscure radio transmission.

Boaters may land according to the following procedures:

Santa Barbara Island: A permit is not required to land or hike on Santa Barbara Island. Access to the island is permitted only at the landing cove. The landing dock is available for unloading purposes only. No craft, including kayaks and inflatables, should be left moored to the dock. Please lift your inflatables up to the upper landing.

Anacapa Island: A permit is not required to and or hike on East Anacapa Island or at Frenchys Cove. West Anacapa (except Frenchys Cove) is a protected research natural area and is closed to visitors. Visitors are allowed on Middle Anacapa by permit only and when accompanied by a park ranger.

The moorings near the landing cove at East Anacapa Island are reserved for use by the NPS, the USCG, and the park concessionaire only. Private boaters must anchor a reasonable distance from these moorings. This is not an all-weather anchorage. It is recommended that one person stay on board the boat at all times. The landing dock is available for unloading purposes only. No craft, including kayaks and inflatables, should be left moored to the dock. Please lift your inflatables and kayaks up to the lower landing.

Santa Cruz Island: Boaters may land on the eastern 24% of Santa Cruz Island without a permit. This area is owned by the NPS and is east of the property line between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. No buoys are available at any landing area. Buoys are reserved for the NPS and the USCG. A pier is available at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Due to surf and swell conditions, boaters should use extreme caution when making surf-landings at any beach, especially Smugglers Cove and those beaches facing south and southeast between San Pedro Point and Sandstone Point.

A permit to land on the other 76% of Santa Cruz Island is required from TNC. A fee is charged and no overnight island use is permitted. Contact scilandingpermit@tnc.org or www.nature.org/ for a permit; allow at least 15 business days for processing.

Santa Rosa Island: Boaters may land along coastline and on beaches without a permit for day-use only. Beaches between and including Skunk Point and East Point are closed from March 1st to September 15th in order to protect the threatened snowy plover. The beaches around Sandy Point are closed year-round. A pier is available at Bechers Bay. However, boaters may not use the mooring buoys in Bechers Bay. They are reserved for the NPS, the Coast Guard, and the park concessionaire.

San Miguel Island: Overnight anchorages are restricted to Cuyler Harbor and Tyler Bight. Visitors may land only on the beach at Cuyler Harbor. Visitors may walk the beach at Cuyler Harbor and hike up Nidever Canyon to the ranger station. To hike beyond the ranger station, visitors must be escorted by a ranger and have a permit. Call (805) 658-5711 prior to mainland departure to obtain a permit.

Surfing

Depending on the swell direction, surfing can be done at several locations on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands.

Generally, the north shore is best during the north-west swells of winter/spring and the south shore is best during the south swells of summer/fall.

All surf spots are remote and are best accessed by private boat due to the islands' rugged terrain and the hiking distance from the designated landing areas where the park concession vessels drop off visitors.

Contact local area surf shops or a park visitor center for more information.

Guided Tours

Interpretive Programs for the General Public
Throughout the year on weekends and holidays, rangers offer a variety of free public programs at the Robert J. Largomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura.

On the islands, rangers, and volunteer naturalists offer guided hikes throughout the year. Also, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon from Memorial Day through Labor Day, rangers conduct a live underwater video program from Anacapa Island.

Education Programs for Schools
Education programs for students are offered throughout the year at the Robert J. Largomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura and on the islands.

Seal and Sea Lion Viewing

Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary provide habitat for breeding populations of four species of pinnipeds or seals and sea lions (California sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals and northern elephant seals). These species may be viewed during a channel crossing or from various locations on the islands, including:

• Anacapa Island:California sea lions, harbor seals
• Santa Cruz Island: California sea lions, harbor seals
• Santa Rosa Island: California sea lions, harbor seals, northern elephant seals
• San Miguel Island: California sea lions, harbor seals, northern elephant seals, northern fur seals, guadalupe fur seals (rare)

The Rookeries on San Miguel Island
Walking to Point Bennett on the western tip of San Miguel Island requires some stamina, for it is a fifteen-mile roundtrip hike. About halfway across the island, however, there is something that will help spur you on and encourage your feet to keep moving. That something is a sound—faint at first, but gradually getting louder and louder. The noise is a sort of rumble, low and rolling. What can be making this strange sound?

