Channel Islands National Park

🇺🇸 United States

🐋 Humpback Whale Watching Channel Islands

🌍 #69 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #2 in North America #4 in Desert & Scrub

United States, United States 737 spp. recorded

Channel Islands National Park is a rugged coastal sanctuary off the shore of Southern California, protecting a chain of isolated islands defined by steep sea cliffs, coastal scrub, and sweeping ocean vistas. This marine-rich refuge stands apart from mainland parks through its total insularity, preserving fragile coastal ecosystems shaped entirely by wind and sea.

34.009° N 119.763° W

Wildlife

⭐ Iconic Species

Island Fox

Urocyon littoralis

70–80% · Very likely

round stingray

Urolophus halleri

50–60% · Likely

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

70–80% · Very likely

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

70–80% · Very likely

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

60–70% · Likely

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

60–70% · Likely

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely

California Sea Lion

Zalophus californianus

50–60% · Likely

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

50–60% · Likely

Double-crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

50–60% · Likely

Pacific Angelshark

Squatina californica

50–60% · Likely

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Island Fox

Urocyon littoralis

70–80% · Very likely

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

California Sea Lion

Zalophus californianus

50–60% · Likely

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

50–60% · Likely

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophilus beecheyi

30–40% · Possible

Desert Cottontail

Sylvilagus audubonii

20–30% · Possible

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

20–30% · Possible

Harbor Seal

Phoca vitulina

20–30% · Possible

Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

20–30% · Possible

Northern Elephant Seal

Mirounga angustirostris

10–20% · Possible

Gray Whale

Eschrichtius robustus

10–20% · Possible

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

10–20% · With luck

Common Raccoon

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck

Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

70–80% · Very likely

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

70–80% · Very likely

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

60–70% · Likely

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

60–70% · Likely

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely

Double-crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

50–60% · Likely

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

50–60% · Likely

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

40–50% · Likely

American Coot

Fulica americana

40–50% · Likely

Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

50–60% · Likely

Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis

40–50% · Possible

Island Fence Lizard

Sceloporus becki

30–40% · Possible

Southern Alligator Lizard

Elgaria multicarinata

20–30% · Possible

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

20–30% · Possible

Pond Slider

Trachemys scripta

10–20% · Possible

Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus

10–20% · With luck

Striped Racer

Masticophis lateralis

10–20% · With luck

SWPT

Actinemys pallida

0–10% · With luck

Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus

0–10% · With luck

Two-striped Garter Snake

Thamnophis hammondii

0–10% · With luck

Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Pacific chorus frog

Pseudacris regilla

30–40% · Possible

Channel Islands Slender Salamander

Batrachoseps pacificus

10–20% · Possible

Black-bellied Slender Salamander

Batrachoseps nigriventris

10–20% · With luck

Western Toad

Anaxyrus boreas

10–20% · With luck

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

0–10% · With luck

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

0–10% · Rare

California Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma californiense

Insufficient data

California Treefrog

Pseudacris cadaverina

Insufficient data

California Red-legged Frog

Rana draytonii

Insufficient data

Arboreal Salamander

Aneides lugubris

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

round stingray

Urolophus halleri

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Pacific Angelshark

Squatina californica

50–60% · Likely

horn shark

Heterodontus francisci

40–50% · Likely

bat ray

Myliobatis californica

40–50% · Likely

leopard shark

Triakis semifasciata

30–40% · Possible

Shark

Cetorhinus maximus

20–30% · Possible

Swellshark

Cephaloscyllium ventriosum

20–30% · Possible

Thornback Guitarfish

Platyrhinoidis triseriata

20–30% · Possible

mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

10–20% · Possible

gray smoothhound

Mustelus californicus

10–20% · Possible

Shark

Prionace glauca

Insufficient data

brown smoothhound

Mustelus henlei

Insufficient data

Tope

Galeorhinus galeus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Gray Whale Migration

JanFebMar

Thousands of Gray Whales migrate past the islands, often seen from shore or boat tours. Peak sightings occur in February and March.

Gray Whale

Eschrichtius robustus

10–20% · Possible

🦌

Island Fox Breeding Season

JanFebMar

Island Foxes become more active and visible during breeding season, offering unique wildlife viewing opportunities on the islands.

Island Fox

Urocyon littoralis

70–80% · Very likely

🐦

Bat Ray & Leopard Shark Season

MarJunJulAugSepOct

Bat Rays and Leopard Sharks gather in shallow waters, especially around kelp forests and sandy bottoms, attracting divers and snorkelers.

bat ray

Myliobatis californica

40–50% · Likely

leopard shark

Triakis semifasciata

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Species Total

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

60–70

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

30–40

30–40

60–70

50–60

90–100

80–90

80–90

70–80

20–30

50–60

30–40

10–20

30–40

20–30

40–50

30–40

30–40

30–40

20–30

20–30

40–50

40–50

30–40

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

80–90

80–90

90–100

90–100

70–80

70–80

70–80

70–80

60–70

70–80

70–80

70–80

80–90

70–80

70–80

50–60

70–80

70–80

60–70

70–80

60–70

60–70

60–70

60–70

70–80

70–80

80–90

80–90

60–70

60–70

70–80

60–70

70–80

70–80

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

80–90

70–80

70–80

80–90

60–70

70–80

70–80

80–90

70–80

70–80

60–70

40–50

50–60

50–60

40–50

60–70

60–70

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

50–60

60–70

50–60

40–50

40–50

40–50

60–70

50–60

50–60

60–70

40–50

60–70

60–70

50–60

30–40

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

California Sea Lion

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

60–70

60–70

50–60

70–80

60–70

50–60

50–60

40–50

Common Side-blotched Lizard

40–50

40–50

50–60

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

40–50

40–50

30–40

Double-crested Cormorant

60–70

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

50–60

60–70

50–60

40–50

50–60

50–60

50–60

Pacific Angelshark

70–80

60–70

60–70

50–60

90–100

50–60

60–70

70–80

60–70

80–90

70–80

60–70

Common Yellowthroat

50–60

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

50–60

40–50

30–40

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

Animal Events

🦌 Gray Whale Migration

🐦 Bat Ray & Leopard Shark Season

🦌 Island Fox Breeding Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent

🐋 Humpback Whale Watching Channel Islands

🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg

4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Species by taxon

🦅 Birds

533

🐒 Mammals

129

🦎 Reptiles

43

🐸 Amphibians

15

🦈 Sharks & Rays

17

737 Total Species

841 Global average across 280 parks

45 Threatened 97 Endemic

🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg

3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

🎯

Top-12 Avg Probability

62% Global avg

63%

📊

Coverage (210 species at ≥5% of 737 in the inventory)

24% Global avg

28%

🔀

Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile, 1 elasmobranch)

47% Global avg

69%

🔭

Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)

132 Global avg

137

🌟

Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)

14 Global avg

8

⭐

High-prob species (>40%)

26 Global avg

24

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