Prisoners Harbor

Prisoners Harbor, located on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, now serves as a port of entry for visitors arriving by boat. This harbor holds historical significance, as it was almost transformed into a penal colony in 1830. The Mexican government had planned to establish a penal colony on the island, and a U.S. brig named Maria Ester arrived with around 80 convicted criminals. However, after witnessing the deplorable conditions of the prisoners, local authorities refused to allow them to disembark. Eventually, a compromise was reached and some prisoners were allowed ashore to perform odd jobs. The fate of the remaining prisoners is unclear, but some attempted to escape the island on rafts and were eventually captured on the mainland. The name "Prisoners Harbor" serves as a reminder of these unusual events that took place over 180 years ago. Today, the harbor is a point of interest for visitors exploring the natural beauty of Santa Cruz Island.