We will just be going for the day and I'm trying to figure out which part of the island is the best to go to. Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Harbor, Santa Cruz Island 15.7 mi les / 4,234 ft elevation Gorgeous two-day backpacking trip on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. We’ll spend 2-2.5 hours exploring the pristine waters, kelp forests, beautiful coastlines and rich history. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands can be visited as a day trip or an overnight camping stop. Updates. Santa Cruz Island is the largest and tallest of the islands in Channel Islands National Park. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. One mother and pup swam to within 10′ of the transom and took a good look at us. Please check your confirmation email for specific times, locations and details. These are general guidelines for Prisoner’s Harbor kayak trips. There is a small campground, Del Norte Backcountry Camp, 3.5 miles inland from the pier at Prisoners Harbor where four groups of up to four people each can camp. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. The weather right now in Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, CA is Partly Cloudy/Wind. Channel Islands National Park. Prisoners Harbor, on Santa Cruz Island’s north coast, now serves as a port of entry for visitors arriving by boat. The boundary is the property line (marked by a fence line) between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. Location: Santa Cruz Island. Dan. Santa Cruz is the largest of the five islands at and is also the largest island off the California coast with an area of 61,972 acres. If you have new or amplifying information concerning this Harbor or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. This hike takes you to Channel Islands National Park , which conserves the unique Channel Islands ecosyste The information below is … The harbor teems with harbor seals with pups. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoner’s Harbor for Adventurers Explore Prisoners Harbor, on Santa Cruz Island’s north coast. 1. If you want to see pristine coastline and learn about the local history and wildlife from an experienced, passionate guide, check out Channel Islands Adventure Company and select a date for your Prisoners Harbor kayaking tour (available for a limited time! On their website you can only book roundtrip tickets in and out of the same location so for this trip you will need to call and book a ferry in to Prisoner's Harbor and out of Scorpion Anchorage. Kayak the Coastline. It is mostly undeveloped and more than 50% of the island belongs to a nature conservancy. We landed at Prisoners Harbor in the middle of the northern side of the island. The transportation to Santa Cruz Island is with Island Packers and goes out of Ventura Harbor. From Santa Barbara to Ventura Harbor, its about a 30 mile drive. REV: 11/1/19 SEA KAYAK TOURS ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND AT PRISONERS HARBOR THIS IS NOT A BOOKING CONFIRMATION. For the authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island visit: Channel Islands Adventure Company. Kayaking through a sea arch west of Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. … The harbor area is the border of the National Park and the Nature Conservancy Property. Kayaking at Prisoners is a dream! Del Norte Campground, Prisoners Harbor – Santa Cruz Island; Empty attachment or post type not equal 'attachment' To camp in the Channel Islands National Park you must have both a boat reservation and a campground reservation. To get to Santa Cruz Island you will need to book a ferry with Island Packers. The channel crossing is approximately 1 ½ hours (crossing may take longer depending on the drop off at Scorpion Anchorage) to Prisoners Harbor which is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Only about one quarter of this mountainous island is part of the national park (eastern 24%), the rest is managed by The Nature Conservancy and other organizations. Kayaking & Snorkeling Information. Two special botanical delights are a bishop pine forest and a grove of Santa Cruz Island ironwood. The name of the harbor commemorates a series of events in 1830 that almost transformed the island into a local version of Australia’s infamous Botany Bay penal colony. After a few seconds of staring mom pointedly warned junior that we were a species to be avoided. Santa Cruz Island. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. While visitors may explore the national park property on Santa Cruz Island, no running is allowed beyond the national park boundary onto the Nature Conservancy property. This area of the island is the border of Channel Islands National Park and the Nature Conservancy. Ferry Tickets Ferry service is operated by Island … For kayak guide and outfitting services in other areas of Santa Cruz Island (excluding Scorpion area), visit the Visitor Services List. ). Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island tide chart key: The tide chart above shows the height and times of high tide and low tide for Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, California The red flashing dot shows the tide time right now. Prisoners Harbor , Ventura, California Why: Run for a Sheriff's Search and Rescue charity, and visit the wilderness of the National Park Time: 5:00 AM to 5:45 AM Sign In Ventura Harbor 6:00 AM Depart Ventura Harbor on Island Packers for Prisoners Harbor Santa Cruz Island