Santa Cruz Island Guide
The Best Channel Island for First-Time Visitors
If you’re trying to decide which Channel Island to visit, Santa Cruz is often the best place to start. As the largest island in the park stretching 24 miles long and 6 miles wide, it offers the widest range of hiking trails, incredible sea cave kayaking, wildlife viewing and most accessible camping. Located just over an hour by ferry from Ventura Harbor, it’s also ideal for a day trip. Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Santa Cruz Island.
If you’re still deciding which island is right for you, be sure to read my complete Channel Islands National Park guide for an overview of all five islands and my guide to how they compare.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Where is Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is located off the coast of Southern California within Channel Islands National Park. It sits roughly 20 miles from the mainland and is the largest of the five Channel Islands, covering more than 96 square miles. The island is divided between The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service, with most visitors arriving at Scorpion Canyon from Ventura Harbor on the eastern end, although you can also access the Island from Prisoner’s Harbor. Despite its remote feel, Santa Cruz is one of the most accessible and frequently visited islands in the park.
How to Get to Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is only accessible by boat or small plane, with most visitors arriving by ferry from Ventura Harbor. The only ferry operator for the national park is Island Packers which runs daily trips to Scorpion Anchorage. Once underway, the crossing typically takes just over an hour depending on sea conditions.
Be sure to book ferry tickets in advance as spots are limited and often sell out,
especially during the spring and summer.
Once you arrive, there are no cars, stores, or other services except restroom facilities and a campground, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring everything they need for the day with them especially water.
Tips for Visiting Santa Cruz Island
The channel crossing from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage takes approximately 1 hour.
Take Dramamine an hour before the ferry departs to avoid seasickness during the crossing.
5-hours is plenty of time for a day trip.
There are vault style restrooms by the dock, but no sinks and limited hand sanitizer.
Potable water is available at the campground
For day trips, plan on carrying belongings with you all day and pack accordingly.
Be sure to bring food, snacks and drinks. There are no services offered on the island but there are picnic tables.
The ferry serves snacks and drinks during the crossing but does not remain at the dock during the day.
Visitors must pack out all trash. Be sure to bring a small trash bag.
Weather conditions can change quickly so dress in layers. It can get very windy on the ferry and hiking along the cliffs.
Trails are well-marked and very easy to follow but there is no shade. Bring sunscreen and a hat.
There is overnight camping with storage lockers by the dock but they do not lock.
If you’re taking the ferry from Ventura Harbor, plan to arrive early on the morning of your trip. After checking in with Island Packers, walk over to Harbor Cove Cafe, a local hidden gem perfect for a quick breakfast. This laid-back, hole-in-the-wall spot serves amazing breakfast bowls with views of the harbor to start your day off right.
.
Best Things to Do on Santa Cruz Island
Kayak the Sea Caves with Santa Barbara Adventures
Book a guided ocean kayak tour through Santa Barbara Adventure Company and explore Santa Cruz Island’s sea caves up close and personal. Paddling along the coastline offers a completely different perspective of the island, with towering cliffs, hidden coves, and frequent wildlife sightings along the way. Sunset tours are especially memorable, as the setting sun paints the sky in crimson and gold over turquoise seas. TIf there’s one experience not to miss on Santa Cruz Island, kayaking through the sea caves is it.
Hike Santa Cruz Island Trails
With three mountain ranges spanning more than 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel Islands with miles of incredible hiking ranging from easy coastal walks to more strenuous routes with notable elevation gain. For a day trip, the Cavern Point Loop is a must. Hike the 2-mile loop or extend the journey to Potato Harbor for even more dramatic views. Starting clockwise from the campground offers the easiest approach. Counterclockwise from the pier adds distance and more elevation. Another option is Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, which provides sweeping views and a slightly longer trek.
Explore the Santa Cruz Island Visitor Center
There is a small Visitor Center located at Scorpion Ranch near the dock. It offers exhibits and information about the island and is worth taking a brief stroll through. There is also a much larger Channel Islands Visitors Center located on the mainland in Ventura.
Wildlife Viewing on Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Channel Islands National Park, both on land and offshore. From the endemic island fox to frequent dolphin sightings along the ferry route, the island provides ample opportunity for wildlife encounters.
Island Fox: Found only on the Channel Islands, these tiny foxes are often seen near Scorpion Canyon and the campground.
