What Is Anacapa Island?
There are a total of eight islands lining the deep Santa Barbara Channel, each with unique ecosystems and endemic species. Only five make up Channel Islands National Park; Anacapa is the closest and fourth largest of these!
What Makes It Beautiful?
Anacapa is sort of a storybook island; its name comes from the Chumash word for “mirage” based on how it would appear and disappear in the morning fog. It is home to the Seussian coreopsis flower, which covers the island and provides resting places for unusually lackadaisical seagulls! It doesn’t take long to span the island and drink in its colors, or to reach the stunningly picturesque, and appropriately named Inspiration Point! It is a perfect place to soak up the sun, to paint flowers, and to lose yourself in the sounds of the sea!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with the National Park Service!
- Donate to the Channel Islands Park Foundation!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
The only official way to get to the Channel Islands is to visit Island Packers and take a boat. They have two branches with boats to Anacapa Island. The total boating time is about an hour. Here are the addresses:
Ventura Harbor {The main visitor center is here.}
1691 Spinnaker Dr.
Ventura, CA 93001
Channel Islands Harbor
3550 Harbor Boulevard
Oxnard, CA 93035
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
Boats go to Anacapa Island year-round. I would personally recommend going in the spring when the coreopsis are blooming. Any earlier, and you could face gloomy clouds and chilly breezes, and any later, you’ll be there during the seagull nesting season. Apparently they don’t take too kindly to visitors during that time!
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