Rare Visitors Spotted at the La Jolla Children's Pool!!

Looking out over La Jolla Cove on our La Jolla Plunge Bike Tour, we saw a pair of one-year-old elephant seals relaxing on the beach of the children's pool. This is a rare sighting for the area, because these massive pinnipeds prefer to frequent the offshore islands of Baja and Southern California, rather than the North American mainland.

elephant seal pups resting on the sands of the children's pool

Also spotted off children's pool were a small pod of gray whales, all from our bikes!
The gray whales were diving and spouting, possibly feeding in the kelp forrest.

We've seen whales from our hikes, our BIKES, and our kayaks! All in the past few weeks!!
Despite the colder climate in other parts of the country, December is a great time of year to take a tour with us because the sun is shining 99% of the time here in La Jolla Shores!

At Hike Bike Kayak, we are so excited that the whale migrations are picking up, even higher numbers than last year!!

2013-2014 season in red

Spyhopping; the coolest of all the cool Gray Whale behaviors!

Spyhopping

...just one of the Gray Whale surface behaviors you can see from Hike Bike Kayak's Whale Watching Kayak tours. Spyhopping is when a whale treads water to view its surroundings. The Gray Whale will thrust itself vertically above the ocean's surface and use a steady motion of its pectoral fins to maintain an elevated position. This upright position is controlled and slow, and can last from just seconds to minutes at a time if the whale is sufficiently inquisitive about whatever (or whomever) it is viewing. This behavior also allows them to pinpoint known landmarks that help them stay on course. Whether it be a familiar lighthouse on a cliff, or recalled coastal boating docks, the Gray Whale will identify such places to navigate from Alaska to Baja and back, their twelve-thousand mile round trip migration. Here at Hike Bike Kayak, Spyhopping is our favorite Gray Whale behavior because of this very reason. If witnessing a spyhop on our Whale Watching Kayak Tour, you must note that the whale is just as interested as watching you, as you are in watching it!

"Alright, take the pic, take the pic...I've got people to watch and places to see"

                                                                 

A double spyhop just off our local coast!!

Once Upon a Trail Whale Sighting at Hike Bike Kayak...

It was another beautiful, clear day, here at Hike Bike kayak in La Jolla. One of our expert naturalist guides, Ezekiel, stood high upon a bluff edge of the Torrey Pines State Reserve with a charming, active couple from Houston, Texas. Astonished by the gorgeous stretch of pristine beaches, the couple inquired about whale sightings from up on the bluffs. Upon giving a reply, Ezekiel spotted a pod of gray whales spouting a mile off-shore. All three were ecstatic! The very first whale sighting of the season, and from a guided hike in the bluff's trails nonetheless!

"It is quite amazing that not only up close by kayak, but from a bike, and certainly a hike, you can spot the gray whales on their long migration from the waters of Alaska down to Baja, California."

The couple left La Jolla, with a memory for a lifetime. The tour guide, Ezekiel, always humbled by nature, was happy as ever that the whales have arrived for another year of memorable sightings.

Gray Whale spouting off the coast of San Diego

 

The Truth About Kayaing The Seven Sea Caves

Hi it's me, Big Wave Dave, co-owner of Hike Bike Kayak in La Jolla.  After nearly a decade of kayaking in La Jolla, there is probably no one better to give you the low down on the truth of kayaking the seven La Jolla sea caves.

Over time, kayaking in La Jolla has rightfully become a huge tourism draw.  It is truly amazing.  But so often people think kayaking inside the caves is the highlight, but in reality, the scenic coastline (including kayaking outside the caves) and the wildlife is far and away the best part! Many other companies won't tell the whole truth about the caves, but as a good, honest guy, I will.  Read on to learn more.

There Are Seven Sea Caves and Really Only One You Can Kayak In

While there are seven caves, the only one you can truly kayak in is #7 (called "The Clam"). 

It's an incredible experience when it's calm enough, but as you can see below it's a cave about the size of a school bus that creates a tunnel through the rocks.  Awesome, but not life changing.  The other caves are too shallow for a kayak to enter.  And it's also worth knowing that no company, including Hike Bike Kayak, can go in to the cave when the others can't.

 (See how Hike Bike Kayak tours are truly different)

The true problem lies in that the waves can get a little bit big, and the caves can be really dangerous to kayak into.  (This video is an kind of an extreme case, but you get the idea of how kayaking in and out of rocks can be bad news when there are waves).

 

The good news:  We still get into the cave about 80% of the time May-November and about 50% of the time the rest of the year, so you do indeed have a great chance of kayaking through the cave.

The better news:  If you can't get in to the cave,we'll pay for your ticket to go in the sea cave you can access safely by land.

The best news: The wildlife is the most fascinating part!  Despite the fact the caves themselves may be slightly overrated, we still have outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor.   And the wildlife and our friendly and highly knowledgeable guides are why!

We have a great opportunity to see harmless leopard sharks, three species of dolphins, hundreds of sea lions, seals, sea birds, dozens of types of fish, harbor seals, grey whales, and more! And it's all led by our very friendly biologist and naturalist tour guides.

In the end, kayaking in La Jolla is an incredible, must-do experience.  For more info about what to expect on your trip, or for your best chance to go in the cave, give us a call at (858) 551-9510.

La Jolla Leopard Sharks Return

The La Jolla Leopard Sharks have returned to kick off the 2013 viewing season. April 2, 2013 marked the first confirmed sighting of leopard sharks with Hike Bike Kayak guides identifying 22 individual sharks. The harmless sharks can gather in the hundreds during peak summer seasons and can be seen by kayak, snorkeling, or at times, simply wading into knee deep water.

Leopard sharks typically live in bay environments and near the shore. Although leopard sharks can be up to seven feet long, they are bottom-dwelling and eat shrimp, octopus, small fish, and worms. They are slender, and silver or brown with black spots across their back. Leopard sharks are most prolific during the summer months and gather together in the shallow water off the coast of La Jolla.

On the first snorkel tour of the season, Hike Bike Kayak customers also spotted white abalone, sheep crabs, bat rays, round sting rays, sheepshead fish, guitar fish, garibaldi fish, harbor seals and sea lions.   Customers were also able to snorkel in 4 of the 7 La Jolla Sea Caves and noted 15-20’ visibility with San Diego Lifeguards claiming “excellent” snorkeling and diving conditions.

Hike Bike Kayak San Diego offers guided kayak and snorkel tours to see the leopard sharks as well as snorkel rentals and kayak rentals for self-guided excursions.