moderate
2–2.5 hours
Divers should have moderate fitness to handle gear and shore entry with a short swim; comfortable swimming skills required.
Discover the rich marine life of La Jolla Cove in San Diego with a private, guided shore dive. Perfect for certified divers seeking personalized exploration in a protected sanctuary, this trip offers easy beach entry and unforgettable underwater encounters.
Age 13+ | Certified Divers Only | Incl. dive-gear package
Experience the thrill of a private guided 2-tank dive at La Jolla Cove, a premier scuba destination. Perfect for photographers and personalized exploration, this intimate tour showcases vibrant marine life in an ecological reserve. Enjoy easy shore access, expert guidance, and unforgettable underwater encounters just steps from the beach.
SCUBA CERTIFICATION REQUIRED
Minimum of 13 years old to dive
NOTE: Each participant must be in good physical condition and be able to carry one tank unassisted.
2 Tank Dive - 4 to 4.5 Hours
This is a private guided tour for the traveling Photo/Videographer or anyone seeking a more personalized and intimate tour without the distraction of additional divers. (We will cater this tour to your needs)
San Diego is a world-class scuba diving destination and scuba divers from all over the world travel here to explore and photograph the numerous species of marine life found in the La Jolla Underwater Park. San Diego's most popular shore dive site is called La Jolla Cove. The La Jolla Cove is located in beautiful La Jolla, adjacent to Scripps Park which is inside an Ecological Reserve & Marine Sanctuary. Within the Marine Reserve, it is unlawful to fish or remove anything (other than trash), which makes it great for observing marine life.
Diving at La Jolla Cove offers a wide variety of diving experiences, typically easy shore access and entry, reasonable visibility, and is highly recommended for anybody interested in having an underwater experience in San Diego. There will be very little surface swim involved, as the dive site begins just steps off the beach. The maximum depth here is approximately 35 feet with an average bottom time of 50 to 60 minutes, depending upon air consumption. Our dives times are 7 am for morning dives.
We dive the La Jolla Marine Reserve on a daily basis, and we greatly enjoy showing off our beautiful Kelp Forrest, the playful California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, as well as the California state fish the Garibaldi, Kelp Bass, Sheep head, Sting Ray, Rock Sole, Morey Eel, Yellow Tail, Leopard Shark, Horn Sharks, Black Sea Bass, Bat Rays are common, as well as Sea Stars, Sea Hares. In the summer months, it’s not unusual to see Seven-Gill Sharks and Soup-fin Sharks (also known as Tope Sharks). This dive site is densely populated with marine life, you don’t need to look hard to find marine life. Dive California's highly experienced dive guides will make your guided dive safe, easy, and enjoyable. Dive California guides are some of the most experienced divers you'll find in San Diego. Collectively, we have over one thousand dives in and around San Diego and many more in other locations around the world. We would love to show you the best that undersea San Diego has to offer!
This guided dive tour with Dive California includes:
Do I have to be certified to SCUBA DIVE with you? Yes, due to the southern California ocean conditions, we require all participants to show proof of a Scuba Diver Certification from an internationally recognized Scuba Training agency. We accept certifications from. SSI, PADI, SDI/TDI, PDIC, CMAS, NAUI, RAID, BSAC, IANTD, ANDI, GUE, NASE, UTD, and others. If your certifying training agency is not listed here, please inquire directly with us to confirm your status.
Are the dives very strenuous? All our dives are enjoyed by divers of all ages and experience levels, but please feel free to do your own homework, California diving does not equal your average boat diving in Caribbean waters. You will access the water by walking a set of stairs as well as being comfortable with a little surf entry on certain days. Some dives require a very little surface swim to the point of descent.
What will I see on my dives? Depending on the dive site and season, our offered dive sites is filled with a wide variety of marine life, including Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, the endangered Giant Black Sea Bass, Tope (Soup Fin) Sharks, Seven Gill Sharks, Horn Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Bat Rays, Sting Rays, Octopus as well as many of our orange friends the California State Marine Fish the “Garibaldi” and many more.
What is included in the fee?
• A certified, insured, and highly experienced dive guide, Scuba Instructor, or Divemaster with a great attitude who is trained as a First Responder, Rescue Diver, and Dive Guiding. • Weights, Scuba Cylinder • Bottled Water
What should I bring?
• All Divers must bring a photo I.D. and proof of dive certification. • Swim-suit, swim-shorts, towel, sunscreen • Your logbook • A waterproof digital photo camera or GoPro if you have one
Where can I leave my personal belongings?
It is best that you leave all valuable items in your locked car and if you use any other way of public transportation our dive guide will be happy to store these items in their car for the time being.
** We will not guarantee or foresee the visibility, diving/ocean conditions, or specific expected wildlife interactions. If we establish unsafe conditions, you will be given the option for a refund, changing the dive site to a different location, or rescheduling only if relocation is not an option. * What is the cancellation policy
A full refund is given if the reservations are canceled/rescheduled within at least 72 hours prior or if the dive(s) is canceled by the Dive Guide due to unsafe diving conditions. • A reservation canceled within 48 hours of the scheduled dive day will be charged 50% of the product rate. • No refunds are issued for reservations canceled within less than 24 hours ' notice prior to scheduled dives as well in the case that the diver decides not to complete booked dives at the time of diving
Plan to arrive at Ellen Browning Scripps Park well before 7:00 AM to secure parking and avoid missing the tour start time.
You must bring proof of scuba certification and a photo ID to participate in the dive.
Be comfortable carrying gear down stairs and swimming a short distance to the descent point from the beach.
Bring a GoPro or waterproof camera to capture encounters with sea lions, Garibaldi, and other marine creatures.
La Jolla Underwater Park was established as a Marine Protected Area to safeguard its rich biodiversity and prevent fishing and habitat degradation.
Strict regulations ban fishing and collecting in the reserve, helping to maintain healthy marine populations and vibrant ecosystems.
Keeps you warm in the cooler spring Pacific waters at La Jolla Cove.
spring specific
Helps monitor depth and time for a safe and enjoyable dive experience.
Ideal for capturing vibrant marine life during your dive.
summer specific
Protects your skin during pre and post dive time on the sunny California coast.
summer specific