The Channel Islands are a chain of eight islands off the coast of Southern California.
It is a swimmer’s paradise, with pristine waters, astonishing biodiversity and year-round mild temperatures. There are dozens of potential swim routes in this area, some of which still remain to be traversed by swimmers.
The SBCSA sanctions solo and relay marathon swims to, from, around, and between the eight Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, San Clemente, and Catalina) — with the exception of Catalina Channel and Catalina circumnavigation swims, which are sanctioned by CCSF.
Our most popular swim routes include:
Anacapa to/from mainland - a 12.2-mile (19.6 km) swim between Anacapa Island and Oxnard. This is a great “starter” channel swim in preparation for the Catalina Channel or English Channel. For more information see our Anacapa roadmap.
Anacapa circumnavigation - a 10.6-mile (17 km) swim around Anacapa Island. A scenic swim around passing by some of the most iconic sights of Channel Islands National Park such as Arch Rock.
Santa Cruz Island to/from mainland - 19.1 miles (30.7 km) to Oxnard or 23.5 miles (37.8 km) to Santa Barbara. Similar in distance, temperature, and conditions to the English Channel.
World-class channel swims, longer and tougher than the English Channel or Catalina, include the swims between the mainland and Santa Rosa, San Miguel, or Santa Barbara Island, as well as the offshore route between Santa Barbara Island and Catalina.
Shorter (< 10 km) island hopper routes, which can be stitched together back-to-back, include the swims between Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands.
Numerous other unprecedented or nearly-unprecedented channel swims, circumnavigations, or inter-island swims are possible but not explicitly mentioned here. Contact the SBCSA for further information.