la jolla sea caves kayak tour promo code

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La Jolla Kayak Tour of The 7 Caves

Kayak the la jolla sea caves.

Explore Sea Cliffs & Caves

Observe Unique Marine Life

Learn How to Kayak

Join us on our La Jolla Kayak Tour of the 7 caves, a favorite of both local San Diegans and visitors alike. Glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life , and explore the astounding sea caves and cliffs . Paddle to all seven caves, including Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clam’s Cave, and others, for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. On this popular La Jolla cove kayaking tour, you’ll observe sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish and even the occasional dolphin.

Why Kayak The Seven Caves in La Jolla?

No Kayaking Experience Required! Our certified guides will start the tour with a safety orientation and paddle instructions, so you can master our “sit-on-top” kayaks on the calm waters of La Jolla.

Access To The La Jolla Sea Caves: You’ll experience a kayaking adventure you’ll never forget as you explore the otherwise inaccessible La Jolla sea caves, which only our certified tour guides are permitted to access.

Observe Marine Life You’ll see plenty of unique marine life as you paddle along the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, filled with sea lions, harbor seals, the California garibaldi, leopard sharks, and even the occasional dolphin.

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Tour details.

• What To Expect

Good To Know

What you need to know.

From $59 per kayak (depending on kayak type; single, double or triple)

Departure time

9am until 2 hours prior to sunset (latest tour leaves at approx. 5pm depending on time of year)

Availability

Monday – Sunday, all year round (weather permitting)

2 hours (90 minutes on the water)

For more information, click here to see our group tours and team building activities .

Participation requirements

All participants must be able to swim without the assistance of a personal floatation device.

– Kayak – Paddle – Life vest (with emergency whistle) – Helmet – Backrest – Waterproof map

Weight restrictions

– 275 lbs. for a single kayak – 450 lbs. for a double kayak

About your guide

– Certified guide – 1:5 ratio guide per person

What You’ll See And Do

Our certified La Jolla guides will commence the kayak tour with a safety orientation and paddle introduction, no previous kayaking experience required!

Our Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves takes place in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, where you will explore three unique marine habitats. During your paddle over to the La Jolla sea caves, your guide will share fun and interesting facts about the marine life, sea cliffs, and caves you’ll be exploring. You will also be keeping a lookout to spot marine creatures such as sea lions, leopard sharks, and the occasional dolphin and fish species like the California garibaldi.

Kayaking in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve is the best way to explore the underwater world of marine life. The harmless leopard shark can be seen from atop the kayaks. The best time to spot them is from May to October, which is when they appear in the shallow, warm waters of La Jolla shores. Interested in a close underwater encounter? Check out our Kayak and Snorkel tour!

Our beach staff will assist with launching and retrieving the kayaks at the beginning and end of the tour.

This tour is fun for the whole family , including children 6 years and up, with swimming capabilities.

The La Jolla sea caves are only accessible when permitted by a certified tour guide on one of our La Jolla Kayak tours.

The tour is fun and educational , as our certified guides will give you interesting facts and information on the area and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Our “sit-on-top” kayaks make it easy to jump in and out of the water , allowing you to enjoy closer encounters with local fish. Click here to view our snorkel gear rental , or choose our Kayak and Snorkel tour to optimize your kayak tour experience.

Our guides undergo safety training and are 100% certified . Local to the area, they are expert watermen and women with experience specific to our destination. Click here to meet our tour guides!

Sunset Kayak Tour Of The 7 Caves

Explore Sea Cliffs & Caves at Sunset

Discover the magic of a sunset tour on our La Jolla Kayak Tour of the 7 caves—a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Glide through the vibrant La Jolla Ecological Reserve, exploring stunning sea cliffs and enchanting caves. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, and occasional dolphins up close, creating unforgettable memories of this renowned kayak adventure. Don’t miss the captivating sunset ambiance, making it a truly magical experience on this La Jolla cave tour.

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See what our customers say about our kayak, snorkel and bike tours.

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Kayak & snorkel tour, half day bike and kayak tour, la jolla snorkeling tour, ...or choose from our rental options, board & beach.

