How far is Santa Cruz Island from the coast?
19-25 milesSanta Cruz is the largest island off the coast of California. Located between Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands, it lies from 19-25 miles off the adjacent mainland coast between Ventura and Santa Barbara.
How long is the boat ride to Santa Cruz Island?
Island Packers operates a ferry from Ventura Harbor to Santa Cruz Island once daily. Tickets cost $30 and the journey takes 1h 40m.
Is Santa Cruz Island worth visiting?
We only visited Santa Cruz Island as it's the perfect place for a one-day trip, and is the easiest island to get to. But our visit provided a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of southern California we typically experience. So far it's one of the most beautiful places in California we have seen.
Can you swim on Santa Cruz Island?
The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, nearby camping, year-round Island Packers boat transportation, extensive kelp forests, and a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore.
How much time do you need on Santa Cruz Island?
If you do your day trip to the Channel Islands with Island Packers, you will have about 6-7 hours to spend on Santa Cruz Island. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time.
How much does it cost to go to Santa Cruz Island?
Santa Cruz Island (SCI)Ticket TypeAge RangeRound Trip Day PassengerAdult13-54 Years$ 63.00Senior55 Years +$ 58.00Child3-12 Years$ 45.00Infant (Must Reserve)Under 3 Years$ 00.00
Which is the prettiest Channel Island?
Santa Barbara Island offers some of the most spectacular vistas of the Channel Islands, and you can experience them while hiking the miles of trails that are available. Visit during wildflower season for incredible displays. Santa Barbara Island is also ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving.
Is there food on Santa Cruz Island?
There are NO services or lodging on the islands. Visitors must bring all their own food and water (potable water is available in the Scorpion Canyon campground on Santa Cruz Island and the Water Canyon campground on Santa Rosa Island). A limited amount of food and drink is available on the concessionaire boats.
How do you get around Santa Cruz Island?
You'll fly into the airport, take a bus ($5 USD) to a ferry ($1 USD for the public boats or $2 for private) and that'll take you right across the channel to Santa Cruz Island. From there you'll be able to find plenty of taxis and buses. A private taxi is $25 into the Puerto Ayora and can fit up to 4 people!
Are there sharks near Santa Cruz Island?
This shark attack, which occurred on September 20 off the backside of Santa Cruz Island, is just one of several recent close encounters between humans and arguably the world's most-feared predator.
Are there bathrooms on Santa Cruz Island?
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.
Is there cell service on Santa Cruz Island?
There is very little cell phone reception on most of the islands. Santa Cruz Island sometimes has cell reception, however it is spotty and unreliable.
Can you take a boat to Santa Cruz Island?
Island Packers Cruises is the Official Boat Concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park. We offer year round transportation to the “local islands” Santa Cruz and Anacapa.
How do you get to Santa Cruz Island?
While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) or private boat.
How long is the boat ride to Santa Rosa Island?
Getting to Santa Rosa Island requires a 3-hour boat ride, or Channel Islands Aviation flies here in a mere 25-minute flight. It's pricey, but if you're prone to seasickness, it could be a worthy investment.
How much does it cost to take a boat to the Channel Islands?
Most people travel to the islands by boat from Ventura. Although there are no park fees, getting there is expensive -- anywhere from $56 to $160 per person, the higher price being for a trip by air to Santa Rosa.
How big is Santa Cruz Island?
In its vastness and variety of flora, fauna, and geology, Santa Cruz Island resembles a miniature California. At over 96 square miles in size and the largest island in California, Santa Cruz contains two rugged mountain ranges; the highest peaks on the islands (rising above 2,000 feet); a large central valley/fault system;
What is Santa Cruz Island named after?
According to legend, Santa Cruz Island was named for a priest's staff accidentally left on the island during the Portola expedition of 1769. A Chumash Indian found the cross-tipped stave and returned it to the priest. The Spaniards were so impressed that they called this island of friendly people "La Isla de Santa Cruz," the Island of the Sacred Cross. Today the protection and preservation of Santa Cruz Island is divided between The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the western 76 percent of the island, while the eastern 24 percent is owned and managed by the National Park Service.
What is the name of the island of the Sacred Cross?
The Spaniards were so impressed that they called this island of friendly people "La Isla de Santa Cruz, " the Island of the Sacred Cross. Today the protection and preservation of Santa Cruz Island is divided between The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service.
What were the uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800s?
Remnants of the ranching era also can be seen throughout the landscape of the island. Adobe ranch houses, barns, blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800s and 1900s. The National Park Service, along with The Nature Conservancy, has made great efforts to preserve ...
