The La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Combo Tour
Why choose between paddling and swimming? The La Jolla kayak and snorkel tour does both — a guided paddle to the sea caves, then time in the water snorkeling the clear, protected shallows of the Ecological Reserve. It runs 2.5 hours, costs from $129, and is the most hands-in-the-water option among the tours compared here. Here's how the combo works.
About the Kayak & Snorkel Tour
Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund
A guided paddle plus time in the water
All kayak and snorkel gear included
Paddle to the caves, then snorkel the reserve
Garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays and kelp forest
In-water guiding for all levels
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the 2.5-hour La Jolla kayak and snorkel tour of the sea caves and Ecological Reserve.
Why Book the Kayak & Snorkel Combo
A kayak shows you the caves from the surface; a mask shows you what's under it. This tour pairs the two. You paddle the guided route to the sea caves, then the guides anchor up in the protected shallows and you slip in to snorkel the Ecological Reserve — a Marine Protected Area with one of the highest concentrations of sea life in California. Over the kelp forest you're swimming with garibaldi, and in summer with the harmless leopard sharks that gather off La Jolla Shores.
At $129 it's the priciest but most complete of the paddles on this site. If you'd rather stay dry and just take in the caves, the 2-hour sea cave tour is the simpler option — but the combo is the one that gets you eye-to-eye with the reserve's wildlife.
The Reserve's Sea Life
What You'll See — Above and Below
Because you're both on and in the water, the wildlife list is the longest of any tour here:
- The seven sea caves and cliffs on the paddle out
- Bright orange garibaldi darting through the kelp forest as you snorkel
- Leopard sharks in the warm shallows from June to December
- Shovelnose guitarfish and bat rays over the sandy flats
- Sea lions and harbor seals on the rocks near the caves
- The kelp forest itself — a living underwater habitat
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- A 2.5-hour guided kayak and snorkel tour
- Kayak, paddle, life vest and helmet
- Full snorkel gear — mask, snorkel and fins
- Certified guides in and out of the water
- A beach lesson and launch assistance
Not Included
- A wetsuit — worth renting, the reserve water is cool
- Gratuities for the guides (optional)
- Towel, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
- Parking near Avenida de la Playa
How the Tour Flows
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0:00
Check in & gear up
Meet at La Jolla Shores, collect kayak and snorkel gear.
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0:15
Beach lesson & launch
Paddling and safety briefing, then a guided launch.
-
0:35
Paddle to the caves
Cross the reserve to the cliffs and the seven caves.
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1:05
Snorkel the reserve
Anchor up and slip in to snorkel the kelp forest and shallows.
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1:50
Back on the kayaks
Climb back in and paddle toward the Shores.
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2:30
Land & finish
Beach the kayaks and return all gear.
Important Things to Know
You'll be in the open ocean, not a pool, so basic water comfort matters more here than on the kayak-only tours — you don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be happy floating in a vest with your face in the water. The reserve runs cool year-round, so a wetsuit makes the snorkel far more enjoyable. Cave entry by kayak still depends on the swell.
What to pack
- Swimwear worn under quick-dry clothes
- A wetsuit if you feel the cold (rentable at the shops)
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a sunglasses strap
- A dry bag for your phone and a towel for after
What to leave behind
- Valuables that can't get wet
- Contact lenses without goggles-style backup — masks can leak
- Loose items that won't stay in the kayak
Insider Tips for the Kayak & Snorkel Tour
Advice from paddlers and guides who know the reserve:
- Rent the wetsuit — the single biggest upgrade to your comfort in the water.
- Come June to September if leopard sharks are on your wishlist; they cluster in the warm shallows then.
- Defog your mask before you launch so you're not fiddling with it in the swell.
- Book a morning tour for the clearest underwater visibility, before the wind stirs the surface.
- Keep some energy back — you paddle again after the snorkel, so don't burn out on the way in.
- Bring a warm layer and a towel for the car; you'll be properly wet, not just splashed.
Where the Tour Launches
Who Is This Tour Best For?
It's for people who don't just want to look at the reserve but get in it — snorkelers, wildlife lovers and anyone comfortable floating in open water.
- Travellers who want to swim with garibaldi and leopard sharks
- Anyone comfortable floating in a vest in the ocean
- Visitors who'd rather do two activities in one outing
Not ideal for
- Non-swimmers or anyone uneasy putting their face in the water
- People who want to stay dry — try a kayak-only tour
- Those on a tight budget; it's the most expensive option here
Kayak & Snorkel Tour — FAQ
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No, but you should be comfortable floating in a life vest with your face in the water. Guides stay with the group in the water. If you'd rather not swim, the 2-hour sea cave kayak tour keeps you on the surface.
Can you really see leopard sharks?
From June to December, yes — hundreds of harmless leopard sharks gather in the warm shallows off La Jolla Shores, and this tour puts you in the water with them. Summer is the peak.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes — mask, snorkel and fins come with the tour, along with the kayak, paddle, vest and helmet. A wetsuit is extra and worth renting, as the reserve water is cool.
How is it different from a kayak-only tour?
It adds a snorkeling stop in the reserve, so it's longer (2.5 hours) and gets you into the water with the marine life. Compare all the tours to see which fits you.
Do we still visit the sea caves?
Yes — you paddle the same guided route to the caves before the snorkel, with cave entry at Clam Cave when the swell is calm.
What Paddlers Say
Paddling to the caves and then jumping in to snorkel with the garibaldi and a couple of leopard sharks was the best of both worlds. Rent the wetsuit — the water's cold but so worth it.
We came in August specifically for the leopard sharks and they were everywhere in the shallows. The guides were fantastic in and out of the water. Unforgettable.
Great combo if you're on the fence about kayak vs snorkel. Bit of a workout paddling back after swimming, but we loved seeing the reserve from under the surface.