Channeling into some misunderstood islands

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

As the election nears, I thought I would take your mind off all

the issues and give a breath of fresh air by cruising the Channel

Islands off our coast.

Did you know that for years, some locals have told tourists that

they are seeing the Hawaiian Islands when looking at Santa Catalina

Island? Not me, of course. Would I lie?

Some boaters have known for years that lying just off California’s

coast are the eight Channel Islands, but most Southern California

boaters are familiar only with Santa Catalina Island. This is because

Catalina is the only island with the shore-side amenities such as

restaurants and fuel docks in Avalon and the Isthmus. As a matter of

fact, in 1958, the Four Preps, with the song “Twenty-six Miles Across

the Sea,” helped make Catalina a household name. The other seven

islands are basically devoid of civilization and crowds.

The other seven islands are San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz,

Anacapa, San Nicholas, Santa Barbara and San Clemente. Two of the

islands, San Nicholas and San Clemente, are used exclusively by the

military, but just off San Clemente is a hot spot for fishing. The

smallest island in the chain is Santa Barbara, and I recommend

cruisers bypass this island used primarily by fishermen.

The four northerly islands in the Santa Barbara Channel are

located just south of Point Conception and easterly off of the

Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. The four northerly islands consist

of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa, which make up

Channel Islands National Park, a must on your cruising itinerary.

The islands are beautiful, with a number of coves for anchoring,

and you can go ashore for a picnic or hiking. Some say this area is

the best in California for watching blue or humpback whales any time

of year. Additionally, the gray whales pass by regularly during their

migration season. On one voyage, I thought I had spotted an orca that

I routinely see swimming around the San Juan Islands in the Pacific

Northwest.

I would recommend cruising to the islands in the morning hours

before the afternoon’s prevailing winds start to blow, kicking up the

seas. So, keep in mind that the whitecaps will be building, if you

are planning to return to the mainland later in the day. Always keep

an eye on the weather, especially this time of year for storms from

the north. And any time of the year, you should watch for Santa Ana

winds.

Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland, situated a short 11

nautical miles from Channel Islands Harbor. Anacapa appears to be

three separate islands, but all three are connected underwater by a

submerged ridge. So a warning: Do not try to cross in between with

your boat.

Santa Cruz Island is a gem and, like Anacapa, popular for

exploring the sea caves, diving and fishing. The island is about 25

nautical miles long and has more than two dozen anchorages to choose

from for protection from the weather.

If you are looking for more privacy, however, head for Santa Rosa

Island, where only a few spots are recommended for anchoring.

The most westerly-located Channel Island is San Miguel, separated

from Santa Rosa by not much more than three miles. Yet, this

7.3-nautical-mile-long island is reserved for those who aren’t

fainthearted. The island is ringed with shoals and rock hazards that

you must navigate very cautiously and has limited anchorage.

You will be amazed at the islands lying just off California’s

coast.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Go cruising to the islands this time of year, as the crowds are

gone and the air is crisp. Just keep an eye on the weather and an eye

on your stern, as you never know where I will be cruising.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.