What makes the waters off the five islands at Channel Islands National Park in California so popular for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers? Ocean water clarity, for one thing. Exploring beneath the water opens a colorful world of corals, kelp, and marine life.
Wend your way through “forests” of elk kelp or giant kelp and you might see the flash of the bright orange-red Garibaldi, named for the 19th century Italian leader by the same name whose famous army wore flashy red/orange colors into battle.
Not anywhere near as flashy but making up for its dull color in size and weight, it’s possible you’ll come up face-to-face with a seven-foot-long (two meters), 700-pound giant black sea bass.
Perhaps a curious seal will glide up for a close look at you through your mask or a horn shark will slowly glide past you.
The kelp floor and corals support a host of life, from urchins to California spiny lobsters to sunflower stars with as many as 24 arms!
While you can swim, snorkel, and dive at all five islands, Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and eastern Santa Cruz islands are recommended as the best places. Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands foster extremely windy conditions unsuitable for the novice or those not properly trained, conditioned, and equipped.
Note: None of the five islands have lifeguards present.
Anacapa Island
This island is excellent for swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. Because this is a cliff island, the only water access is limited to the Landing Cove on East Anacapa via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. The underwater visibility is usually very good and there’s plenty to see there since the island is located within a marine reserve.
Santa Barbara Island
Like Anacapa Island, this island is a prime spot for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Santa Barbara Island is also a cliff island; water access is limited to the Landing Cove via a dock. Island Packers normally offers boat transportation to Santa Barbara Island April through October, but due to dock damage at this time, this company is not running trips here.
Santa Cruz Island
Scorpion Beach at this island allows for easy access to the water for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers. The water is clear, there is nearby camping, Island Packers offers transportation, and there are extensive kelp forests. For snorkeling and diving, the easiest kelp beds to access are the ones near the pier and those to the eastern end of the bay. Beach access is also available at Prisoners Harbor and by hiking over to Smugglers Cove, but the snorkeling is not as good at these locations.
Santa Rosa Island
Because of the extremely strong winds at this island, swimming, snorkeling, and diving are limited to only the experienced visitor.
Note: Santa Rosa Island is currently closed to visitors due to wildfire.
San Miguel Island
Because of the extremely strong winds at this island, swimming, snorkeling, and diving are limited to only the experienced visitor.
If you want to snorkel or dive at any of these islands but don’t own your own gear or didn’t pack it with you, you are still in luck. An internet search will pull up local dive shops that rent both snorkel and scuba gear. Channel Islands Adventure Company rents snorkel equipment and leads guided snorkel tours to Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.
If you intend to engage in swimming, snorkeling, or diving, Park Staff recommend the following:
- Because there are no lifeguards on duty, all water sports are at your own risk. Visitors should be aware of boat landing operations at all times-avoid water sports near skiffs that are conducting surf landings.
- Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should always use the buddy system. This allows for someone to go for help if you encounter trouble.
- For your own safety, the law requires divers to display a dive flag while diving. It is recommended that spear guns be unloaded at least 50 feet from the beach.
- Before departing, swimmers, snorkelers and divers should leave an itinerary and/or float plan with someone who is on shore and can be easily contacted.
- Sea caves can be very dangerous-large waves or swells can fill a cave unexpectedly. Be extremely careful and wear a helmet at all times when exploring sea caves.
- Due to cold water conditions (55° to 70° Fahrenheit), wetsuits and hoods are recommended.
Surfing
Surf’s up! If you feel like riding the waves, you can do that at Channel Islands National Park too.
According to Park Staff:
Depending on the swell direction, surfing can be done at several locations on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands.
Generally, the north shore is best during the north-west swells of winter/spring and the south shore is best during the south swells of summer/fall.
All surf spots are remote and are best accessed by private boat due to the islands’ rugged terrain and the hiking distance from the designated landing areas where the park concession vessels drop off visitors.
Contact local area surf shops or the park visitor center for more information.
- By Rebecca Latson - June 8th, 2026 2:14pm
