How to Swim With Leopard Sharks in La Jolla, California
- 1). Visit the city of La Jolla, Calif. Exit Interstate 5 at La Jolla Parkway. Continue on La Jolla Parkway, turn right onto Prospect and drive to the end of the street to La Jolla Cove. The best leopard shark viewing area is at the south end of the reserve in an inshore cove. This shallow area is known as Leopard Shark City.
- 2). Understand that the ideal conditions for swimming with leopard sharks are on days when the water is flat, with little wind and under direct sunlight to enhance visibility. A wetsuit or shorty suit will keep you warm, and a flotation vest will help you stay afloat effortlessly. Enter the water quietly and float slowly and patiently in the cove, face down in the water, scanning the sandy bottom through your mask. Vigorous kicking, splashing or sudden moves will scare the sharks away.
- 3). Observe the leopard sharks swimming along the bottom below you. Sometimes they will swim toward you to investigate out of curiosity. They aren't aggressive and you have nothing to fear when they come near you. They range in size from juveniles of less than 3 feet to adults of over 6 feet. The patterns of mulberry-colored stripes and leopard spots are unique to each individual. At the end of the summer, you might even see a pair mating, though this is rare.
- 4). Get a guided tour to increase your chances of seeing leopard sharks. If you don't want to swim with the leopard sharks, you can also rent a kayak to observe them from above the water.
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