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Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
 The Debate Depending upon on whom you rely for expert advice - Fagan or the backside of the plastic charts - Prisoners is either almost as good as Pelican or Prisoners is only suitable if there is no room in Pelican. They're only a mile or so apart, and frankly, we side with the Pelican group if only because you generally get a smoother ride at anchor. On the other, hand, Prisoners can accommodate far more boats and only a single hook is required. It's easy to get ashore and no landing permit is required to the east of the pier. As long as you turn left when leaving the beach area, you're in the National Park. Turn right, and you're out of bounds unless you have a Nature Conservancy permit. But even if you have a permit, the Nature Conservancy doesn't want you to access their property from Prisoners. I have no idea why.
Approach We generally depart Ventura or Channel Islands about 1000. Most days, that means we're motoring toward platform Grace. By the time we get there, we usually have sailable wind. Heading off on a close reach almost always gets us to the vicinity of Cavern Point. It's a pretty bad day if you can't spot Prisoners Anchorage, but in low visibility, it's still easy to work your way around from Cavern Pt. To Coches Pt. Then across Chinese Harbor to Prisoners. The landscape is easy to recognize, but the pier, which you'd think would be very prominent is often hard to see, particularly in late afternoon sun. If in doubt of your position due to fog, stay on the 20 fathom curve (120 feet on your depth gauge) and you'll remain clear of all obstructions. On a clear day, the sightseeing is spectacular in close.
How we do it, specifically The western wall of the anchorage is best protected. After a lot of experimentation, I've decided that it's the best spot if any swell is entering the anchorage. The bad news is that in order to get in close enough for protection, you've got to anchor bow and stern. And the worse news is that there's eel grass and other weeds that make anchoring iffy. We've got a French Plow forward and a Fortress aft. The plow does just that, ploughs and sets like a charm. Last time in, we veered out about 250' on the bow anchor, which was in 20 feet of water, then dropped our stern hook and finally pulled forward about 75'. The stern hook was in about 15 feet, so the scope was quite short. We figured that would be OK since we just need it to prevent us swinging. Another boat entered the anchorage and tried too moor forward of us and then astern. Their Danforth would not set in the weeds and so they took a spot slightly east of our position. That offset was enough to give them a much rougher ride in the encroaching swell. BTW -- on their first attempt to anchor, they veered out a lot of line and and powered up mightily to set the anchor. That's the right thing to do, but even so they dragged and had to move. Good seamanship all the way around.
On holiday weekends, if you see a huge gaggle of boats lying to anchor, you'll probably find yourself on two hooks no matter where you are.
With no swell and little company, we normally head for a spot near the mooring ball. That's still on the chart, but no longer in the water, so our intended point of anchoring is a couple of boat lengths off the pier, straight out or just a tad west. When we were there last, there were two yachts moored beach-side from us, and two anchored farther out. The boat closest to the beach had set his anchor in line with the end of the pier, which, according to the chart, put him in about 10' of water at MLLW. If you're going in that close, check the tide tables carefully. If you've got a fairly up-to-date chart plotter, that information is right at hand. Click your cursor on the T on the chart and you'll have the info right at hand. If you're not so equipped, use the link at the top of the page to get tide data, print it and take it with you ... particularly if it is a new or full moon.
The bottom is sand and/or mud and generally provides good holding ground. However, we have encountered eel grass and other weeds near the western banks that make anchoring difficult with a Danforth anchor. On the other hand, we've never had problems with our French Plow or our Fortress anchors.
Going Ashore The last time we visited, we enjoyed a very calm day and rowing the dinghy or kayak to and onto the beach was no problem. There is a steep gradient at the beach, so if you jump off on the seaside, you'll likely find yourself up to your armpits or, maybe, swimming. The beach is made of rocks of 4-12 inches. Not comfortable for bare feet. If the weather is less clement, head for the SE corner of the anchorage, where it stays smooth the longest. It's also possible to stay dry by landing at the pier, climbing the ladder and dragging your dinghy to the beach. You'll need about a 15' painter to do that. In summer, there is a dinghy dock at the end of the pier on the east side.
Hazards None that aren't charted or visible.
Updates Mooring Ball -- missing since at least Mar 09. Maybe out for repairs; maybe gone for good. 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.
 Photos:
 Map: Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island Google Map
 Video:
 Links:
NPS Santa Cruz Info
Nature Conservancy Santa Cruz Info
NPS Boating & Fishing Rules
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