Best La Jolla Kayak Tours To See The 7 Sea Caves (2024)
Are you wondering which La Jolla kayak tour to book? You’re in the right place, as this article features all of the La Jolla cove kayaking tours available.
La Jolla Cove is known for its 7 unique sea caves, and one of the best ways to explore them is by kayak. Not only do you get to travel inside of the caves, but you get to spot tons of marine life surrounding the bay.
To help you choose a tour that suits your experience level, I’ve vetted the top kayaking tours, and only recommend highly-rated ones.
Here are the best La Jolla kayak tours to explore the 7 sea caves.
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Best La Jolla Kayak Tours
1. Hike Bike Kayak Adventures La Jolla Kayak Tour
- Highlight: Tandem kayak tour of the 7 sea caves with a naturalist guide
- Price: $74/per person (tandem kayak)
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Tour operator: Hike Bike Kayak Adventures
Looking for the cheapest and highest-rated tour? Opt for Hike Bike Kayak Adventures Kayak Tour. You’ll get to explore multiple sea caves, unique rock formations, and be pointed out marine life from a knowledgeable guide. If it’s your first time kayaking, don’t worry, each tour begins with a paddling and safety instruction lesson.
This is a tandem kayak tour, so you’ll be paddling with another person in a double kayak (Each person books their own tour). If you prefer kayaking alone, they also offer a single kayak tour.
2. Everyday California’s La Jolla Kayak Tour
- Highlight: Tandem kayak tour into the Emerald Cave & 7 sea caves
- Price: $129/per 2 people (tandem kayaks)
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Tour operator: Everyday California
Want to spot everything from dolphins to sea lions and leopard sharks? Opt for Everyday California’s kayak tour. You’ll get to kayak around Emerald Cave and the 7 sea caves, all while learning about the area from a knowledgeable guide. If you’re interested in ecology, marine life, and the history of the caves, this is a great option.
Keep in mind the tour price includes a tandem kayaking tour for two, so you only need to book it once for your party of two.
3. Hike Bike Kayak Adventures Single Kayak Tour
- Highlight: Single kayak tour of the 7 sea caves for experienced kayakers
- Price: $99/per person
- Duration: 2 hours
- Tour operator: Hike Bike Kayak Adventures
Prefer kayaking on your own? Opt for the La Jolla Single Kayak Tour. You’ll get to paddle around the reserve, and be pointed out all kinds of wildlife from an expert naturalist guide.
This is an ideal tour if you’re traveling alone, or want to explore the caves semi-independently, while feeling safe with a guide. The minimum age for this tour is 15 years old, and it includes a single kayak, safety helmet, and flotation device.
4. Bike and Kayak’s 7 Sea Caves Kayak Tour
- Highlight: Small group kayak tour in double kayaks
- Price: $119/per 2 people (tandem kayaks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Tour operator: Bike and Kayak Tours
Want to kayak in a small group? Opt for Bike & Kayak’s La Jolla Kayak Tour. This is a tandem kayak tour, limited to a group size of 10 people.
Without being constrained to a large group of kayakers, you’ll have more flexibility to explore the caves. This is an ideal tour for families, and the price includes the tour for a party of two people.
5. Bike and Kayak’s La Jolla Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
- Highlight: Tandem kayak & snorkeling tour of La Jolla cove
- Price: $109/per 2 people (tandem kayaks)
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Tour operator: Bike and Kayak Tours
Are you looking for a combination kayak and snorkeling tour? Book Bike and Kayak’s La Jolla Kayak & Snorkeling Tour. You’ll get to spend half of the time venturing into the sea caves, and the other half snorkeling around the rocky bay at La Jolla cove.
This is a small group tour, limited to a group of 10, in tandem kayaks. The tour price includes flotation devices, helmets, wet suits, and all snorkeling gear needed for two people. This is the ideal tour for families, and the minimum age is 8 years old.
Best Tour For Beginners: San Diego Bay 1 Hour Kayak Tour
- Highlight: Beginner kayaking lesson around San Diego Bay & Coronado bridge
- Price: $20 weekdays, $25 weekends/person
- Duration: 1 hour
- Tour operator: Chula Vista Water Sports
If you’re not yet comfortable kayaking at La Jolla Cove, you can also take beginner lessons at San Diego Bay.