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La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour Discounts

November 24, 2023 by DayTrippen

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Seven caves can be accessed by kayak or boat, except for Sunny Jim Cave, which requires climbing a stairway and going through a tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel is located inside the Cave Store on Coast Blvd, and a fee is charged to visit the Cave. The best way to explore the caves is by taking a Kayak Tour. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park is a protected marine and a popular attraction for sightseers, snorkelers, divers, and kayakers.

La Jolla Sea Caves

A fun way to see the caves is by taking a kayak tour. These guided tours last about two hours, and you will go inside the caves depending on water and tidal conditions. While you are out on the sea kayak to look for sea lions, Garibaldi, leopard sharks, and maybe even a dolphin, an expert guide will be with you at all times to ensure your safety. Chances are you will get wet on this trip, but it’s all part of the fun. Kayaking is an experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Over the years, visitors have been attracted to the seven caves of La Jolla. Long ago, smugglers used it to bring in Chinese and other immigrants. Contraband whiskey was also smuggled through the Cave during the Prohibition era.

Many visitors also visit “The Cave Store.” The cave opening has been revived and protected over 100 years of preservation. The old Crescent Cafe, The Cave Store, is on 1325 Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. La Jolla Sea Caves can only be visited by kayak or boat, but occasionally, you can walk into the caves when there is a shallow tide. At all other times, guided tours are the best.

Experienced kayakers can rent a kayak to go on their own, but the tours are a better choice for the average person. No kayak experience is required; however, all participants must swim and have ample water experience. All equipment is provided, including life jackets, helmets, and a quick water safety course. Go ahead, try it; it’s an experience you will not forget.

The seven sea caves in La Jolla are part of a 75-million-year-old sandstone sea cliff. The seven sculpted caves are open to the north as they sit between the beach of La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove . The seven sea caves are named from west to east: The Clam’s Cave, Sunny Jim’s Cave, Arch Cave, Sea Surprise, Shopping Cart, Little Sister, and White Lady.

The La Jolla Sea Caves are only accessible by kayak, except Sunny Jim’s . This Cave is the only La Jolla cave accessible by land via a hand-dug tunnel leading down from the historical landmark, the Cave Store. The Cave was named “Sunny Jim” by Frank Baum, the Wizard of Oz. Mr. Baum gave the Cave this unique name due to the shape of the Cave’s opening.

The Clam’s Cave is the only sea cave visible from land. Clam’s Cave is double-sided, and the backside can be seen from Goldfish Point on Coast Blvd. The rest of the La Jolla caves are only visible via the ocean. These other caves are usually awash in waves and seldom seen by anyone except kayakers.

White Lady, named for her long, bustled-dress silhouette, is located on the eastern corner of the sea cliff. In front of the Cave, many larger rocks in the ocean promote crashing waves and whitewash, lending significance to the description “white.”

More fun San Diego Day Trip ideas

Ten best san diego day trips.

July 29, 2023 at

About the La Jolla sea cave trip: Where is the facility for tge trip & equipment rental? How long is the trip & cost? What’s the link to make reservations?

Any other details are appreciated.

Summer is the busy season and they have no problem filling up the tours.

September 20, 2015 at

I would recommend this trip to any inexperienced kayaker. They provided all the equipment, a short training session, and guide to get us to the caves and back safely. We saw a lot of fish and even a couple of seals inside the caves.

There are several tour groups offering sea cave trips. We used the deal listed in this page through San Diego Bike & Kayak Tours. I think they are the biggest tour operator.

Fun time well worth the drive down from Los Angeles. We went on a weekday and is was not too crowded.

Good to hear you enjoyed visiting the sea caves.

January 26, 2016 at

I am going to be visiting San Diego in a week and am really excited that you recommend this trip for any inexperienced kayakers! I was wondering what the conditions were like? Did you have to get out of the kayak at all, or did you just stay in it the whole time? Just wondering because I struggle with getting back in after! hahaha. I can swim and whatnot, but I hate tipping and having to get back in!

I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks! Amanda

Hello Amanda

You do not have to get out of the kayak. You will get wet especially when launching from the beach. A guide will be with your group for the whole trip and there is a training session before you start. Life jackets are provided, just in case.

