La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour for Two & Wildlife

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 2

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Paddle into La Jolla's sea caves and kelp forests in a tandem kayak

You and a partner paddle a tandem kayak from La Jolla Shores toward the sea caves, kelp forests and rock formations while a naturalist guide points out sea lions, seals and birds. Cave entry depends on ocean conditions and your group's ability. The tour includes kayak, paddle, life jacket and wet suit rental, with instruction on the beach before you launch. Plan to arrive an hour early for gear setup.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak La Jolla Sea Caves and Wildlife

Receive paddle instruction and safety talk
Launch kayak at La Jolla Shores beach
Paddle to La Jolla Sea Caves
Explore rock formations and caves if safe
Observe sea lions, seals, dolphins, and birds
Paddle through kelp forests and wildlife spots
Enjoy kayak surf ride back to beach

The Experience

The sea caves at La Jolla don't open every day. Ocean conditions, swell, and wind decide whether you'll actually paddle through them, and your guide makes that call on the water. What you will do is launch from La Jolla Shores with a naturalist guide who knows where the sea lions haul out, where the kelp forests run thick, and what birds you're looking at when they pass overhead. You're in a tandem kayak—two people, one boat—which means you and your partner paddle together, which sounds simple until you're both trying to navigate a swell and someone's paddle is in the wrong place.

The tour starts with a safety talk and paddle instruction on the beach, so no experience is needed. After that you're on the water for the main paddle out to the caves, through the rock formations, and into the kelp. Sea lions are almost always there—you'll hear them before you see them, a kind of barking that carries across the water. Dolphins show up sometimes. Grey whales pass through in migration season. The guide keeps an eye on conditions and your group's ability; if the caves are safe and you're paddling steady, you go in. If not, you stay in the open water, which is still the same cove, the same wildlife, the same view. On the way back, if conditions allow, you get a kayak surf ride—the guide times it so a wave pushes you toward shore, which is the part people talk about after.

Arrive at the kayak shop an hour before your start time. Bring a bathing suit, water shoes or old sneakers, sunscreen and a towel. Wet suit rentals are included in fall, winter and spring. The weight limit for a tandem kayak is 450 pounds combined, and you need to be able to swim. Kids as young as 6 can go, but they ride in the tandem with an adult. Expect to get wet—the tour operator is clear about that, and it's not a warning, it's just the thing that happens when you're in a kayak.

What’s included

Your tour includes a tandem kayak and paddle for two people, a professional naturalist guide, a life jacket for each paddler, and wet suit rentals during fall, winter and spring.
Instruction and a safety talk happen on the beach before launch.
You provide your own bathing suit, water shoes and sunscreen, though hats and towels are strongly advised.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Hike Bike Kayak Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle La Jolla's sea caves and kelp forests with a guide who knows the wildlife and conditions, and you're traveling with one other person. The tandem kayak means you're paddling together, which takes coordination but also means shared effort and shared view.