About Anacapa Island
Number of accommodations: 7
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Diving
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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7 Sites Available
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Reviews (132)
What Guests Are Saying
Anacapa Island offers a stunning and unique experience, perfect for camping and enjoying activities like kayaking and snorkeling in its beautiful kelp forests. The views, especially from Inspiration Point, are breathtaking, and the island is home to a vibrant bird population, making it a fascinating destination. While the constant noise from the birds can be challenging, many visitors find the overall experience unforgettable.
What Guests Are Saying
Anacapa Island offers a stunning and unique experience, perfect for camping and enjoying activities like kayaking and snorkeling in its beautiful kelp forests. The views, especially from Inspiration Point, are breathtaking, and the island is home to a vibrant bird population, making it a fascinating destination. While the constant noise from the birds can be challenging, many visitors find the overall experience unforgettable.
Review Summary
HELIO F
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
You have to know that you will sleep into a bird loft. There is thousand of bird everywhere, you are into their habitat. They crie all the day and night. It smells a lot.
Very hot and there is no shade. Of course no water !
The ferry (168$ !) will drop you off at 11am, and take you up the next day at 3:30 pm. Thus you will spend like two days here. Fog on the morning, perhaps in the afternoon.
The sunset is amazing.
Just ask yourself whether all of this worth it for the sunset.
HELIO F
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
You have to know that you will sleep into a bird loft. There is thousand of bird everywhere, you are into their habitat. They crie all the day and night. It smells a lot.
Very hot and there is no shade. Of course no water !
The ferry (168$ !) will drop you off at 11am, and take you up the next day at 3:30 pm. Thus you will spend like two days here. Fog on the morning, perhaps in the afternoon.
The sunset is amazing.
Just ask yourself whether all of this worth it for the sunset.
HELIO F
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
You have to know that you will sleep into a bird loft. There is thousand of bird everywhere, you are into their habitat. They crie all the day and night. It smells a lot.
Very hot and there is no shade. Of course no water !
The ferry (168$ !) will drop you off at 11am, and take you up the next day at 3:30 pm. Thus you will spend like two days here. Fog on the morning, perhaps in the afternoon.
The sunset is amazing.
Just ask yourself whether all of this worth it for the sunset.
Andrew R
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
We had the entire island to ourselves! (if you don't count the 100,000 nesting seagulls)... A totally unique experience with great views and beautiful kelp forest snorkeling in the cove. Highly recommend for a 1-night trip (not really enough to do/see to justify a longer stay), and don't bring too much crap with you (campsite is a good schlep from the dock).
Andrew R
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
We had the entire island to ourselves! (if you don't count the 100,000 nesting seagulls)... A totally unique experience with great views and beautiful kelp forest snorkeling in the cove. Highly recommend for a 1-night trip (not really enough to do/see to justify a longer stay), and don't bring too much crap with you (campsite is a good schlep from the dock).
Andrew R
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
We had the entire island to ourselves! (if you don't count the 100,000 nesting seagulls)... A totally unique experience with great views and beautiful kelp forest snorkeling in the cove. Highly recommend for a 1-night trip (not really enough to do/see to justify a longer stay), and don't bring too much crap with you (campsite is a good schlep from the dock).
Anastasiia P
VerifiedApril 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
What an experience!
We’ve camped on the island for 1 night in the beginning of April and it was amazing!
The island is tiny, so don’t expect a lot of hiking but it looks like this island has the most beautiful views among Channel Islands. And with camping you get to see the epic sunset at Inspiration point.
April seems like a good month to camp here. The island is all green and blooming and seagulls are just staring to arrive, so it’s not too many. If you hate seagulls and have trouble sleeping, you may consider a day trip though or camping not during April-August(seagulls breeding season) since the birds a are loud and that stay loud 24/7.
You can also bring kayak here like we did, but you will have to lower it from the deck using ropes and must be very careful with the cliffs. Read instructions carefully and make sure you know what you are doing!
The hardest thing is that you also have to make sure there is a ferry to bring you to and from the island for the night you decide to camp.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip and I would say this is a beginner camper friendly experience, since you don’t have to carry your gear too far from, just need to make sure you have everything with you since you are to be all alone on the island with no water.
