Channel Islands Kayaking Map +
3-Day Santa Cruz Island Itinerary
3-day sea kayaking and camping weekend on Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands. Camp at Scorpion Canyon, paddle the sea caves toward Painted Cave (the world's largest), and hike the Cavern Point Loop, just 90 minutes from Los Angeles.
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Sea caves, island foxes & the world's largest sea cave, 90 minutes from LA.
For a 3-day sea kayaking weekend in Channel Islands National Park, base your logistics out of Ventura Harbor and take the Island Packers ferry to Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the eight Channel Islands. You'll camp two nights at Scorpion Canyon Campground and paddle the dramatic sea caves along the north coast.
The highlight is a full day of sea kayaking toward Painted Cave, a 1,227-foot sea cave near the island's western end that is one of the largest in the world. Between paddles you'll hike the Cavern Point Loop for panoramic coastline views and a good chance to spot the endemic island fox.
A wilderness camping permit ($15/night, booked through Recreation.gov) is required for any overnight stay, and every visitor rides the Island Packers ferry. There is no cell service, no trash service, and no open fires on the island, so you pack in and pack out everything. April through October brings the calmest, clearest paddling conditions.
Book the Island Packers ferry and your Recreation.gov camping permit at the same time, reservations open about six months out and weekends in peak season (April–October) fill fast. If you are not bringing your own boat, reserve a kayak rental or guided tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company at Scorpion in advance. Kayaks carried on the ferry require an extra Island Packers reservation.
Ferry to Santa Cruz Island & Scorpion Anchorage
Your Channel Islands weekend begins with an early morning Island Packers ferry from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. The hour-and-a-half crossing is part of the experience, with regular dolphin and whale sightings. Check in about 45 minutes before departure and have all your gear packed and ready to load.
On arrival, carry your gear to Scorpion Canyon Campground and pitch camp. It is a primitive site with pit toilets and potable water but no showers, electricity, or trash service. Spend the afternoon exploring the historic Scorpion Ranch and visitor center, and get your kayaks and dry bags organized for tomorrow's big paddle.
- ~90 min from Los Angeles · paid harbor parking · Island Packers dock
- ~1.5 hr crossing · reservations required · kayaks carried for a fee
- $15/night · ~0.5 mi from the pier · potable water · pit toilets
- Explore Scorpion Ranch & visitor centerHistoric ranch buildings · island history and ecology exhibits
- Book the Island Packers ferry and your Recreation.gov camping permit at the same time; weekends in peak season fill up six months out.
- Store all food and scented items in the campground's critter-proof food-storage boxes to protect the endemic island fox. Open fires are prohibited, so bring a self-contained stove.
- There is no trash service on the island. Everything you carry in, including all food scraps and trash, must be packed back out on the ferry.
The crossingScorpion Canyon campSea Kayaking the Sea Caves & Painted Cave
Sea cavesStargazing campToday is the highlight: a full day of sea kayaking along the dramatic north coast of Santa Cruz Island, threading kelp forests, arches, and a chain of sea caves. Start early to maximize daylight and beat the afternoon winds, and pack lunch, snacks, and plenty of water in dry bags. The water is cold year-round, so a wetsuit or drysuit is strongly recommended.
The marquee stop is Painted Cave, a 1,227-foot sea cave near the island's western end named for the lichen and algae that streak its walls. Only enter any cave when the swell is calm and safe, and bring a headlamp for the dark interior. Find a sheltered cove for lunch, then paddle back to Scorpion Anchorage for a second night of stargazing at camp.
- Guided or self-guided · kelp forests, arches & caves · wetsuit advised
- 1,227 ft long · one of the world's largest sea caves · enter only when calm
- Return paddle to Scorpion AnchorageWatch for afternoon headwinds, currents, seals and seabirds
- Dark skies for stargazing · refill water · critter-proof all food
- Water temperatures around Santa Cruz Island stay a cold 50–65°F year-round. Wear a wetsuit or drysuit even in summer to guard against hypothermia if you capsize.
- The full paddle to Painted Cave is long and exposed; many visitors book a guided sea-cave kayak tour or a boat-assisted Painted Cave trip instead of paddling the whole distance from Scorpion.
- Check the marine forecast before and during the day, and only enter a sea cave when the swell is low. Conditions can change fast, so keep self-rescue skills sharp.
Cavern Point Loop & Ferry Home
Spend your final morning on a scenic hike around Scorpion Anchorage. The Cavern Point Loop is a short, roughly 2-mile clifftop loop with panoramic views of the coastline, the sea caves below, and, on clear days, the mainland. It is a prime spot to catch an island fox trotting through the coastal scrub.
After the hike, break down camp, do a final leave-no-trace sweep of your site, and carry everything to the pier for the afternoon Island Packers ferry back to Ventura Harbor. Give yourself plenty of buffer, ferries run on a fixed schedule and missing the boat is a serious problem. From Ventura it is about 90 minutes back to Los Angeles.
- ~2 mi loop · ~300 ft gain · panoramic coast views · island foxes
- Break down camp & pack it outLeave no trace · pack out all trash · consolidate gear for the pier
- Arrive at the pier ~30 min early · confirm the schedule in advance
- The Cavern Point Loop trailhead is just past the visitor center, a short walk from the campground. Wear sturdy shoes and carry water, there is no shade on the bluffs.
- Confirm your return ferry time the night before and arrive at the pier about 30 minutes early. Missing the boat can strand you overnight.
- Do a final sweep of your campsite for micro-trash and forgotten gear; the island fox is curious and easily harmed by human food and litter.
Island foxFerry homeNow build your Channel Islands trip.
You've seen all three days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your paddling experience, and whether you add a second island or a guided kayak tour.
Essential island rules & planning.
Ferry & permits, book together
Every visitor reaches Santa Cruz Island on the Island Packers ferry from Ventura, and any overnight stay needs a wilderness camping permit ($15/night) through Recreation.gov. Reservations open about six months out and weekends in peak season fill fast, so book the boat and the permit at the same time. Kayaks carried on the ferry require an extra reservation.
Cold water, real sea conditions
Water temperatures stay 50–65°F year-round, so wear a wetsuit or drysuit even in summer. The paddle is in open ocean; experience with sea kayaking, self-rescue, and reading swell and currents is essential. Only enter a sea cave when the swell is low, and check the marine forecast before and during your trip.
Pack it in, pack it out
There is no trash service on the island, so everything you bring, including all food scraps and trash, must be packed back out. Store all food and scented items in the campground's critter-proof boxes to protect the endemic island fox. Open fires are prohibited; only self-contained camp stoves are allowed.
No cell service, tell someone
There is no cell service anywhere on the Channel Islands. Leave a detailed itinerary with someone on the mainland before you go, and do not rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies on the water.
Water, no showers
Potable water is available at Scorpion Canyon Campground, but bring refillable containers and a filter or purifier as backup, and carry extra water for the paddle. There are pit toilets but no showers or electricity, so plan for a genuinely primitive two nights.
Getting there needs a car
Ventura Harbor is about 90 minutes from Los Angeles (or 1.5–2 hours from LAX) via US-101. You drive to the harbor, park in the paid lot, and take the ferry from there, so a car to reach Ventura is required. Go April through October for the calmest, clearest paddling; the shoulder months of April–May and September–October have the fewest crowds.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
Ready to go? Get your
Channel Islands kayaking route.
The Island Packers ferry and Recreation.gov permit timing, Scorpion Canyon camp rules, the Painted Cave and Scorpion sea-cave paddles, the Cavern Point Loop, and the cold-water and pack-it-out logistics you need for a safe weekend on Santa Cruz Island.
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