Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California
Santa Cruz Island, located off the coast of California, is the largest of the eight Channel Islands.
Santa Cruz Island, located off the coast of California, is the largest of the eight Channel Islands. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including the island fox, bald eagles, and sea lions.
The island is known for its rugged coastline, with steep cliffs and rocky shorelines. There are several hiking trails, including the popular Scorpion Canyon Trail, which offers stunning views of the ocean.
The island is also home to a variety of plants, including the endemic Santa Cruz Island ironwood tree. The island is a popular destination for kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching.
Visitors can also explore the island's historic sites, such as the Santa Cruz Island Ranch House, which was built in the late 1800s. Santa Cruz Island is a beautiful and unique destination, offering visitors a chance to explore its natural beauty and rich history.
Santa Cruz Island is located off the coast of Southern California in the Channel Islands National Park. It is the largest of the eight islands in the park and is located approximately 20 miles south of the mainland. The Santa Cruz Island cruise port is located in the harbor of the island's main town, Prisoners Harbor. The harbor is located on the north side of the island and is accessible by boat or ferry.
A shortlist of places worth your hours ashore, grouped by the kind of day you want.
Hiking is a popular activity on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. With its rugged terrain and stunning views, the island offers a variety of trails for hikers of all levels. From easy strolls along the beach to challenging treks up the island’s highest peak, hikers can explore the island’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Kayaking is a great way to explore Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. With its calm waters and stunning scenery, the island is a great place to paddle. Kayakers can explore the island’s coves and inlets, as well as its diverse marine life. Kayakers can also take part in guided tours of the island’s caves and sea caves.
Snorkeling is a popular activity on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. With its crystal clear waters and abundant marine life, the island is a great place to explore beneath the surface. Snorkelers can explore the island’s kelp forests and rocky reefs, as well as its diverse fish and invertebrate species. Snorkelers can also take part in guided tours of the island’s shipwrecks.
Carpinteria State Beach is a popular beach located near Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. It is a great spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. The beach is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species available. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales. It is a great spot for a relaxing day at the beach.
Gaviota State Beach is a popular beach located near Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. It is a great spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. The beach is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species available. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales. It is a great spot for a relaxing day at the beach, and for exploring the nearby Gaviota State Park.
Refugio State Beach is a popular beach located near Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. It is a great spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. The beach is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species available. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales. It is a great spot for a relaxing day at the beach, and for exploring the nearby tide pools.
Santa Cruz Island is home to a variety of rare and endangered species, including the island fox, the island scrub-jay, the Santa Cruz Island bush-mallow, and the Santa Cruz Island live-forever. It is also home to a variety of rare plants, including the Santa Cruz Island ironwood and the Santa Cruz Island manzanita. The island is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to a variety of seabirds, including the brown pelican, the western gull, and the black oystercatcher.
Santa Cruz Island is home to the world's largest sea cave, Painted Cave. It is located on the northern side of the island and is 1,250 feet long and up to 150 feet wide. It is a popular destination for kayakers and divers, and is home to a variety of marine life, including sea lions, harbor seals, and sea birds.
Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the eight islands in the Channel Islands archipelago, located off the coast of Southern California. It is 22 miles long and up to 6 miles wide, making it the largest island in the chain. It is home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, and is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and kayakers.
The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center is a great place to find souvenirs from Santa Cruz Island. They offer a wide variety of items, including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other memorabilia. They also have a selection of books and maps about the island, as well as a selection of local art and crafts. The Visitor Center is conveniently located near the cruise port, making it an easy stop for souvenirs.
Island Packers is a great place to find souvenirs from Santa Cruz Island. They offer a wide variety of items, including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other memorabilia. They also have a selection of books and maps about the island, as well as a selection of local art and crafts. Island Packers is conveniently located near the cruise port, making it an easy stop for souvenirs.
The Santa Cruz Island Gift Shop is a great place to find souvenirs from Santa Cruz Island. They offer a wide variety of items, including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other memorabilia. They also have a selection of books and maps about the island, as well as a selection of local art and crafts. The Gift Shop is conveniently located near the cruise port, making it an easy stop for souvenirs.
Your cruise line assigns the pier — here's what each one means for your day ashore.
