Island fox on an agave plant at Santa Cruz Island. Photo by Chuck Graham.

There was a time on Santa Cruz Island when one could go days without seeing an island fox. There was a time when you would easily see more feral pigs than the endemic Urocyon littoralis. 

That was in 1999 when non-native golden eagles colonized Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands. Lured to the Northern Chain by the feral pig population on Santa Cruz, golden eagles quickly realized the island fox was an easier, more readily available prey source. And because island foxes had never been preyed upon, they didn’t know to look up. Before anyone knew it, golden eagles nearly wiped-out island fox populations on the three northwesterly isles.

Hungry island fox climbs tree to reach sweet figs. Photo by Chuck Graham.

The island fox is a direct result of island dwarfism, where that long period of isolation and lack of food sources forced them to evolve into a smaller species. At full size, island foxes are about four pounds. They are very cat-like with semi-retractable claws. On Santa Cruz Island they are proficient tree climbers. The foxes at Scorpion Anchorage are especially adept at scaling up the old fig trees, nimbly counterbalancing their way to the ripest, sweetest figs.

How did island foxes reach such a plight? It began during the island’s long ranching history from the 1820s through the late 1990s. Thousands of sheep and pigs denuded the island of its native flora. The pesticide DDT was also to blame. It had been illegally dumped into the California Bight by Montrose Chemical Corp and other companies from 1940 – 1970. Wreaking havoc on the pelagic food web, keystone species like bald eagles that feed on fish, seabirds and scavenge marine mammal carcasses went extinct locally on the island chain. Pesticides forced bald eagles to lay thin-shelled eggs that were crushed during incubation. Eventually, bald eagles were absent from the Northern Chain from 1952 – 2002, thus, opening the door for golden eagles.

In 2002, the island fox was added to the Endangered Species List. However, the Channel Islands National Park (CINP) partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS) and unleashed an aggressive plan to restore a natural balance to the Northern Chain.

A pair of island foxes after a winter rain shower. Photo by Chuck Graham.

The Swiftest Recovery

A four-pronged effort ensued. From 2002 – 2006, 12 bald eaglets per year were released on Santa Cruz Island. Forty-three golden eagles were trapped and released back to northeastern California. About 5,000 feral pigs were removed from Santa Cruz Island. That project began in the fall of 2006 and finished in the spring of 2008. 

The island fox populations on each island were at critical lows. There were less than 100 foxes on Santa Cruz, and only 15 foxes each remained on Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. Captive breeding of island foxes began in 1999 on all three islands. After several years, the steadfast efforts by the NPS, TNC, and IWS culminated in the successful recovery of bald eagles and island foxes across the chain.

By 2016, the island fox was removed from the Endangered Species List. It was the swiftest recovery of a terrestrial mammal in the history of the Endangered Species Act. The Channel Islands National Park is a shining example of multiple agencies coming together to reach a common goal of returning a natural balance to one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. 

Once close to extinction, island foxes now thrive on the Channel Islands thanks to coordinated restoration efforts. Photo by Chuck Graham.

Island Fox Facts

Today, island foxes are thriving. On Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, there are well over 2,000 foxes on each island. On smaller San Miguel Island about 250 foxes enjoy that remote, windswept isle. 

Visitors are virtually guaranteed of seeing them once they disembark the Island Packers ferry at Scorpion Anchorage on the southeast end of Santa Cruz Island. Watch the foxes foraging for food on a short jaunt up Scorpion Canyon or hike the sweeping marine terraces above overlooking the shimmering Santa Barbara Channel. 

The largest land predator on the island is omnivorous, but it’s also the smallest fox species in North America. The island fox is the cousin of the mainland gray fox. They didn’t swim to what was then the big island known as Santarosae (before sea levels rose and created the Northern Chain) but were transported over either on storm debris during floods, or the Chumash Indians who paddled them over in their dugout canoes, also known as tomols. In fact, the Chumash kept foxes as pets.