What to do on Santa Cruz Island?
Things To Do: Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is the perfect place for a one-day trip and short or long overnight camping trips. This is the easiest island to get to, has the best weather, and offers the most recreational activities. As with all the Channel Islands, visiting Santa Cruz Island is an exercise in preparation and self-reliance.
Where to hike in Santa Cruz?
Hiking. Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the maintained, relatively flat, signed trails of Scorpion Valley to the unmaintained, rugged, mountainous paths of the Montañon area.
Where to camp on the island of Scorpion?
Shade is available. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. This is the most family friendly campground on the islands. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. This is currently the only backcountry campground on the island..
Where to see scrubjays in Santa Cruz?
Best viewing is at Prisoners Harbor, but they are also spotted around the Scorpion area as well.
Is Santa Cruz Island good for surfing?
Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. Generally, the north shore is best during the northwest swells of winter/spring and the south shore is best during the south swells of summer/fall. However, all surf spots are remote and are best accessed by private boat due to the island's rugged terrain and the hiking distance from the designated landing areas.
Who owns Santa Cruz Island?
The Nature Conservancy owns 76% of Santa Cruz Island, and manages it in close collaboration with the National Park Service, which owns the remaining 24%. Visitors may explore the Santa Cruz Island preserve either through a naturalist-guided hike with Island Packers or, in the case of private non-commercial boaters, by obtaining a landing permit. Island Packers is contracted through the park to help visitors plan for day and camping trips as well as provide transportation to Santa Cruz Island. They can be contacted at (805) 642-1393 or www.islandpackers.com. Visitors arriving on their own vessels may apply to the Santa Cruz Island Landing Permit Program for day access to the Conservancy property. Limited public access to the Santa Cruz Island preserve requires sufficient time for securing the permit approval or the appropriate reservations with Island Packers; we encourage you to plan ahead.
How many foxes are there on Santa Cruz Island?
Unprecedented removal of feral pigs in 18 months; the island has been pig-free since 2006. More than 1,200 foxes now live in the wild, up from fewer than 100 in 2004.
Is Santa Cruz Island a success?
The restoration of Santa Cruz Island has been a resounding success and will allow thousands of visiting boaters and hikers each year to enjoy this unique landscape. However, managing human interaction with native plants and animals is vital to maintaining the island’s health. Our research, restoration and outreach efforts continue:
Do you need a permit to land on Santa Cruz Island?
Yes. A landing permit is required by all private boaters and kayakers before they go ashore on The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. The Conservancy owns the western 76% of the island, with the remaining 24% of the island under National Park Service ownership.
What are the animals that live on Santa Cruz Island?
Click the link above to learn about the flora and fauna of Santa Cruz Island as well as about the critters — the whales, dolphins, porpoises, fish and so forth — that live in our waters. And get a small taste of the history of this grand national park. Sierra Blanca dominates the Morse Point skyline.
What is the climate on the south shore of California?
Arid conditions dominate on the south shore. The shoreline presents a microcosm of California: pine and oak on the north shore and arid, nearly desert on the south, and an area strangely reminiscent of Maui on the far western cliffs.
How many anchorages are there on the North Shore?
Anchorages: Slightly more moist conditions allow eucalyptus, pine and oak to grow on the north shore. There are more than 15 overnight anchorages and many more that can be used in settled conditions. You can use the chart at the top of the page to select anchorages for further study.
When were the Channel Islands discovered?
The Channel Islands are known as the Galapagos of North America. Discovered by Europeans in 1542, there’s a lot of history. If you think of the First Nations, as Canadians refer to the earliest residents of North America, the history goes back to long before Jesus, in fact, long before Moses.
Do you need a permit to land on Channel Islands?
The Eastern quarter of the island is managed by the National Park Service and no permits are required for landing; however there are some areas that have restrictions. See Boating Info for National Park Service procedures and restrictions for the Channel Islands.
How big is Santa Cruz Island?
Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz has over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and 77 miles of shoreline. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor.
Where is the Scorpion landing site on Santa Cruz Island?
Both landings are situated on the closer, northern side of the island. Scorpion Anchorage on NPS property, lies on the east end of the island, and Prisoners Harbor to the west, at the border ...
How long is the cruise to Prisoners Harbor?
On these trips travel time to Prisoners Harbor can be 2 hours or more with a beautiful cruise along the rugged shoreline of Santa Cruz Island.
What were the uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800s?
Adobe ranch houses, barns, blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800 and 1900s.
What are the plants and animals that live on Santa Cruz Island?
