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Overview

Morse Point is probably the best single-hook anchorage on the south shore of Santa Cruz. I've been in there - and by there - more than a dozen times and have always been the only boat. Perhaps I should have kept this "best kept secret of Santa Cruz."

I guess it's little-used as it is more than a leisurely one-day sail from Oxnard/Ventura and Santa Barbara.

We took this picture at sunset in July. When we first anchored - about two hours before sunset - it was blowing like hell. As you can see, things settled down quite nicely as the sky darkened.

Approach

Cruising the coast from the NW, skirt the reef, visible in the picture down there in the reef paragraph. The reef lies in a SE line and extends roughly a half mile from the point. Once past the reef, shape a course toward Johnson Valley, the low area between Sierra Blanca (next picture) and Morse Point. Anchor well off the beach in 25 feet. Bottom is sand. We cruised in to 20 but found ourselves uncomfortably close to the surf line.

Approaching from the SE, stay to seaward of Gull Island, then shape a course to the southwest (left) of Sierra Blanca. There are kelp beds on both sides of the reef. Both were insignificant in our 2006 visit.

The picture above and below left were shot from a spot near the 3 1/4 fathom mark on the chartlet.

This is Sierra Blanca, the backdrop on the north side of the anchorage. Johnson Valley is just off screen to the left in this view.

The Reef

Looking west (or south) from the anchorage, you see the reef that lies along a SE line from Morse Point and extending about a half mile. Most of the reef is visible at low tide; however, we give it a wide berth on arrival and departure regardless of tide. There is plenty of room between the reef and Gull Island and, on departure particularly, we continue to drive east for a good while before turning south.

Departure

Aim for Gull Island until clear of the reef. If proceeding east, figure on going at least a half mile south to avoid the kelp, which is prospering near and around the island.

Last October, for reasons that are too complicated to mention, we decided on a night departure. That should have been very simple, but the Gull Island light was inoperative and we were moonless at 0300.

We got some very realistic DR practice in zero light conditions and ran our usually casual crew more like the Nimitz Special Sea and Anchor Detail. We did have the radar and GPS/chart plotter, but used those only to backup our time-distance-heading work.

Heading ESE out of the anchorage, you'll encounter Gull Island (right). Kelp frequently mounds up between the island and Santa Cruz and seems to be increasing as you see in this picture from April 2007.

Landing Permits Required

If you intend to go ashore, you'll need a landing permit ($40 for all year) from the Nature Conservancy. go to permit for a pdf form, mailing and e-mailing instructions.

Updates

If you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. Dan. His e-mail link and phone are below.