A couple of adorable newborn island pups. Photo by Chuck Graham.

May and June are also a time to spot adorable island fox pups. Visitors are not guaranteed of seeing pups, but since 2017 there have been several island fox families spotted in Scorpion Canyon. Some of the Santa Barbara Adventure Company kayak guides have been fortunate to witness the rearing of pups throughout the canyon.

Seeing adult island foxes with their pups is one of the many joys of the Channel Islands National Park and a great reminder of a conservation success story.

Blog contributed by:
Chuck Graham

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If you have an image from the islands, please share it on our facebook page. If you have a favorite memory please share it in the comment section below.

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Scorpion Anchorage is closed currently due to the construction of a new pier. This location is set to reopen summer 2020. During this time, we are happy to announce that we have a special tour that will still give you the option to come sea cave kayaking with us this spring!

When are trips running?

Guided tours will be April 11th and April 18th, 2020 to the sea caves in Channel Islands National Park.

The cost of this trip is $299 per adult and $289 per child under 12 , which includes the ferry transportation and guided kayak tour.

This is a beginner to advanced activity and guests under 12 must ride in a double kayak with an adult.

*All trip dates require minimum numbers and are subject to cancellation due to weather conditions. Call our office for the most up to date information and availability. (805) 884 -9283

Where and when does the boat leave?

The Vanguard is a Chartered Boat ride that will leave Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, CA at 8am. Check-in for this trip will be at 7am. The boat will return to the harbor by 5pm. This is a full day of being on a boat and kayak without stepping foot on the island.

Island Packers – Oxnard: 3600 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035

3550 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035 is the listed address on Island Packers website and will bring you to the same location in the harbor.

After about 1.5 – 2 hour boat ride, the Vanguard will stop along the coast of Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy whale watching and dolphin sightings while crossing the channel! The boat will put kayaks in the water and clients will have to climb down an 8-foot ladder into the kayak supported by the guide. Check out our guide to kayaking in Channel Islands National Park for more insight on if you are best suited for this adventure!

What does the kayaking look like?

Kayaking will be about two to three hours on the water. While kayaking, you may see sea caves, kelp forests, and wildlife. Guides will check the safety of caves based on weather conditions and guide clients through them.

What should you bring?

Layers, layers, layers! Seating inside the boat will comfortably fit about 10 people so plan on spending some time enjoying the fresh air and looking for whales!

Be water ready to kayak – we recommend wearing your bathing suit under your clothes in the morning; however there is a small bathroom on the boat. Most boats require closed toed shoes so an old pair of tennis shoes that can get wet is a great option.

Water bottle that can hold about 1 quart or greater of water.

Sun protection – a hat, sunglasses with a neck strap and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) is all recommended.

Bring a lunch and snacks! There will be coffee and tea upon arrival to the boat along with a few small snacks. There is a small snack bar on the boat to purchase snacks with cash only but don’t depend on this for a full meal.

Nearest grocery store is Ralphs (a 10 minute drive from the harbor), which opens at 6am if you would like to purchase food the morning of the adventure.

Other things to bring: towel, day pack, and a change of shoes, a watch, CASH if you plan on buying snacks on the boat along with tipping your guide (it’s customary but always optional), seasickness medication (optional), waterproof camera (optional), and gloves (again, optional and can be helpful to protect against abrasive cave surfaces).

Storage on the boat is limited so please pack efficiently and limit items to 1 backpack/duffel bag per person.

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The Channel Islands are home to incredible biodiversity. Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America because of the number of different animals found there, the Channel Islands support over 100 endemic species (or species found nowhere else on the planet).

Whether by land or by sea, these animals are sure to astound you as you watch in awe — and from a respectful distance, of course!

