The weather of the Channel Islands stays relatively similar to the mainland on a day-to-day basis but differences are apparent depending on the island, season and time of day you visit. Due to remote nature of of the islands (especially San Nicolas, San Clemente, and Santa Barbara) and occasional ocean storms or other atmospheric events, visitors to the islands must prepare themselves for a wide range of weather conditions. These could include high winds, choppy ocean waves, rolling fog, heavy rain and hot summer days.

The weather of the Channel Islands provides a blanket of conditions that can be seen as helping to both isolate and protect the islands from some of the more industrial changes that are found on the mainland. This adds an element of originality and beauty to the islands that make them unlike any other place to visit in California.

Dressing in layers is encouraged when you visit the Chanel Islands and sturdy shoes are necessary for the often changing and sometimes slippery or treacherous terrain that can be found on each island.

We’ve included a number of ways you can check the weather on the Channel Islands as
well as the long-term forecast, winds, ocean swell and tides to better plan your next visit.