Packrafting the La Jolla Sea Caves

La Jolla Sea Caves Map

Paddling out to the La Jolla Sea Caves is one of the best easily accessible ocean adventures in Southern California. The coastline around La Jolla Sea Caves is one of those rare places where the barrier to entry is low but the reward is high.

This is coastal packrafting at its best: short approach, amazing views, high payoff, and a really unique paddling experience. It's a great trip that beginners to experts will enjoy. Best of all, you can do it all on your own, no tour guide required.

Getting there

Theres a few places to launch to get out to the sea caves. I've been 3 times and I also park right near Kellogg Park on Camino Del Oro Street. From there its a short walk to Avenida De La Playa Street to the boat launch at La Jolla Shores Beach. You'll probbaly see several rental hard kayaks sitting on the sand. After launching it's about a 3/4 mile paddle out to the caves.

Another option is parking at La Jolla Cove on Coast Blvd which shortens your paddle to just 1/4 a mile. This option also avoids the deeper water crossing and keeps you close to the shore line.

La Jolla Sea Caves Map

Paddling Out

I prefer the longer paddle from La Jolla Shores Beach because you get out past the waves and get more of an open ocean feeling. Also paddling over only takes about 20-30 minutes so its worth it to get some more time on the water.

From the boat launch area keep an eye on the waves and try and wade out to knee to waist deep and then hop in and paddle out in between small breaking waves. Keeping paddling straight out until you are passed the waves and in calmer water. Then turn left (south) and start heading for the cliffs. You can't quite see the caves from here, but you see the cliff you are heading towards.

Entering the Caves

There are multiple caves along this stretch, but conditions decide which ones are open. When the swell is small and spaced out, you can safely approach and paddle inside. If the waves are crashing and it doesn't look appetizing, stay out of the caves and admire from a distance. Even in a short time the conditons can change, I was out for an hour and a half and the waves picked up and I couldn't go back into caves I was just in earlier. But on the flip side, it means if you are out there and it's too wild, you might be able to wait it out and let it calm down.

There are several caves you can paddle into and a few you can't, and a few with tunnels that connect each other. While some are narrow or not deep enough, theres a few you can paddle into.

The main one is Sunny Jim's Cave which is recognizable by a wooden deck inside. This deck connects to a store up above with a man made tunnel allowing people to easily walk down into the cave.

Another really cool one is Arch Cave which is marked by a giant pillar in the front. Arch cave is one of the deepest ones measuring 680 feet deep.

Of course we saved the best for last: Clam Cave. This is a huge cave with a tunnel at the end which leads to Emerald Cove that connects back out to the main water. This cave is simply stunning with crazy colors on the walls and a few little pillars to navigate around.

Wildlife Encounters

Over near Clam Cave and Emerald Cove you'll paddle by Gold Fish Point which is a big hang out spot for Sea Lions. You'll hear them barking from a distance before you see them. As with any wild animal, give them some distance and snap a few pictures of them napping in a big dog pile.

If you look under the water, you'll probably see several bright orange fish. These are Garibaldi which are the California state fish.

If you bring a mask and snorkel you can swim around too and see lobsters, starfish, and even some harmless leopard sharks.

Heading Back

After you've had your fill of cave exploring, retrace your steps and paddle back to the beach. One tip is as you are heading out at the beginning, be sure to turn around and take in some landmarks so you can remember where you need to land at.

As you paddle back toward the La Jolla Shores, take a minute to watch the surf again. Conditions can shift while you’re out. Time your landing, try and catch a wave, come in with speed, and be ready to hop out once you are in a foot or two of water.

Why Packrafts Make Sense Here

Traditional kayaks work, sure. But packrafts change the equation.

With a packraft, you’re not dealing with roof racks, storage, or logistics. You can park, walk, inflate, and be on the water in minutes. Best of all, save on kayak rental fees and bring your own boat. Even if you fly down, you can easily toss your packraft into a checked bag.

As I was paddling out I had no problem keeping up with other hard kayaks (even some tandems).

I used the Nirvana Self Bailing for this trip, the self bailing allows water to drain out if a wave breaks on you, but any of our models would work great to paddle out to the caves.

Some guided trips wear helmets, I did not use one on this trip, but it would be a good idea to consider one, especially if you want to paddle into the smaller caves.

After paddling, stop by the outdoor showers and rinse off all the sand and salt water off your packraft, paddle, and pfd.

