Sea Lions and Wildlife in La Jolla

You will likely see: California sea lions, leopard sharks (June-October), garibaldi, sheepshead, bat rays, shovelnose guitarfish. You might see: harbour seals, spiny lobster, octopus, brown pelicans, Brandt’s cormorants, dolphins. A listing photo is not a promise — the animal has to be there on your day.

Sea lionsYear-round at La Jolla Cove

Leopard sharksJune-Oct, peaking Aug-Sept

Seals pupping closureDec 15 - May 15

NOAA distance rule50 yards minimum

Observation time limit30 minutes per animal

Most common sightingCalifornia sea lions, fish

Planning your visit?Timed slots are limited, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Reserve today, decide later.

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What you will likely see

California sea lions haul out around La Jolla Cove year-round. On a kayak tour, you paddle past their usual spots and they move away or ignore you. On a Cove snorkel trip, you enter their water and they are curious. Reviewers consistently report sea lions swooshing past and a sea lion coming very close while snorkeling. The 4.9-star Cove snorkel tour has five separate reviewers naming the guide Rich (or Richie), and nearly all mention the sea lions. That is the real rating driver on that tour — the guide, the experience, and the sea lions are real.

Leopard sharks gather in the shallows from late June into October, peaking August and September. Reviewers on the kayak tours report seeing several. Reviewers on the snorkel trips report seeing them while swimming. They are harmless and curious. See the sharks and safety page for the full story.

Fish are everywhere: garibaldi, sheepshead, bat rays, shovelnose guitarfish, and on a snorkel trip, an assortment of other species. Spiny lobster hide in crevices. Octopus are occasional. Brown pelicans and Brandt’s cormorants dive for fish. Dolphins pass occasionally (reported by reviewers but not guaranteed).

Harbour seals and the Children’s Pool closure

Harbour seals haul out at the Children’s Pool, a small beach cove just south of La Jolla Cove. The area is closed to people from December 15 to May 15 for pupping season, but the sidewalk viewing area stays open. Most pups are born in January and February. If you are visiting during pupping season and want to see seals, you can see them from the sidewalk and watch them from a distance.

Photo reality vs. listing photo

A listing photo shows what is possible to see, not what you will guaranteely see. One Cove snorkel reviewer noted specifically: "no turtles despite the listing photo, but sea lions and plenty of fish." That is honest. The animals have to be there on your day. Book the tour for the experience you will have (the paddle, the reserve, the water), not for a specific animal you hope to see.

NOAA distance rules

NOAA asks that kayakers and snorkelers maintain at least 50 yards of distance from seals and sea lions and observe them for no more than 30 minutes. Guides follow these rules. If you see an animal closer than 50 yards, it approached you rather than you approaching it.

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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on most tours — book now, decide later.

Frequently asked questions

Will I see sea lions?

Likely. California sea lions haul out at La Jolla Cove year-round. On a snorkel trip, you are in their water and they are curious. On a kayak tour, you paddle past and they move away or ignore you.

Will I see leopard sharks?

Maybe, June through October. They gather in the shallows, especially in August and September. They are not dangerous; read the shark page.

What else might I see?

Fish (garibaldi, sheepshead, bat rays), occasionally octopus, lobster, pelicans, cormorants. Dolphins are rare but reported by some reviewers.

What about the turtles in the listing photo?

Not guaranteed. A listing photo shows what is possible, not what you will definitely see. The most honest reviewer noted: "no turtles, but sea lions and plenty of fish." Turtles are rare in this area.

When are harbour seals around?

Year-round at the Children’s Pool. Pupping season is Dec 15 - May 15; the sidewalk viewing area stays open but you cannot enter the pool. January and February have the most pups.