La Jolla Shores
A calm, sandy entry and the best place to see leopard sharks, off the Marine Room end of the beach.
Free beach. Park at Kellogg Park or on nearby streets. Directions
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0California snorkeling guide
Snorkeling in La Jolla
Kelp, orange garibaldi and a no-take marine reserve sit beside a sea lion colony, which makes La Jolla Southern California's snorkel destination. In summer, leopard sharks gather in the shallows of La Jolla Shores. The water is cold, so bring a wetsuit.
Why snorkel La Jolla?
Snorkeling in La Jolla at a glance
The snorkeling here centers on Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, about a square mile of protected ocean from the cliffs of La Jolla Cove to the sand of La Jolla Shores. Nothing may be taken, so the fish and kelp are easy to see.
Start at the Cove, where you swim from a small beach to rocky reef and kelp, and bright orange garibaldi guard their patches. Sea lions live on the rocks next door, and you hear them before you see them. At La Jolla Shores the stars are leopard sharks. From about June to December they gather in knee- to waist-deep water off the Marine Room end of the beach, peaking from August to September.
Do not expect tropical snorkeling. The water ranges from about 59 F in winter to 68 F at its warmest, and visibility swings from 5 ft to 25 ft. Most people wear a wetsuit. Go early, check the surf, and watch the sea lions and sharks from a distance, since they are wild animals.
- Best months
- Aug to Oct for warm water; leopard sharks Jun to Dec
- Water temperature
- About 59 F in winter to 68 F in August
- Wetsuit
- Recommended year-round; most tours include one
- Rules
- No take in Matlahuayl SMR; stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions
- Tide station
- NOAA 9410230 (Scripps Pier)
- Snorkel spots
- 5
Where should I snorkel?
La Jolla snorkel map
Tap a spot to see what it is like, then open its guide or get directions.
What can I see?
What you can see in La Jolla
Tap a card for spotting tips and the Guardian rule for each animal. Filter by what you most want to meet.
A harmless, spotted shark that gathers by the hundreds in the warm shallows off La Jolla Shores in summer. Most of the females are thought to be pregnant.
Spotting tip: Swim slowly over sand in 5 to 10 ft of water on calm, sunny summer days.
Guardian rule: Watch from above and let them pass. Do not chase or touch them.
JFMAMJJASONDTriakis semifasciata
California's bright orange state marine fish. Males guard their rocky nests fiercely and will swim right up to your mask.
Guardian rule: Fully protected in California. No taking, ever.
JFMAMJJASONDHypsypops rubicundus
Playful, noisy and fast in the water. Sea lions haul out on rocks around La Jolla Cove and Catalina and sometimes zoom past snorkelers.
Guardian rule: NOAA asks you to stay at least 50 yards (150 ft) away. Never approach pups, and let curious sea lions come to you.
Zalophus californianus
A spotted, round-faced seal that rests on beaches and rocks in Southern California. Shyer than sea lions, it often slips into the water if people get close.
Guardian rule: Stay at least 50 yards (150 ft) away, especially during pupping season.
Phoca vitulina
A fast-growing seaweed that rises from the rocks to the surface and forms underwater forests along Southern California. Sunlight through the fronds is the classic California snorkel view.
Macrocystis pyrifera
A big wrasse with a black head and tail and a red middle in males. It crunches urchins and crabs in kelp and rocky reef.
Semicossyphus pulcher
An olive green fish with bright blue eyes that schools in shallow, rocky water and tide pools along Southern California.
Girella nigricans
A large ray with wide, pointed wings and a raised head, common over sand and kelp edges in Southern California. It digs in the sand for clams and crabs.
Myliobatis californica
A ray with a long, flattened, shark-like body that rests on sand in shallow Southern California water, often near leopard sharks.
Pseudobatos productus
Tiny, brightly colored sea slugs that crawl over rocks and kelp. Slow down in the shallows to find them.
Nudibranchia
Every spot
Best snorkel spots in La Jolla
Full guideLa Jolla Cove
A small pocket beach with an easy swim to kelp and bright garibaldi, and a sea lion colony on the rocks next door.
Full guideLa Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
About one square mile of no-take water, stretching from the Cove past the sea caves to La Jolla Shores.
Boomer Beach
Surf and a sea lion haul-out beside Point La Jolla. For advanced snorkelers only, and the rocks are closed.
Free, but access to the rocks at Point La Jolla is closed. Directions
Children's Pool
A harbor seal rookery beach. The sand is closed Dec 15 to May 15 for pupping; otherwise stay 50 yards back and give the seals room.
