- Shelter
- NW, N, W
- Seabed
- sand, algae
- Anchoring
- Allowed
Open cove on the east end of Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Park, off the California coast.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
The cove gives good anchorage in northerly and northwesterly winds, on sand with patches of weed, and is a summer and autumn favourite. It is open and unprotected from the SE, so it is unsafe in winter southerly weather. Landing the tender on the long sand beach is awkward as an inside swell often runs.
Ashore
Smugglers Cove sits within Channel Islands National Park. A few picnic tables and a rustic outhouse stand near the beach, set among old olive trees. A 7.5 mile round-trip trail crosses the island ridge to Scorpion Anchorage. Sea caves indent the cliffs nearby.
Key facts
- Type
- Anchorage
- Coordinates
- 34.01082, -119.54355 (34°0.65'N 119°32.61'W)
- Country
- United States
- Shelter
- Sheltered from north-west, north, west winds
- Seabed
- sand, algae
- Anchoring
- Allowed
- Boaters' rating
- 3.6/5
- Updated
- July 7, 2026
Getting there
Smugglers Cove lies at 34°0.65'N 119°32.61'W, that is 34.01082, -119.54355 in decimal degrees.
Boaters' reviews
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
Which winds is Smugglers Cove sheltered from?
Smugglers Cove is sheltered from north-west, north, west winds.
Can you anchor at Smugglers Cove?
Yes, anchoring is allowed at Smugglers Cove.
How do boaters rate Smugglers Cove?
Smugglers Cove is rated 3.6/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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