Overview of Santa Barbara Channel Conditions
Compiled by Ned Denison and Dean White
The Santa Barbara channel is bordered on the north and east by the California coast and to the south by the four northern Channel Islands. See route map. The four islands from east to west are Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel. These four islands make up the Channel Islands National Park. There are other islands further from shore which are not covered in this section. Besides being a great place to make swims from, these islands are wonderful to visit if you have the time. Following is some general information about the wind, current and water/air temperature in the channel. Then a few comments on specific crossings and last some information regarding the scheduling of boats and pilots.
- Wind: During the summer months the wind is predominately from the west to northwest. The winds tend to be funneled around Point Conception where the coast line turns north and are accelerated along the north side of the 4 Channel Islands. This area is referred to as “windy lane” by local boaters. This effect is strongest towards the west end of the channel and decreases as you move east. Winds tend to blow strongest in the afternoon and evening. This is the main reason we have been starting most of the swims at 12-2 AM so that the swimmer can get across in the calmest possible conditions. NOAA Weather Buoy 46053 is located roughly mid-channel. Here is a chart of monthly average winds over a 6 year period (46053_wind_speed.pdf)
- Currents: The currents for most of the swims so far have been mild with a few notable exceptions (going East from Anacapa and Santa Cruz). The currents tend to swirl around in and between the islands so there is not a nice clear pattern. More is mentioned in the individual crossing section below. Here is a website of hourly channel currents from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB ocean surface currents mapping project).
- Water Temperature: Water temperatures in the channel are quite variable! As a general rule it is 50F (10C) to 60F (15.5C) in the winter and 60F (15.5C) to 70F (21C) in the summer. This last summer is hardly ever got over 65F and dipped in the 50’s on occasion. Other summers we have been at or close to 70 for weeks. Here is the 6 year water temperature average for the same NOAA buoy mentioned above. (46053_sea_temperature.pdf).
- Air Temperatures: Air temperatures like water temperatures can be variable. There are slightly more sunny days later in the summer, but you can run into a few overcast/foggy days at anytime. Average temperaures during the summer are in the 70’s. They will be in the 60’s if it is overcast and can be in the 80’s if it is sunny with nice calm conditions.
Other weather related links:
Specific crossing details:
- Anacapa Island to Channel Islands Harbor
(10.8 nautical miles [nm], 12.4 statue miles [sm], 20km)
This is the shortest crossing to the coast from any of the Channel Islands. In general the wind and water temperature can be slightly more favorable than the longer mid channel swims. There can be significant adverse current around the end of Anacapa (running North or South) and along the coast near Channel Islands Harbor (running West). The tides should be factored into the start time to minimize this effect.
- Santa Cruz Island to Channel Islands Harbor
(16.5 nm, 19 sm, 30.5km)
The conditions for this swim are similar to those of the Anacapa crossing. Again the tides should be taken into account since we have experienced strong currents around the San Pedro Point (running North or South), the start point on Santa Cruz Island, if it is not.
- Santa Cruz Island (Fry’s Harbor)to Santa Barbara Light
(20.5 nm, 23.6 sm, 38 km)
One of the major differences between this swim and the previous 2, besides being longer, is that the route is normally more perpendicular to the wind than the other routes. Several swimmers have started at Cueva Valdez which is a little farther west and slightly longer, but it allows for more drift to the east from the wind. The effect of “windy lane” can be stronger here. Currents have not been a major factor in the swims from here. We have seen a little east-west current in the channel, but nothing real significant. The wind and swell is more of a concern in this swim.
- Santa Rosa Island to Devereux Point
(23.8 nm, 27.5 sm, 44 km)
This crossing is long and, as has been mentioned before, the winds and water temperature get rapidly stronger and colder as you move west in the channel. Overall it will just be harder to get good conditions with a swim from Santa Rosa. We have had fairly reliable conditions in our other swims but it may not be the case with Santa Rosa. We shall see as the first swim (relay) is schedule for late 2007. From looking at the current charts, it looks like there can be some current running around Carrington Point at the start if there is a large tide.
Weather, Boats and Schedules:
Although the weather in the Santa Barbara channel can be quite rough at times, for the most part it has cooperated with our swims. We have been very fortunate in late 2006 and 2007 in being able to do 14 out of 15 swims on the scheduled dates. Only one swim has been delayed one day due to weather and we were able to accommodate this delay at no added cost. This will probably not always be the case. Following are a few points regarding boat charters, schedules, etc:
- Most of the pilots, observers, kayakers, have other jobs so for the most part swims are scheduled on the weekends. You will find this reflected in generally lower boat (with Captain) rental prices!
- The crossing is scheduled for a specific day. Not a “window” of possible dates as for some other channel crossings. Since most charters are through a commercial charter company there is no refund if the swim can not go. We will do our best to accommodate a delay, but there are no guarantees that this can be done (without additional cost). This has not happened yet, but needs to be mentioned.
Membership and swim fees are not refundable for a weather cancellation, but can be applied to a swim in the current or next year.
- Here is a list of possible boats for hire. Feel free to contact SBCSA about further details regarding the charter of these boats.
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