Anastasiia P
VerifiedApril 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
What an experience!
We’ve camped on the island for 1 night in the beginning of April and it was amazing!
The island is tiny, so don’t expect a lot of hiking but it looks like this island has the most beautiful views among Channel Islands. And with camping you get to see the epic sunset at Inspiration point.
April seems like a good month to camp here. The island is all green and blooming and seagulls are just staring to arrive, so it’s not too many. If you hate seagulls and have trouble sleeping, you may consider a day trip though or camping not during April-August(seagulls breeding season) since the birds a are loud and that stay loud 24/7.
You can also bring kayak here like we did, but you will have to lower it from the deck using ropes and must be very careful with the cliffs. Read instructions carefully and make sure you know what you are doing!
The hardest thing is that you also have to make sure there is a ferry to bring you to and from the island for the night you decide to camp.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip and I would say this is a beginner camper friendly experience, since you don’t have to carry your gear too far from, just need to make sure you have everything with you since you are to be all alone on the island with no water.
Anastasiia P
VerifiedApril 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
What an experience!
We’ve camped on the island for 1 night in the beginning of April and it was amazing!
The island is tiny, so don’t expect a lot of hiking but it looks like this island has the most beautiful views among Channel Islands. And with camping you get to see the epic sunset at Inspiration point.
April seems like a good month to camp here. The island is all green and blooming and seagulls are just staring to arrive, so it’s not too many. If you hate seagulls and have trouble sleeping, you may consider a day trip though or camping not during April-August(seagulls breeding season) since the birds a are loud and that stay loud 24/7.
You can also bring kayak here like we did, but you will have to lower it from the deck using ropes and must be very careful with the cliffs. Read instructions carefully and make sure you know what you are doing!
The hardest thing is that you also have to make sure there is a ferry to bring you to and from the island for the night you decide to camp.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip and I would say this is a beginner camper friendly experience, since you don’t have to carry your gear too far from, just need to make sure you have everything with you since you are to be all alone on the island with no water.
Chris P
VerifiedDecember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Great views, lots of birds and seals, nice fellow campers, helpful ranger orientation. A fun time! The trails are pretty limited, but I revisited the cool spots many times. The fog horn was broken, so I got lots of sleep. I highly recommend the experience. I wouldn't go for more than one night because I need more space to roam. A more meditative soul, however, might really enjoy the solitude and views for longer.
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.
Access to Anacapa Island is available via Highway 101, with exits for Victoria or Seaward leading to Ventura Harbor, where boat transportation can be arranged.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.0142 / -119.368
Elevation: 63 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
11AM
Check out time
11AM
- Visitors must arrange boat transportation to reach Anacapa Island before making campsite reservations.
- Reservations are mandatory for camping; no walk-up camping is allowed.
- Upon arrival, check in with the ranger at designated areas and have your confirmation letter or receipt ready, as staff may not always be present.
- Campsites are located 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the boat landing, and visitors must carry their own gear.
- Access to the water is limited to the Landing Cove dock; no other beaches are accessible without a boat.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Site capacity
- Each group can reserve up to 2 campsites, with a maximum of 4-6 people allowed per site.
Site types & loops
- Only tent camping is allowed; no utilities are provided. Bring low-profile tents and your own water, as there are no services.
- Off-trail hiking is prohibited, and some trails may be closed during nesting season for Western gulls.
Wildlife & food storage
- Food and trash must be stored properly in provided lockers; hard-sided containers are recommended to deter animals.
- All visitors must pack out all items they bring, including trash.
Fires & fuel
- Campfires and charcoal fires are prohibited; only gas camp stoves may be used.
Safety & rules
- Smoking is restricted to a specific area near the crane.
- Avoid contact with deer mice due to Hantavirus risk; more info is available on the park's website.
- Kayaking is risky due to changing ocean conditions; only experienced kayakers should go out and check the weather beforehand.
Local regulations
- Bringing certain items to the island is prohibited to prevent nonnative species introduction.
- Fishing is not allowed in marine reserves; a license is required for fishing elsewhere.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