From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the island’s unique environments. Notably, the island scrub-jay, the Santa Cruz Island fox and eight plant species are found on Santa Cruz and nowhere else in the world (endemics).
How many mountains are there in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz includes three mountain ranges; the highest peak of all the Channel Islands (Mount Diablo rising above 2000 feet,) a large central valley/fault system, deep canyons with year round springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools and expansive beaches.
When do gray whales migrate to Santa Cruz?
December – Mid February. December through mid- February, southbound 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. During the northbound direction of their journey, they frequently pass closer to the mainland.
Why is Santa Cruz named Santa Cruz?
Population: Aprox 18,000. The original English island name was in honor of formidable British warship HMS Indefatigable, who made a name for herself during the Napoleonic wars in Europe. The name was later changed to Santa Cruz for it’s religious significance, meaning “Holy Cross” in Spanish.
What is the main port town in Santa Cruz?
The main port town of Santa Cruz Galapagos is Puerto Ayora, packed with attractive boutiques, fine dining, vibrant social life and oceanfront views over Academy Bay. Away from the town, the island’s stunning natural attractions on the coast and in the highlands appeal to locals and visitors alike.
How to get to Santa Cruz Galapagos?
How to get to Santa Cruz Galapagos? For tourists who arrive to Seymour airport on Baltra island it’s just a short ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to reach Santa Cruz island. From there a straight 25 mile road leads over the highlands to Puerto Ayora town on the opposite coast. From here the world is your oyster – stay a few days to explore visitor sites on the island by yourself, take day trips to nearby islands or join a liveaboard cruise to head further afield. Daily speed boats also transport tourists and locals to Isabela and San Cristobal islands.
Where to go on Galapagos cruise?
3. Bachas Beach. Located on the northern tip of Santa Cruz, Bachas Beach is a popular stop on Galapagos cruises and daytours. This small stretch of beach boasts pristine white sand and turquoise waters, and is an important sea turtle nesting site at the islands.
Where to see baby tortoises in Santa Cruz?
Their Fausto Llerena tortoise breeding center is home to cute baby tortoises as well as Santa Cruz land iguanas. • Black Turtle Cove on the north coast of Santa Cruz is a great spot to observe white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos rays, Pacific Green seaturtles and more.
Which islands have giant tortoises?
CDRS and the Galapagos National Park have successfully reintroduced giant tortoises to islands whose populations have been rendered extinct including Floreana and Santa Fe. Other parts of the tour explain the natural history of the islands and the work that CDR is doing around the archipelago.
Is Santa Cruz Island a good place to dive?
Usually dive day tours include two immersions, and the different sites have difficulty ratings ranging from beginners to experienced divers. The Galapagos Islands are considered to be one of the best places on the planet for scuba divers. The vast underwater world of the Galapagos Marine Reserve is home to sharks, rays, hundreds of species of fish, underwater canyons, and sheer coral reefs.
What is the appeal of Santa Cruz Island?
The biggest appeal of Santa Cruz Island (and the Channel Islands, in general) is how you seem to have crossed to a separate world of its own. Apart from some National Park buildings and a campground, the island has basically returned to a state of wilderness. The only potable fresh water at Scorpion Anchorage is at the campground, so water, food, and other resources need to be brought on the boat.
Which is the largest island in the Channel Islands?
We settled on Santa Cruz Island, the largest and, by far, most visited island due to its distance (~1 hour trip each way) and numerous possibilities for hikes of various lengths and necessary skill levels, kayaking, camping, and other water-based activities. As these are isolated islands which require some advanced careful planning in order to enjoy at their fullest, visiting Channel Islands N.P. is not for everybody.
What is the fun of going to Channel Islands?
Part of the fun of going to one of the Channel Islands is the journey there. The main concessionaire is Island Packers and they perform an excellent and professional service from the ease of booking, to loading equipment, to the actual ride to the island. During the boat ride, wildlife sightings are pointed out and some time will be dedicated to getting closer views of sea lions, dolphins, and, if lucky, whales. Warning: the waters can be rather choppy, so those prone to motion sickness should be prepared accordingly.
Is Channel Islands National Park a good place to visit?
Overall, the experience on Channel Islands National Park was a good one; there are enough spectacular views and great beauty to be found on the island to make it deserving of its National Park status. However, due to natural limitations, the experience does diminish somewhat the more time that is spent. I would not be surprised to see those deciding to spend a few days here becoming a bit bored. While Channel Islands doesn't match the grandeur of its more famous National Parks brethren, the journey to them and relative isolation from everyday life does make it a worthy stop for any nature lover.
