Seek marine mammals off the coast of Anacapa Island. Grey whales migrate by the island during the winter months.
View thousands of seals and sea lions on the beaches and waters around San Miguel Island. On the western-most beach, Point Bennett, six different species of seals and sea lions are found including northern fur seals, California sea lions and harbor seals. You may also see this type of wildlife on the beaches or in the water near other islands in the Channel Islands National Park as well.
Check out tidal pools around the park to find various forms of marine life. You may find species like the purple sea urchin, sea lettuce, limpet, solitary green anemone and buckshot barnacle. Look for tidal pools during low tide, but remember to keep an eye on the waves.
Watch for the island scrub-jay at Prisoner's Cove on Santa Cruz Island. The scrub-jay, which is related to the California scrub-jay, is only found on this particular island. Although it is relatively plentiful on the island, the island scrub-jay has been classified as near-threatened because a natural disaster or invasive species could wipe out the population on the island.
Find brown pelicans on Anacapa Island and Santa Barbara Island. The only breeding colonies of these endangered birds are found on the Channel Islands. West Anacapa Island now has 4000 to 6000 nesting attempts each year, up from around 100 nests in the early 70's.
Look for the island fox on San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, San Nicholas and San Clemente islands. These islands are the only places where this state endangered animal is found. Unlike the related gray fox, the island fox is active during the day light hours.
Take a guided hike on one of the islands. Guides are knowledgeable about the animals and sea creatures which frequent or live on the Channel Islands. They will also help you spot animals or point you to areas where a specific species is often seen.
