- All Ages
- Non-Landing Trip
- One-Way
Explore one of the largest sea caves and enjoy hiking at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island.
- Destination #1: Painted Cave – Santa Cruz Island
- Destination #2 Prisoners Harbor
Quick Details
Day Visitor
People departing and returning to a mainland port without an overnight stay.
Adult (13-54)
$ 35
Senior (55 and up)
$ 32.50
Military
$ 32.50
Child (3-12)
$ 25.00
Infant (under 3)
Free
Round Trip
starting from
$ 70
Camper
People staying overnight one or more nights.
Adult (13-54)
$ 46.50
Senior (55 and up)
$ 44.00
Military
$ 44.00
Child (3-12)
$ 34.00
Infant (under 3)
Free
JOIN US FOR A DAY TRIP TO PRISONERS HARBOR AND EXPLORE ITS ATTRACTIONS!
Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties.
Prisoners Harbor Day Trip Options
➤ One way trip from Ventura to Prisoners Harbor
➤ Return trip from Prisoners Harbor to Ventura
Santa Cruz Island Prisoners Harbor Highlights
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The channel crossing for a Prisoner’s Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage.
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For the wildlife fan, the Prisoners Harbor day trip offers a good chance to see two animals found nowhere else in the world. Both the Island Fox and the Santa Cruz Island Jay make their homes at Prisoner’s Harbor.
Prisoner’s Harbor is the access point for the private TNC Property
Prisoners Harbor Pier & Beach Area Photo by Tim Hauf
Kayakers in Tinkers Cove Photo by Chuck Graham
Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties.
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➤ Eagle Canyon Picnic Area
Less than a half mile one way – Enjoy a brief walk up the Navy Road to a picnic area that has beautiful views of Prisoner’s Harbor.
➤ Del Norte Trailhead
.3 miles one way – Take a longer walk to the campground trail head, where the picnic area faces Chinese Harbor and the mainland beyond.
➤ South Side Overlook
2.5 miles one way – For the more adventurous, this uphill climb will leave you breathless with awe at the incredible panoramic view. On a clear day, you can see San Nicholas Island, Santa Barbara Island, and Santa Catalina Island out to the south.
Additional Trail Information – NPS
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Hiking
Prisoners Harbor day trip visitors can participate in a moderately strenuous hike along the Pelican Bay Trail with an Island Packer naturalist. This rocky trail travels along coast bluffs, through groves of pine and oak trees and through multiple deep canyons, offering scenic views and an occasional endemic island fox. Persons that participate in this guided hike must complete and sign a TNC Release form which Island Packers provides. You may also download the release form.
TNC Liability Form
Pelican Bay Trail Guide – by TNC
Accessing the Ocean:
Santa Cruz Island at Prisoners Harbor has a sand and rocky beach. Visitors who want to access the ocean for swimming, snorkeling or kayaking are advised to bring a pair of water shoes. The addition of water shoes will make your ocean experience much more enjoyable.
This hike is not a destination hike to Pelican Bay, but a guided hike through this pristine area along the Pelican Bay Trail. Hikers should not expect to reach Pelican Bay on this hike. Group size and hiker fitness will determine how far along the trail we can go before we must head back to meet the boat.
Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay Photo by Doug Mangum
Visitors to Prisoner’s Harbor can join the guided hike, hike on their own, swim in the ocean, enjoy the pier, snorkel through shoreline kelp forests, or just relax on the cobblestone beach. Coastal kayaking is another popular exploration for kayaking enthusiasts. Fishing is allowed in this area with all required California Fish & Game licensing.
What You Need to Know & Bring
➤ Pack food and drink for your time on the island. A small cooler with a single handle or a backpack will help to protect your food from the small animals and birds that populate the islands year-round. There are no shops or restaurants on the island.
➤ Please arrive at your harbor of departure 45 minutes before your scheduled mainland departure.
➤ There is NO FRESH/Potable water at this area of the island. You must bring water with you for your requirements.
➤ Visitors to the island must take all their trash with them when they depart the island.
➤ Flat shoes with rubber soles are best for both the boat and the island. We recommend hiking shoes. We suggest passengers do not wear loose or leather soled sandals or flip flops on your island adventure.
➤ Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Santa Barbara Channel. It is always best to dress in layers and bring a jacket/sweatshirt (even in the summer months).
➤ Shade is available in some of the picnic area. Most trails have little or no shade. A hat and sunscreen are recommended.
➤ A second pair of shoes or water shoes are recommended for the cobblestone beach, for foot protection, if you are planning to get into the water.