Visit Adams Cove, San Miguel Island, California

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The cove’s broad sandy expanse of beach is home to the largest pinniped rookery in the United States. Here, more than 70,000 California sea lions, 50,000 Northern elephant seals, and 5,000 Northern fur seals congregate annually during breeding and pupping seasons. This place name appears on the San Miguel Island West topographic map. The 471-foot steel-hulled oil tanker, Pectan, was en route from Chile to Port San Luis on January 21, 1914 when she went ashore at Adams Cove. She was able to free herself without damage. Overnight anchorages are restricted to Cuyler Harbor and Tyler Bight. Visitors may land only on the beach at Cuyler Harbor. San Miguel Island is owned by the U. S. Navy and open for landing only when National Park Service personnel are on the island. The island was a former bombing range and there are possible unexploded ordnance. It is the responsibility of private boaters to contact the park to ensure the island is open before coming ashore. A permit (including liability waiver) is required to visit the island. Private boaters can obtain these forms at a self-registration station at the Nidever Canyon trail head entry on San Miguel Island. Visitors are required to be escorted beyond the ranger station. Visitors may explore Cuyler Harbor beach, Nidever Canyon, the Cabrillo Monument, and the Lester Ranch site unescorted. No off-trail hiking is permitted.

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