PRISONERS HARBOR DAY TRIP

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.

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

➤ 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

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.