Santa Cruz Island Harbor is the main cruise ship terminal located on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands of California. It is a popular destination for cruise ships, offering a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. The harbor is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and other amenities, as well as a marina and boat launch. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, fishing, and whale watching.
Santa Cruz Island Marina is a popular cruise ship terminal located on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands of California. The marina offers a variety of amenities, including a boat launch, fuel dock, and a variety of restaurants and shops. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, fishing, and whale watching. The marina is also home to a variety of charter boats, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the island's many attractions.
Santa Cruz Island Yacht Club is a popular cruise ship terminal located on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands of California. The yacht club offers a variety of amenities, including a boat launch, fuel dock, and a variety of restaurants and shops. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, fishing, and whale watching. The yacht club is also home to a variety of charter boats, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the island's many attractions.
Unfortunately, there is no public wifi access available at the Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California cruise port. However, some of the nearby restaurants and cafes may offer wifi access.
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California is generally considered to be a safe cruise port. The island is part of the Channel Islands National Park, which is patrolled by the National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. The island is also home to a large population of sea lions, seals, and other marine life, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, CaliforniaChannel Islands Harbor3600 Harbor BlvdOxnard, CA 93035
Piers are assigned by the cruise line — check your ship's docking notice the morning you arrive.
Average monthly temperature and rainfall. This month is highlighted.
No cruise ships are scheduled in Santa Cruz Island today, Sunday, October 25, 2026. Check the schedule for another date to see when ships are next due alongside.
Schedule updated
Other ports cruisers visit most in the U.S..
The things cruisers ask most before a day ashore in Santa Cruz Island.
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California cruise port is located in U.S.. Santa Cruz Island is located off the coast of Southern California in the Channel Islands National Park. It is the largest of the eight islands in the park and is located approximately 20 miles south of the mainland. The Santa Cruz Island cruise port is located in the harbor of the island's main town, Prisoners Harbor. The harbor is located on the north side of the island and is accessible by boat or ferry.
Yes, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California is a great cruise port. It offers a variety of activities, including kayaking, whale watching, and hiking. The island also has a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales. Additionally, the island is known for its stunning views and beautiful beaches.
Santa Cruz Island cruise port has a safety score of 8.3 out of 10, ranking #6 of 37 ports in U.S.. Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California is generally considered to be a safe cruise port. The island is part of the Channel Islands National Park, which is patrolled by the National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. The island is also home to a large population of sea lions, seals, and other marine life, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
In October, Santa Cruz Island cruise port has average high temperatures of 86°F (30°C) and average lows of 56°F (13°C).
There are currently 15 excursions and tours available at Santa Cruz Island cruise port, covering everything from guided sightseeing and cultural experiences to water sports and adventure activities. Book in advance to secure your preferred experience.
Santa Cruz Island cruise port offers 3 featured activities and attractions. Popular highlights include: Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling. Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the island's rugged coastline, hike through its lush forests, and take in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, including spotting seals, dolphins, and whales. Kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving are popular activities, as are camping and picnicking. Visitors can also explore the island's rich cultural history, with its many historic sites and artifacts. With its stunning scenery and abundance of activities, Santa Cruz Island is a great destination for those looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
1. Island Packers: Island Packers offers car rental services from their Ventura Harbor location, which is a short drive from the Santa Cruz Island cruise port. They offer a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans.2. Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Enterprise Rent-A-Car has a location in Ventura, which is a short drive from the Santa Cruz Island cruise port. They offer a variety of vehicles, including economy, luxury, and SUV options.3. Hertz: Hertz has a location in Ventura, which is a short drive from the Santa Cruz Island cruise port. They offer a variety of vehicles, including economy, luxury, and SUV options.4. Avis: Avis has a location in Ventura, which is a short drive from the Santa Cruz Island cruise port. They offer a variety of vehicles, including economy, luxury, and SUV options.
Unfortunately, there is no public wifi access available at the Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California cruise port. However, some of the nearby restaurants and cafes may offer wifi access.
The address of Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California cruise port is:Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, CaliforniaChannel Islands Harbor3600 Harbor BlvdOxnard, CA 93035
There are no cruise ships scheduled at Santa Cruz Island today. Use the cruise ship schedule above to check Santa Cruz Island on any past or future date.