As you come over the rise at Point Bennett you find your answer. There are thousands of elephant seals on the beach—flipping up sand over their huge torpedo-shaped bodies, moving like globs of JELLO-O over the sand, and carving out territories to call their own. The originators of the noise that you have been listening to are the gigantic males with their long proboscises that gives the species its name. You are witnessing a timeless ritual of which sound is just a small part.

The elephant seal is one of four species of pinniped (or "wing or feather-footed") marine mammals that are commonly sighted around Point Bennett. Other species include California sea lions, northern fur seals, and harbor seals. At one time, two other species were found here in abundance—Steller or northern, sea lions and Guadalupe fur seals. While Steller sea lions have not been seen since the 1980s, a few Seals and Sea Lions Guadalupe fur seals are occasionally sighted.

Nevertheless, not only are more species sighted at this remote spot than at anywhere else on the planet, but this gathering represents one of the largest congregations of wildlife in the world. Staggering populations of over 70,000 California sea lions, 5,000 northern fur seals, 50,000 northern elephant seals and 1,100 harbor seals breed and pup on the island each year.

The diversity of pinnipeds is part of a larger picture of biological diversity found in the Santa Barbara Channel. San Miguel Island lies in an area of water that overlaps two currents—a cold current moving down the Pacific coast from Alaska and a warm current moving up the Pacific coast from Mexico. Those two currents meet and intermingle not only water, but many of the species associated with corresponding cold and warm currents.

Islands also bring diversity by providing shelf areas where sunlight can penetrate the water, and plants, such as the giant bladder kelp, can grow. The dense kelp forests around the islands provide food and shelter for many varieties of plants and animals. Diversity is also linked to upwelling conditions that exist near San Miguel Island. Upwelling sucks cold nutrient-rich water that normally lies at the bottom of the ocean to the surface, providing food for hundreds of species.

Finally, the isolation of the islands also plays a role. A beach all to themselves with no disturbance from people must be very enticing for seals and sea lions. Therefore, the Santa Barbara Channel, the islands, and Point Bennett, specifically, provide all the necessary ingredients that the they need—wide sandy beaches, plenty of food, and others of their kind.

Researchers from the National Marine Fisheries Service, in cooperation with the park, have been studying the seals and sea lions of San Miguel since 1968. Long-term behavior studies on marked animals provide information about reproductive behavior as well as migratory and feeding patterns. Current studies focus on winter feeding and maternal behavior of California sea lions; northern elephant seals' diving and migration patterns; and, of course, the impacts of El Niño on the pinniped population.

These pinnipeds are protected by spending at least part of their lives in a national park—or are they? Some threats to these animals know no boundaries. Threats made by water pollution, plastics and debris in the ocean, oil spills, overharvesting of fisheries, toxins, and pesticides affect even isolated areas like Point Bennett. These threats can also affect people. Without protection, the spectacular rituals performed on the beaches of Point Bennett can become a thing of the past. Generations to come may only experience the grandeur of Point Bennett through stories and photographs.

People can make sure pinnipeds of the park and world survive into the future. Simple things like recycling plastics can make a difference to a curious young sea lion looking for something to play with. That plaything does not need to be a piece of plastic webbing that may strangle it.

The most important action people can take is to visit Point Bennett. Discover the world of the pinnipeds for yourself—then tell others how important it is to keep the rituals continuing.

Rangers lead guided walks out to Point Bennett during the summer months.

Island Programs

While park staff does not offer any curriculum-based educational programs on the islands, guided hikes for the general public are offered throughout the year. Also, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon from Memorial Day through Labor Day, rangers conduct a live underwater video program from Anacapa Island. No reservations (except boat transportation reservations) are required for these guided tours.

In addition, Island Packers, an official park concessionaire, offer a variety of student programs, from half-day whale watching to full-day Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island trips. Call Island Packers at (805) 642-1393.

Wildflower Viewing

The park support a wide variety of vascular plants—over 775 plants (including subspecies, varieties, and forms) are currently known. Each island is floristically unique due to a complex interplay of factors, including distance from the mainland and from adjacent neighbors, size of the island, local climate, maximum elevation, and topographic diversity.

During a normal year of rainfall, the islands are green and wildflowers reach peak bloom around late winter and spring. Generally, the blooming begins and ends earlier the farther east and south the islands are located.

The brilliant yellow coreopsis flowers usually peak between late January through March. The best viewing of these flowers occurs on Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and San Miguel Islands.

