Who doesn’t love a day on an island!?!? Â The National Parks are so diverse and if you’re an island adventurer then you should make your way to Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa Island. Â
Getting to the Island
Island Transportation is provided by Island Packers.  They actually travel to 5 of the islands within the park, Anacapa being one of the more frequented.  You can catch a ride 3-7 days per week, depending on the time of year.  They have 2 harbors you can choose from in correlation of  where you are staying on the mainland.  It takes about an hour to get to the island once the boat has set sail and sometimes you’ll see wildlife, such as dolphins, if you’re lucky!  Check out their already scheduled trips HERE and make a reservation.  Please be aware that once you arrive at the island, you will have to make your way up about 150 steps to get to the top of the island.  It’s not strenuous and you can take as much time as you need getting to the top.  As far as the return trip, you’ll need to be back at the dock at 3:00pm.  This gives you more than enough time to explore the island.
Island Trail
You’ve made it up the stairs and now it’s time to explore! Â But wait, what’s that sound? Â Oh yeah…it’s birds. Â Anacapa is the main breeding colony for the western gull. Â It’s also home to 7 different species of marine birds and 22 species of land birds. Â If you’re on the island in the spring or summer, expect to see many, many baby birds. Â Unfortunately, the mortality rate of these birds is around 60% so while it is amazing to see the birds and their babies, be prepared to see several that have not made it past adolescence. Â
Now that you and the birds have gotten to know each other for a second, it’s time to hit the trail. Â The Island Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that takes you from the landing cove, out to inspiration point, and back to the cove. Â Things to see on the trail: Â
- Lighthouse - You can't go inside or get too close, but it's a beautiful spot on the island.
- Water Tank Building - There's no fresh water on the island, so it's brought in by boat and stored in tanks.
- Pinniped Point - Check out the sea lions as you walk along the bluffs.
- Campground - Thinking of spending a night under the stars?
- Inspiration Point - Don't miss the view you've been waiting for!
- Cathedral Cove - Another beautiful spot for wildlife viewing.
If you want to explore more islands, Channel Islands National Park has got you covered. Â Check out one of the other great islands and continue your adventure: Â Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbara Island.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
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Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Channel Islands National Park, the National Park Service, or Island Packers Cruises.
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