The 15 Best Kayak Tours in San Diego

1.La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,205 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Paddle a tandem kayak from La Jolla Shores toward the sea caves with guides such as Alex, Hannah, Ike, or Cassidy. Learn basic technique, watch for sea lions, leopard sharks, dolphins, birds, and kelp, then ride the waves back to shore. Cave entry depends on conditions and group ability.

“Kids loved the leopard sharks! The water was clear and beautiful. We could see so much sea life. Cassidy was fun and friendly.”

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2.Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 871 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle a two-person kayak through La Jolla Ecological Reserve with an English-speaking guide. You may see sea lions, seals, leopard sharks, birds, and fish while approaching the Seven Sea Caves and Emerald Cave. Guides such as Sawyer, Hannah, Lydia, and Reed lead the way. Expect to get wet.

“Hannah and Lydia were the best guides! Skillfully navigated all of us in the group to the caves and along the way shared little nuggets of information about the area and the ecological reserve and fun facts! We saw leopard sharks and sea lions and they made sure our cave experience was top notch. Highly recommend this tour and these expert guides!”

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3.2-Hour Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 586 reviews · 2 hours

Launch from Bike and Kayak Tours at 2158 Avenida De La Playa for a guided paddle through La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve. You’ll receive instruction and equipment, then look for sea lions, leopard sharks, garibaldi, and dolphins. Calm seas may allow entry into Clam’s Cave, but surf and tides can change the route.

“In this kayak tour, we had the chance to paddle along the beautiful coastline and even explore a cave up close. The experience of going through the cave was exciting, and our guides made sure we felt safe the entire time. They explained how to maneuver our kayaks properly so we could enjoy the cave without worry and they guided us through it the entire time. Beyond the cave, the guides were very informative about the history and significance of different landmarks along the shore. We learned interesting facts about the cliffs, the wildlife, and the unique features of the area. Their knowledge added so much more meaning to the…”

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4.Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle a two-hour ocean route from Avenida de la Playa through La Jolla Ecological Reserve. Guides such as Zack, Aimee, Sebastian, and Magdalena provide instruction and local insight while you look for sea lions, leopard sharks, garibaldi, dolphins, and caves, subject to surf conditions.

“We enjoyed the tour very much. The guides were very professional and kind (I remember one name -.Sammy). The stories during the tour were also interesting.”

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5.2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m

Paddle from La Jolla Shores to the sea caves with an English-speaking guide, then snorkel over rocky reefs and sandy flats. You may see garibaldi, rays, leopard sharks, sea lions, and rockfish. Guides such as Jada, Zach, Anthony, and Vanessa are praised for clear safety help and local nature stories.

“I had a great time on this kayak and snorkel tour. Our tour guide Will was super knowledgeable about the area and shared the history and current state of the coves and the ecosystem around it.”

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6.La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour (Single Kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $74Top rated

Paddle a single ocean kayak from La Jolla Cove into the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. Guides such as Hannah, Luka, Savannah, and Ryan mix safety tips with local stories and wildlife facts. Cave access depends on surf conditions, and you should expect to get wet.

“We had a blast on our kayak adventure. Hannah was a great guide and very knowledgeable about the sea life that we encountered. We saw tons of seals and sea lions, leopard sharks and smaller fish. We explored a sea cave. It was a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend.”

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7.La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 117 reviews

Paddle from La Jolla Shores toward the sea caves, carrying your snorkel gear aboard the kayak. Guides such as Roman, Coya, Ellie, Sammy, and Savannah lead groups of up to 10 through changing ocean conditions. Expect wetsuits, marine life, and a real workout.

“The staff helping to prep and provide us equipments was not very cooperative. We were just a few minutes late and he refused to give us wetsuits but gave us everything else. We literally begged him to at least provide to 1 member in our pRead more”

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8.Kayak Rental for Two People in La Jolla

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Rent a kayak for two and spend 90 minutes exploring La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve at your own pace. After a safety briefing, you’ll find your kayak and paddle waiting at the beach. Watch for seals, sea lions, dolphins, birds, fish, and seasonal whales.

