SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (SCI)

Potable water is available in the campground area. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach and two in the campground area.

Picnic tables are located near the beach and in the Visitors Center area. A 31-site campground area begins one mile from the pier and is an easy flat walk.

There is NO potable water available at Prisoners Harbor. Vault style restrooms are located near the beach. Picnic tables are located near the pier, and 1.3 uphill miles at the Del Norte trail head.

There is no Visitors Center at Prisoner’s. Four 4-man campsites are located 3.5 miles up the trail above the cove with beautiful overlooks. This is back country camping.

At over 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest island in the Park. Santa Cruz includes three mountain ranges.

The highest peak of all the Channel Islands (Mount Diablo rising above 2000 feet,) a large central valley/fault system, deep canyons with year round springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools and expansive beaches.

These varied land forms support a wide variety of plant and animal species. More than 600 plant species have been documented in ten different plant communities from marsh and grasslands to chaparral and pine forests.

There are 140 species of land birds, 11 land mammal species, three amphibian and five reptile species. Large colonies of nesting sea birds, breeding seals and sea lions, and other diverse marine plants and animals can often be seen during transit to the island and from mainland.

From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the island’s unique environments. Notably, the island scrub-jay, the Santa Cruz Island fox and eight plant species are found on Santa Cruz and nowhere else in the world (endemics).

You can view the endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay year-round: an easy stroll up the dirt road to the old stream bed at Prisoners Harbor or a rugged hike up Scorpion Canyon should provide a viewing opportunity year-round.

The island is exceptionally rich in cultural history with evidence of over 13,000 years of Chumash people habitation and over 150 years of European exploration.

Remnants of the ranching era also can be seen throughout the landscape of the island. Adobe ranch houses, barns, blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800 and 1900s.

Once underway the channel crossing takes about one hour, longer if we encounter marine life along the way.

There are vault style restrooms, tree shaded picnic tables and potable drinking water available at Scorpion Anchorage.

There is plenty to discover on a Scorpion Anchorage Day Trip, beginning with a visit to the island visitors center located at historic Scorpion Ranch. Panel displays, exhibits and a topographic relief map describe the vast bio-diversity and rich cultural history of Santa Cruz Island.

Scorpion Anchorage offers some of the most varied trails, from family hikes to strenuous trails for the avid hiker. A guided hike by a volunteer National Park naturalist is offered on most day trips. The guided hike is on the Cavern Point Trail at no charge.

• Hiking the Scorpion Loop Trail
• Hiking Cavern Point – Potato Harbor Loop Trail

View Scorpion Area in Google Trekker

You can swim or snorkel through shoreline kelp forests or just relax on the cobblestone beach. Coastal kayaking along the cave pocketed volcanic cliffs is a popular exploration of kayaking enthusiasts.

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure 45 minutes before your scheduled mainland departure.

• 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.

• Fresh/Potable water is available in the campsite area.

• 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 the Scorpion Ranch area. There is no shade on trail. Hat and sunscreen is recommended even on overcast days.

Prisoner’s Harbor offers hiking trail options from short, level-ground walks, to truly strenuous hikes. A guided trek by an Island Packer naturalist is offered on most day trips. These hikes often travel the scenic, 4-mile trail from Prisoner’s Harbor towards Pelican Bay. There is no charge for naturalist-led hikes:

Self Guided Trail Options:

• 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.

View Prisoners Harbor in Google Trekker

Travelers visiting Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island have the option to participate in a rewarding, rugged hike along the Pelican Bay Trail. These hikes are escorted by an Island Packer naturalist along coastal bluffs, and through pine tree groves, oak trees, and multiple deep canyons. Scenic views and an excellent opportunity to spy unique wildlife highlight this strenuous hike along the wetter northwest portion of the island.

In springtime, the island’s plants and flowers burst with stunning colors and bird life is plentiful. Visitors have an excellent chance to see the bright blue Island Scrub Jay, which is an endemic species found only on Santa Cruz Island. Other year-round endemic species frequently found when hiking this trail include the Santa Cruz Island Fox.

Persons who participate in this guided hike must complete and sign a TNC Release form which Island Packers provides. You may also download the release form.
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 heading back to meet the boat.

Visitors to Prisoner’s Harbor can join the guided hike, hike on their own, swim in the ocean, enjoy the pier, snorkel, or just relax on the cobblestone beach. Coastal kayaking is also a popular activity for kayaking enthusiasts. Fishing is allowed in this area with all required California Fish & Game licensing.

Visitors intending to hike on the Pelican Bay Trail should be prepared. There is no water or other supplies available at Prisoners Harbor. Visitors need to arrive in the morning with all food, drink, and personal supplies they will need for the day. Amenities at Prisoner’s Harbor include a pit toilet near the landing but no other services.

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.

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

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure 45 minutes before your scheduled mainland departure.

• 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.

• 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.