Explore the rugged beauty of Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa Island

Some 12 miles off the California coast near Ventura, the rugged volcanic ridges that form the spine of Anacapa Island, or more precisely its three closely connected islets, thrust upward from the Pacific.

It’s an intimidating and austere environment, a cliff island, with only one small beach that can only be reached by boat and has barely a nod to any requirements to support habitation.

The 40-foot sea arch rock just offshore serves as both the symbol of the park and a guidepost on approach to East Anacapa.