“No parking, have to park in surrounding neighborhoods & walk. $6 Viator fee that I wasn’t expecting and they hold a card while you’re out there. Rental lockers are available. The life vest were sandy and we were rushed out the water before out time was up.”

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9.Kayak on the San Diego Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $20Best value

Meet at Chula Vista Water Sports for a short safety lesson, life vest, and kayak. Michael, Miguel, Sean, or another crew member helps you launch, then you have about an hour to paddle San Diego Bay, rest at the beach, or enjoy a park picnic.

“So amazing!!!! I had so much fun!!! The staff was friendly and helpful. The instructions were simple and made me feel comfortable and safe out on the water. Would definitely recommend and will definitely book with them again next time i’m in SanDiego!!!”

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10.Two Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour for Two in La Jolla

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle a two-person kayak at La Jolla Cove, then stop for guided snorkeling among sea lions and bright orange garibaldi. Brodie and the Everyday California crew provide instruction and local facts. The two-hour trip does not enter the sea caves, and you must be a comfortable swimmer.

“My friend and I got charged for this over a third-party and we were probably charged 235 dollars in total for this. In the past, I have done the same exp for 25% of the cost with no hidden fees. We paid extra fees at the actual company. Also, be careful of kayaking into the sea if it's your first time. My friend and I wiped out a lot because of very high waves and so we got sea water in our mouths, bleh! I wouldn't recommend the activity especially at this price. Boooo to this third-party company!!!”

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11.La Jolla Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Bike & Kayak Tours on Avenida De La Playa, then paddle from La Jolla Shores at your own pace. Your rental includes a two-person kayak, paddles, life jackets, safety gear, a water map, beach delivery, and access to showers, restrooms, and foot rinses. Cave entry costs extra.

“Renting the Kayak was super simple and quick. The instructors were all very informative and knowledgeable. Provided instructions from the store to the beach and once we got the kayaks they let us know where we could go and how to kayak. It was my first time kayaking and I would absolutely rent from them again.”

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12.Sunset Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 24 reviews · 2 hours

Meet at the red-awning shop on Avenida De La Playa for a short lesson, gear, and a two-hour paddle through La Jolla Ecological Reserve. You’ll use a double kayak, visit all seven caves, enter Clam’s Cave, and look for sea lions, seals, fish, sharks, and dolphins.

“1 stella solo perché non posso darne 0. Ho prenotato, mi è stato chiesto di spostare la prenotazione, l’ho spostata e poi la mattina stessa mi è stata cancellata senza spiegazione. 0 serietà e 0 preavviso.”

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13.2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

You and a companion kayak about two miles west from La Jolla with a certified guide searching for migrating gray whales. Expect a safety lesson, gear, rest stops, and possible dolphins, sea lions, seals, and seabirds. No kayaking experience is required, but whale sightings are never guaranteed.

“Danielle's tour is wonderful. She gives tips for preparing that are completely accurate and helpful, right up to where to park. Then she's an amazingly clear presenter of everything from how to kayak to how to comport yourself in the water when on a tour with her. She connects with all the guests and remembers little facts about them, even while managing different abilities and personalities on the water. There are so many things I appreciated about her, from her organization loading the kayaks and her "pitstops" on the water that gave any newbies a chance to rest, to her interesting facts, her enthusiasm, and the general ease with which…”

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14.San Diego Bay 1.5-Hour Guided Kayak Tour in Coronado

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Launch from Coronado Ferry Landing for a relaxed 90-minute kayak tour past the skyline, USS Midway, Petco Park, Naval Station North Island, and beneath Coronado Bridge. Choose a single, double, or triple sit-on-top kayak. Equipment, instruction, and dog life vests are included.

“Very beautiful, scenic. Not very physically demanding You will get wet Great views of the San Diego bay”

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15.Coronado Guided Kayak Tour 90-Min

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m

Join an English-speaking guide for a relaxed 90-minute paddle from Coronado Ferry Landing. You’ll use a stable sit-on-top kayak, with a paddle, PFD, backrest, and kayak transport to the beach provided. Look for guide Max if available, and expect to get wet.

“We had a wonderful time kayaking and we loved our guide, Max”

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