Parks and Outdoors Review of Santa Barbara Island
ParksExpert Rating
Recommended for:
Birding,Camping,Whale Watching
Parks and OutdoorsExpert Tips & Helpful Hints
- With only one square mile of land surface, Santa Barbara Island is the smallest of the Channel Islands, and the least visited. The island has several short hiking trails including the Signal Peak Loop Trail, which travels from the landing cove to Signal Peak, elevation 634 feet, the highest point on the island. At the top you'll be treated to a view of Sutil Island, an important seabird rookery.
- Santa Barbara Island is home to 14 land birds, including three that are endemic subspecies: horned lark, orange-crowned warbler, and house finch. The island is also an important nesting site for seabirds. Western gulls, brown pelicans, cormorants, storm-petrels, and Xantus murrelets lay their eggs and raise their chicks here.
- Snorkeling in the landing cove is a popular activity. The protected waters around the island are home to sea stars, sea urchins, and bright orange garibaldi, California's state saltwater fish. Snorkelers share the water with California sea lions and harbor seals.
Beach Review of Santa Barbara Island
BeachExpert Rating
Recommended for:
Scuba Diving,Snorkeling
BeachExpert Tips & Helpful Hints
- Santa Barbara is the smallest of the islands—just one square mile. It's one of the most important nesting sites for seabirds.
- Santa Barbara is good for snorkeling, diving, swimming, and kayaking. In the Landing Cove, snorkelers will see orange garibaldi fish and sea urchins, and maybe share the water with sea lions or harbor seals. There can be strong currents around all of these islands, and wet suits are recommended due to the cold water.
- Snorkelers, divers, and swimmers should always use the buddy system and let someone on shore know where, exactly, they're going to be. The law requires divers to display a dive flag.
