The following information is provided to assist you with the landing permit program for The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. We hope you have a safe and pleasurable journey to this unique island preserve.

Hikers on Santa Cruz Island © Kurt Rademacher

Do I need a landing permit to go ashore on Santa Cruz Island?
A landing permit is required by all private boaters wishing to go ashore on The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. The Nature Conservancy owns the western 76% of the island with the remaining 24% of the island under National Park Service ownership. Permits are issued to private boats only, not to commercial vessels or commercial charter parties. Permits are valid during daylight hours only: Visitors are not permitted ashore after sunset or before sunrise.

Landing permits are available for 30 consecutive days or for one year, and are renewable.

Landing on the National Park's property on the eastern portion of Santa Cruz Island does not require a permit from The Nature Conservancy, but you should contact Channel Islands National Park by calling (805) 658-5730.

How do I get a landing permit?
You must complete a landing permit application in order to receive your landing permit. Download the landing permit materials:
Application-Landing Permit (pdf, 83 kb)

Clicking on the above link will open the landing permit document, which you will need to print and fill out by hand. Viewing and printing this document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher. To download the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon above.

If you are unable to use this electronic form, e-mail us at scilandingpermit@tnc.org. Include your complete address or fax number and an application will be sent to you. Please note: Applications requested this way may take longer to process and to receive.

Is there a cost for the permit?
Yes. You may obtain a permit for 30 consecutive days for $30., or a calendar year permit for $70. Make your check or money order (no cash please) payable to The Nature Conservancy.

Along with your Landing Permit, you will receive a high quality Santa Cruz Island tide calendar. Beautiful photographs, information about the island and graphic tide references that are specific to Santa Cruz Island are included.  This is a useful reference tool for recreational boaters journeying to the Channel Islands.

Where do I send my landing permit application?
The Nature Conservancy
Attn: Santa Cruz Island Landing Permit Program
3639 Harbor Blvd., Suite 201
Ventura, CA 93001

Please do not return your application by fax or e-mail. We must receive the original signed documents in order to issue you your permit.

How much time will it take for me to receive my permit?
Please allow at least 15 business days prior to your planned departure for application approval, processing and delivery of your permit to you. You will see on the application that you have the option of having the permit faxed back to you, which will speed up the process.

What does the landing permit provide?
The Nature Conservancy's landing permit for Santa Cruz Island provides private boaters access to The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. The fees from the permit system go toward The Nature Conservancy's preservation efforts on the island along with covering the cost of administering the program. The permit application packet includes the application itself along with a list of visitor rules pertaining to the protection of the property and a liability release form. Anyone wishing to come ashore must sign the release form. No pets are allowed on shore.

Public access to portions of the island owned by The Nature Conservancy will be permitted with the following inland access restrictions:

• No hiking into or in the central valley of Santa Cruz Island is allowed
• No inland access 50 feet past the mean high water mark at Christy Beach
• While on any portion of Santa Cruz Island owned by The Nature Conservancy, the permit holder and all members of the permit holder’s party, whenever separated from the permit holder, must carry a copy of the permit and show it to The Nature conservancy’s staff if requested.

Your landing permit is valid only during daylight hours. Camping is prohibited on The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service does provide camping facilities on their eastern portion of the island.

There is no smoking or building fires of any type allowed on Santa Cruz Island, due to fire danger.

No pets of any kind (including, but not limited to, cats and dogs), plants, seeds, or cut flowers are allowed to be brought onto the island. Islands are very susceptible to exotic species of all kinds, so respect the native flora and fauna by keeping exotics off the island.

No souvenirs or specimens of anything found at The Nature Conservancy’s portion of Santa Cruz Island may be taken from the island, nor is any digging in any Indian mounds or other architectural remains located at the island allowed, or any other disturbance of the terrain on the island.

No cutting down, injury, picking of, collection of, or other disturbance of any trees or other plants or vegetation is allowed, whether or not the plants are living or dead.

	Yachts in harbor © James Martin

Where is the best anchorage to land on Santa Cruz Island?
Santa Cruz Island has a variety of habitats and beautiful anchorages to share with its visitors. As is always the case whenever stepping into a wilderness area, you should check the weather, Santa Barbara Channel conditions, and the extended forecast before visiting, and make your determination of destination based on these factors.

When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz Island?
The island has something to offer its visitors throughout the entire year. Each season brings with it a change of weather, colors, and beauty. Again, you should determine the best time for your visit based on weather, channel conditions, and extended forecast. All these factors change during the year and can change from day to day as well.

Do I need a landing permit for my kayak?
If you plan on going ashore, yes, you do need a landing permit. All boaters who wish to go onto The Nature Conservancy’s property are required to have landing permits. (Where the application asks for a boat name and/or CF#, please indicate "kayak".)

Are there any restrooms on Santa Cruz Island?
There is one public restroom located on the northern boundary of The Nature Conservancy’s property, where it adjoins the National Park Service’s property at Prisoners' Harbor on the north shore of the island.