For the most current wildflower information, please visit the Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline at http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html.

Whale Watching

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Island Packers, one of the park concessionaires, offers whale watching during the year. Please refer to Island Transportation for contact information. Other whale watch operators are located in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Channel Islands Harbors as well as down in the Los Angeles area.

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The waters surrounding Channel Islands National Park are home to many diverse and beautiful species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). About one third of the cetacean species found worldwide can be seen right here in our own backyard, the Santa Barbara Channel. The 27 species sighted in the channel include gray, blue, humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales; orcas; Dall's porpoise; and Risso's, Pacific white-sided, common, and bottlenose dolphins.

This diversity of cetacean species offers a great opportunity to whale watch year-round. The most common sightings are of gray whales from mid- to late-December through mid-March, blue and humpback whales during the summer, and common dolphins throughout the entire year. Whales and dolphins can be seen either from shore or from a boat. The best shore viewing is from a high spot on a point that juts out into the ocean. Some examples include Point Dume in Malibu, the Palos Verdes Peninsula near Los Angeles, and Point Loma in San Diego. The park visitor center has a tower with telescopes, which can be used for whale watching as well as island viewing. Watching in the early morning hours, before the wind causes whitecaps on the water's surface, will provide you with the best opportunity to see whales from shore.

Closer viewing of whales is possible from public whale watching boats or private boats. Whales have been known to approach boats quite closely. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, boaters must stay at least 100 yards from whales unless the whale chooses to approach the boat.

Many whales are on the endangered species list and should be treated with special care. All whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act; it is illegal to disturb or harm any marine mammal. Boaters who use private craft to watch whales must remember to stay at least 100 yards away from whales. Boaters who frighten or interrupt the whales' activities by approaching too close could drive the whales away from food or young calves. Please remember that whales are wild animals and can be unpredictable.

We need to continue to explore the world of whales and dolphins. The well-being of the cetacean population is a good indication of the health of the ecosystem. Our ability to bring these species into the next century and beyond is an indication of the future of life on this planet. Every day we learn more about these mysterious and unique creatures that dwell beneath the water, yet rise above it to breathe.

Whale Habits
Whether you are watching from shore or in a boat, here are a few distinctive habits to look for.

Spouts
Your first indication of a whale will probably be its spout or "blow." It will be visible for many miles on a calm day, and an explosive "whoosh" of exhalation may be heard up to 1/2 mile away. The spout is mainly condensation created as the whale's warm, humid breath expands and cools in the sea air.

Breaching
No one knows why whales perform this most spectacular of their behaviors. It may be part of the courtship display, a signal, an effort to dislodge parasites, an expression of stress, or just for fun. When breaching, threequarters or more of the whale's body bursts forth from the water, pivots onto its side or back, and falls back with an enormous splash.

Diving
Diving is preceded by whales thrusting their tail flukes out of the water. Typically, whales make a series of shallow dives, followed by a deep dive.

Footprints
Ripples caused by the vertical thrusts of the tail as the whale dives are called "footprints."

Spyhopping
Whales and dolphins are believed to have reasonable vision in air as well as water. On occasion, a whale will extend its head vertically from the sea. Supported by thrusting flukes, the whale's head can rise 8-10 feet above the surface, sometimes turning slowly for thirty seconds or more before slipping back underwater.

Underwater Video Program

Visit the Kelp Forest Without Ever Getting Wet

Few visitors to Channel Islands National Park are aware that almost half of the park's resources are located beneath the sea. Park boundaries extend one nautical mile around each of the five park islands and encompass one of the most diverse marine environments in the world.

Off the southern California coast and within the boundaries of the park lie great forests of seaweed called kelp. These towering ocean plants flourish in the waters surrounding the Channel Islands and are an integral part of the park resources. Over 1,000 species of plants and animals live in the upper 60 feet of the water column in a kelp forest. Seals, sea lions, algae, fishes, and marine invertebrates all blend together under the kelp canopy to form one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world.

During the summer, the park offers an underwater video program to give visitors a rare glimpse into a seldom seen world, by taking them on a nature "hike" in a kelp forest.

Traditionally, this unseen yet crucial marine ecosystem has suffered from an out-of-sight, out-of-mind philosophy. Like ocean habitats the world over, the kelp forests of the Channel Islands are increasingly affected by coastal development, offshore oil drilling, toxic dumping, and commercial and recreational fishing—but receive very little human understanding.

