Sort of protected: Orizaba Cove does not offer much protection, but on a settled day like the one we picked, it's a great spot to settle in and check the "intertidal zone" (tide pools). We arrived just after the new moon, so were in store for excellent paddling
Finding Oriziba: From the east, spot the arch at Twin Harbors, then find the 40' high island just to the west. This island marks the entrance to the cove. If you're coming from the west and hugging the shore, you'll spot an exceptionally green cliffside, where the foliage is brightened by a spring. There's also a craggy bit of rock (see slideshow) set off a bit and a very low island, which is normally populated by seals. This is Platts Anchorage. Go around the island headed east and you'll immediately spot the higher island that marks Oriziba. The area between Platts and Oriziba is great for kayaking. See the slideshow at the bottom.
Approach: There are two inlets. From a distance, it looks like the western most one is most inviting, but you can't get there in a decent size sailboat. In fact, don't even try to get in the western cove.
We reconnoitered the eastern cove and found a good bit of kelp along the western cliff. You'll spot a cave in the back of the cove. It was a calm day and we backed in, dropping our stern hook in 25' just in front of the cave. The kelp tells us that there is a rocky bottom, but we didn't have any trouble stting or retrieving the hook. Take a close look at the Google Map picture - in fact click on the link just below it for an expanded view. You'll see a shelf of rock just off the western wall. Some charts show this as a drying area. Frankly, we (I) anchored too close to that. More than a couple of knots out of the east and we'd have been bumping the rocks. My advice is to shoot for the center of the cove. Next time I go there, I'll drop the stern hook in front of the cave and then set my bow 20 degrees right of the island and drop my bow anchor in 35'. That would have made my night a bit more restful.
Going Ashore: You need a Nature Conservancy permit, which we have, but kayaking used up all of our free time and we were not tempted to go hiking.
Hazards: Beware the drying area on the west side of the cove. It's not clearly marked on the plastic chart, though it was on our chart plotter.
Updates: If you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. Dan. His e-mail link and phone are top left.
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Map: 
Video: None
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