This beginner kayak tour starts with a paddling lesson, and then you’ll have an hour to paddle around San Diego Bay. The bay has calm waters, and a beautiful view of Coronado bridge so this is an excellent tour for beginners.
Where To Park For Your La Jolla Kayaking Tour
The best place to park is La Jolla shores beach, which has a large free parking lot. It’s less than a 10 minute walk to where you’ll meet for the tour, but it may be busy on weekends.
If you can’t find a spot, there’s ample street parking in the residential areas by the tour company offices (Avenida de la Playa St, Paseo Dorado, etc.). Just make sure to avoid parking at a 90 minute spot, as you’ll be gone for at least 3 hours on your tour.
Additionally, note when street sweeping is when parking at residential spots to avoid a parking ticket. I recommend arriving 45 minutes before your tour time to secure a parking spot, especially if visiting during the weekend.
Parking Map For La Jolla Kayak Tours
How To Visit The Sea Caves Without A Tour
If you’re not a fan of kayaking, you can visit one of the 7 sea caves, Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave by land. This sea cave is accessible by paying a $10 fee at The Cave Store, and walking down 144 wooden steps through a man made tunnel.
At the bottom of the tunnel, you’ll see the cave opening, kayakers pass by, and potentially a sea lion resting on the rocks.
Check out our guide to visiting Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave for more details on this interesting tourist attraction!
La Jolla Kayaking FAQs
When’s the best time to go kayaking in La Jolla?
The best time to go kayaking in La Jolla is midday, around 10am-2pm. This is when it’s the sunniest and warmest, which is especially important around the winter months.
If you’re kayaking during summer, just make sure to wear sunscreen and a sun hat to stay protected while you’re out on the water.
What should you wear on a kayak tour?
On a kayak tour, you should always wear a flotation device, quick-drying fabrics, and comfortable clothing, as you’ll be out on the water for 2-3 hours. Additionally, make sure to wear sunscreen regardless of the weather.
During the colder months (spring, fall, and winter), most tour companies will allow you to rent a wetsuit.
If not, you can rent a wetsuit from a variety of local water sport companies, including La Jolla Swim and Sport, La Jolla Water Sports, and Everyday California. Wetsuit rentals range from $15-30/day.
Are La Jolla kayak tours kid-friendly?
Yes, many La Jolla kayak tours allow kids, but the minimum age varies. The minimum age for double kayaks is 5 with Everyday California and Bike and Kayak Tours.
With Hike Bike Kayak Adventures, the minimum age is 6 for double kayaks, and 16 for single kayaks.
Can you go kayaking at La Jolla without a tour guide?
Yes, you can kayak at La Jolla without a tour guide by renting kayaks for the day. But if it’s your first time kayaking, it’s best to go on a tour with an experienced guide.
How much are kayak rentals in La Jolla?
There are a variety of La Jolla water sports companies that offer kayak rentals that range from $40-$90/day. Here are some of the most popular local kayak rental companies:
- Bike & Kayak Tours: Single kayaks $30/1.5 hours, double kayaks $59/1.5 hours, triple kayaks $79/1.5 hours
- La Jolla Kayak: Single kayaks $50/1.5 hours, double kayaks $60/1.5 hours
- Everyday California: Single and double kayaks $59/1.5 hours
- La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks: Single kayaks $20/hr M-F, $25/hr weekends, double kayaks $30/hr M–F, $35/hr weekends
Where are seals and sea lions in La Jolla?
The best place to spot seals and sea lions is La Jolla Cove and Children’s Pool. La Jolla Cove is a picturesque turquoise blue bay that often has dozens of sea lions and seals resting on the shore.
Just a 5 minute walk south of La Jolla Cove, Children’s Pool is the best place to spot seals. It’s a small beach that’s become overrun by seals, protected from the ocean by a seawall, which you now can walk over to watch the seals up close.
If you go on a kayaking tour, you can spot these sea creatures in the water, around the sea caves, and basking on different rock outcroppings in the ocean.
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