About UsSanta Cruz Island to Anacapa Island Guided Trips
We know you'll love Anacapa and Santa Cruz - we sure do! Anacapa is one of the smallest (about 5 miles long) and Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel Islands (about 24 miles long, 7 miles at its widest and 2400ft at its highest.) Santa Cruz hosts more than 600 plant species, 140 bird species and lots of mammals (most introduced). Chumash Indians inhabited Santa Cruz Island for more than 6000 years. When Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived in 1542, as many as 2000 Chumash probably still lived there. Since 1839 the Island has been used as a ranch and, more recently a hunting ranch. In 1988 The Nature Conservancy acquired most of the island, managed as the Santa Cruz Island Preserve. The eastern end of Santa Cruz Is, where we will be paddling and camping, is owned by the National Park Service. This island and Anacapa make up two of the five islands in Channel Islands National Park.
Friday
We'll meet on Friday morning in Channel Islands Harbor. Your guide(s) will be on the beach
early to get boats and all ready. We'll fill you in on all the logistics and trip packing and
preparation details of this fine trip a couple of weeks before departure.
We will arrive at the Anacapa landing cove in the early afternoon. Friday afternoon is free play time! You can hike the expanse of the island, snorkel in the landing cove, or relax and just read a book. Sunset is a spectacular time to walk the length of East Anacapa and watch the colors over West Anacapa. Bring your camera and lots of film if you're into sunsets. After our sunset walk we'll dine on a pot-luck dinner provided by our whole group!
Saturday
On Saturday we'll have a chance to explore the coastline of Anacapa's three islets, sneaking
into many caves and surfing through an arch-tube, if swell conditions permit. Once we leave Anacapa
we'll paddle an additional 8 miles to Scorpion Bay on Santa Cruz island, set up camp and go for a hike or
swim. You'll be ready to "actively relax" after your day of kayak exploration.
Sunday
We'll rise for breakfast early so we can be packed up and ready for more island exploration. Morning
is probably the prettiest time on the island - the marine mammals might well be there to greet us! We'll
again don our helmets and enjoy some fine sea caves After another great day exploring the caves and
coastline, the motor boat will bring us back to the Harbor.
Now It's Your Turn: We recommend reservations well in advance
for this trip. They are honored on a first come (first paid), first served basis. A 50% deposit will hold
your space until 60 days before departure when the entire fee is due.
How to Reserve Your Trip and Trip Policies - Click here to find out more details! Or contact us at info@southwindkayaks.com or 1-800-SOUTHWIND.