Free beach. Parking along Coast Boulevard is very hard to find; village garages are the usual fallback. Directions
No tour needed
Best spots to snorkel on your own
Shore entries with easy parking and calm water on a normal day. Still check the surf and ask the lifeguard.
- 1
La Jolla Cove
A small pocket beach with an easy swim to kelp and bright garibaldi, and a sea lion colony on the rocks next door.
- 2
La Jolla Shores
A calm, sandy entry and the best place to see leopard sharks, off the Marine Room end of the beach.
What's the water like right now?
La Jolla snorkel conditions
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7-day forecast
Surf
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Tides, next 48 hours
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Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 9410230. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
Which tour should I book?
Recommended La Jolla snorkel tours
- 01
Leopard Shark Encounter (La Jolla Snorkeling Tour)
by Bike and Kayak Tours
A guided intro snorkel in the Ecological Reserve with snorkel gear included. Listed for ages 12 and up, and you must swim without a flotation device. A 17.5 percent service fee applies.
Guided entry teaches you to keep your distance from the sharks and keep off the bottom. Ask about wetsuit sizing, since the listing does not say it is included.
From $59Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 02
Kayak and Snorkel Tour
by Bike and Kayak Tours
Paddle along the cliffs to the sea caves, then snorkel in the Ecological Reserve. Seasonal, so confirm dates before you book.
Staying in a guided group keeps kayaks well off the sea lion rocks. The listing says to call for current snorkel conditions before you buy.
From $79Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 03
Kayak and Snorkel Tour
by La Jolla Kayak
Mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit are included, then you paddle and snorkel in the reserve. Runs May to October, weather permitting. Ages 6 and up in a tandem kayak with an adult.
A local shop operating from La Jolla Shores since 1996, with wetsuits included for the cold water.
- 04
La Jolla Shores Snorkel Tour
by La Jolla Kayak
A guided snorkel off La Jolla Shores where leopard sharks and garibaldi are the draw. Check the operator page for price and gear.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which tours we pick. How we choose tours.
When is the best time to go?
Best time to snorkel in La Jolla
Aug to Oct is the best window: the warmest water, calmest mornings and leopard sharks at their peak. Summer starts the sharks in June. Winter is clear on calm days but cold.
Time of day
Early morning, before 9 a.m., for calm surf and the best visibility.
When to avoid
Avoid days with swell over 3 ft and 2 days after heavy rain.
| Row | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel conditions | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Good | Fair |
| Leopard shark | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Good | Best | Best | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Garibaldi | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Water °F | 59 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 60 |
AvoidFairGoodBest
La Jolla water temperature by month
Averages from the Scripps Pier record (NOAA station 9410230) run about 59 F in Jan to Mar, 61 F in Apr, 63 F in May, 65 F in Jun, 67 F in Jul, 68 F in Aug, 67 F in Sep, 65 F in Oct, 63 F in Nov and 60 F in Dec. Real temperatures swing with upwelling and warm years. A 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is normal in cooler months, and many people wear one even in August. Check the live reading before you go.
Snorkeling with leopard sharks
Leopard sharks gather in the shallow water at the south end of La Jolla Shores, off the Marine Room at 2000 Spindrift Drive, from about June to December. Peak is August to September. Go before 9 a.m. on a calm, low tide morning. They are harmless to people, but most are pregnant females. Do not touch them, chase them or kick hard near them. Enter at Kellogg Park, shuffle your feet for stingrays, and let the sharks come to you.
Kayak and snorkel tours
Two local operators run combined tours from La Jolla Shores. Bike and Kayak Tours lists a roughly 2.5 hour kayak and snorkel trip from $79 per person, April to October. La Jolla Kayak lists a 2 hour trip with mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit included, May to October. The tour paddles along the cliffs to the sea caves, then you snorkel in the reserve. Confirm dates and price on the operator page.
Snorkel rental
Bike and Kayak Tours and La Jolla Kayak both rent snorkel gear and kayaks at La Jolla Shores. Bike and Kayak Tours has a Board and Beach rentals page for self-guided snorkel gear, but it lists no price. Everyday California also lists snorkel gear. Ask each shop whether a wetsuit is included, because you will probably want one.
Reef-safe rules in La Jolla
Take nothing from the reserve. Stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions. Do not enter closed areas like Point La Jolla. Float over kelp rather than standing on it. Use a rash guard or wetsuit to cut down on sunscreen, and choose a mineral sunscreen. Pick up any trash you see on the beach.
