Kayaking in La Jolla: Everything You Need to Know
La Jolla Kayaking
If you love the ocean and revel in exploring it, kayaking in La Jolla will be a magical experience for you. This activity is incredibly popular and is definitely one of the top things to do in La Jolla when you’re visiting. The local tour companies are experts, and know exactly where to take you and how to get you there so you get the most out of your experience. There are all kinds of things to explore; from venturing inside Clam Cave to the chance to see some wildlife, there is nothing quite like kayaking in La Jolla!
Whether it’s your first time out on the water or your fiftieth, here are some ways to get the most out of your kayaking adventure.
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Bike & Kayak Tours in La Jolla
Before we plunge into primo spots for kayaking in La Jolla, we want to give you an inside tip. The best way to hit the water and discover unforgettable sights in the area is by going on a tour with Bike and Kayak Tours in La Jolla. Founded in 2009, Bike & Kayak Tours has skyrocketed to #1 ranking by consumers for excellence.
Their top-notch, certified tour guides know the Coves inside and out, giving you the ultimate advantage of witnessing little-known areas that unveil spectacular views of marine life. From leopard sharks to dolphins, a kayak tour in La Jolla with Bike & Kayak is certain to be a smash hit.
The renting process is simple, and you’re assured the highest quality equipment. They offer several different budget-friendly packages, including a 1/2 day excursion where you can paddle through all the sensory-uplifting features of all seven La Jolla Caves.
Say you’re more of a lone wolf? No problem. Bike and Kayak Tours in LJ offer rentals without tour guides so you can go and glide the Coves on your own. They also offer snorkeling and freefall bike tours. If getting the most excitement and eye-popping views of the Cove is your goal, book with Bike and Kayak Tours – you won’t be disappointed. When you go, be sure to use coupon code BIKEANDKAYAK and save 15%!
- Address: 2158 Avenida De La Playa, San Diego, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 454-1010
- Hours: Mon – Sun 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The La Jolla Underwater Park
This vast area of sea goes all along the La Jolla Coast and includes the ocean bottom and canyons that extend from it. 90% of this is protected as an Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve, meaning there is no fishing or scavenging of any kind and all wildlife and plant life is being preserved. This is part of their mission to protect the local, aquatic wildlife. In total, the park encompass approximately 6,000 acres. It’s particularly interesting because of its wide variety of landscapes; deep submarine canyons, rocky reef shallows, kelp bed, sand flats are all visible to snorkelers and on clear days, kayakers!
At times, the water will be crystal clear and provide you incredible views below the water’s surface; this is your chance to see all kinds of fish (especially the state fish, Garibaldi), leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish, and more.
Learn more about which areas you want to explore by kayak below:
The Seven La Jolla Caves
The timeworn cliffs of this coast have, over their 75 million years, had caves carved into the sandstone. Weather permitting, coast into these caves for a breathtaking experience. These seven caves are, from east to west:
- White Lady
- Little Sister
- Shopping Cart
- Sea Surprize
- Arch Cave
- Clam’s Cave
- Sunny Jim Cave
All of the caves can only be explored by kayak, except for Sunny Jim, which you can hike down into. There is a small tunnel leading down from the Cave Store that you can go through by foot. During the 1920s Prohibition, it is said that illegal smugglings happened through here! Clam Cave is the only cave you can actually kayak into, but you can pass by the other caves quite closely and really see their beauty up close. Want more? Check out these 7 things you may not know about the La Jolla Caves.
The Ecological Reserve
Tours run by companies like La Jolla Kayak often leave from this area, which can be accessed from La Jolla Shores. You can see buoys near the shoreside of Scripps Park, at the northeast point of La Jolla Shores and more again out into the canyons. Try to make out the invisible path between each of the buoys, and you have the perimeter of the reserve.
What plants and creatures can you look forward to seeing? There are often leopard sharks, dolphins, whales and, of course, sea lions hanging out here. Spot them swimming amongst the kelp and the reefs of the ocean arena.
The Marine Life Refuge
Head north of the reserve, and you’ll find yourself in the Marine Life Refuge. This space was set up in 1929 by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for research purposes. Though academic work is conducted here, you are also allowed to fish and play in its perimeters.
As with the Ecological Reserve, get ready to coast on the water and look down to sites of leopard sharks, garibaldi, sea lions and, depending on the day, dolphins!
Kayak Tours & Rentals
To learn the area and valuable kayaking techniques, there are certified guides ready to take you on your La Jolla kayaking adventure. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible, especially during the summer months. There are several companies that provide kayaking tours, and some are even combo tours (bike and kayak, snorkel and kayak, etc.). Our favorite is Bike & Kayak Tours of La Jolla.
If you’ve already kayaked before, you may only the equipment and not a full tour. These companies, and local shops, also rent out kayaks and other equipment. For more information, check out our complete La Jolla Shores guide!
Media credit: The hero image at the top of this post is courtesy of Bike and Kayak Tours of La Jolla.
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