Best Tours In La Jolla: Swim With Sharks in La Jolla

Several years after taking a swim with sharks in La Jolla I am still thinking about our experience. I’m not sure when it happened, but I am obsessed with sharks. I am totally fascinated by them. I am the crazy person who wants to go diving with Great Whites and swim on top of Whale Sharks.

Since I can’t exactly do that right now, I’m going into detail about the opportunity to go swimming with sharks in La Jolla. We had a great experience and I can’t wait to try it again! 

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A few years ago, I was on a vacation with my mom in California, and as we were perusing tours in the areas looking for things to do, we found two-hour leopard shark snorkeling adventures in La Jolla. We were staying in LA, but since we both have a special love for San Diego, we decided to made the trek the next day. I love driving in California on the PCA. I don’t care about the traffic, I just know that I am in California and the traffic eases my mind. Anyways, about the shark tour in La Jolla. 

When we finally make it to the address listed on the tour website, it lead us to a house. Well, needless to say, somebody didn’t have a Leopard Shark as their pet; it turns out that we put the address in wrong. Eventually, we found a lifeguard to direct us to where we needed to be. Even though we were a little late, we made it to the tour right before it started! I’ll also mention how beautiful the beaches of La Jolla are! We could have spent an entire day here if we were more prepared. 

As many people know, California water is freezing all the time. I have been in every month from March to September, and no matter what, it’s bone-chilling cold. I had hoped the summer months would lend to a bit warmer water, but that didn’t happen. Thankfully, we were supplied with wet suits along with our snorkel gear. You are more than welcome to bring your own snorkeling gear, but as we traveled across the country, we used what was provided. 

We were warned to be careful of stingrays while going into the water and told to shuffle our feet in the flippers. Luckily, we made it in alive. At this point, I was getting really nervous; I know how harmless Leopard Sharks are and that they aren’t known for snacking on humans, but what if the day I was swimming with them was the day they would start? Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. 

As we swam around the shallow waters of La Jolla shores, we were able to see so many beautiful leopard sharks. The Leopard Sharks would even let you touch them, but you had to be a fast swimmer to catch them. It was unbelievable how many large schools of leopard sharks we were able to see while we swam around. It’s crazy to be swimming and turn around to a shark in your face, but also one of the coolest experiences ever. Another great memory with my mom for the books!

I highly recommend looking into swimming with the sharks if you find yourself in La Jolla one day, either on a day trip or for a few days. There are several amazing tour opportunities in the area and lots to do if you are able to spend a day or two. 

Helpful Information About Swimming With Sharks in La Jolla

• Mating season is in the summer season, June to September, so you are likely to see both male and female sharks during that season in the calm waters of La Jolla. Due to this, the peak months for sightings is during mating season. 
• The winter season causes for less sharks close to the shore. 
• The morning hours of the coast of La Jolla beach are the best time of day to give you the perfect opportunity to see the sharks. 
• Leopard sharks eat small bony fish, smaller sharks, stingrays, and fish eggs, so you don’t need to worry about looking appetizing to them. 
• Leopard sharks are mostly found on the West Coast of the US, off the coast of California, and down to Mexico.  

Things To Do in La Jolla 

• La Jolla Cove: Visit this beautiful cove to enjoy the natural beauty, watch the sea lions, and do some snorkeling if you have your own gear or swimming.
• Birch Aquarium: Explore the wonders of the ocean, marine life, and local wildlife at this renowned aquarium.
• Mount Soledad: Visit the top of Mount Soledad for breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and the city.
• La Jolla Shores Beach: Relax on the sandy beach, go surfing, or take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson. 
• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: Hike along the picturesque trails and enjoy the stunning views of the ocean and cliffs.
• Shopping and Dining: Explore the upscale shops and art galleries, and indulge in the delicious cuisine at the restaurants in downtown La Jolla.

If you will be in the San Diego area for a few days, I highly recommend looking into the San Diego City Pass which will give you entry into multiple local attractions for a significant discount. 

The Best Tours in La Jolla 

• Kayak Tours: Take a guided kayaking tour to explore the sea caves and coastal area of La Jolla.
• Hike Bike Kayak Tour: Biking around La Jolla down to the beach, see the best spots around town and hike to beautiful points of attraction. 
• Segway Tours: Enjoy a Segway tour to see the highlights of La Jolla with a fun and informative guided tour, 
• Snorkeling Experience: This snorkeling tour will lead you to see colorful fish, spiny lobsters, other small fish, and majestic creatures. 
• La Jolla Shark Guided Tour: A great way to see lots of La Jolla leopard sharks! Taking a tour to swim with sharks in La Jolla should be on everyone’s bucket list!
• Learn to Surf: Have you ever wanted to learn to catch a wave? This is a great option while in La Jolla! 

In conclusion, taking a tour to swim with sharks in La Jolla was an unforgettable experience. Despite the cold water, the adventure was well worth it. The opportunity to see beautiful and harmless sharks up close and the stunning beaches of La Jolla made it a memorable trip. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Whether it’s snorkeling, visiting the cove, exploring the aquarium, or taking a guided tour, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this beautiful coastal town.