La Jolla leopard sharks are a unique phenomenon in San Diego County, as sharks congregate in large numbers near shore and even near swimmers. This generally occurs during the warm summer months off San Diego’s luxurious La Jolla shoreline.
Where can you see leopard sharks in La Jolla?
Although leopard sharks are common in these waters, the mass gathering occurs primarily on La Jolla Shores beach, along the relatively calm and flat waters of the popular family beach. Specifically, leopard sharks swim most often along the shallow waters of the southern part of La Jolla Shores. The beach area outside the Sala Marina at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is commonly called “Shark City” and is three to ten feet deep, ideal for shore diving.
Why do leopard sharks flock here?
Scientists speculate that sharks are there to help them gestate in the warm, calm water, as females outnumber males in La Jolla waters.
Are leopard sharks dangerous?
Leopard sharks in La Jolla are generally harmless. They are gray and spotted and sharks tend to grow up to seven feet long, although they are generally smaller or around five feet. Don’t worry, leopard sharks don’t eat humans and are in fact shy bottom feeders, with a small mouth suitable for that food source. Sharks are often afraid of bubbles from divers and swimmers’ movements, making your La Jolla gathering even more curious.
How to find leopard sharks in La Jolla? Do you need to go underwater?
The most common way is to kayak or snorkel off La Jolla Shores beach and search for them in the shallow, calm waters. But you may not even have to go underwater – head into the waters towards the southern end of the beach near the Beach & Tennis Club and walk into the shallow water (be sure to shuffle along the bottom to avoid the rays sting). In roughly three feet of water, you might find yourself surrounded by schools of sharks!
Another good way to see them is to snorkel at La Jolla Cove. Although the steep ladder is difficult to climb up and down with scuba gear on, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to see leopard sharks at eye level and swim alongside them.
Do you want to learn more about leopard sharks?
If you are interested in learning more about the life and habitat of leopard sharks, head to the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, which has Leopard Sharks in its ElasmoBeach exhibit and discusses why sharks are important to the ecosystem. of the ocean and why La Jolla’s waters are important to sharks, too. You can also watch leopard sharks in the huge aquarium feeding on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am The Birch Aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla.
Updated by Gina Tarnacki on August 12, 2016.