With the advent of the underwater video program in 1985 that situation is being remedied. Through advanced underwater technology, many park visitors are enjoying their first journey into the marine world—without ever getting wet! The audience joins the program via television monitors on Anacapa Island or in the visitor center on the mainland. A park ranger dons a special microphone-equipped dive mask for communication to the surface and descends into the kelp forest camera in hand. The camera is turned on and the kelp forest comes to life.

From underwater, the park ranger explains what the TV monitors are revealing. The kelp forest and its many inhabitants are unveiled and explained as the visitors and divers "hike" among spiny sea urchins, iridescent abalone and soft, slow-moving sea cucumbers. Brightly colored fish move through the forest and are captured through the camera's eye. The story of the kelp forest is told, and those that hear it are the very ones who will determine its future. With this program, the seeds of understanding are planted. It is the hope of the National Park Service that from these seeds will grow the desire to preserve and protect this irreplaceable resource.

During the summer, this underwater program is presented Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the landing cove of Anacapa Island. It is open to the public free of charge and occurs at 2:00 p.m. Thousands of people have seen this program—foreign visitors, national and local politicians, biologists, environmentalists, teachers, schoolchildren, and the general public from all over the country have participated. Hopefully, few leave unaffected by its message of conservation and protection.

Diving and Snorkeling

The kelp forests, sea caves, and coves of the park await the adventurous swimmer, snorkeler, and diver. Some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world can be done within the park.

These activities are best done on Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and eastern Santa Cruz Islands. Due to extremely windy conditions on Santa Rosa and San Miguel, these activities should not be attempted on these islands by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped.

Please refer to local area dive shops, dive operations, and diving publications for more detailed information on island snorkeling and diving sites and dive boat trips.

Since the marine environment can be unforgiving, use extra caution when engaging in these activities. Ocean conditions are highly variable and sometimes dangerous. Many beaches on the islands have steep, dangerous shore breaks. The wind and swell generally come from the northwest and become stronger as the day continues. From October through January, visitors must also be prepared for strong east or Santa Ana winds. The ocean currents outside of coves and protected beach areas can be strong and extremely dangerous. These conditions should be carefully considered when planning your trip and entering the water.

In addition to the regulations and guidelines listed at Laws and Policies, the following suggestions should also be considered:

• There are no lifeguards on duty, so all water sports are at your own risk. Visitors should be aware of boat landing operations at all times—avoid water sports near skiffs that are conducting surf landings.
• Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should always use the buddy system. This allows for someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.
• For your own safety, the law requires divers to display a dive flag while diving. It is recommended that spear guns be unloaded at least 50 feet from the beach.
• Before departing, swimmers, snorkelers and divers should leave an itinerary and/or float plan with someone who is on shore and can be easily contacted.
• Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves.
• Due to cold water conditions (55° to 70° F), wetsuits and hoods are recommended.

Tidepooling

Due to their relative isolation and protection, the tidepools in Channel Islands National Park are some of the best within southern California. Anemones, sea stars, urchins, limpets, periwinkles, chitons, barnacles, mussels, and many other beautiful species can be seen at numerous pristine tidepool sites. The most accessible sites include: Frenchy's Cove on Anacapa Island; Smuggler's Cove on Santa Cruz Island; Becher's Bay at the pier, Southeast Anchorage, East Point on Santa Rosa Island; eastern end of Cuyler Harbor on San Miguel Island. Check with the park's boat and plane concessionaires for trips to these tidepooling areas.

The area between the land and the sea is not distinct, but is a zone of transition. This area may be covered with water during high tide or exposed to sunlight during low tide. Life in this intertidal region must be the hardiest within the marine environment—able to withstand hours of exposure and the incessant pounding of the energy-filled surf.

Intertidal life has adapted to the sea and the land. When looking at a tidepool area, notice how plants and animals may be found in certain areas and not in others. Those living in the upper splash zone are tolerant to sunlight, heat, and water loss and have either a means to "shelter" themselves or the ability to move into an area of greater moisture. An animal with a tightly closed shell or a shell firmly attached to rock will hold water within, so that it does not require water surrounding it at all times. Animals found in rock crevices and submerged pools usually require more moisture to prevent them from drying out.

How an animal feeds often depends on its ability to move. An animal that moves about is able to search for its food. Some graze the rocks for algae, while others feed on settled debris. An animal that remains stationary feeds on food particles suspended within water.

