Santa Cruz Island: How to Spend 24 Hours
Welcome, adventurer!
Santa Cruz Island is an absolute gem worth exploring! Just a short boat ride off the coast of Ventura Harbor, California, lies an uninhabited group of islands – The Channel Island National Park.
When it comes to choosing which island to visit, my personal recommendation is Santa Cruz Island. As the largest of the Channel Islands and the easiest to get to, Santa Cruz Island is the perfect destination for any adventurer seeking to make the most out of their time on the islands.
I had the pleasure of spending 24 hours on Santa Cruz Island in June with my partner, and let me tell you, it was a blast! We made sure to fill every minute with as much adventure as possible, and now I’m excited to share with you how you can do the same.
Are you ready to dive in and explore this incredible island? Let’s get started!
Santa Cruz Island: How to Spend 24 Hours
If you’re planning a trip to the Channel Islands, I highly recommend Santa Cruz Island. It’s known for having some of the best weather around, making it the perfect destination for a day trip or a few nights of camping.
It’s worth noting that nobody actually resides on any of the Channel Islands, except for park rangers and guides who spend a few nights on the islands for work. This adds to the island’s allure, as it remains unspoiled by human development and commercialization.
Keep in mind that there are no stores on the island, and visitors must adhere to a strict “carry in, carry out” policy. Additionally, there are no shower facilities available on the island. However, don’t let that discourage you from experiencing all that Santa Cruz has to offer!
If you’re looking for the ultimate camping experience, I highly recommend spending a night or two on the island. It’s a true backcountry experience and a lot of fun. So, pack your gear and get ready for an adventure like no other!
Do this ahead of time
Go onto the Island Packers website to check if there are any campsites available (if you are looking to camp…you should!) you want to secure this first, they fill up fast.
- 1st step: go to the trips drop down tab at the top of the site
- 2nd step: hover over Santa Cruz Island (SCI)
- 3rd step: click on- Scorpion Anchorage, SCI camping
- 4th step: scroll down and click on: “check campsite availability or reserve a site”
- 5th step: you will be brought to a new page- from here just follow the instructions to reserve your site!
Next, there are a few important steps to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
Firstly, be sure to purchase your ferry ticket in advance. You can easily do so on the same website where you book your campsite. It’s crucial to make sure that your campsite and ferry tickets align perfectly with your planned dates.
It’s worth noting that campsite tickets tend to sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to book your campsite before purchasing your ferry ticket. This will help ensure that you have a guaranteed spot on the island for your chosen dates.
So, don’t delay – book your campsite and ferry tickets as soon as possible to avoid any potential complications. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure on Santa Cruz Island!
Getting to Santa Cruz Island
Fly into Santa Barbara Airport, then rent a car or take an Uber to Ventura Harbor, it’s about a 30-minute drive.
Once you arrive at Ventura Harbor, you’ll need to make your way to Island Packers. This is the boat cruise that transports visitors to the Channel Islands. It’s a crucial step in your journey, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there and check in before your scheduled departure.
- 1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B, Ventura, CA 93001 (the address to Island Packers- your destination and you can park your car here)
- Arrive at least a half hour before your ferry is planned to depart
- Try and get a seat outside if you get motion sickness and don’t forget to take dramamine ahead of time
- Have a camera out and ready- lots to see on the ride out! Dolphins, whales, pelicans, fish, seals, sea lions, etc.
- Your destination is Scorpion Harbor
Camp on Santa Cruz Island
When you arrive on the island, your campsite will be ready and waiting for you to set up camp. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and a fox box – a handy container to securely store your food and anything with a strong scent. Trust me, the island’s foxes and crows can be quite resourceful and love to get their paws on anything that smells enticing.
While the campsites are situated in close proximity to one another, there’s plenty of space to ensure your privacy. Don’t stress too much about which site to choose – you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
So, get ready to soak up the beauty of Santa Cruz Island and make some unforgettable memories.
Things to do on Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island: Snorkel
Snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island is an incredible experience that you won’t want to miss.
One of the unique features of snorkeling here are the stunning underwater kelp forests. As you swim through them, you’ll feel like you’re exploring a magical underwater world. The marine life is also diverse and beautiful, with fish weaving in and out of the kelp around you.
It’s important to note that the water can be pretty chilly, so a wetsuit is recommended if you plan on spending more time in the water. Fortunately, Channel Islands Adventure Company has everything you need for your snorkeling adventure, including wetsuit rentals, booties, flippers, snorkels, and face masks.
Be sure to follow our tip and head to the left of the pier where the boat dropped you off to experience the coolest underwater kelp forests.
