Santa Cruz Island Day Trip: Ferry, Sea Caves + Hiking
Our favorite way to do Channel Islands in one day: take the ferry to Scorpion Anchorage, book a guided sea-kayak tour, then use the rest of the day to hike above the coast.
Morning: ferry to Scorpion Anchorage
We stayed in Oxnard and treated the island as a long day trip. The ferry was straightforward and part of the fun rather than just transportation. Santa Cruz Island trips run year-round, and the crossing to Scorpion Anchorage is about an hour.
Book the sea caves
Our guided tandem-kayak tour worked well with kids because a parent and child could paddle together. The coast around Scorpion is full of cliffs, kelp and sea caves, and getting inside the caves was the most distinctive part of the day. Conditions matter, and guided kayaking is the choice we would make again.
Afternoon: hike above the water
Save enough time after kayaking to hike. The high coastal views are the perfect counterpoint to seeing the cliffs from the water. We loved wandering the island and looking back over the coves and open Pacific.
Keep an eye out for foxes
Island foxes are often seen around Scorpion Anchorage. They are found naturally only on the Channel Islands, which makes spotting one feel very different from seeing familiar mainland wildlife.
Would we stay overnight? Camping would be a fun upgrade if you want more island time, but we would not call it necessary. A well-planned day gives you the experiences that made Santa Cruz special for us.