Because space is a limiting factor, there is competition between organisms. Many animals and plants are found in a small area, some may live on each other, or use an old shell as a surface on which to live. This is one important reason why collecting is not permitted—you may be taking away a home.

Although hardy against the forces of nature, the plants and animals of the intertidal zone cannot entirely endure the impact of humans. Since individuals interact with one another, minute changes in the area could disrupt the entire community. While exploring, please keep in mind these tidepool tips:

• Watch your step! The rocks can be very slippery and there may be small animals on the rocks.
• Keep an eye on the waves. The surge can sneak up on you.
• Take your time and look carefully. Tidepool organisms are often very small and camouflaged.
• Do not collect anything! Not only is it unlawful, but if animals and shells are taken, there may be nothing left for others to enjoy.
• If you pick up an animal to observe, please place it back where it was found. That particular spot is its home territory.
• Although you may not know the animals by name, through simple observation a great deal of information can be learned. Consider, for example, what keeps it from drying out? Why doesn't it get swept out to sea? Does it search for food or wait for food to come to it?

Bird Watching

The Channel Islands support a rich variety of birds, distinct in many ways from the birds of the adjacent mainland. The islands offer protected habitat in an increasingly disturbed southern California environment.

They are important nesting areas for seabirds; the particular association of northern and southern species found here is not duplicated anywhere else in the world. The islands support large numbers of Western Gulls, Cassin's Auklets, Brandt's Cormorants, and the only nesting population of Brown Pelicans along the west coast of the United States. Also, the islands support the world's largest population of Xantus' Murrelets.

The land birds on the islands are also a distinctive group—they represent a unique selection of the birds that live across the Channel on the California mainland. Ten of the 40 land bird species that commonly nest on the park islands are represented by endemic species or subspecies—forms that occur only on the islands and nowhere else. Of this group, the island scrub jay is the only bird that is endemic on the species level.

Viewing Seabirds
While some seabird species may be viewed from the islands, the park boat concessionaires will search for seabirds on the boat trip out to the islands. Be sure to tell a boat crew member that you are interested in seabirds and they will often assist in finding and identifying birds.

In addition, local chapters of the Audubon Society occasionally sponsor boats trips around the islands to view seabirds. Please click here for local chapter information.

Viewing Land Birds and Shore Birds
The larger islands of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa offer more types of habitats and therefore, more variety of land birds. Many birdwatchers will visit Prisoners Harbor (easiest viewing opportunity) or Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island to view the island scrub jay.

Due to limited beach access on some islands, shore bird viewing is best done on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, or San Miguel Islands.

Nearby Attractions

For nearby attractions in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara please visit:

• Ventura Visitor and Convention Bureau
  
  
• Oxnard Visitor and Convention Bureau
  
  
• Santa Barbara Visitor and Convention Bureau

Kayaking

Kayaking (excluding personal watercraft—see Laws and Policies for more information) is a unique and rewarding way to experience the pristine marine environment of Channel Islands National Park. You will find solitude and splendor. Here you will also face new challenges and may encounter unexpected dangers. This section is designed to help in planning a safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sound kayaking trip in the park.

Planning Your Trip
Sea kayaking is a high risk activity that has caused the death of park visitors and annually numerous near fatal incidents with sea kayakers occur in the park. The challenging and quickly changing weather and at times extreme sea conditions and dangerous sea caves greatly add to the risks of sea kayaking in the park. Sea kayaking on your own in any area of the park should not be attempted by novice or first time kayakers or anyone who is not properly experienced, trained, conditioned and equipped.

Visitors may kayak on their own or with a park authorized guide/outfitter. The National Park Service strongly recommends for your safety that sea kayaking be done with one of the park's authorized guide/outfitters. The guided trips are moderate to strenuous in nature but some do not require previous kayaking experience.

Visitors with their own kayaks who would like to explore the park may contact the park concessionaires, who will transport kayaks on their public trips for an extra fee. The concessionaires offer year-round transportation to the islands for day visits and camping trips.

Sea kayaking opportunities are available throughout the park. To help you decide which island to visit, specific island information is available at Places To Go or from the visitor center through publications, exhibits, and the park movie.

The area of the park that is most popular for sea kayaking is centered around Scorpion Beach on East Santa Cruz Island. This location is a world class destination for sea kayaking because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, nearby camping, readily available concessionaire boat transportation service and a spectacular shoreline with beautiful sea cave and cliffs to explore.

