Anacapa Arch

Back on the boat, we rounded the point with the famous Anacapa Arch and got a glimpse of the south, ocean-facing side of the island.

Anacapa Landing Cove part 2

In some ways this kelpy cove was the most beautiful part of Anacapa. Some people use it for swimming, diving and snorkeling. Most use it for getting from boat to plateau and back again - in itself a workout.

Anacapa Landing Cove

After touring almost all of the barren plateau - approximately one square mile that probably contained more bird droppings than plants - we made our way back to Landing Cove and its 157 steps. To be fair, the island was in the middle of a drought and numerous restoration projects.

Anacapa lighthouse

This very photogenic lighthouse is located at the eastern end of the island. Since major shipping lanes go through the Santa Barbara Channel, this lighthouse serves an important purpose.

scenes from Anacapa

In some ways a very stark environment, these first two photos show the "settled" part.

Whereas most of the island looks like this...

Below, Inspiration Point at the western end of East Anacapa...

...and this I believe is the area known as Frenchy's Cove.

Anacapa approach and landing

The famous arch off East Anacapa Island and Landing Cove - the only way to access the plateau of this island surrounded by steep cliffs. Even that was only made possible by the construction of a 157-step stairway. The crossing from Channel Islands Harbor to this cove is about 12 miles.

dolphins

Sometimes while taking the boat to Anacapa Island, one sees dolphins - more dolphins at one time than one has ever seen before ever, both over and under the water.