Channel Islands National Park - Anacapa Island Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service)

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Channel Islands National Park

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	Channel Islands National Park Anacapa Island Photo Gallery

Most of these images are legally protected by U.S. & International copyright laws and may NOT be downloaded or used for reproduction in any manner without the explicit authorization of the respective copyright holders.

In view album mode, if an image is not copyrighted, you will be given the option of downloading the image. These non-copyrighted images are royalty-free and their use is not limited. However, please credit the photograper and "National Park Service" where appropriate.

Anacapa Island Photo Gallery

Gallery Description:

Anacapa Island’s steep, isolated slopes provide excellent nesting sites for a variety of land and sea birds.

Aerial view

Photo by National Park Service

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Decimated by the pesticide DDT during the late 1960s, the endangered California brown pelicans have made a remarkable recovery. West Anacapa is the primary pelican rookery on the west coast of the continent.

California brown pelican

Photo by National Park Service

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The islets of Anacapa comprise the largest nesting site for the western gull in the United States, with over 10,000 gathering during the spring and summer.

Wetern gull

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The park concessionaire takes visitors to the protected, pristine tidepools near Cat Rock when tides are optimum.

Visitors at Tidepools

Photo by Derek Lohuis, National Park Service

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The island's wonderfully rich tidal regions represent one of the most natural marine environments remaining in southern California.

Tidepools

Photo by Tim Hauf

The rocky shores and isolated beaches of Anacapa are tremendously important as haul-out and rookery sites for harbor seals and California sea lions.

Harbor Seals

Photo by Jeff Foot, jfoottphotography.com

One of the most spectacular views in the park can be found from Inspiration Point. Looking to the west, one may see Middle and West Anacapa, with Santa Cruz Island in the distance.

Inspiration Point

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

An overnight stay in the year-round primitive campground includes the sounds of sea birds, an ocean breeze, and a 360-degree view.

Campground

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The bright yellow bouquets of the giant coreopsis are so vivid they can sometimes be seen from the mainland.

Coreopsis

Photo by Derek Lohuis, National Park Service

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After several shipwrecks along the island’s coast, the last permanent lighthouse on the west coast was constructed in 1932 on East Anacapa Island.

Anacapa Lighthouse

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

For nearly 60 years and 52 million rotations, the Fresnel lens and light warned sailors away from Anacapa's rocky coast.

Fresnel Lens

Photo by National Park Service

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Kayaking along the island’s rugged coastline allows visitors to experience close-up the pristine marine environment.

Kayaking

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Formed by sea erosion, forty-foot-high Arch Rock is the trademark of Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park.

Arch Rock

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Access to East Anacapa Island is at the Landing Cove. Visitors climb a steel rung ladder to the dock and 153 stairs to the top of the island.

Landing Cove

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The structures on East Anacapa Island were built in the 1930’s by the U.S. Coast Guard to support the 16 member crew which staffed and maintained the lighthouse 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Historic Coast Guard Buildings

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Anacapa’s Visitor Center provides information and exhibits on the island’s natural and cultural resources.

Visitor Center

Photo by Desiree Cassell, National Park Service

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Crystal clear water, kelp forests, sea caves, sea birds, and sea lions all may be seen from the Cathedral Cove overlook on East Anacapa.

Cathedral Cove

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

Anacapa's superb diving areas offer a firsthand look at over half of the park’s resources and some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.

Kelp Forest

Photo by Jim Knowlton, jimknowlton.com

Protected by state law, the intensely curious and territorial garibaldi has become quite common again in the kelp forests of Channel Islands National Park.

Garibaldi

Photo by National Park Service

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One of over a hundred protected shipwrecks in the park, the steamer Winfield Scott grounded and sank off the north shore of Middle Anacapa in 1853.

Winfield Scott

Photo by National Park Service

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Wind, water, and waves have eroded Anacapa's volcanic rock into steep sea cliffs, wavecut terraces, caves, and arches such as Keyhole Rock.

Keyhole Rock

Photo by Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com

The Chumash traveled to Anacapa in seaworthy canoes (or "tomols") such as this modern reproduction.

Chumash Paddling Tomol

Photo by Peter Howorth

The cobblestone beach at Frenchy’s Cove is an ideal place to land, picnic, explore protected tidepools, and snorkel.

Frenchys Cove

Photo by Derek Lohuis, National Park Service

[Download 1387 kb]

lighthouse, anacapa island timhaufphotography.com

Virtual Tour
View 360° photos of Anacapa Island.
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Last Updated: September 02, 2011 at 17:20 MST