C. La Jolla — Cove to Marine Street

Goldfish Point

No take — reserveInside a reserve or no-take zone; no lobster

Approximate area — exact entry not verified

No take — reserve.

Legal note: Inside Matlahuayl SMR. The reserve covers the water off the caves and the Cove. No take of anything.

Rules last verified Nov 12, 2026 · Full rules ›

Approximate location — check the spot on satellite before you go.

Getting in

Location: 32.85130, -117.27120 (approximate, not verified in person). In close and around to the right of the Cove, at the base of the cliff. Reached by the Cave St path or by swimming over from the Cove. (D5, D47)
How to find it: Cave St path, or swim over from La Jolla Cove; 10–35 ft
Entry and exit: swim over from La Jolla Cove (D5)
Parking and facilities: see la-jolla-cove
Access: shore

Depth: very shallow (D5); Franko gives 10–35 ft (D47)
Terrain: very shallow rock reef in front of several sea caves. Some caves can be entered, including one with an underwater entrance and a passage under "The Clam." (D5)
Skill: an experienced guide is strongly recommended (D5)
Best conditions: calm days and a higher tide (D5)

Not known yet: visibility — help us fill this in.

Not known yet — help us fill this in.

surge in and around the caves; overhead environments (D5)

No take

Inside Matlahuayl SMR. The reserve covers the water off the caves and the Cove. No take of anything.

Scripps Pier underwater cambest for this spot
underwater · points at under Scripps Pier, about 4 m (13 ft) deep; fish, rays, sometimes lobster · run by Scripps Coastal Ocean Observing Lab; hosted by HDOnTap
live + visibility guide (opens in a new tab)HDOnTap (opens in a new tab)opens in a new tab
HDOnTap – La Jolla Shores Overlook
surface · points at La Jolla Shores and the bay · run by HDOnTap
link (opens in a new tab)opens in a new tab

Profile confidence: medium — D5, D47
Coordinates: 32.8513, -117.2712 (approx (desk estimate 2026-10-22, not verified))
Approximate location — not verified: the pin is an estimate; check it on site.
Rules last verified: Nov 12, 2026 (laws.md)

D5 Divebums – La Jolla Cove (opens in a new tab)
D47 Franko Maps – San Diego County Coast Dive Guide (laminated map; photo from Trevor; pre-2012)

S70 Franko Maps – San Diego County Coast Dive Guide (laminated map; photo provided by Trevor, 2026-10-20; appears to predate the 2012 MPAs)