Channel Islands
CHANNEL ISLANDS - Kayak, Canoe and Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Guide
Here is a link for the Tides and Marine Forecast for the Channel Islands
Go to my blog page for THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
California's Channel Islands are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean along the Santa Barbara Channel and San Pedro Channel. Five of the islands are part of Channel Islands National Park.
Channel Islands National Park includes the Islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. The waters surrounding Channel Islands National Park make up Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
The Channel Islands are mostly undeveloped and have an abundance of sea life. The snorkeling and diving by the Channel Islands can be excellent with very clear water.
Kayaking and standup paddleboarding (SUP) are excellent ways to see the beautiful islands. The Island I have the most information about is Anacapa - I have a separate web page for Anacapa Island.
Getting You And Your Kayak or SUP To The Cahannel Islands
Transport To Channel Islands National Park. Island Packers can transport you and your kayak or SUP. Here is the link for transport to the islands in Channel Islands National Park.
Paddling From Mainland To The Channel Islands - Since the channel crossing to get to the islands is 11 to 20 miles and crosses major shipping lanes, I don’t recommend paddling from the mainland to the Channel Islands. However, paddling from the mainland is possible but dangerous. I know one person who has paddled to Anacapa Island. I know two people who have paddled to Catalina Island and one got run over by a boat on the way – fortunately, he survived.
Here are the Channel Islands listed from North West to South East: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, San Clemente
** San Miguel Island
Here is the Channel Islands National Park Link for San Miguel Island
** Santa Rosa Island
Here is the Channel Islands National Park Link for Santa Rosa Island
** Santa Cruz Island
Cobble rock beach at Scorpion Anchorage.
Here is the Channel Islands National Park Link for Santa Cruz Island
** Anacapa Island (I have a separate Anacapa web page with pictures and more information - click here to see)
Anacapa Island consists of three Islets - East Anacapa, Middle Anacapa, and West Anacapa Islands. At a very high tide, shallow water passes between all three islets. At low tide, the land between Middle and East Anacapa is out of the water.
Anacapa Island is very beautiful and provides some spectacular kayaking and excellent snorkeling.
I have kayaked all the way around Anacapa Island (all the islets) in one day – about 15 miles. When you kayak around anacapa, there are quite a few small beaches that you can often land on. You can often do some excellent snorkeling off of a kayak.
Kayaks must be stowed on landing dock – a cement dock accessed by a long metal ladder and about 10 to 15 feet above water depending on the tide.
There is a hoist to lower kayaks to the water. I suggest bringing a long rope in case the hoist is broken. I used my own long rope to lower and lift my kayak. You must climb down the long metal ladder to get to your kayak.
You can camp on Anacapa Island (fee). There is no water on Anacapa Island so you must bring your own. To get to the campground, you must climb the 10 to 15 foot ladder to the dock. You must then climb 157 stairs to the top of the cliff. The distance from the landing to the campground is one-half mile and includes the 157-stair climb. You must carry your camping gear to the campground, but leave your kayak on the dock in the landing cove.
Here is the Channel Islands National Park Link for Anacapa Island
** Santa Barbara Island
Here is the Channel Islands National Park Link for Santa Barbara Island
** Santa Catalina Island (Also called Catalina Island)
Catalina island is the most visited of the Channel Islands but isn’t part of the Channel Islands National Park. It contains the city of Avalon and the village of Two Harbors.
While Catalina is the most visited, none of the major boats that transport people will transport your kayak to the island. There are companies that will rent you a kayak on Catalina Island.
** San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island is owned and operated by the United States Navy. Bombing practice with live ammunition occurs on the island. Other military operations also occur on San Clemente Island.
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CHANNEL ISLANDS - Kayak, Canoe and Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Guide Book - Guidebook
