Planning trip to Santa Cruz Island, Ca.

[caguy]

I would like to explore the caves there. We can either take a dinghy (Zodiac w/ 3hp motor) or my tandem Cobra kayak. Would the dinghy work in the caves?BTW anyone who wants to join us Novelman and I will be leaving Ventura Harbor in the morning 7/11, and returning on the 14th.. Frank

 

[Dick 119]

The Islands

We will be in the Islands the last week of July and all of August. If you see ONE9TEEN, please stop by and say hello. The beer is on me.

 

[caguy]

What anchage would you recommend

for the first night proximate to painted cave?Frank

 

[newly anonymous]

Lady's Harbor

Lady's Harbor is a beautiful anchorage, BUT IS ONLY SUITABLE DURING CALM CONDITIONS. From the Painted Cave, go 3.5 nm east until you locate Arch Rock, then go another .5 nm to the double indentation between Lady's Harbor and Little Lady's, which is also called Baby's Harbor.That's the closest spot I know of to anchor near Painted Cave. What some folks do is explore the cave in shifts, leaving someone aboard to drift around while the others enter the cave. My preference, weather permitting, is to anchor and Lady's Harbor and then kayak to the caves. Not a paddle for beginners, in my opinion, but well worth the effort for those who know what they're doing.

 

[novelman17130]

Santa Cruze Island

Dick, This is Duane "Novelman" I am going to Santa Cruze with caguy next week and will also be going with another boat as well as my 22' Venture in August. E-mail me at novelman@roadrunner.com to send me your boat name and other info to contact you when we go out. We will be sailing along the mainland side of the island and staying at various anchorages. Duane "Novelman"

 

[caguy]

Dick, mention free beer and Novelmanls right there.

 

[abe]

Hazards is actually the closest anchorage to painted cave...

..you might want to stay at Pelicans/Prisoners the night before. Then at the crack of dawn go to Hazards..anchor and take the dinghy to Painted Cave if it is safe to do so. I think thats a 3 mile one way dinghy trip...but I can't remember. The most important thing is to do it as early in the morning as possible to avoid wind/swells...The other alternative is that if you are going with a large group, you can"hover" at the entrance while people take trips in and out from the boat to the cave. Once you are inside the cave...shut the engine off and row...the residents do not like noise. Also, bring an nice flash light and make sure you go to the end of the cave where you will see another cavern with seals.Surprisingly, you might get some swells going to the cave from Hazards...but the enterance is usually calm.abe

 

[abe]

Also, if you have time and it is calm you can check out Cueva Valdez...

..it is located between Ladys and Hazards. Thats where you might consider kayaking.abe

 

[caguy]

Thanks guys for all of your help.

I just bought The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California, by Brian Fagan. I checked out the earlier edition mid 80's from the library then decided to take a look at the updated version. What an improvement. Talk about details. He has pictures of approaches to anchorages and detailed pictures of the anchorages themselves. He has 30 pages dedicated to just the Northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Book covers San Francisco to Ensenada. Frank