Santa Cruz Island: Hike
You definitely won’t want to miss out on the hiking trails here.
With easy, moderate, and difficult options to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Plus, even if the island is crowded, the hiking trails provide a sense of solitude, with few people crossing your path.
Just remember to plan ahead and come prepared with flashlights, snacks, and extra layers for when it gets dark. And be sure to print off a map before you arrive to make navigating the trails a breeze.
Some hikes I recommend:
Potato Harbor
Do this hike right away the day you arrive! A great first hike with a beautiful view. The view of the rocky coast with blue water is really nice.
Potato Harbor hike is an easy hike but very satisfying, especially once you reach the lookout spot. It takes about 2 hours to complete.
Smugglers Cove:
A bit longer of a hike but absolutely amazing!! Do this one if you can squeeze it in. There and back will take a little under 4 hours.
Smugglers Cove is a great destination to hike to and have dinner at! Just give yourself enough time to get there and back before it gets too dark!
We had the whole beach to ourselves for dinner, didn’t see anyone for hours while hiking.
Scorpion Canyon:
A great hike to see the landscapes of the Island, very different than Potato Harbor and Smugglers Cove.
Scorpion Canyon takes roughly 2 hours to complete.
Awesome views from the cliffs and in the valleys as well!
Santa Cruz Island: Ultimate Sea Cave Kayak
One of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had, I will never forget it! If you’re looking for an adrenaline-filled day on the water, this excursion is a must-do.
Get ready to explore pitch-black caves with just the light from your guide’s headlamp, and use your hands to navigate through the narrow passages. You’ll discover hidden spots with stunning views that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
The ocean can be unpredictable, so be prepared to be bumped around as you paddle. But don’t worry, your guide will always ensure that it’s safe before taking you through any little caves. And get ready to see sea lions up close – you may even get the chance to visit one of their homes!
Take a break from kayaking and enjoy your lunch on a secluded beach, surrounded by crystal blue waters. You can even go cliff jumping if you’re feeling daring! With an amazing guide leading the way, this adventure will be the highlight of your time on Santa Cruz Island.
Don’t settle for any other kayak adventure tour – this is the one you want. And if you can, request guide Ben – he’s fantastic! You can choose to go in your own kayak or share one with a partner. Make sure to book ahead of time to secure your spot!
Leaving Santa Cruz Island:
After your ultimate sea cave kayak adventure finishes up your ferry will be back to bring you back to Ventura Harbor.
Gather your things, board the boat and enjoy your ride back to land!
24 Hour Timeline of Santa Cruz Island:
- Arrive
- Setup camp
- Hike Potato Harbor & Scorpion Canyon
- Come back for a snack
- Snorkel
- Pack up dinner & hike to Smugglers Cove
- Eat dinner on the beach
- Hike back
- Have dessert in your tent
- Sleep
- Wake up early
- Breakfast
- Pack up camp
- Walk down to the adventure company gear area
- Store all your gear in a bin for the day
- Meet up with your kayak group
- Get ready for the day
- Ultimate ocean kayak adventure time
- Arrive back to Scorpion Harbor
- Get on ferry & head back
Santa Cruz Island is such an amazing place that often goes unnoticed, especially by those on the East Coast. It’s remarkable that just a short boat ride away, you feel as though you’ve traveled to a far-off destination. Personally, I absolutely adore it!
I’m curious, have you ever had the chance to visit Santa Cruz Island or any of the other Channel Islands? If so, which one is your favorite and what activities did you enjoy during your time there?
Please do share your experience in the comments below – I’m eager to hear from you! And don’t forget to follow along on IG for more exciting travel content.
Check out my Santa Cruz Island Packing List for Campers here!
sierra
Hello there! It's wonderful to have you here. I'm Sierra, a NH native with a love for travel and adventure. I have a constant desire to explore beautiful places around the world and go on awesome adventures! I seek to inspire others to travel to see all the beauty and culture the world has to offer! 🌞⛰️🌼🫶🏼🦋🌲📸🥾💛
4 Comments
Maddy
Sounds like a great place to spend one or two days filled with adventure and deep contact with nature! I only tried camping a couple of times and even though it’s not my style of travel in Santa Cruz Island I’d do it again. 😊
sierra
A place to totally disconnect from everything else…it’s amazing! I think you would like camping on the Island. 🙂 Thanks for checking out my post!
Jennifer Femrite
As a California native, I have always wanted to visit Santa Cruz Island, but haven’t made the trip. The snorkeling and kayaking look so fun! Now I know the best ways to reach the island and what to expect. Thank you for the helpful tips!
sierra
Oh you should definitley check it out this summer!! Thanks for checking out my post!