Sea kayaking at San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands is recommended to only the most highly experienced (expert), skilled, conditioned kayakers with all necessary safety equipment due to the consistently extreme weather and sea conditions that regularly dominate these areas.

Due to the many hazards of crossing the channel from or to the mainland to the park islands the National Park Service does not recommend this be attempted by sea kayakers.

Detailed kayaking information about the channel and islands may be obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) "Local Notice to Mariners" publication by contacting the Coast Guard at (510) 437-2981. Kayaking guides and nautical charts to the Channel Islands are available from local marine stores and online bookstores. Refer to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Survey charts 18720, 18721, 18725, 18727, 18728, 18729, and 18756.

Weather
Conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel and around the islands are variable and the ocean is unforgiving. Only experienced kayakers with vessels capable of withstanding severe weather are advised to make the cross-channel passage.

Kayakers should obtain the latest weather broadcast provided by the NOAA Weather Service by calling (805) 988-6610, visiting Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary's Internet Weather Kiosk and by monitoring weather radio on VHF-FM 162.475 MHz (weather station 3) for marine forecasts and VHF-FM 162.55 MHz (weather station 1) and VHF-FM 162.40 MHz (weather station 2) for land-based observations.

Weather conditions vary considerably in the channel. Extreme weather conditions may be encountered at any time and the sea conditions may become dangerous without warning. The calmest winds and sea conditions often occur August through October. The other months are subject to a much greater chance for adverse wind and seas with sudden unexpected changes. High winds may occur regardless of the forecast. Forty-knot winds are not unusual for Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands have more moderate winds.

Winds are often calm in the early morning and increase during the afternoon. Generally the wind comes from the northwest, but kayakers must be also be prepared for strong east or Santa Ana winds at anytime, especially from September through April.

Dense fog is common during the summer months, but may occur at any time, making chart and compass navigation mandatory. Ocean currents of considerable strength may be encountered both near and offshore from the islands. Ocean water temperatures range from the lower 50s (°F) in the winter to the upper 60s (°F) in the fall.

Safety
Due to challenging weather conditions, kayaking should not be attempted by the novice or anyone who is not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped. Safety requires good planning and common sense. Sea kayaking is potentially hazardous, even for experienced kayakers. Please follow these saftey recommendations:

Use the buddy system.
There are no lifeguards on duty. Kayaking is at your own risk. Stay together and paddle within the skills of the least experienced paddler in the group.

Obtain current weather and sea conditions.
The conditions around the islands are considered "open ocean." Extreme weather conditions may be encountered at any time and sea conditions may become dangerous without warning.There is no place where visitors will be kayaking in a protected cove. Always observe and evaluate sea conditions before entering the water. Be alert to wind, wave, and currents at all times.

Do not travel down wind (with the wind) as you will have to return into a headwind.
Wind and waves typically come out of the northwest or west. Winds tend to increase in the afternoon. Morning hours can be a better time for kayaking, and other watersports. Challengin Santa Ana or east winds may occur at anytime, but are most common from September through April.

Do not exceed your skill level.
If you are new to sea kayaking or other watersports, stay close to your launch area and paddle with an experienced kayaker. Ask National Park Service personnel or kayak guides if you have questions concerning weather, safety, etc. Be capable of re-entering your kayak from the water.

Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Kayakers should always file a float plan with family and/or friends and inform them of your departure and return. The float plan should include: 1) the number of boats and boaters on the trip as well as the color, size, and type of craft used; 2) names and addresses for the boaters , as well as emergency phone numbers; 3) any survival and special emergency equipment should be listed (EPIRB, VHF, food rations, flares, etc.); and 4) the place, date, and time of departure and return should be logged as well as destination(s). This information can be invaluable for a search operation if something goes wrong. Remember to be flexible with your plans. Weather should always determine your course of action.

If you are kayaking across the channel, kayakers should also file a formal float plan with the harbormaster before departing and contact island rangers at the beginning and end of the paddle.

Carefully select and equip your paddlecraft.
Craft should be of a sea kayak design and kayakers must have the following items:

• Lifejackets—all paddlers must have lifejackets.
• Helmets—always wear a helmet when paddling below cliffs and in sea caves.
• VHF radio, tow line, compass, throw bag, first aid kit, signaling device (airhorn, whistle, or signal mirror). Carry these items with you and know how to use them.
• Wetsuits are highly recommended. Water temperatures remain cold throughout the year.

