Anacapa Island is located 14 miles off the coast from Ventura. It is the only Channel Island to retain its American Indian name, derived from the Chumash word, "Eneepah", meaning island of deception or mirage. Ocean waves have eroded the perimeter of the island, creating steep sea cliffs towering hundreds of feet in height and exposing the volcanic origins of air pockets, lava tubes, and sea caves. At the east end of Anacapa a natural bridge has formed in the ocean. Forty-foot high Arch Rock is a trademark of Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park.

What to see: Sea birds are the most conspicuous wildlife on Anacapa. The largest breeding colony of the endangered California brown pelican is located on West Anacapa. Other sea birds include western gulls and several species of cormorants. The island's rocky shores provide resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. Catch a glimpse of the fascinating undersea world of the kelp forest without even getting wet. During the summer, park rangers dive into the Landing Cove on East Anacapa with a video camera. Visitors can see, through the eye of the camera, what the diver is seeing by watching video monitors on the dock. Pristine tidepools can be explored. Springtime brings colorful flowers, including the strange tree sunflower, or coreopsis, a plant found only on the Channel Islands and a few isolated areas on the mainland. Visit the museum on the island, which houses the original crystal and brass Fresnel lens from the lighthouse.

What to do: Camping, hiking, ranger-led interpretive hikes, picnicking, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming, kayaking, bird watching, exploring tidepools, and getting away from the mainland city-congestion are some of the activities you can do on Anacapa Island.

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