About Anacapa Island
Number of accommodations: 7
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
7 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
7 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (45)
What Guests Are Saying
Anacapa Island offers stunning views, unique camping experiences, and excellent snorkeling in the kelp forests, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While the island is home to thousands of active seagulls, which can create noise throughout the day and night, many visitors find it adds to the charm and uniqueness of the experience. Facilities are well-maintained, and the island's natural beauty, including spots like Inspiration Point, is highly praised.
What Guests Are Saying
Anacapa Island offers stunning views, unique camping experiences, and excellent snorkeling in the kelp forests, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While the island is home to thousands of active seagulls, which can create noise throughout the day and night, many visitors find it adds to the charm and uniqueness of the experience. Facilities are well-maintained, and the island's natural beauty, including spots like Inspiration Point, is highly praised.
Review Summary
Lucia D
VerifiedJanuary 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Ferry got canceled due to high winds
Bailey P
VerifiedOctober 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
beautiful island! perfect for a 1 night camping trip
Michelle V
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Such a fun place to day with a bunch of friends!!
Sam M
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Camping on Anacapa is a unique experience! Don't forget to bring a kayak and snorkeling gear- the kelp forest is amazing.
We enjoyed the trip greatly, and can't say enough good things about Ranger Brenda and her assistance with a minor medical issue.
Juan D
VerifiedAugust 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Depite the birds going all night, this place its magical at night and it deserves a chance
Nathan I
VerifiedAugust 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Our trip to Anacapa was incredible! Know that it is THE bird island. That said, the views were incredible, and we loved inspiration point and the lighthouse.
Erin T
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Beautiful island with great views and the vault toilet bathrooms were very well maintained and clean. However, none of the literature for the campsites described the quantity of birds and noise from the birds on the island for the season we were staying. Be sure to come prepared for the birds that remain active all day and all night. Inspiration Point and Cathedral Cove and must see spots on the short hike that goes around the island.
Megan W
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Absolutely incredible trip! The warnings are true, there are thousands of Western Gulls absolutely everywhere this time of year. *BUT* it's a really unique experience to be a part of! The hiking can be done easily in a brief day trip, but I recommend camping to enjoy the stunning views (especially at sunset!). The campsites are easy to access. Snorkeling is unmatched.
Varvara G
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Incredibly gorgeous and unique place!
Isolating, peaceful and beautiful, especially during spring.
Campsites are small but enough for a 4-person tent (we stayed at #4)
Bear-proof food lockers are very useful not only for keeping all of your food safe, but also for making it possible to use a camp stove - it could be a challenge to use the stove because of the almost constant wind on the island.
Restrooms were clean and equipped with everything.
We’ve never seen so many seagull eggs and chicks so close.
A little bit noisy but absolutely unforgettable experience!
We took 4 gallons of water for 2 nights, 3 people. It was enough.
Overall, I have a positive experience regarding the trip and camping!
Shangfang G
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
A stunning island with 10 thousand seagulls surrounding you!
Location Anacapa Island
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
Boat transportation can be arranged with Island Packers from Ventura or Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors.
To park headquarters in Ventura, California: Highway 101, exit Victoria or Seaward to Ventura Harbor.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0142 / -119.368
Elevation: 63 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Anacapa Island may only be reached by boat. Visitors are required to arrange boat transportation to the island before reserving a campsite. Contact the park's authorized concessioner Island Packers or use your own private boat. |
| General |
Camping reservations are required prior to arriving on the island. There are NO walk-ups at this facility. |
| General |
One party or group may reserve a maximum of 2 individual sites per visit. There are 7 individual campsites. Max 4-6 people per site. |
| General |
Upon arrival, meet ranger at beach, landing dock or campground. However, park staff is not always available on the island. Please have confirmation letter, receipt, or campsite number with you. |
| General |
Hike-in Distance to Site: 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile. Visitors must carry all their own gear. |
| General |
Primitive camping. Tent camping only, no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground. Bring low profile tents and extra food for weather delays. No shelter or shade. Picnic table, food storage box, vault toilet provided. Must bring your own water. No stores or services. |
| General |
Quiet time is enforced at 10:00 p.m. Check-in and check-out times are at 11:00 a.m. |
| General |
Proper food and trash storage is required. Food/Trash storage lockers are provided at each site. Recommend hard-sided container (i.e., action packer) to further protect food/garbage from animals. |
| General |
Visitors are required to pack out what they pack in, including garbage. |
| General |
No campfires or charcoal fires. Only enclosed gas camp stoves are allowed. |
| General |
Smoking is only allowed on the concrete area by the crane at the top of the stairs. |
| General |
Avoid contact with deer mice. Hantavirus has been found in island deer mice. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm. |
| General |
To help prevent the introduction of nonnative species the following items may not be brought to the park: pets; live or potted plants; soil; cut flowers; firewood or any untreated, unfinished wood (including hiking sticks); corrugated boxes; tools or equipment with attached soil; motorized vehicles; bicycles; and single-use plastic grocery bags. |
| General |
No fishing in marine reserves. California fishing license and ocean enhancement sticker required to fish outside marine reserves. |
| General |
Kayakers: ocean conditions can rapidly change, requiring expert abilities. Ocean kayaking is an inherently dangerous activity. Always check weather and do not kayak beyond your experience level. |
| General |
Since Anacapa Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. |
| General |
No off- trail hiking is allowed. Portions of trails are subject to closure when Western gulls are nesting from April through August. |