Sea Lions & Harbor Seals: Common along the shoreline and frequently seen by kayakers near the sea caves.
Bald Eagles: Successfully reintroduced to the island and sometimes seen soaring overhead.
Dolphins & Whales: Dolphins are commonly seen on the ferry ride as well as gray whales during their offshore migration from December through April. Visitors can also sometimes spot blue whales in the summer from June through September, as they feed on krill in nutrient-rich waters around the islands.
Camping in Scorpion Canyon
Camping on Santa Cruz Island offers one of the most immersive ways to experience Channel Islands National Park. The Scorpion Canyon Campground is just a short walk from the pier and provides easy access to hiking trails, coastal overlooks, and wildlife viewing right outside your tent.
Scenic Viewpoints & Photo Spots
Santa Cruz Island offers some of the most dramatic viewpoints in Channel Islands National Park. Don’t miss these incredible spots for photos os simply taking in the scenery:
Potato Harbor - a stunning overlook
Cavern Point - sweeping coastal views
Scorpion Canyon Bluffs - best spot for sunset over the ocean from the cliffs
Swimming & Beaches
There are two main beaches on Santa Cruz Island where visitors can swim: Scorpion Anchorage and Smugglers Cove. Neither beach has lifeguards on duty, and ocean conditions can change quickly, with cold water and strong currents possible at any time. Scorpion Anchorage is generally the better option for casual swimming due to its more protected location.
Here’s how the two compare:
Scorpion Anchorage - Calmer, more protected than Smugglers Cove. Easy access to pier, restrooms and campground. Best for snorekling and launching kayaks.
Smugglers Cove - More secluded, feels wild. No facilites. Water typically 55–65°F year round.
Pro Tip: The water is usually cold year round so consider bringing a wetsuit if you plan on going for longer swims.
Snorkeling
The best snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island is at Scorpion Anchorage because of its more protected waters. Here, you’ll have a change to see vibrant marine life, including bright orange garibaldi, rockfish, kelp bass, and dense kelp forests swaying beneath the surface. Sea stars and sea urchins are common along rocky areas, and on rare occasions, sea lions may swim through the cove.
Other areas, like near sea caves, can be snorkeled off of kayaks when conditions are calm.
Pro Tip: There’s no gear rental on the island, so most visitors bring their own equipment or book a guided tour that includes rentals with a company like Santa Barbara Adventure Company.
Best Hikes on Santa Cruz Island
Hiking is the best way to experience the scale and diversity of Santa Cruz Island. With more than 90 miles of trails spanning rugged ridgelines, coastal bluffs, and inland canyons, the island offers routes suited to nearly every fitness level. Options range from shorter scenic loops near Scorpion Canyon to longer out-and-back treks like Smugglers Cove. Below is a breakdown of the island’s most popular trails to help you decide which is right for your visit.
Cavern Point Loop
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Highlights: Coastal cliff views and ocean overlooks
Potato Harbor (Extension)
Distance: ~5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Gradual inclines
Highlights: Dramatic harbor views and sweeping coastline
Smugglers Cove
Distance: 7.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Rolling hills
Highlights: Secluded beach and wide-open landscapes
Scorpion Canyon Loop
Distance: ~4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: Gradual
Highlights: Canyon terrain and ocean views
Pro Tip: Most trails on Santa Cruz Island are exposed with very little shade, especially along the ridgelines. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, wear sun protection, and start earlier in the day during warmer months.
Camping on Santa Cruz Island
Camping on Santa Cruz Island
Camping on Santa Cruz Island is one of the best ways to fully experience Channel Islands National Park. The main campground, Scorpion Canyon Campground, is located on the eastern end of the island just a short walk from the pier at Scorpion Anchorage. Its convenient location provides easy access to hiking trails, scenic overlooks, kayaking areas, and wildlife viewing right outside your tent.
Cost & Reservations
Individual campsites at Scorpion Canyon typically cost $15 per night. Group sites are also available at a higher rate. Reservations are required and have to be made in advance through Recreation.gov. Campsites often sell out months ahead of time especially in spring and summer so be sure to book early. Ferry transportation has to be booked separately through Island Packers, and both reservations need to be secured before departure. .
