Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara

Anacapa Island Camping Itinerary

Please read the following prior to your trip. More information can be found at www. nps.gov/chi

In Oxnard Harbor:

• Meeting: You will need to arrive in Oxnard at 7:00am to allow for camping gear to be stowed in the ferry's hull.
• Parking: It is best to temporarily park by the loading dock on the left side of the Island Packer's building. This is a loading zone, you must move your vehicle after unloading to an area with no paint on the curb. Failure to do this will result in a parking ticket.
• Checking In: Check in at the front desk at Island Packers, or find your guide, they will be wearing a red hat.
• Picking the correct Ferry: Your boarding will have the ferry's name on it. Make sure you are loading the correct ferry. Your destination is Anacapa Island, East Cove.
• Loading the Ferry: After receiving your boarding pass, please unload your gear and pile it at the top of the ramp. You may bring your gear down this ramp and to your departing boat. All gear is to be loaded 15 minutes prior to ferry departure. They are very prompt, do not make them late, they may eat your food.
• Coolers: Bring all coolers to the back deck of your departing ferry.
• Fuel: Please be prepared to load fuel on the back deck. Fuel is not allowed on the storage compartments, you will be asked to remove it from any stowed gear.
• Water: Please pack water seperately and label with grey duct tape.
• Boarding:  The Island Packer's Captain will make general boarding announcements, have your boarding pass ready.

At the Island

• Unloading the ferry: Campers are last to unload the boat. Please wait and help unload gear from the hull. Bring all coolers to the front of the boat. Don't forget your fuel
• Orientation: Once on the Island you will be required to listen to an island orientation given by a Park Ranger.
• East Cove : Anacapa Island is surrounded by cliffs, and you will encounter one of these cliffs as soon as you reach the island. The dock is neslted in the side of a cove and there are 150 stairs that take you to the top of the island. You will most likely have to carry your gear to the top of these stairs and the 1/4 of a mile to the campground.
• Weather: The afternoons can get windy, and we like to avoid wind, so it is best to kayak early in the morning. Please do not take off for the campground until after you have kayaked.. If the group has to wait for you, you will be the first kayaker to demonstrate how to properly get back into your boat!
• Kayaking: Anacapa is a great place to kayak. Having a very small amount of coast line is great for kayakers, because we get to explore every knook and cranny we can poke our kayaks into. What we do each day depends on your desire for adventure and the weather conditions at the islands.
• Camping Area: The camping area at Anacapa is ontop of the East Island. It can be very windy, so prepare for such condidions. There is running potable water and pit-toilets at the camping area..

 

Camping at Anacapa Island

• Primitive Camping: The camping at all of the Channel Islands is considered primitive camping, which means there are no facilities or services. However, please feel free to bring coolers, chairs, solar showers, and whatever else might make your stay more enjoyable. Do remember you must lug this gear to the campground up 150 stairs.
• Toilets: There are toilets at the camping areas at the island, they do have TP but there are no sinks or showers.
• Water: There is no available water at Anacapa Island, please bring your own water for drinking, cleaning and cooking.
• Ferry: A ferry will be leaving the island each day at 3:00pm.
  

Rules to Abide

• ALL TRASH MUST BE PACKED OUT
• ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED, please do not leave cans/bottles in camping area or boxes.
• NO CAMPFIRES- propane or white gas stoves only
• 2 Tents per site, camp in designated areas only
• Quiet hours start at 10:00pm (please go somewhere else if you are planning on being loud)

 

Frequently forgotten items:
Flashlight, extra propane, hiking boots, dish cleaning supplies, snacks, drinking water (1/2 gallon per person per day), ground cloth, basic first aid (band-aids, etc.), extra socks, towel, sunscreen, warm jacket (it can get chilly at night).

The Natural Element:
This is a wilderness environment, you are both far from help and in the habitat of wild animals. Anacapa Island is not inhabited by anything that can harm you, but it is always a good idea to keep a clean camp. Western Gulls are vicious with all food that is left unattended.

Help!:
You will be camping a distance away from hospitals, so we suggest making decisions that reflect a conciousness of the trouble you can get yourself into at a remote island. If for any reason you do need help while camping, the ranger station is at the top of the island, next to the camping area. You will also be camping with your guide and they can help you in the case of an emergency.

Besides Hiking

Hiking:
The best and really only hike on Anacapa Island is to Inspiration Point. There are maps and guides at the island.

Fishing:
Fishing is not permitted in East Cove, or anywhere close to the camping area.

Diving/Snorkeling:
WE RENT THIS EQUIPMENT UPON REQUEST(mask, fins, snorkel, in mesh bag) East Cove is a protected marine enviornment. This means it is a great place to snorkel and dive. Please take advantage of this beautiful underwater wilderness. Feel free to snorkel right from the dock. You may use your Paddle Sports wetsuit for this

Underwater Basket weaving:
A very difficult skill to master, please feel free to practice your little heart out. You may be lucky enough to find a friend on the beach and share this wonderful experience with them!

REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN AND RELAX, YOU'RE ON ISLAND TIME OUT HERE!!

          

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