Last updated: April 26, 2021
Place
Watersports (Santa Cruz Island)
Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com
The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, nearby camping, year-round Island Packers boat transportation, extensive kelp forests, and a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. For snorkeling and diving, the easiest kelp beds to access are the ones near the pier and those to the eastern end of of the bay. Beach access is also available at Prisoners Harbor and by hiking over to Smugglers Cove, but the snorkeling is not as good at these locations. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. Kayaking from Prisoners Harbor is also very scenic.
For the authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island visit: [Channel Islands Adventure Company](http://www.sbadventureco.com/adventures/channel-islands/#Sea-Cave-Kayaking). For kayak guide and outfitting services in other areas of Santa Cruz Island (excluding Scorpion area), visit the [Visitor Services List](https://www.nps.gov/chis/parkmgmt/visitor-services-list.htm).
Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. Generally, the north shore is best during the northwest swells of winter/spring and the south shore is best during the south swells of summer/fall. However, all surf spots are remote and are best accessed by private boat due to the island's rugged terrain and the hiking distance from the designated landing areas.