Here are just a few of the amazing creatures you might find at Channel Islands National Park:

Terrestrial Animals

Many of our animals show obvious signs of adapting to island life. One indicator that evolution has acted on an island species is its size. Through a process called island dwarfism, over many generations, species that are larger than a breadbasket in size tend to shrink, including the island fox and island spotted skunk. On the flip side, island gigantism results in species smaller than a breadbasket growing larger, which is the case for the island scrub-jay.

Island Fox

The island fox is a small fox (only about four pounds), native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. There are six subspecies, each unique to the island it lives on, such as the Santa Cruz Island Fox (above). Island foxes are generally docile, and often bold when accustomed to humans. They’ll even hop on the picnic table in hopes of stealing your lunch!

Island Scrub-Jay

The island scrub-jay, as compared to its mainland cousin, the western scrub-jay, is larger, darker blue in color, and has a distinctive call, making it the most differentiated of all the island endemic birds. This species is the only scrub-jay on the Channel Islands and is found only on Santa Cruz Island. They are remarkable for their intelligence, memory and curiosity.

Island Spotted Skunk

While most people wouldn’t automatically describe a skunk as ‘cute,’ we sure think the island spotted skunk is adorable! The island spotted skunk is also an endemic species, and can be found on the two largest Channel Islands, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. The island spotted skunk is largely nocturnal and very hard to find, but it’s that much more rewarding when you do!

Marine Animals

Many of the marine animal sightings happen during the journey to Channel Islands, specifically while boating across the Santa Barbara Channel (between mainland Santa Barbara and Ventura and the Channel Islands). The Channel is rich in nutrients and food, drawing a third of the total species of marine mammals (whales, sea lions, seals, and more) to the Santa Barbara Channel. The Channel (as the name implies) quickly drops off to become very deep (over 1,000 feet in some places!), supporting a healthy marine ecosystem from the bottom up.

Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are named for the characteristic dorsal fin that sits on a large “hump” on the back, which is noticeable when the whale arches its back to dive, or sometimes breach in acrobatic leaps. Generally, the Humpback whale can be seen in the Santa Barbara Channel from mid-May to mid-September on whale-watching boats. During the humpback season, it is common to find Humpbacks.

Common Dolphin

Common dolphins are one of the most numerous cetaceans in the world, with a population that is estimated to be over one million. Nearly every ride across the Santa Barbara Channel includes interaction with common dolphins. Common dolphins are found in all of the world’s temperate seas (basically, wherever the ocean is free of ice). In the Channel, visitors can find both long- and short-beaked common dolphin playing in the boat wake or by the bow.

California Sea Lion

ARF! ARF! ARF!

Did you know that sea lions produce loud roars and barking, which explains why they’re named after lions? The deepest dive ever recorded by a California sea lion was 900 feet and it lasted just under ten minutes. San Miguel Island is home to one of the largest rookeries in the world for California sea lions with a breeding population of approximately 80,000 animals. That’s one crowded beach!

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Wildlife Watching

Even before you reach the Channel Islands National Park, you’re bound to see ample wildlife on the Island Packers boat ride. The usual sightings include common dolphin and seabirds. Depending on the season, visitors may also see whales such as humpbacks and blue whales, or even the very rare orca!

Hiking

Especially during the spring when wind flowers are blooming and the islands are so green they appear tropical, hiking is one of the best activity options on the island. When it’s too cold or windy to spend all day on the water, there are countless great hiking options. One of our personal favorites is to Cavern Point. Learn more about hiking trails in the Channel Islands National Park and plan your trip today!

Visitors also have the option to go on a guided hike with either Island Packers crew (meet the crew here!) or volunteer Naturalist Corps member, both are highly trained, knowledgeable, and passionate naturalists who love what they do! In some parts of the National Park, such as the Pelican Bay trail at Prisoners Harbor, guests must be lead on a guided hike.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and SCUBA Diving, Oh My!