Have fun and thanks for visiting DayTrippen.com

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Original La Jolla Kayak Cave Tour

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FULLY GUIDED ADVENTURE

Join us for a thrilling kayak tour of the la jolla sea caves.

Our fully guided kayak tour takes you through the Ecological Reserve and along the La Jolla Sea Caves—some of San Diego’s most famous attractions. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park is a marine protected area that’s a famous destination for snorkelers, divers, and kayakers to respectfully explore. The Reserve is home to our friends— leopard sharks, Garibaldi (California’s state marine fish!), lush kelp beds, sea lions, and even the occasional pod of dolphins !

Our experienced tour guides will share fun facts and history about La Jolla, safely guide you along the sea caves, and lead you through one (ocean conditions permitting). This adventure is suitable for kayakers ages 6+, no experience necessary !

Departs throughout the day starting at 9 AM (weather permitting)

Ages 6+ for tandem kayak (with adult), 15+ for single kayak

Weight restrictions 450 lbs. maximum for tandem kayaks and 275 lbs. maximum for single kayaks

Total duration 90–120 minutes give or take for the whole experience

Your La Jolla kayak tour will start off at our La Jolla Kayak storefront where you will check-in with our front desk staff and get fitted with your helmet and a personal floatation device (PFD). You’ll then be introduced to your tour guide and walk to the boat launch area together (1-2 blocks). Our beach staff will greet you and match you with your paddle. Your tour guide will do a 10-15-minute paddle instruction to prepare you for maneuvering in the ocean.

• Entrance into the sea cave is dependent on weather and ocean conditions.
• You will get wet—please wear comfortable kayak gear, like, t-shirt and shorts or a bathing suit.
• Shoes are not required for the tour but please wear sandals or water shoes to walk to the beach.
• We rent wetsuits for an additional charge.
• We rent lockers to safely store your personal belongings for an additional charge.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Get featured #lajollakayak

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks

Guided tours & rentals (858) 454-0111.

You have a choice among companies for your business. If you’re shopping for the best deal, make sure you’ve read the fine print.

We don’t charge hidden 'service fees' or charge extra for locker rental to keep your belongings safe.

Most companies limit availability at peak times for discounts like Groupon so you may find yourself unable to take advantage of the advertised discounts.

Open 7 Days a Week March 1 - September 30, 2023

9:00am-6:00pm

Winter hours vary due to weather and holidays.

Check the online calendar for your specific dates.

Please call (858)454-0111 if in doubt!

(858) 454-0111

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks 2164 Avenida de la Playa La Jolla, CA 92037

In a single 90 minute tour you will experience southern California's surf culture, observe dozens of species of marine animals, and visit 5 different marine environments: sandy beach, rocky reefs, sea cliffs, kelp forest, and deep water canyons - each hosting it's own unique flora and fauna. Because these habitats all collide within 2 square miles, the abundance and diversity of wildlife is unparalleled anywhere on the California coast except Monterey.

Come see the Sea Lions, Leopard Sharks, Pelicans, Cormorants... and of course, the Caves!

Best of all, you don't need any experience, so join us today!

TOUR SPECIALS

Complimentary lockers - ALWAYS

Booking fees and taxes included - ALWAYS

Our prices are inclusive of fees, permits, taxes and there are never surprises like surcharges for locker rentals (all tour and rental guests are welcome to use our large (12" x 36") complimentary lockers. Optional add-ons include wetsuit rental ($10),  tour accessories (eyeglass retainers, waterproof phone cases,) and tips for your guides.

CURRENT TOUR SPECIALS: (Online reservations only. Discount is applied automatically.)

3:20 tours (Mon. - Thurs.) - SAVE 20% - enter promo code "pm20" at checkout.

4:20 tours (Mon. - Thurs.) - SAVE 25% - enter promo code "pm25" at checkout.

Save 30%   on the 9:20am tour THIS WEEK (Sept. 3-6) to celebrate the start of "locals summer"! Use promo code "bestam" when checking out! Conditions are amazing and the crowds are gone! Join us!

Save 25% ALL DAY on Wednesday, September 4 to celebrate the start of "locals summer"! Use promo code "bestdays" when checking out!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for all tours.

Check-in is 1 HOUR prior to tour time.