When to Go

Time of Day: Early morning is generally best, there are fewer people on the water and conditions tend to be calmer and clearer. Later in the afternoon can bring sea breeze and wind chop, so mid-morning to early afternoon is a solid window.

Tides: Low tide is ideal, it exposes more levels of the sandstone cliffs and gives you the best chance of paddling into the caves depending on current and wave conditions.

Season Year round, but Spring, Summer and Fall are the best seasons overall ocean conditions are generally calmer and the water is warm enough to kayak without a wetsuit.

What kills your chances of getting inside: Wind, wave height, and swell direction are the main factors that can prevent cave entry or cancel tours entirely. Always check conditions the day of and use your best judgement before entering the caves. Surf Line is a great resource for waves heights, wind, tides and live cams.

Final Take

The La Jolla Sea Caves are one of those spots that genuinely deliver on the hype. Whether you're squeezing into a narrow tunnel, navigating the colors inside Clam Cave, or just drifting outside the cliffs watching sea lions pile up on the rocks, it's a hard day to beat. And doing it in a packraft makes it even better. No rentals, no roof racks, no waiting on a tour group. Just park, inflate, and go. If you're anywhere near San Diego, this one is a no-brainer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the La Jolla sea caves without a tour? Yes and a packraft is one of the best ways to do it. You can launch from La Jolla Shores Beach, paddle out past the break, and explore the caves entirely on your own schedule. No booking, no group, no waiting.

Do you need kayaking experience to visit the La Jolla sea caves? Not much. If you can handle getting through small shore break — knee to waist deep — and paddle in a straight line, you're ready. The open ocean paddle out to the cliffs is calm most days, and the caves themselves are straightforward to enter when swell is low. A packraft is actually more forgiving than a hard-shell kayak here: it's more stable, easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

What is the best time to visit the La Jolla sea caves? Spring and Fall are the best times. Ocean conditions are generally calmer, the water is warm enough to paddle without a wetsuit, and crowds are lighter than summer. Early morning is best regardless of season: fewer people on the water, calmer winds, and the light inside the caves is beautiful. Summer works too, it's just busier and Winter is doable but swell is less predictable and colder.

Which La Jolla sea cave is best to paddle into? Clam Cave is the standout. It has a tunnel at the back that leads through to Emerald Cove, which opens back out to the ocean — so you paddle in one side and out the other. The colors on the walls inside are stunning, and there are a few small pillars to navigate around. Sunny Jim's Cave is also worth visiting: it's the most accessible and the only one you can also enter from land via a staircase above. Arch Cave is marked by a giant pillar at the entrance and is one of the deepest at 680 feet.

Why use a packraft instead of renting a kayak? A few reasons. With a packraft you can park anywhere, walk to the water, inflate in minutes, and be on the ocean without dealing with rental logistics or tour group timing. You save on rental fees every time you go. And because packrafts pack down small you can keep one in your car and be on the water whenever conditions look good.

Is it safe to packraft or kayak the La Jolla sea caves alone? It can be, with the right conditions and preparation. Always check Surfline for wind, swell height, swell period, and direction all affect whether the caves are accessible. On calm days with small, spaced-out swell, the paddle is safe and straightforward. Avoid the caves when waves are crashing at the entrances. Wearing a PFD is non-negotiable, and a helmet is a good idea if you plan to go inside the smaller caves. If you're going solo, let someone know your plan and expected return time. Theres usually other people out too, so you won't be totally alone. But in general, paddling is always more fun with a friend.

Where do you launch to reach the La Jolla sea caves? Two good options. La Jolla Shores Beach is the longer paddle (about 3/4 mile) and have more open-ocean time. Park near Kellogg Park on Camino Del Oro and walk to the boat launch on Avenida De La Playa. The second option is La Jolla Cove on Coast Blvd — shorter paddle (about 1/4 mile to the caves) but the crossing is in deeper water and closer to the shore line.

How long does it take? It takes about 20-30 minuets to paddle out to the caves. I spent about an hour or so at the caves and then a casual paddle back taking about 2 hours in total.

What gear do I need? Not much. You need your packraft, paddle, life jacket, a helmet (optional), and paddling gear for the conditions (wet suit, sunshirt, etc). Also a small dry bag for your phone is a good idea for pictures or if you need help.

April 23, 2026 — Tristan Burnham

Tags: coastal paddling nirvana self-bailing ocean packrafting Southern California

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