....stuff deleted

Scott,

Thanks for the informative post. I've done some diving in the Channel
Islands. There are few more wonderful and exciting areas to visit. The
paddle qualifies, I assume, as an expert level paddle. While it can be calm
out to the islands, it is often characterized by long swells and rebound
waves off the islands themselves. The seas can be choppy and confused in
wind (duh!) and it can be, I assume, a very challenging paddle. Perhaps I've
always been unfortunate enough to be out there during conditions where
others were losing their cookies, but it is equally likely that these
conditions are more likely to be the norm than not.

Since you live there and, obviously, paddle there as well, prehaps you can
give us a feel for how often conditions allow for suitable paddling
conditions.

Rick


Personally, I have always considered the crossing to and/or from
Anacapa and
the mainland to be a big part of the adventure. So you might think about
paddling the 12 NM over to Anacapa and spending a night there. Then the
next
day explore Anacapa as you make your way to Santa Cruz. The third and
forth day
you could explore Santa Cruz, and then take Island Packers back home. Or
you
could reverse the sequence and take Island Packers over to Santa Cruz and
paddle back home from Anacapa.
Part of your decision may be decided for you when you check with Island
Packers and see what Islands they are hitting on a particular day and how
that
all figures into your schedule. You should also understand that most of
the
camping on these channel islands require a fairly rigorous unloading
procedure
and hike into the campgrounds. So make sure you plan to have enough time
and
energy for that ordeal.
I hope when you do the trip you will post a trip report here so we can
read
how it all went. The Southern California Channel Islands really are are a
very
special and remarkable paddling destination I hope you have a great time
over
there!

Scott
So.Cal.

....stuff from original post deleted