Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife thrives in Channel Islands National Park.

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Wildlife Viewing Details

There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing within the park, from tidepool creatures to whales, seabirds, seals, and sea lions. Some of the best tidepools in all of Southern California can be found in Channel Islands National Park, teeming with inhabitants like sea stars, urchins, periwinkles, anemones, and mussels. A few of the best spots to find tidal pools include Frenchy's Cove on Anacapa Island, Smuggler's Cove on Santa Cruz Island, the eastern end of Cuyler Harbor on San Miguel Island, and Bechers Bay (at the pier), Southeast Anchorage, and East Point on Santa Rosa Island. About one-third of all cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) species in the world can be found in Channel Islands National Park; 27 species are often sighted, including gray (mid- to late-December through mid-March), blue and humpback whales (summer), orcas, and four types of dolphins (year-round). You can see these large marine mammals from scenic overlooks on the islands or on a whale-watching cruise. The islands serve as important nesting grounds for a variety of bird species; at least 387 species of birds, including seabirds, shorebirds, and landbirds, have been recorded in the islands. Sections of the islands are closed at different times during the year to support the birds' nesting habits. Four species of pinnipeds can be found within the park: California sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals. These mammals can easily be seen by land and on ranger-guided walks in the summertime, when you can see thousands of elephant seals at Point Bennett on San Miguel Island.

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