Pelican Bay

Overview

About Pelican Bay

Pelican Bay is a remote cove on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, reached on a guided day hike from Prisoners Harbor. It’s a classic Channel Islands outing: gorgeous ocean views, rolling island meadows, and a small pebble beach at the turnaround. The vibe is peaceful precisely because access is limited.

Why stop

Scenic, undeveloped cove with ocean views and a pebble beach
Guided, limited-access hike keeps the experience quieter

Heads up

Trail access is restricted to escorted Island Packers groups
No amenities at the cove—no water, restrooms, or services

Map

Where it is

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Full map

BeachPelican Bay34.02454, -119.69234

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Pelican Bay

Book with Island Packers and confirm the guided Pelican Bay hike is offered on your date.
Use the Prisoners Harbor restroom before hiking; there are none at Pelican Bay.
Carry all water and food—there are no services or potable water on the route or at the cove.
Wear sturdy shoes; steep, rocky gullies can be slick after rain.
This is the main hike from Prisoners Harbor, so expect some foot traffic despite the limited access.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Your timing is dictated by Island Packers’ boat schedule. Aim for dry weather to avoid slippery sections and enjoy clearer coastal views. Because this is the primary hike from Prisoners Harbor, expect some company, but overall numbers are limited by the escorted access.

Access and Rules

Access is unusual here. The National Park Service states the trail to Pelican Bay may only be traveled by Island Packers boat passengers accompanied by Island Packers staff. The route leaves National Park land and crosses property owned by The Nature Conservancy, which is why escorted access is the norm. Book your boat trip and confirm the guided hike details with the operator before you go.

3 active Channel Islands alerts

ClosureSanta Rosa Island wildfire-recovery closuresAvoid closed routes and shorelines on Santa Rosa Island during recovery from the 2026 wildfire.Official details
ClosureSanta Barbara Island dock closed; landings restrictedThe Santa Barbara Island dock is closed; landings are restricted to the adjacent rocky ledge. - Severe winter storm damage caused the closure, and repairs are not expected in the near future.Official details

See all 3 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Channel Islands Tour Guide

Your drive to Pelican Bay, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Channel Islands National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Channel Islands audio tour

Recorded for this place

Guided Hike to Pelican Bay

Listen

“If you're looking for the main day hike from Prisoners Harbor, it leads to Pelican Bay.”

Plays as you drive up to Pelican Bay in the Parkwolf Channel Islands Tour Guide.

More about Pelican Bay

The HikeExpect roughly 4.5–5 miles round trip from Prisoners Harbor to the cove and back.

Expect roughly 4.5–5 miles round trip from Prisoners Harbor to the cove and back. The path is moderate to challenging in spots, with steep, rocky gullies that require careful footing. It can be slippery after rain. This is widely considered the standout day hike from Prisoners Harbor, so even with limited numbers, you may see some foot traffic.

What You’ll SeeAlong the way you’ll get expansive Pacific views and a surprisingly lush, green side of Santa…

Along the way you’ll get expansive Pacific views and a surprisingly lush, green side of Santa Cruz Island. The trail undulates above the coastline before dropping to a pocket cove with a small, pretty pebble beach backed by meadows and cliffs—an inviting place to sit and soak in the scenery.

HistoryFrom 1910 to 1937, the Santa Cruz Island Company leased Pelican Bay to Ira Eaton, who ran…

From 1910 to 1937, the Santa Cruz Island Company leased Pelican Bay to Ira Eaton, who ran “Pelican Bay Camp,” marketed to sportsmen for wild boar hunting and sword fishing, with meals and cabin lodging offered by reservation. It’s a fascinating contrast to the low-impact, escorted visits of today.

Amenities and EssentialsThere are no facilities at Pelican Bay: no restrooms, no water, no food, no shade structures.

There are no facilities at Pelican Bay: no restrooms, no water, no food, no shade structures. Treat it as true wilderness—carry everything you need and pack it all out. Use facilities at Prisoners Harbor before starting the hike.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Channel Islands

All Channel Islands wildlife maps

2,232 sightingsIsland FoxMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

282 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map

79 sightingsBlue WhaleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

101 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

364 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map

105 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Channel Islands. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.