Kayaking the La Jolla sea caves: what to expect, what it costs, and the rules
Guided tours launch from La Jolla Shores and paddle about 90 minutes to the seven sea caves, from about $59 per kayak. Calm days let you nose into a cave. It's a protected marine reserve, so you can look but not take anything.
- Tour length
- ~2 hrs
- From
- ~$59/kayak
- Min. age
- 5
- Caves
- 7
About 90 min on the water
One operator's price
Swimming ability expected
Only Sunny Jim reachable from land
The short version
- La Jolla's seven sea caves sit inside the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, including the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, where taking or disturbing any marine life is illegal.
- Typical guided tours last about two hours, roughly 90 minutes on the water, launching from Avenida de la Playa at La Jolla Shores.
- One operator's tours start at about $59 per kayak, for children 5 and up who can swim.
- Whether you can paddle into a cave depends on the swell; guides often enter the Clam's Cave on calm days.
- Expect sea lions, harbor seals and orange garibaldi, California's state marine fish.
The sandstone cliffs between La Jolla Shores and the Cove are punched with seven sea caves, and the best way to see them is from a kayak at water level, with sea lions barking overhead. You launch from the beach, paddle along the edge of a submarine canyon, and if the ocean is flat enough, slide into a cave. Here's what to know before you book.
Launch
Caves
Pins are approximate. Sources: La Jolla Bike & Kayak Tours, The Cave Store and OpenStreetMap, checked October 6, 2026.
See these on the full San Diego map- Length: about two hours, with roughly 90 minutes paddling (La Jolla Bike & Kayak Tours).
- Price: from about $59 per kayak with that operator; singles, doubles and triples are available. Compare a few outfitters on Avenida de la Playa.
- Age: 5 and up, with general swimming ability.
- Into the caves: guides regularly enter the Clam's Cave when it's calm; the others need very calm conditions. Nobody can promise it.
- Wear: swimwear or quick-dry clothes. You'll get wet launching through the shore break.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- BackgroundKayak the La Jolla Sea Caves
La Jolla Bike & Kayak Tours · Checked October 6, 2026
Tour length, price, launch, age, cave access, wildlife
- BackgroundSan Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park
Wikipedia · Checked October 6, 2026
Reserve components and no-take rule, seven caves
La Jolla Mom · Checked October 6, 2026
Garibaldi as state fish, entry points, rules