Island & destination guide
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA
Overview
Santa Cruz Island is the biggest island in Channel Islands National Park, about 22 miles long and 97 square miles, with Devils Peak rising to 2,429 feet. It lies in Santa Barbara County. Its ownership is split: the National Park Service manages about 24 percent at the eastern end, and The Nature Conservancy owns the other 76 percent. That split decides where private boaters can step ashore.
Where boaters go
The two main landings are on the north coast. Scorpion Anchorage, on the northeast side, has a pier landing, a visitor center in the historic ranch house, a campground, water and picnic tables. Prisoners Harbor, farther west, has a pier landing and picnic tables but no water. Little Scorpion Cove is next to Scorpion and has a sandy bottom with good holding, though swell can find its way in. Neither pier is available to private boats: moorings and pier tie-ups are off limits, so you anchor and go ashore by dinghy or paddlecraft.
Landing rules
No landing permit is needed on NPS land, which includes the beaches at Scorpion and Prisoners Harbor. The Nature Conservancy requires a landing permit for its land, applied for in advance at nature.org/cruzpermit (allow at least 10 business days). TNC permits are valid for daylight use only, and the group limit is 10 people on a single boat. The shoreline between Arch Point and the east boundary of Potato Harbor is closed to landing to protect nesting seabirds.
Marine protected areas
Scorpion Anchorage sits inside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve and Federal Marine Reserve, where no fishing or any take of marine resources is allowed. Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area covers the northwest end, and Gull Island State and Federal Marine Reserve lies off the south coast. Check chart boundaries before you set a hook or drop a line.
Getting there & access
Scorpion Anchorage
Scorpion is on the northeast side of the island and is the most visited landing. Boaters generally anchor in the open bay off the beach in about 20 to 25 feet, with deeper water toward the middle, and go ashore by dinghy or kayak. Cruising reports describe a mixed sand, mud and weed bottom with variable holding, kelp around charted rocks, and sudden wind shifts, so set your anchor with plenty of scope. The pier is for the ferry and park vessels; do not tie up to it.
Little Scorpion
A small cove next to Scorpion with sand and good holding, but quite deep close in and open to swell, which can make for a rough night. Boats commonly anchor bow and stern here to hold position.
Prisoners Harbor
Prisoners Harbor has room for roughly 25 boats in normal conditions and more than 30 on busy holiday weekends. Anchor in about 15 to 20 feet; eelgrass and mud can make the anchor hard to set. The west side offers the best protection from the usual westerlies, and swell can wrap around the point. The beach has steep cobble. A fence line between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage marks the Nature Conservancy boundary.
Crossing and weather
Santa Cruz lies across the busy Santa Barbara Channel shipping lanes. The calmest weather is usually August through October. There is no fuel, store or public mooring on the island, and one person should stay aboard your boat at all times.
By land: the mainland end
Most trips start at Ventura Harbor or Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Park headquarters and the visitor center are at 1901 Spinnaker Dr in Ventura Harbor, (805) 658-5730.
Amenities
- Scorpion visitor center — Historic ranch house with exhibits, half a mile on a flat walk from the landing
- Scorpion campground — Primitive; picnic tables, food storage boxes, pit toilets and water; reservations required
- Water — Available at Scorpion; none at Prisoners Harbor
- Kayak rentals and guided tours — Offered at Scorpion by a park concessionaire
- Prisoners Harbor pier and picnic area — Pier for park and ferry vessels, picnic tables near the beach, backcountry camping nearby
- Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking — Allowed at the beaches; there are no lifeguards
- Fuel and supplies — None; bring everything
Rules & official resources
- A landing permit is required for all private boaters going ashore on Nature Conservancy land: $35 for 30 days or $75 annual, daylight use only, one boat and up to 10 people
- No hiking onto Nature Conservancy property beyond the park boundary fence between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage
- The shoreline between Arch Point and the east boundary of Potato Harbor is closed to landing
- No fishing or take of any marine resource in the Scorpion marine reserve
- Painted Cave SMCA: only recreational take of lobster and listed pelagic finfish is allowed
- Gull Island reserve: no take of any living, geological or cultural marine resource
- No pets, no campfires and no collecting of plants or specimens ashore; no mooring to buoys, piers, docks or rocks
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Anchoring gear and engine reliability
Anchorages here are open to wind shifts and swell, and help is far away. Owners check anchors, windlasses, engines and cooling systems before the crossing.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Electronics for the channel
Fog and shipping traffic put radar, AIS, GPS and VHF at the center of safe trips to the island.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Clean bottoms for range
With no fuel on the island, a clean hull and propeller help you carry enough range. Divers keep slip boats in Ventura and Oxnard clean.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Salt and sun care
Island trips mean long days of sun and salt spray. Detailing and regular washdowns protect gelcoat and canvas.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- home.nps.gov
- nature.org
- nps.gov
- home.nps.gov
- wildlife.ca.gov
- sailchannelislands.com
- sailchannelislands.com
Last verified October 1, 2026