The rock reefs are close to the beach requiring only
a few feet of swimming before seeing the wildlife. Even though there are more
advanced places to snorkel, the cove offers calm waters, life guards, and all
the amenities for beginners. Because one can paddle around the cove without much
effort most age ranges enjoy snorkeling at the cove. This is one reason why
visitors flock to the area.
To the north are rock formations you can swim out and
crawl upon. Try and be safe as the ocean waves can push you right into rocks so
it is best to try and climb on them from behind to protect yourself. The ocean
currents are strong enough to move you a foot or so in either direction.
There are lots of great underwater rock formations,
shells, and a variety of fish in the area. I’m not that familiar with all of
the different types of fish but you can see a range of them in La Jolla Cove. Lying
around the cove is Sea Lions that occasional jump in the water and swim right
next to you. I’ve heard it is best to keep your distance.
You can see an abundance of orange Garibaldi fish. The males are known to
protect female eggs until they hatch and they will bit if the nest is
threatened (1).
The Garibaldi is also the state fish of California and is protected under law.
When I tried to touch one it swam out of my reach, stopped and looked at me as
though I was stupid. Seemed to be a fearless fish!
One of the detractors of the cove is that the beach
is small and the tide can move all the way up to the rocks depending on the
time. On busy days you aren’t likely to have as much fun as you would if you go
down early in the morning at a time when only a few people are around. You will
notice the snorkelers and divers making their way to the cove to act as a launching
point for destinations unknown.
La Jolla is an ideal tourist location and snorkeling
is just one activity that enhances the tourist experience. A study of tourists
found that activities such as swimming, snorkeling and other water sports
contributed to tourist satisfaction (Lacher & Harrill, 2010). Nontraditional
activities such as city tours, safaris and the like are growing in popularity
but pale in comparison to traditional summer fun. If you are giving advice on
having fun to visitors this is where you may want to point them.
Whether you are a tourist, a host to outside
friends, or just want to enjoy the coast life for yourself I suggest you try
snorkeling at least once. On warm days you can still enjoy lying on the beach
while engaging in some activity that will help you stay in shape and provide a
positive experience. You might want to purchase a disposable waterproof camera
for your trip. The one I used was a digital camera as I spend considerable time
in or near the water.
Lacher, G. & Harrill, R. (2010). Going beyond
sun, sand, and surf? An importance-performance analysis of activities in a 3S
resort destination. E-review of Tourism
Research, 8 (4).
