Santa Cruz Island for Hiking, Snorkling, Kayaking and Camping

On Santa Cruz Island there are over 600 plant species, 120 species of land birds, including the endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay.

Santa Cruz Island is located about 20 miles from the mainland coast. At over 96 square miles in size the island is a miniature of the California mainland.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands it is also the most diverse with plant communities from marshes and grasslands to chaparral and pine forests.

A vast expanse of wilderness area exists for the curious to explore by land or sea.

Travel time from Ventura Harbor is one hour on our catamarans to East Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage and an hour and a half to Prisoners Harbor- Mid Santa Cruz.

The eastern 24% of the island is National Park Service (NPS) property. The western 76% is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). On the eastern end we offer trips to Scorpion Anchorage. At mid Santa Cruz we offer trips to Prisoners Harbor where the border of the NPS property and TNC property is located.

Scorpion Anchorage on the eastern end is primarily grass lands while Mid Santa Cruz at Prisoners Harbor is a forrested area with many forms of plant life.

In summer through fall, the ocean conditions are usually ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. Endemic island wildflowers including island buckwheat and asters are in bloom. During summer there is also a chance to see Blue or Humpback Whales in the deep water, during travels to and from Santa Cruz Island.

December through mid February, migrating Gray Whales can often be observed from Cavern point on East Santa Cruz or the bluffs of Mid Santa Cruz as the whales pass near the island.

You can view endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay year round: an easy stroll up the dirt road to the old stream bed at Prisoners Harbor or a rugged hike up Scorpion Canyon should provide a viewing opportunity.

From about February through April the grasslands of Santa Cruz Island are green and native flowers are in bloom. Scorpion Canyon and the Potato Harbor trail are excellent places to see wildflowers. The Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay trail has some of the best wildflower displays on the island. Intensity and duration of the bloom differs a bit each year due to varied rainfall and temperature.

Main Office:
Ventura Harbor
1691 Spinnaker Drive #105B
Ventura, Ca 93001

Satellite Office:
Channel Islands Harbor
3550 Harbor Boulevard
Oxnard, CA 93035 (No Mail)

805-642-1393
805-642-6573 Fax

Info@IslandPackers.com

Office Hours
Main Office
9:AM to 5:00 PM
& One Hour Before Boat Departure
Seven Days a Week

Satellite Office:
Open One Hour Before Boat Departure