
La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 34 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves worth booking?
La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves is a 1.5-hour experience in La Jolla, United States, from $90 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 34 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (34)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $90 per person
Why Book This Tour: Snorkel in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine reserves with expert guides who know these waters well. Swim alongside curious sea lions, snorkel into one or two ancient sea caves, and spot flash
What you get
About this experience
Why Book This Tour: Snorkel in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine reserves with expert guides who know these waters well. Swim alongside curious sea lions, snorkel into one or two ancient sea caves, and spot flashes of color from Garibaldi and other hidden sea life. With small group sizes, high-quality gear, and access to La Jolla’s dramatic underwater cliffs, this is a San Diego experience that feels both wild and personal. Designed for good swimmers. Many guests are first-time ocean snorkelers, but participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water without a life jacket.
What's included
Included
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Showers, changing rooms and restrooms are available.
- Storage for personal items during tour.
Not included
- Gratuity for guides
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
La Jolla
La Jolla Cove Meeting Location: Meet your guide in the grassy park south of the brick restroom/shower building. From La Jolla Cove Suites Hotel (1155 Coast Blvd), walk across the street toward the ocean and onto the grass. There is no physical building at the meeting spot.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
La Jolla Cove Meeting Location: Meet your guide in the grassy park south of the brick restroom/shower building. From La Jolla Cove Suites Hotel (1155 Coast Blvd), walk across the street toward the ocean and onto the grass. There is no physical building at the meeting spot.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Snorkel San Diego Scuba
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Parking is limited; please allow at least 30 minutes.
- Tours depart on time. Guests more than 10 minutes late are considered no-shows and will not be rescheduled or refunded.
- Minimum age: 12
- Minimum weight: 90 lbs
- Ages 12–17 must snorkel with an adult.
- Ages 12–17 must have both the release and waiver forms signed by their parent or court-appointed guardian.
- Good swimming skills required.
- Life jackets and flotation devices are not permitted.
- Best suited for active participants who are comfortable swimming in the ocean.
- Wetsuits are required and available up to 300 lbs.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 34 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
34 verified traveler reviews for La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best quality snorkel gear...
Best quality snorkel gear has been provided by the instructor. We never had to worry about water getting into the mask. Friendly Instructor and a great experience
via Viator
5 stars!
Rich was a great guide! Amazing experience. I have gone snorkeling in La Jolla before in a different season and did not see as much sea life as this time.
via Viator
Michael who can spearfish
Richie did a great job . Very knowledgeable man .
via Tripadvisor
This was a must do...
This was a must do experience but make sure you are comfortable swimming! We all enjoyed it and would definitely do it again. Rich, our guide, was amazing
via Viator
10/10
Rich was patient, energetic, helpful and knowledgable! Couldn't have asked for a better guide. We all loved the experience!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Jolla.
How much does La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves cost?
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Prices start at $90 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in La Jolla usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in La Jolla is not rushed.
Is La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 34 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in La Jolla, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves?
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Around 12 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in La Jolla can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in La Jolla and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour with Sea Lions and Sea Caves start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central La Jolla within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in La Jolla?
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La Jolla is San Diego's best water day: kayak tours into the sea caves, snorkelling with leopard sharks in the ecological reserve, coastal walks with sea lions and sunset sails. On Outty we rank every La Jolla experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cali Dreaming Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Pacific Beach, Incredible Slot Canyons to the Pacific, SoCal Riviera Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Mount Soledad. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit La Jolla?
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June to September for warm water, year-round for kayaking. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in La Jolla?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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