Anacapa Island is a small volcanic island located located 28 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calfornia. The smallest of the northern Channel Islands, Anacapa was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. In 1769 Spanish explorer De Portola had given the island the name "Las Mesitas" meaning Little Tables. Later in 1793 Captain George Vancouver rechristened the islands Anacapa, derived from the Chumash Indian word, "Eneeapha," which means island of deception or mirage. The island is actually composed of three islets: East Island, Middle Island and West Island. 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 the island a natural bridge has formed in the ocean. Forty-foot high Arch Rock is a trademark of Anacapa and the Channel Islands National Park. The highest peak is Summit Peak 2 on West Island at 930 feet.

Diving

A diver explores a reef off Anacapa Island

Photo: © Turner Forte Photography

Diving at Anacapa Island is known for warmer waters as it is at the southern edge of the Northern chain of Channel Islands that receive tropical currents from the south. Many species that are found at the Southern chain of Channel Islands can be found at Anacapa. Lush kelp beds, Garibaldi’s, brittle stars, giant black sea bass, leopard sharks, and sea lions are common sights while scuba diving.

Photographers enjoy the clear waters and many student divers get their first island dive in its temperate conditions. Anacapa Island generally has calmer conditions as it is further to the east of the prevailing Northwest winds generated off Point Conception. Because of its proximity to the mainland, Anacapa is visited by more divers than any other island in the Northern chain of Channel Islands.

Kayaking

A kayak provides a unique vantage point to see the wildlife on and around Anacapa Island

Anacapa provides everything a kayaker is looking for. Steep cliff faces, secluded coves, beautiful tide pools, and sea caves are among just some of the sights. Because of its small size, kayakers, as well as stand up paddle boarders, are able to see much of the island on a day excursion.

Hiking

Hikers enjoying a beautiful day on Anacapa Island

Landings are done at a pier in the landing cove at East Island. There is a staircase leading out of the cove up a steep cliff side that brings you to a figure eight-shaped trail system that is about 2 miles long. An interpretive trail guide is available on the island to interpret island resources. Middle and West Anacapa are not open to hiking as they are set aside for the island wildlife except for a small beach on the West islet called Frenchy’s Cove that can be reached only by boat.

History

Gull nesting in iceplant with the Anacapa Lighthouse in the background

Sea birds are the most conspicuous wildlife on the island. 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 and pristine tide pools can be explored. Springtime brings colorful flowers, including the strange tree sunflower called coreopsis, a plant found only on the Channel Islands and a few isolated areas on the mainland.

On the night of December 2, 1853, the sidewheel steamer Winfield Scott running at full speed crashed into the rocks off Middle Anacapa in dense fog and sank. Invasive ship rats (Rattus rattus) are thought to have been introduced to the island from the wrecked ship. They had devastating consequences for the island's seabirds and other native species, but were successfully eradicated in 2001–2002. With the rats gone, the number of rare Xantus' Murrelets has increased to more than 80 percent in the last three years. This is one of many recoveries following invasive species eradications from the Channel Islands.

A U.S. Coast Survey team visited the island in 1854 and concluded that although the island’s position at the eastern entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel was a natural choice for a lighthouse “it is inconceivable for a lighthouse to be constructed on this mass of volcanic rock - perpendicular on every face, with an ascent inaccessible by any natural means."

As shipping in the Santa Barbara Channel increased, the Lighthouse Board eventually did decide to place a light on Anacapa Island, but to limit the expense of building a station on the inaccessible island, an unmanned acetylene lens lantern on a fifty-foot skeletal tower was erected. Unfortunately on February 28, 1921, the steamer Liebre grounded on the east end of Anacapa Island directly under the light.

As approximately nine-tenths of all vessels trading up and down the Pacific Coast passed inside the islands of the Santa Barbara Channel, the American Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots petitioned for a proper fog signal on the island. Funds for what would be the last major light station to be built on the west coast were finally allocated in the late 1920s.

The construction of the station was carried out in two phases and commenced in the spring of 1930. A landing dock, a hoisting crane and roads were added first, and then work began on the various station buildings. A thirty-nine foot, cylindrical tower and a fog signal were built near the highest point on the eastern end of the island. Four Spanish-style, white stucco houses with red tile roofs were provided for the keepers and their families. Today there is a museum on the island, which houses the original crystal and brass Fresnel lens from the light beacon.