Protect the reef
Reef-safe rules at La Jolla
La Jolla's reserve and its wildlife have strict rules. Break them and you can be fined.
No take in Matlahuayl SMR
No living, geological or cultural marine resource may be injured, taken or possessed. Official rule
Stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions
NOAA's rule of thumb is 50 yards, with extra room for pups. Official rule
Point La Jolla closure
Point La Jolla is closed year-round to protect sea lions. The Cove remains open, but more measures were under discussion in August 2026. Official rule
Do not touch or chase leopard sharks
Move slowly and let them come to you. The reserve prohibits disturbing marine life. Official rule
Stingray shuffle
Shuffle your feet when entering and exiting the water to avoid stepping on stingrays.
How snorkelers protect reefs · Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen
Local Reef Guardians
Who protects La Jolla
These local groups restore coral, rescue wildlife and keep the water clean. Volunteer a morning, donate, or just follow their work.
- Volunteer days
San Diego Coastkeeper
Protecting San Diego waterways and coastal water quality
A San Diego nonprofit that works on water quality and coastal protection. Visitors can help by keeping beaches clean and reporting illegal discharges.
Visit sdcoastkeeper.org →
Plus the local rules for La JollaWritten with the rangers, researchers and guides who protect the reef.
The Guardian CodeLook. Don't touch.
Read the full Guardian Code →
Look. Don't touch.
Leave only bubbles.
Do
- Wear a rash guardOr mineral sunscreen, applied well before you swim.
- Float flat over shallow reefKeep fins up so you never kick coral or stir sand.
- Book a local Guardian guideThey know the rules, the currents and the animals.
Never
- Touch, chase or feed wildlifeLet animals choose how close they come.
- Stand on or grab the reefTired? Float on your back or find sand.
- Take shells, sand or coralPhotos only. Leave it for the next swimmer.
FAQ
La Jolla snorkeling questions
Can you snorkel in La Jolla year-round?
Yes, but winter water is about 59 F and rougher. Late summer and early fall have the warmest water and calmest mornings. Wear a wetsuit year-round.
When are the leopard sharks in La Jolla?
From about June to December, with the peak in August and September. Look off the Marine Room end of La Jolla Shores, ideally before 9 a.m. at low tide.
Do you need a wetsuit to snorkel in La Jolla?
Most people do. Water averages 59 to 68 F through the year. Many tours include a wetsuit. Ask the shop if you rent.
Can you snorkel with sea lions in La Jolla?
Sea lions live at the Cove, but NOAA asks you to stay 50 yards away. Point La Jolla is closed to protect them. Watch them, do not approach.
Is La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores better for snorkeling?
Shores is easier and calmer, and has the leopard sharks. The Cove has kelp, garibaldi and a short swim from a small beach, but more swell and sea lions nearby.
Pack like a Guardian
Reef-safe gear
What we pack for every snorkel trip. Each link searches the category on Amazon so you can compare brands and prices.
- Reef-safe
Mineral reef-safe sunscreen
Non-nano zinc oxide only. No oxybenzone or octinoxate, which Hawaii bans.
Shop on Amazon → - Sun cover
Long sleeve rash guard
The best sun protection is fabric. Less sunscreen in the water, less sunburn on your back.
Shop on Amazon → - Cold water
5 mm wetsuit
Southern California water runs 58 to 72°F. A 5/4 mm suit in spring, 3 mm in late summer.
Shop on Amazon → - Safety
Snorkel vest or float
An inflatable vest lets you rest without standing on the reef. Lifeguards love them.
Shop on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
Keep exploring
All of California →More California snorkeling
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San Diego
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How we researched this page Facts last checked October 22, 2026
We check fees, rules and access against official sources first, then local operators and recent visitor reports. Conditions change, so always follow posted signs and lifeguards. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- CDFW: Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve (checked 2026-10-22)
- Times of San Diego: should La Jolla Cove close to protect sea lions (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Fisheries: Marine Life Viewing Guidelines (checked 2026-10-22)
- Everyday California: leopard shark guide (checked 2026-10-22)
- Bike and Kayak Tours: snorkel tours (checked 2026-10-22)
- La Jolla Kayak: tours (checked 2026-10-22)
- San Diego Coastkeeper: snorkel with the leopard sharks (checked 2026-10-22)
- SeaTemperature.org: La Jolla monthly sea temperature (checked 2026-10-22)
- Scripps Shore Stations Program: Scripps Pier temperature record (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Tides and Currents: station 9410230 La Jolla (checked 2026-10-22)