Sharks for Sissies? You Can Swim With Leopards at La Jolla Shores

Ditch the expensive cage tours. All you need is a snorkel and mask to swim with sharks in La Jolla. A little courage helps too. 

Hundreds of leopard sharks swim close to shore during the summer months to relax in the warm sandy shallows. Most of the sharks are females and love to cruise the ocean bottom in the gentle surf of La Jolla Shores. These ocean conditions also make it safe and comfortable for snorkelers, swimmers, divers and kayakers. Plus, it's all within view of La Jolla lifeguards.

Patch Editors Michelle Mowad and Deanne Goodman went out this month with a group from Birch Aquarium and came within four feet of these ocean predators. (Watch the video above and see our new friends we made in 5 to 12 feet of water.) They also saw a shovelnose guitarfish, a stingray and other fish. 

The leopard sharks are not hard to find, which makes you feel like an expert within minutes.

Leopard sharks grow to 4 to 6 feet in length and weigh up to 42 pounds. They eat squid and other invertebrates and crustaceans—not humans. Birch Aquarium said research conducted by shark expert Andy Nosal with Scripps Institution of Oceanography indicates that these leopard sharks leave La Jolla Shores to eat at night.

Leopard sharks have a reputation for being docile toward people, says Manny Ezcurra, who has handled the Monterey Bay Aquarium's leopard sharks since 1996. "But they’re not so docile toward invertebrates and small fishes. We have to be careful about who we put in the exhibit with them."

Their months are very small and their markings unique. SeaWorld best describes their marketing as bold dark bars draped across the dorsal surface with additional dark spots on the lateral surface of the species—like leopard stripes.

To have your own experience swimming sharks, head to La Jolla Shores Beach and swim out just past the wave break in front of La Jolla Shores Beach & Tennis Club and The Marine Room. Or head out with a tour that can teach you everything you need to know about snorkeling, kayaking and these unique creatures.

La Jolla-based tours:

Birch Aquarium: Offering tours lead by aquarium naturalists. Snorkel tours on July 28, August 4, 10 and 18. Kayak tours are conducted in conjunction with Everyday California. Location meeting disclosed at booking.

Everyday California (OEX La Jolla): Offering snorkel and kayak tours, as well as snorkel equipment rental. 858-454-6195. Located at 2243 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA.

HBK Sports: Offers snorkel and kayak tours, as well as equipment rental. 858-551-9510. Located at 2216 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA.

La Jolla Kayak: Offers snorkel and kayak tours, as well as equipment rental. 858-459-1114. Located at 2199 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA.

San Diego Bike + Kayak: Offers snorkel and kayak tours, as well as equipment. 858-454-1010. Located at 2158 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA.