Representative photo, not taken at this spotFor snorkeling in San Diego, head to La Jolla: a cold, kelpy, protected reserve with garibaldi, sea lions and summer leopard sharks. The rest of the county suits surf and sand better than snorkeling.
Go to La Jolla. That is the short answer for snorkeling in San Diego, and it is a good one. Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve there has kelp, garibaldi, sea lions and, from about June to December, leopard sharks gliding through the shallows of La Jolla Shores.
This is cool-water snorkeling, not tropical. The sea ranges from about 59 F in winter to 68 F in August, and visibility swings from 5 to 25 ft. Wear a wetsuit and pick a calm morning for the best chance at a good look.
Elsewhere around San Diego we could not verify good shore snorkeling. Point Loma has kelp but is mainly a boat dive. Coronado's beaches are sandy and not known for snorkeling. The Coronado Islands are in Mexico.
Tap a spot to see what it is like, then open its guide or get directions.
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.
Triakis 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.
Hypsypops 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 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 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
Shore entries with easy parking and calm water on a normal day. Still check the surf and ask the lifeguard.
A calm, sandy entry and the best place to see leopard sharks, off the Marine Room end of the beach.
A small pocket beach with an easy swim to kelp and bright garibaldi, and a sea lion colony on the rocks next door.
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Loading tides…
Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 9410230. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aug to Oct is the best window for warm water and sharks. Winter is possible but cold and swell prone.
Early morning
Avoid swell over 3 ft and the 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 |
| Water °F | 59 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 60 |
La Jolla is the best snorkeling in San Diego, by a wide margin. The Cove has kelp and garibaldi, La Jolla Shores has leopard sharks, and the whole area sits in a no take reserve. See our La Jolla guide for spots, tours and rules. Point Loma has kelp and reef, but sources describe it mostly as a boat dive with a hard rocky shore entry, so we do not list it as a snorkel spot.
Average water temperature runs about 59 F from Jan to Mar and climbs to about 68 F in August, then drops through autumn. Aug to Oct combines the warmest water with the calmest mornings. Leopard sharks gather from about June to December. Winter snorkeling works on calm days but needs a thick wetsuit.
Guided snorkel and kayak snorkel trips run from La Jolla Shores. Bike and Kayak Tours lists a leopard shark snorkel from $59 and a kayak and snorkel combo from $79. La Jolla Kayak lists a kayak and snorkel tour with gear and wetsuit included. Confirm price and dates on the operator page.
You can rent snorkel gear and kayaks at La Jolla Shores from Bike and Kayak Tours and La Jolla Kayak. We did not find posted rental prices, so check with the shop. Ask whether a wetsuit is included.
Honestly, Coronado is not a snorkel destination. The beaches are sandy and open to the ocean, and we found no local source describing good reef snorkeling there. The Coronado Islands are in Mexico, about 16 miles south of San Diego Bay, and need a boat. If you are staying in Coronado, drive to La Jolla.
Take nothing from marine reserves. Stay 50 yards from seals and sea lions. Use a rash guard or wetsuit to cut down on sunscreen, and choose a mineral formula. Keep beaches clean and report illegal discharges to local authorities.
California's marine protected areas and federal wildlife rules apply across San Diego.
Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve in La Jolla prohibits taking anything living, geological or cultural. Official rule
NOAA's rule of thumb is 50 yards on land or water. Official rule
Shuffle your feet entering and leaving the water to avoid stingrays.
Wear a wetsuit; cold water causes fast heat loss.
How snorkelers protect reefs · Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen
These local groups restore coral, rescue wildlife and keep the water clean. Volunteer a morning, donate, or just follow their work.
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 →
La Jolla, in Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. The Cove has kelp and garibaldi, and La Jolla Shores has leopard sharks from about June to December.
Not that we could verify. Coronado's beaches are sandy and we found no local reports of reef snorkeling. La Jolla is the better choice.
Yes, for most of the year. Water averages 59 to 68 F, and a wetsuit also protects against wind chill after you get out.
August to October, when water is warmest and mornings are calm. Leopard sharks are present from about June to December.
What we pack for every snorkel trip. Each link searches the category on Amazon so you can compare brands and prices.
Non-nano zinc oxide only. No oxybenzone or octinoxate, which Hawaii bans.
Shop on Amazon →The best sun protection is fabric. Less sunscreen in the water, less sunburn on your back.
Shop on Amazon →Southern California water runs 58 to 72°F. A 5/4 mm suit in spring, 3 mm in late summer.
Shop on Amazon →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.
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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.
