Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0La Jolla Cove Snorkeling
Orange garibaldi glide beneath you while sea lions bark from the cliffs. La Jolla Cove is the postcard of San Diego snorkeling: a 200 foot pocket of sand and a short swim to kelp. The water is cold and the sea lions are wild, so go early, wear a wetsuit and give the animals room.
- Access
- From shore
- Level
- Intermediate
- Depth
- 3 to 30 ft
- Best months
- Aug to Oct
- Fee
- Free
- On your own
- Yes, with care
What to see underwater at La Jolla Cove
A few fin kicks from the sand, you reach rocky reef and kelp, where garibaldi, California sheephead and opaleye hold their territory. This is the easiest shore entry into Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. Sea lions use the rocks and nearby Boomer Beach year-round, and they sometimes swim through the Cove. Leopard sharks can appear in summer and fall, and bat rays glide over the sandy patches. Visibility swings a lot, from about 5 ft to 25 ft depending on swell and plankton.
Garibaldi territories
California's state marine fish is a bright orange damselfish. Males guard small patches of reef, so you will see them over and over along the rocks.
Kelp edge
Giant kelp starts a short swim from the beach. Float over it rather than swimming through the stipes, which can tangle fins and snorkels.
Sea lion neighbors
Sea lions rest on the rocks next to the Cove. Hearing and smelling them is part of the experience. Seeing them in the water means you move away, not closer.
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.
JFMAMJJASONDZalophus californianus
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 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
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 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
Conditions at La Jolla Cove
Live sea temperature, waves and wind for the next 7 days, with our snorkel rating for each day.
7-day forecast
Surf
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Tides, next 48 hours
Loading tides…
Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 9410230. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
Top La Jolla Cove snorkel tours
Hand-picked tours that run here, ranked for small groups, a proper reef briefing and respect for wildlife.
- 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.
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.
Best time to snorkel La Jolla Cove
Late summer and early fall (Aug to Oct) bring the warmest water, around 65 to 68 F, and usually the best visibility. Winter is clear on calm days but cold, in the high 50s.
Time of day
Go between 7 and 10 a.m., when surf is smallest, visibility is best and the crowds are thin.
Tide
High tide gives easier entry and a bit more clarity inside the Cove.
When to avoid
Skip days with a swell over about 3 ft and the days after heavy rain, when runoff clouds the water.
| 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 |
| California sea lion | 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 |
Yes, with care
The sandy entry is easy, but this is open ocean with swell, kayak and boat traffic, and cold water. Go with a buddy, wear a wetsuit, tow a bright float and stay inside the buoy lines. Beginners should do their first swim with a guide.
Swim level: Comfortable swimmer
Getting to La Jolla Cove
Park on Coast Boulevard or in the village streets and walk down to the Cove. Summer weekends fill very early.
Parking
Metered and free street parking around Coast Boulevard Park and Prospect Street. Arrive before 8 a.m. in summer.
Where to get in
Walk in from the small sand beach on the south side of the Cove, away from the sea lion rocks, and swim out along the buoyed route.
La Jolla Cove is free
Free public access. Street parking only, and it fills early on summer weekends.
Reef-safe rules at La Jolla Cove
The Cove is a no-take marine reserve beside a sea lion colony, so California and federal rules both apply.
Marine protected area, no take
La Jolla Cove sits inside Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. Nothing living or dead may be taken, not shells, not lobster, not fish. Official rule
Point La Jolla is closed
The city has closed Point La Jolla (the rocks next to the Cove) year-round to protect sea lions. Do not climb out on the rocks. Status has changed several times, so check posted signs. Official rule
Stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions
NOAA's rule of thumb is 50 yards (150 ft) on land or in the water, with extra room for pups. Do not swim up to, touch or chase them even if they approach you. Harassment of marine mammals is a federal offense. Official rule
Cove access could change
In August 2026 the California Coastal Commission was discussing additional measures, including a possible partial closure, after people were seen harassing sea lions. The city opposed closing the Cove. Check the City of San Diego and Coastal Commission before you go. Official rule
Reef-safe sunscreen and sun clothing
Wear a rash guard or wetsuit and skip sunscreen on your body where you can. If you use sunscreen, choose a mineral formula and apply it well before you swim.
How snorkelers protect reefs · Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen
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
Water quality and coastal protection in San Diego County
A local nonprofit working to protect San Diego waterways. Their guidance for visitors includes keeping beaches clean and reporting illegal discharges.
Visit sdcoastkeeper.org →
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.
La Jolla Cove questions
Can you snorkel with sea lions at La Jolla Cove?
Not on purpose. Sea lions are wild and NOAA asks you to stay 50 yards away, even if they come to you. You will likely hear and see them from the water, but do not approach, touch or swim toward them.
Is Point La Jolla closed?
Yes. The rocks at Point La Jolla next to the Cove are closed year-round to protect sea lions, according to a 2026 report. The Cove itself is open, but the Coastal Commission has been discussing more measures, so check current signs.
Do you need a wetsuit at La Jolla Cove?
Yes, for most of the year. Average water temperature is about 59 F in winter and 67 F at its warmest in August. A 3 mm or thicker wetsuit is common, and most tours include one.
What fish will I see at La Jolla Cove?
Orange garibaldi are the star. Also look for California sheephead, opaleye, sea hares and bat rays over sand. Leopard sharks appear in summer and fall, though most gather at La Jolla Shores.
Is La Jolla Cove good for beginners?
The entry is easy, but ocean swell, cold water and boat traffic make it better for confident swimmers. Beginners should join a guided snorkel for their first visit.
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.
More snorkeling near La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
Every La Jolla snorkel happens in this protected water. The reserve runs from the Cove to La Jolla Shores, and because nothing may be taken, the fish…
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…
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.
- Times of San Diego: should La Jolla Cove close to protect sea lions (checked 2026-10-22)
- NBC San Diego: Coastal Commission considers closing La Jolla Cove (checked 2026-10-22)
- CDFW: Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Fisheries: Marine Life Viewing Guidelines (checked 2026-10-22)
- Tropical Snorkeling: Snorkeling in La Jolla Cove (checked 2026-10-22)
- Bike and Kayak Tours: snorkel tours (checked 2026-10-22)