Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0La Jolla Underwater Park Snorkeling
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 are bold, the kelp is thick and leopard sharks cruise the shallows each summer.
- Access
- From shore, By kayak
- Level
- Intermediate
- Depth
- 3 to 60 ft
- Best months
- Aug to Oct
- Fee
- Free
- On your own
- Yes, with care
What to see underwater at La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
Three zones matter for snorkelers: the Cove kelp and reef, the sea cave cliffs (reached by kayak), and the sandy flats off La Jolla Shores where leopard sharks gather. The reserve covers 1.04 square miles of ocean, from the high tide line out to about 331 ft deep, along 1.7 miles of shoreline. Look for garibaldi, sheephead, opaleye, bat rays, guitarfish, nudibranchs and sea lions.
Cove reef and kelp
The easiest shore entry, with rocky reef and giant kelp a short swim out.
Sea cave cliffs
Seven sea caves line the cliffs, mostly reached by kayak. Sources advise against swimming into the caves because of surge and kelp.
Shores sand flats
The shallow sandy bottom off La Jolla Shores and the Marine Room is where leopard sharks gather from about June to December.
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.
Hypsypops rubicundus
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 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
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 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
Conditions at La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
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 Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve) snorkel tours
Hand-picked tours that run here, ranked for small groups, a proper reef briefing and respect for wildlife.
- 01
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 - 02
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.
- 03
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
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 Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
August to October gives the warmest water and best odds of sharks. Winter has the coldest water and big swells.
Time of day
Early morning, before about 9 a.m.
When to avoid
Avoid days with swell over 3 ft, after rain, and any time of limited visibility.
| 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 |
| Water °F | 59 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 60 |
Yes, with care
Snorkeling is allowed in the reserve. Choose the Shores for calm sand and the Cove for kelp. Stay in the buoyed areas, wear a wetsuit and skip the caves unless you are with a guided kayak group.
Swim level: Comfortable swimmer
Getting to La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
Enter at La Jolla Cove for kelp or at La Jolla Shores (Kellogg Park) for the sandy flats and leopard sharks.
Parking
Kellogg Park lot and nearby streets for the Shores. Coast Boulevard street parking for the Cove.
Where to get in
Walk in from Kellogg Park or the Cove beach.
La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve) is free
No fee to snorkel. Guided tours and rentals are paid separately.
Reef-safe rules at La Jolla Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve is a no take area. Everything in it is protected.
No take of any kind
CDFW states it is unlawful to injure, damage, take or possess any living, geological or cultural marine resource in the reserve. That includes shells and rocks. Official rule
Boundaries
The reserve is bounded by the mean high tide line and lines connecting 32 51.964 N 117 15.252 W, 32 51.964 N 117 16.400 W and 32 51.067 N 117 16.400 W, as listed by CDFW.
Do not touch or chase leopard sharks
The sharks are mostly pregnant females. Move slowly, do not touch, and give them space. Official rule
Marine mammal distance
Stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions, per NOAA. Official rule
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
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 →
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 Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve) questions
What is the La Jolla Underwater Park?
It is the protected ocean off La Jolla that includes Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. Local guides describe it as an older ecological reserve now overlapped by the reserve, with buoys marking the perimeter.
Can you take shells or fish from the reserve?
No. CDFW says no take of any kind is permitted in Matlahuayl SMR, which covers any living, geological or cultural marine resource.
Is snorkeling allowed in Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve?
Yes. San Diego Coastkeeper notes the reserve allows non-extractive activities like snorkeling. You may look but not take.
How big is the reserve?
CDFW lists 1.04 square miles, along 1.7 miles of shoreline, from the high tide line to about 331 ft deep.
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 Underwater Park (Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve)
La Jolla Cove
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…
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.
- CDFW: Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve (checked 2026-10-22)
- San Diego Coastkeeper: snorkel with the leopard sharks (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Fisheries: Marine Life Viewing Guidelines (checked 2026-10-22)
- La Jolla Kayak: tours (checked 2026-10-22)
- Wikipedia: San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park (checked 2026-10-22)