During the warmer months of the year (May-October), many visitors to the Channel Islands opt to dip into the cool Pacific. Swimming and snorkeling around the islands is readily accessible (Santa Barbara Adventure Company will rent you wetsuits, hoods, mask, snorkel, and fins on the island). You can expect to see ample wildlife, including Garibaldi and California Sheephead fish, urchin, sea stars, sea lions, harbor seals, and much more!

If your willing to dive deeper, then SCUBA might be for you! The SCUBA diving on the Channel Islands has been named in the top 10 cold water dive sites in the world! You can take a day-trip to do 2 or 3 tank dives with The Raptor or The Spectre dive boat operators, both located in Ventura Harbor. From there, trips run primarily to Santa Cruz and Anacapa island for some of the healthiest kelp forest, cold water diving on the planet.

Camping

Want to spend more time on the islands and immerse in nature? There are many camping (and backpacking) options on the Channel Islands. Be sure to pack light as some of the camp sites are a mile or more away from the pier. Also, be sure to book your spot in advance through Recreation.gov! Pro tip: We recommend booking the ferry (Island Packers) before booking your campsite.

Kayaking

Sea kayaking is BY FAR our favorite adventure activity to do on the Channel Islands. Book your guided kayak tour with excellent guides at Santa Barbara Adventure Company. This way you get to see the best part of the National Park: the ocean and coastline!

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1. Kayaking in Channel Islands National Park

For the outdoor enthusiasts, a little adventure would be right up their alley! We have the Channel Islands National Park in our backyard. A visit to either Prisoner’s Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage will leave you mesmerized. Our Adventure Sea Cave kayaking tour meets daily at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island from December 21st-January 5th. Our Prisoners Harbor Kayak Tour is available on most other dates year-round. Kayaking the Channel Islands National Park is a fun and exciting way to explore a different side of the park.

2. Go Biking As A Family

Check out this great list of  9 Popular Bike Trails in Santa Barbara to enjoy with your family and friends! Our favorite route is biking from Leadbetter Beach to Butterfly Beach along the waterfront.

Our Mountains to Shore bike tour offers incredible views of the area as you bike down Gibraltar Mountain alongside one of our guides. We stop often to share natural history & interpretation of everything you are seeing.

Or…if everyone in your family is over 21 come bike the Santa Ynez Valley with us on our Wine Country Bike Tour.

3. A Wine Tour

Tired of giving wine enthusiasts a bottle of your favorite? Let Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours take the wheel and send them on a wine tour to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, Napa’s So-Cal sister, to pick out some new favorites of their own. Enjoy three wine tastings and a gourmet lunch while learning about what makes our wine region so unique.

4. Membership to a Local Museum

A great family friendly experience is a year-long membership to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which also includes entrance to the Sea Center on Stearn’s Wharf and more than 330 other museums and science centers worldwide. An excellent gift for folks who have a passion for the natural world, from planets to intertidal wonders and everything in between.

5. A Gift Certificate for any outdoor activity!

If you’re itching to give an adventure but don’t want to limit the options, a Santa Barbara Adventure Company gift certificate that lets your loved ones decide themselves is a great choice! From surf and SUP options, to kayaking and bike tours, there is undoubtedly a perfect match to pick from.

What are some of your favorite gifts to give? Let us know!

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Island Fox

The most photographed, and arguably the cutest animal on the island, is the island fox. This small mammal lives on six of the eight Channel Islands and is found nowhere else on earth. In fact, each Island has its own subspecies of the fox, yet they all descended from the mainland gray fox. Although this fox is easily found on Santa Cruz Island, the fox was on the endangered species list less than 20 years ago due to an unbalanced ecosystem. Thanks to drastic conservation efforts, the island fox population is now healthy once again. At only about a foot high, it is hard to believe, but this little animal is the top predator on the island, so they are now plentiful and easy to spot while exploring Santa Cruz. Just resist the urge to feed them!