What to Expect
Santa Cruz Island is remote, and camping requires preparation. There are no restaurants or stores on the island, so campers must pack in and pack out all supplies. The campground provides picnic tables, food storage boxes, potable water, and restroom facilities, but there are no showers. Winds can be strong and shade is limited, especially in warmer months, so bring extra water and plan accordingly. Campfires are not permitted..
Pro Tips:
If you’re camping in summer, be sure to check out my complete guide to summer camping for tips on staying cool and beating the heat.
Wind is one of the most common challenges on Santa Cruz. Bring durable tent stakes (not flimsy, lightweight ones) designed for hard or sandy ground, and use all guylines properly tensioned to reduce flapping overnight. Position your tent with the lowest-profile side facing into the wind to minimize noise and strain.
Is it Worth it to Camp?
Staying overnight is perhaps the best way to fully experience Channel Islands National Park and Santa Cruz Island. Once the last ferry of the day departs, the island becomes noticeably quieter. Sunsets over the Pacific are incredible here and at night the skies light up in a canopy of stars far from the mainland city lights. For anyone who wants to spend more time hiking, kayaking, or just experiencing the island without the crowds, camping is absolutely worth it.
Is Santa Cruz Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, Santa Cruz Island is absolutely worth visiting. Just over an hour by ferry from Ventura Harbor, it feels worlds away from the mainland coast, with rugged cliffs, sweeping ocean views, and quiet hiking trails that feel untouched and expansive. The scenery is dramatically different from Southern California’s developed shoreline, offering stunning panoramic views of turquoise waters contrasting against the island’s dramatic coastline.
Despite how remote it feels, the island is surprisingly easy to navigate with well-marked trails, a centralized dock at Scorpion Anchorage, and activities like guided kayaking and snorkeling. For first-time visitors to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
For a side-by-side comparison of all five islands, see my complete guide on choosing which island to visit and full visitors guide.
FAQs About Visting Santa Cruz Island
How long does it take to get to Santa Cruz Island?
The easiest way to reach Santa Cruz Island is by ferry from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, which typically takes just over an hour. Travel time can vary slightly depending on sea conditions.
Can you visit Santa Cruz Island in one day? How long should you plan on spending on a day trip?
Yes, Santa Cruz Island is ideal for a day trip. Plan to spend around 5hours on the island, which gives you plenty of time to hike one or two trails, explore the coastline, and enjoy activities like kayaking or snorkeling. If you want a more relaxed pace or want to hike more, consider staying overnight.
Do you need reservations to visit Santa Cruz Island?
Yes. Reservations need to be made in advance through Island Packers for the ferry. If you plan to camp overnight, campsite reservations are required separately through Recreation.gov. Both ferry tickets and campsite sell out quickly especially during peak seasons.
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz Island?
Spring and early summer offer mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers, and excellent hiking. Summer brings calmer seas, making it ideal for kayaking and snorkeling, though it can be crowdd. Fall sees fewer crowds with pleasant weather. Winter visits can be quite pleasant in terms of crowds but days are often cold and windy and rough seas are common during the crossing.
Are there restrooms on Santa Cruz Island?
Yes. Vault-style restrooms are located near the dock at Scorpion Anchorage and at the campground. However, there are no sinks, and hand sanitizer may be limited, so bringing your own is recommended.
Are there services on the island?
No, there are no restaurants, stores, or services on Santa Cruz Island. Visitors should bring all food, snacks, and drinks needed for the day. While the ferry may offer limited snacks and beverages during the crossing, it does not remain at the dock, so you cannot rely on it after you’ve arrived.
What is the hiking like on Santa Cruz Island?
Trails are well-marked and very easy to follow. Routes range from short coastal loops to longer out-and-back hikes with moderate elevation gain. However, much of the terrain is exposed with minimal shade, so bringing sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water is essential especially during summer.
Can you swim on Santa Cruz Island?
Swimming is possible at Scorpion Anchorage and Smugglers Cove. However, there are no lifeguards and ocean conditions can change quickly. Water temperatures remain cold year-round.
More Channel Islands Travel Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Channel Islands National Park
Which Channel Island Should You Visit? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right One
A Weekend Guide to Catalina Island featured on We on We Are Travel Girls
Planning a Trip to Channel Islands? Get my full one week Santa Barbara Itinerary including where to stay, dine, and things to do including Santa Cruz Island.
