Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island is the most popular destination in Channel Islands National Park— and for good reason! My favorite things to do at Scorpion Cove can be found both above water and below, which is a unique feature of this particular National Park.
From hiking to beautiful vistas, kayaking through massive sea caves at Cavern Point, and snorkeling some of the healthiest kelp forests in California, to camping overnight and searching for the endemic island foxes and island scrub jays, Scorpion Cove has it all!
Unfortunately, there’s way too much to do in one day. However, if you only have one day to explore, this is my favorite itinerary!
Transportation to Scorpion Cove
Rise and shine early because the ferry departs from Ventura Harbor. Island Packers is the only company that can transport you to and from the Channel Islands for the day, unless you sign up for a scuba trip or fishing charter, but those stay just offshore.
Be sure to depart from the correct harbor, because a trip occasionally leaves from Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Confusing right? Not to worry. Usually these are the wildlife cruise and Anacapa Island trips. Santa Cruz Island trips almost always depart from Ventura Harbor.
Usually, you can book your boat fare through the kayak company with your tour, but if you’d like to book tickets separately, you can do so here. Otherwise, keep scrolling for booking options with Channel Islands Adventure Company.
Arrive at Least 45 Minutes Early
Plan to arrive at the Island Packers office at Ventura Harbor at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. This will give you time to check in with the office and grab your boarding passes. The boat will board 15 minutes prior to departure, but the sooner you arrive, the better choice of seats you’ll have on the ferry.
Channel Crossing Tips
The Santa Barbara Channel can be a wild and unpredictable place. Expect rough seas. If it’s nice, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you’re prone to motion sickness, here are some tips to get you through it:
- Take seasickness medication: at least 1 hour in advance
- Choose a seat outside on the lower back deck: this area has the least movement
- Stay out of the restrooms: this is the #1 worst place on the boat for motion sickness
- Address your symptoms as soon as possible: move outside and grab a bag or you’ll leave a trail behind you
- Move to the rail, face forwards, and look at the horizon: best chance of feeling better and prime location for sharing your breakfast with the fish
- If you do lose breakfast, rehydrate and get some electrolytes back in your system once on the island and be relieved that the ride home is usually no big deal due to the swell and wind direction.
Santa Cruz Island Tips
True to the national park spirit, there are no amenities here except pit toilets and potable water spigots. Here are some tips to make your day go smoothly:
- Bring all of your food for the day
- Bring reusable water bottles to refill
- Prepare for lots of sun with sun protection (clothes, hats, and sunscreen)
- Wear clothes you can get dirty
- Use the fox boxes: foxes and ravens will unzip bags and steal keys, money, and lunches
Guided Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Scorpion Cove
One of the best things to do at Scorpion Cove is hands down the guided sea cave kayak tour!
Santa Cruz Island is known for its incredible sea caves and arches— some of the largest on the planet. I’d recommend a tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company. During your tour, you’ll get up close with some massive caves as well as paddle through some pretty small ones! The guides are so knowledgeable about sea conditions and the island in general.
There are a few different tours to choose from depending on your skill level. I’d recommend the Adventure Sea Cave Kayak tour, which lasts approximately four hours and will take you into towering caves, over diverse kelp forests, and through tight arches. I won’t spoil it with any more insight, but just know this tour might just be the best thing to do on Santa Cruz Island (in my opinion).
If you’d rather leave more time for hiking and snorkeling, I’d recommend signing up for the shorter Discovery Tour (2.5hrs).
Click here to learn more about available tours.
Make sure to book the earliest tour of the day in order to leave yourself some time to take a little hike up to an incredible lookout.
Afternoon Hike to Cavern Point
After a successful kayak tour around and under Santa Cruz Island, it’s time to explore the top of the island! Summon whatever energy you have left and take a short hike up to Cavern Point— essentially on top of the caves you just paddled through. This hike ranks as #3 on my top 4 vista hikes in Channel Islands National Park!
From the kayak storefront, continue into the island, passing the lower campground on the way to the start of the loop. Here you might be lucky to spot a few of the endemic (and ridiculously adorable) island foxes, or an endemic island scrub jay! Take a right at the end of the lower campground and start up the fairly easy series of hills to the top of the point.
At the top, continue right along the bluffs until you reach the actual lookout area. The top of Cavern Point has been special place for the indigenous Chumash people for thousands of years, and continues to be a special place for visitors today!
Continue right (east) until you begin to descend. On the descent, try to spot Anacapa Island in the distance! The trail ends right next to the visitor center— a three-minute walk to the pier. If you still find yourself with some extra time, check out the visitor center and hopefully answer any questions you still might have about the island, or continue to the beach for a quick snorkel!
**Pro Tip: If you aren’t interested in snorkeling and have an extra hour of time to hike, consider the longer loop hike to Potato Harbor! You’ll pass by Cavern Point on the way back!
Quick Kelp Forest Snorkel in Scorpion Cove
Although the kelp forests are incredible here, conditions are variable and might not always be conducive to snorkeling. If conditions are good and you have time after hiking, give yourself a good half-hour to look around underwater before boarding. Good snorkeling can be accessed right next to the pier!
More information on snorkeling in Channel Islands National Park!
Returning to Ventura
You are probably exhausted after an active day on the water and on the island. For some reason, I always feel extra sleepy on the boat ride home. Luckily, it’s rare that anyone feels sick on the ride home due to favorable prevailing swell direction. It feels like a gentle surf!
Once I arrive at Ventura Harbor, I’m usually starving. If this is true for you too, here are a couple of my favorite quick food joints nearby to grab dinner to go:
- Spencer Makenzie’s: Amazing fish tacos
- Topper’s Pizza: Yummy local pizza chain
- Moons Thai Cuisine: The best Thai food I’ve eaten in a long time
- Meridians Eatery: Tasty, filling sandwiches
When to Visit Scorpion Cove
I personally think the best time to visit Scorpion Cove is in September or October since the water is warmest, the sea is generally less bumpy, the trails are less crowded, and the weather is less windy. However, Santa Cruz Island is open to visitation year-round, so this itinerary is possible no matter when you visit!
Feel free to contact me with any other questions you have about planning your trip to Scorpion Cove!
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