Island Scrub Jay

Did you know that there is a famous bird that people travel all over the world to see on Santa Cruz Island? The Island Scrub Jay is a vibrant blue bird with a distinctive call, which makes it relatively easy to spot and a treat to see. This bird is related to the mainland Western Scrub Jay and is slightly larger and bluer than its mainland relative. The Jay is only found on Santa Cruz Island though there is historical evidence that the Jays also used to live on Santa Rosa Island. Although the birds seem plentiful on the island, because they only live on the one island, they have an extremely small population and are one of the rarest birds in the United States!

Spotted Skunk

The Island Spotted Skunk is another mammal endemic to the islands, found only on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. This little guy is named after the white broken lines marking its back that appears like spots against its black glossy fur. It is one of two terrestrial carnivores on the islands, the other being the foxes.  The spotted skunk is a nocturnal animal, most active in the early morning hours just before dawn and tends to stay away from humans, so it is one of the more difficult animals to spot.

Island Paintbrush

An endemic plant found throughout the national park is Island Paintbrush. Species of this beautiful plant are found throughout North America, yet this specific variety grows only on the islands and is well adapted to the dry, Mediterranean climate in which it grows. The flower of this plant is typically red, but yellow blooms can be found as well. The spring season is a great time to get out and hunt for flowers.

Torrey Pine

One other plant worth noting is the Torrey Pine. It is found in two places in the world, Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park and Northern San Diego. The interesting disparity between the range of the plant relates back to the geological theory that the Islands were once off the coast of San Diego and moved their way up over the centuries. The Torrey is one of the rarest pine trees and grows well in the coastal climate in which it dwells; it is drought tolerant and often grows beautiful, twisted trunks as the wind daily shapes it. Although it is more out of the way, it is a great tree to see!

Learn more about animals at the Channel Islands National Park here!

With all these unique plants and animals out on the Channel Islands, try to spot some on your next trip out, they are well worth the hunt!

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However, you can book kayaking and snorkeling tours on Santa Cruz Island year around by taking the ferry to the island. These tours have the advantage of a “landing” meaning you can also hike and explore the island.

While on the ferry you can whale watching, witness mega dolphin pods and enjoy a quick right to the island. Come and see blue whales, bald eagles, mega pods of dolphins and beautiful sea life.

Want to read more about Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s tours?

Then read about

Book your Channel Island National Park Tour online

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Sure, Santa Barbara is beautiful. Between the mountains and ocean, the award-winning wines and sublime downtown, it’s easy to understand why it’s such an alluring place for tourists, students and corporate retreats alike.  Its rich human history complements this setting. Whether from the nearby Channel Islands or Los Padres National Forest, people have made their mark on this region for thousands of years.  Here’s just a sampling of that legacy with 5 fun, interesting human history stories that you probably didn’t know about the Channel Islands and Central Coast:

• The Arlington Springs Man of Santa Rosa Island is one of the oldest dated skeletons in North or South America. Back in 1959, Phil Orr discovered a small fragment from a human femur, however it wasn’t until 1999 that modern analysis showed that this Arlington Springs Man lived nearly 13,000 years ago. Keep in mind, Lucy the fossil is dated 3.2 million years ago. It clearly took a couple million years to get to the remote islands. Only one other set of North American bones, from the Anzick Site in Montana, is also dated to the same time period as the Arlington Springs Man.
• The Chumash people, the original inhabitants of the Channel Islands, know where dolphins come from. The Chumash have stories to explain almost everything including lightning, stars and fire and a great one about how dolphins came to be their brothers and sisters. Santa Cruz Island, then known as Limuw, was inhabited by the Chumash and watched over by Hutash or the Earth Mother. As the Chumash population grew on the island, their noise also grew and kept Hutash up at night. She decided that it was time for some people to move to the mainland and she used a rainbow (wishtoyo) as the bridge. While crossing the rainbow bridge, some looked down and upon seeing the swirling fog and immense height, they fell into the ocean! Hutash did not want them to drown since she had asked them to cross the bridge, so she turned all the fallen Chumash into dolphins where they continue to be brothers and sisters and spotted often while kayaking the islands.
• Some of the finest wool used during the Civil War was raised on Santa Cruz Island. One usually doesn’t think of remote, volcanic islands as a great place to raise sheep but Dr. James B. Shaw proved everyone wrong. Dr. Shaw, an English physician, was superintendent of Santa Cruz Island from 1853-1869 and believed to be the first one to bring French Merino sheep to the island. The start of the Civil War brought increased demand for wool and by 1864 nearly 24,000 sheep roamed Santa Cruz Island. An 1859 article in the Sacramento Daily Union applauded the wool’s quality ‘we doubt if anything superior can be found in the State than those [sheep] owned by Dr. Shaw, on the island of Santa Cruz.’
• Ancient paintings displayed on rock were only recently revealed after fire burned the brush away in nearby Los Padres National Forest. Just northwest of Santa Barbara, the Chumash left thousands of rock art sites. Many of these sites only became visible after the forest fires of 2006 and 2007 burned much of the chaparral showing old paths to newly exposed rock faces. These paintings often depict animals and the spiritual world and rangers count at least 2,400 of them. They are colored black by using charcoal, white by using ground seashells or red while using hematite. Come check them out for yourself!
• One of the largest movie studios in the world was located in Downtown Santa Barbara between 1912-1917. Flying A Studios opened its western branch in 1912 and produced one thousand films in its short but glorious 5 years here in Santa Barbara. In 1916, the studio, originally located on West Mission Street, was churning out 242 motion pictures a year. This was during the era of the short silent film; Broncho Billy Westerns were Flying A’s specialty. Flying A didn’t keep up when the talkie was invented or when audiences desired longer films and the studio closed shop in 1917 as Los Angeles found its foothold in film.

Come learn, experience and explore all the Central Coast has to offer with a guided tour from the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. You can see the dolphins and learn about the ranching on a sea cave kayak tour of Santa Cruz Island, discuss the rock art on a guided hike in Los Padres or imagine the bygone silent movie era while sipping wine on one of our many wine tours!

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We get asked this questions a lot. First of all, if you have never been to Channel Islands National Park before then we usually recommend Sea Cave Kayaking as this tour offers the most sea caves, guests can visit the on-island Visitor Center and you will get to see the foxes! Everyone loves the foxes!

1) The meeting spot – Sea Cave Kayaking departs from Ventura Harbor and Painted Cave departs from Santa Barbara Harbor. These harbors are about 30-40 minutes apart from one another.

2) The transportation – Sea Cave Kayaking departs on a large Island Packers ferry boat and the crossing is about 1.25hrs. Once you arrive at the island, you will spend the day on the island. Painted Cave departs on a diving boat; this is a much slower boat and the crossing is usually over 2+ hours long each way. Once at the island, guests are not permitted to “land” so you will spend the entire day on the water. If you get seasick, Painted Cave may not be for you.

3) The tour – Sea Cave Kayaking at Scorpion offer the most sea caves in the National Park. Once on the island, you will be outfitted for kayaking gear and explore the sea caves in this area. There are about a dozen caves that you might be able to see. After kayaking, guests are free to snorkel, hike or head to the visitor center. The ferry boat usually returns at 4pm (sometimes 5pm) to pick up passengers and take them back to the harbor. Painted Cave kayaking guests will kayak from the boat and will have no hiking or on island options.

4) When are they offered? Sea Cave Kayaking is offered year-a-round. Painted Cave trips only operate on select dates. If you have a group that is interested in going, please call to see if one can be scheduled.

Hopefully this is helpful be deciding which trip to book. If you can’t decide, call our office and we can help.

On occasion logistics change, so be sure to review your confirmation information if you have already booked a trip. And if you have any questions that I haven’t covered here, please post them in the comment section below or call our office. We are always happy to help.

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