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
7 Sites Available
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Site Details
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7 Sites Available
No available sites
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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
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.
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.
Yevgeniy P
VerifiedDecember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Loved my trip, was very peaceful.
Yevgeniy P
VerifiedDecember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Loved my trip, was very peaceful.
Yevgeniy P
VerifiedDecember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
Loved my trip, was very peaceful.
Liliana S
VerifiedNovember 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
nice clean quiet a unique experience I recommend
Liliana S
VerifiedNovember 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
nice clean quiet a unique experience I recommend
Liliana S
VerifiedNovember 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
nice clean quiet a unique experience I recommend
Rebecca H
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
It was definitely a memorable experience! There was a hiccup in the transportation getting out to the island, but Island Packers handled it wonderfully. All of the people involved with our trip were excellent, 5 stars. We saw a pod of Common Dolphins and a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins on the way out it was a joy to watch them race along side the boat and the Bottlenoses leaped out of the water in a spectacular display. The weather was awesome, the pit toilets were clean, the campsite was in great condition, the views were gorgeous. We know it is a bird nesting site so we planned our trip at the end of summer after the nesting season was over. However, we were still surprised at the shear volume of bird feathers, bones, carcasses and droppings.
There is a LOT!!
If you live near the coast and have ever noticed the seagulls in the evening as they head out to sea and wondered to yourself where they all go... they ALL go to Anacapa!!! In the evening hundreds of birds came to rest in and around our campsite and they made a heck of a racket All. Night. Long. I suggest you bring earplugs. Also, do not bring your summer tent, solid tent walls are advised. Our tent is all mesh and the wind blew all the dust up under the rainfly where only the finest grains made their way through the mesh and into the tent covering everything with a fine powdery, bird poop filled layer. Wind-whipping, birds screaming, dust settling we did not sleep well.
All that being said, I am really glad we camped a night on Anacapa it was a very different experience from all the other places we've camped from Mt. Rainier to Joshua Tree and I don't ever need to camp there again! LOL!
Rebecca H
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: ANACAPA ISLAND AREA
It was definitely a memorable experience! There was a hiccup in the transportation getting out to the island, but Island Packers handled it wonderfully. All of the people involved with our trip were excellent, 5 stars. We saw a pod of Common Dolphins and a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins on the way out it was a joy to watch them race along side the boat and the Bottlenoses leaped out of the water in a spectacular display. The weather was awesome, the pit toilets were clean, the campsite was in great condition, the views were gorgeous. We know it is a bird nesting site so we planned our trip at the end of summer after the nesting season was over. However, we were still surprised at the shear volume of bird feathers, bones, carcasses and droppings.
There is a LOT!!
If you live near the coast and have ever noticed the seagulls in the evening as they head out to sea and wondered to yourself where they all go... they ALL go to Anacapa!!! In the evening hundreds of birds came to rest in and around our campsite and they made a heck of a racket All. Night. Long. I suggest you bring earplugs. Also, do not bring your summer tent, solid tent walls are advised. Our tent is all mesh and the wind blew all the dust up under the rainfly where only the finest grains made their way through the mesh and into the tent covering everything with a fine powdery, bird poop filled layer. Wind-whipping, birds screaming, dust settling we did not sleep well.
All that being said, I am really glad we camped a night on Anacapa it was a very different experience from all the other places we've camped from Mt. Rainier to Joshua Tree and I don't ever need to camp there again! LOL!
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
