Guided 1-Tank Shore Dive at La Jolla Cove
Dive La Jolla Cove’s kelp forest with a guide and full gear included
Duration
2.5 Hours (approx.)
Ideal For
Maximum 4 divers or less per instructor people
Includes
Full scuba gear package
Highlights
Explore the La Jolla Cove kelp forest on a guided 1-tank shore dive in the La Jolla Underwater Park near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This tour is for certified scuba divers and includes a full scuba gear package.
- Meet your guide at La Jolla Cove for a guided shore dive
- Swim out from just steps off the beach to the dive site
- Dive to about 35 feet max depth with 50–60 minutes average bottom time
- Spot marine life like sea lions, harbor seals, garibaldi, rays, and sharks (seasonal)
- Join a small group with up to 4 divers or less per instructor
- Get a detailed site and marine biology briefing before your dive
What's Included
- Full scuba gear package
- Guided 1-tank shore dive
- Site and marine biology briefing
Things to know
Scuba certification required; bring photo ID and proof of certification. Minimum age is 13, and divers under 15 must be with a parent or guardian and weigh at least 100 lbs/45 kg. You must be able to carry one tank unassisted; entry involves stairs and may include light surf and a short surface swim.
Gratuity is not included; standard gratuity is 15% of your tour price or $10 per dive per diver.
Cancellation Policy
72-hour policy. If you cancel more than 72 hours before the start, a 20% cancellation fee applies. No refunds within 72 hours or for no-shows (100% fee). Full refund if the dive is canceled/rescheduled 72+ hours prior or canceled by the Dive Guide due to unforeseen events, adverse weather/ocean conditions, or unsafe diving conditions.
FAQs
Yes, you must present a recognized scuba certification.
Divers negotiate stairs and a short surf entry but little surface swim.
Expect sea lions, harbor seals, Garibaldi, rays and seasonal sharks.
Meeting details
Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
More about Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Ellen Browning Scripps Park sits on the grassy bluffs directly above La Jolla Cove, offering one of the most scenic launch points for a guided shore dive in Southern California. Named for the philanthropist who helped shape much of La Jolla's coastline, the park is a wide green lawn fringed by Torrey pines and palm trees, with sweeping views of the Pacific and the protected waters of the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park just beyond. For divers heading out to explore the famous kelp forest, Ellen Browning Scripps Park is more than a pretty backdrop. It is the staging ground where the adventure begins, with easy access to the cove's sandy entry point and plenty of space to gear up before stepping into the marine reserve.
Your one tank guided dive starts here on the bluffs of Ellen Browning Scripps Park, where your instructor walks you through the dive plan, conditions, and what to expect below the surface. From this vantage point you can scan the water for sea lions hauled out on the rocks, watch pelicans glide overhead, and get a sense of the swell before walking down to the cove. After the dive, the park is the perfect place to debrief in the sunshine, swap stories about the bright orange Garibaldi, leopard sharks, and towering kelp stalks you just swam through, and rinse off the salt air with a slow walk along the cliffside path. The contrast between the calm, manicured lawn above and the wild marine sanctuary below is part of what makes this dive so memorable.
This experience is ideal for certified divers who want a low stress, high reward outing with a local guide, and Ellen Browning Scripps Park sets the tone beautifully. Couples, traveling friends, and solo divers visiting San Diego all appreciate the easy logistics, the postcard setting, and the chance to explore one of California's richest marine ecosystems without a boat ride. If you want a dive that feels distinctly La Jolla, beginning and ending at Ellen Browning Scripps Park is the way to do it.