Sea Caves
Sea caves can be very dangerous—large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Even on calm days, the wake from large ships in the channel can pose a danger to kayakers in caves. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves. Always observe and evaluate sea conditions before entering any sea cave.

Shipping Lanes
Major shipping lanes lie between the islands and the mainland. Kayakers should be aware of their location and use caution when crossing them. All kayakers should listen to the USCG notice to mariners broadcast on VHF channel 22 since the waters in and surrounding the park are sometimes closed for military operations.

Regulations
In addition to the regulations listed below please see Laws and Policies and Limiting Your Impact for additional information.

• You may not exit your kayak while in the sea caves.
• Do disturb wildlife within caves. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, frighten, or intentionally disturb wildlife.
• Please avoid use of artificial lights in caves.
• Stay off rocks. Scorpion Rock and all other off shore islets are off limits.
• Several sea caves are closed to public entry. To protect nesting ashy storm-petrels and Xantus's murrelets and their habitats, Bat Cave and caves #3 and #4 within the Cavern Point Cove Cave Complex are closed year-round. (Bat Cave: UTM 11S 0262623, 3770695 Lat. N34°03'07.2", Long. W119°34'25; Cavern #3 & #4: UTM 11S 0263641, 3770901 Lat. N34°03'16.0", Long. W119°33'41). Refer to the map above.
• Marine Reserves are closed to fishing. The area between Scorpion Rock and Potato Harbor from the shoreline out to 3 nautical miles is a State Marine Reserve— the take of living, geological, or cultural resources is prohibited. Please visit Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas for more information on marine reserves.

Landing Permits and Procedures
There are no landing permits required for the islands administered by the National Park Service (NPS). However, a landing permit is required to land on The Nature Conservancy (TNC) property on Santa Cruz Island.

There are closed and restricted areas on each island. Please note that rocks or islets on or near any of the islands are closed year-round to any landing and pets are not allowed in the park. Please refer to Laws and Policies and Limiting Your Impact for more information on regulations and guidelines.

Kayakers may land according to the following procedures:

Santa Barbara Island: A permit is not required to land or hike on Santa Barbara Island. Access to the island is permitted only at the landing cove. The landing dock is available for unloading purposes only. No craft, including kayaks and inflatables, should be left moored to the dock.

Anacapa Island: A permit is not required to land or hike on East Anacapa Island or at Frenchys Cove. West Anacapa (except Frenchys Cove) is a protected research natural area and is closed to visitors. Visitors are allowed on Middle Anacapa by permit only and when accompanied by a park ranger.
The landing dock is available for unloading purposes only. No craft, including kayaks and inflatables, should be left moored to the dock.

Santa Cruz Island: Boaters may land and hike on the eastern 24% of Santa Cruz Island without a permit. This area is owned by the NPS and is east of the property line between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. Due to surf and swell conditions, boaters should use extreme caution when making surf-landings at any beach, especially Smugglers Cove and those beaches facing south and southeast between San Pedro Point and Sandstone Point.

A permit to land on the other 76% of Santa Cruz Island is required from TNC. A fee is charged and no overnight island use is permitted. Contact (805) 642-0345 x510 or www.nature.org/ for a permit; allow 10—12 days for processing.

Santa Rosa Island: Boaters may land along coastline and on beaches without a permit for day-use only. Beaches between and including Skunk Point and East Point are closed from March 1st to September 15th in order to protect the threatened snowy plover. The beaches around Sandy Point are closed year-round. A pier is available at Bechers Bay.

San Miguel Island: Kayakers may land only on the beach at Cuyler Harbor. Visitors may walk the beach at Cuyler Harbor and hike up Nidever Canyon to the ranger station. To hike beyond the ranger station, visitors must be escorted by a ranger and have a permit. Call (805) 658-5711 prior to mainland departure to obtain a permit.

 

Fishing

To fish in Channel Islands National Park, possession of a valid California state fishing license is required and all California Department of Fish and Game Regulations apply. In addition, twelve Marine Protected Areas surround the islands where special resource protection regulations apply.

For more information please visit:

• California Department of Fish and Game Regulations
• Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas

Please refer to Laws and Polcies for additional park regulations and guidelines.