San Diego: La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour

Explore the stunning natural beauty of La Jolla Cove on a guided snorkeling tour in San Diego. This intimate 1.5-hour adventure takes you into the protected marine sanctuary, where you’ll swim alongside playful sea lions and vibrant schools of fish. With complimentary gear provided and knowledgeable guides leading the way, you’ll discover ancient sea caves and breathtaking underwater landscapes. Priced at $90 per person, this tour is limited to just 8 participants, ensuring a personalized experience. Ready to dive in?

Key Points

1. A guided snorkeling tour in the La Jolla Cove area, where participants can observe sea lions, seals, colorful fish, and rays in their natural habitat.
2. The tour is priced at $90 per person for a 1.5-hour excursion and is limited to 8 participants for a personalized experience.
3. Complimentary snorkeling gear, including masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits, is provided for the participants.
4. The tour includes exploring underwater caves, rock formations, and the vibrant marine life in the La Jolla Protected Marine Sanctuary.
5. Reservations can be made without upfront payment, and a free cancellation policy is available up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The guided snorkeling tour at La Jolla Cove offers an opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life within the protected La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve.

Priced at $90 per person, the 1.5-hour excursion is limited to just 8 participants, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

Participants will snorkel alongside sea lions, seals, colorful fish, and rays, while navigating through Emerald Cove and ancient sea caves.

The tour includes complimentary use of snorkeling gear, including masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits.

This English-language tour is suitable for confident swimmers aged 12 and above.

Booking Information

To book the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour, customers can reserve their spot without any upfront payment.

The tour operator offers a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

However, parking at the site can be challenging, so visitors should allow at least 30 minutes to find a spot.

Visitors should allow at least 30 minutes to find parking at the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour site, as it can be challenging.

The meeting point is the large grass area south of the brick restroom/shower building at La Jolla Cove.

Participants must be aware that the tour isn’t suitable for children under 12 or individuals with certain medical conditions or weight restrictions.

Wildlife Encounters

During the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour, participants can swim alongside a variety of captivating marine life.

The tour allows guests to get up close with friendly sea lions and harbor seals that often bask on the rocks. Colorful schools of fish, including bright garibaldi and vibrant opaleye, dart through the clear waters.

Inquisitive rays and the occasional octopus may also be spotted in the rocky reefs. With their expert guide, snorkelers can explore the underwater caves and inlets, witnessing the incredible diversity of the La Jolla Protected Marine Sanctuary.

Underwater Exploration

One of the main highlights of the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour is the opportunity to explore the area’s captivating underwater landscapes.

Guided by experienced instructors, participants navigate through the Emerald Cove, a vibrant underwater haven. Here, they’ll encounter ancient sea caves, formed over centuries by the powerful crashing waves.

Participants, guided by experienced instructors, explore the Emerald Cove’s vibrant underwater haven and ancient sea caves carved by crashing waves.

As they swim, they’ll be awestruck by the stunning rock formations and vibrant marine life. Guests can expect to glimpse spiny lobsters and colorful octopuses thriving in the rocky reefs.

This underwater exploration promises an immersive and unforgettable experience for all who partake.

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Gear and Equipment

The La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour provides participants with all the necessary gear and equipment for an enjoyable and safe experience. Included in the tour are:

1. A high-quality wetsuit to keep you warm in the cool Pacific waters.

2. Snorkel, mask, and fins – essential items for smooth and effortless underwater exploration.

3. A buoyancy-controlled life vest to ensure your safety while snorkeling.

All equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before each use, giving you peace of mind.

The knowledgeable guides will ensure a proper fit and provide guidance on using the gear effectively.

Age and Health Restrictions

Although the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour offers a thrilling underwater adventure, it may not be suitable for all participants.

The tour has age and health restrictions to ensure everyone’s safety. Children under 12 aren’t allowed, and they must snorkel with their parents or legal guardians.

Plus, pregnant women and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions are advised against participating.

There are also weight requirements – a minimum of 90 lbs and a maximum of 300 lbs due to the availability of wetsuits.

Swimmers must also demonstrate adequate skills, as life jackets and flotation devices aren’t provided.

Customer Testimonials

Several satisfied customers have provided enthusiastic feedback about their experiences on the La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour.

As one customer from Germany, Annika, praised, "The instructor’s expertise and safety measures were outstanding."

Another American traveler, Caitriona, enjoyed "seeing the sea lions and colorful fish up close."

Jasmine from Australia appreciated "the opportunity to snorkel alongside the sea lions" and commended the guide’s accommodating nature.

With an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on 17 reviews, this tour offers an unforgettable underwater adventure in the La Jolla Protected Marine Sanctuary.

Getting to La Jolla Cove

Reaching La Jolla Cove can be challenging due to the limited parking options in the area.

Visitors should allow at least 30 minutes to find a spot, as the nearby parking lots and street parking fill up quickly, especially during peak hours.

Be prepared to spend up to 30 minutes searching for parking around La Jolla Cove, as the lots and street spaces fill up fast, especially at peak times.

Public transportation is recommended, with the nearest bus stop a short walk away.

For those driving, there’s paid parking at the Kellogg Park lot, though spots are limited.

An alternative is the paid parking at the Scripps Pier, a 10-minute walk from the cove.

With a bit of planning, visitors can easily access this stunning natural wonder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring on the Snorkeling Tour?

For the snorkeling tour, you’ll want to bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and optionally, a waterproof camera. The tour provides necessary snorkeling gear like masks, snorkels, and wetsuits, so you don’t need to bring those.

Can I Store My Belongings During the Tour?

The tour operator provides a secure storage area to store your belongings during the snorkeling activity. You can leave your valuables, extra clothes, and other items in this safe storage space while you explore the marine life.

What Type of Marine Life Can I Expect to See?

Participants can expect to see a variety of marine life, including sea lions, seals, colorful fish, and rays. They may also spot spiny lobsters and octopuses in the rocky reefs during the underwater exploration portion of the tour.

Is the Water Temperature Comfortable for Snorkeling?

The water temperature is typically around 68-72°F, which is comfortable for snorkeling with the provided wetsuit. This allows participants to fully enjoy the underwater sights without feeling overly cold during the 1.5-hour tour.

How Experienced Do I Need to Be for This Activity?

No prior snorkeling experience is required, but participants must be strong swimmers. The tour provides all necessary equipment and guides to assist. However, it’s not suitable for non-swimmers or those with medical conditions that could be aggravated by water activities.

The Sum Up

Discover the enchanting marine life of La Jolla Cove on this guided snorkeling tour. With knowledgeable guides, complimentary gear, and a small group size, you’ll enjoy a personalized experience exploring stunning underwater landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or a curious first-timer, this tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to learn about the vibrant ecosystem of the La Jolla Protected Marine Sanctuary.

You can check availability for your dates here: