Swimming With Dolphins in Los Angeles: Must Know!
Have you ever wanted to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of swimming with dolphins in Los Angeles? It’s an amazing chance to explore the beautiful, clear waters of the Pacific Ocean and marvel at these majestic creatures up close. Here, we’ll give you all the details that you need to safely (and legally) enjoy your own dolphin adventure. Whether you’re a first-time explorer or a seasoned marine life expert, this guide will have everything you need for an unforgettable LA dolphin experience!
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Is It Legal to Swim With Wild Dolphins in California?
No, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… “It is illegal to feed or harass wild marine mammals including dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals, sea lions, and manatees.”
They encourage people to observe these animals from a safe distance of at least 50 yards (150 feet) to keep both you and the animals safe and healthy.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits feeding and harassing (that means trying to swim with) marine mammals (such as dolphins) in the wild.
Can You Swim With Wild Dolphins in Los Angeles?
No, it’s illegal to swim with wild dolphins in California.
However, it does sometimes happen that you will be swimming in the ocean and see dolphins pass by or swimming near you. So long as you maintain a safe distance and do not try to interact with the dolphins, technically you can swim near them while out in the California ocean.
Why Should You NOT Swim With Wild Dolphins?
- It’s illegal and punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.
- An adult dolphin can weigh anywhere from 2,200 to 6,600 pounds… do you really want to risk angering a dolphin or accidentally being hit by that?
- Dolphins will lose their natural wariness of humans or boats, putting them in potential danger.
- Interacting with dolphins may result in disease transfer and serious health threats to both you and the dolphins.
Does Los Angeles Have Dolphins?
Absolutely! Los Angeles is home to both the long-beaked Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin and the Short-beaked Common Dolphin. While they have a lot of similarities, these two species are distinct from each other in terms of differences in size and coloring.
Where Can You See Dolphins in Los Angeles
You will see dolphins all around Los Angeles and southern California. The best places to see dolphins include Malibu, Santa Monica, and throughout the South Bay LA beaches.
Best Time of Year to See Dolphins in LA
The best time of year for whale and dolphin watching in Los Angeles is typically in the winter, from December to May. Though you can often spot dolphins year-round off the Los Angeles coast of the Pacific Ocean.
How to See Dolphins in Los Angeles
It’s easy to spot dolphins simply by watching from the shores of the beach or swimming in the water just off the coast. Bring binoculars if you want to take a closer look at them! If you enjoy water sports, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or surfing are great ways to get out in the water for extended periods of time in hopes of seeing a pod of dolphins go by.
>>> Related Post: A Guide to Surfing in Los Angeles
I surf frequently in the South Bay (just south of Los Angeles city), and there is a pod or two of dolphins that frequently surfs up and down the bay. I see them pretty much every time I’m out in the water, and in fact – you really have to watch out for them!
The dolphins in the South Bay feed and swim pretty close to the shore sometimes, and they occasionally will spontaneously turn to catch a wave or play in the breaking waves.
It’s really fun to see, however… TWICE in the last three weeks (it’s early December as I write this), I had to get out of the water because a few dolphins were already in a wave I was going for and I had to swim out of the way to avoid being hit!!
So yes, you can definitely easily see dolphins in Los Angeles, and potentially pretty up close too. Just remember that the ocean is THEIR home, so be respectful if you find yourself getting close to one and move out of their way.
⭐️ Best Tours to See Dolphins in the LA Area ⭐️
A popular way to see dolphins in Los Angeles is to get out on the water with a boat or whale-watching tour. Here are a few of the top-rated tours to have a chance to get up close to dolphins.
✔️ 2.5-Hour Group Dolphin & Whale Adventure
This small group tour is capped at 6 people for a more personal, smaller boat experience. The tour departs from Long Beach where you will see local sights such as the Queen Mary, the Long Beach waterfront, and the Korean Bell of Friendship. Your captain will explain the different types of animals you see as you cruise around.
➡️ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & BOOK
✔️ Private Sailing Adventure with Gourmet Food & Wines
This private tour is perfect for a group trip or for a romantic couple’s experience. Sail around Santa Monica Bay and see local marine life while enjoying gourmet 5-star cuisine and wines. Start in Marina Del Rey and sail up the coast through Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu.
➡️ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & BOOK
✔️ Catalina Island Day Trip
Spot some dolphins and other sea creatures along the way to Catalina Island, one of the most stunning places in California. This tour includes a round-trip ferry service and a brief guided tour of the island. Enjoy the Descanso Beach Club and explore the famous Green Pier in Avalon Harbor.
➡️ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & BOOK
*NOTE: The guided tour itself is pretty short, so if you prefer to visit Catalina Island on your own simply book a ferry ticket below.
❗️ CLICK HERE TO BOOK: Catalina Express Round-Trip Ferry Service ONLY❗️
>>> RELATED POST: Snorkeling in Catalina Island: Best Spots, Gear Rental, and More!
✔️ 2-Hour Kayak or Paddleboard in Marina Del Rey
If boats are not quite your thing… try out a kayak or SUP instead. You’ll have a chance to spot local wildlife like sea lions, dolphins, and different varieties of seabirds. Plus, the guide is fantastic!
➡️ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & BOOK
🐬 Where to Swim With Dolphins in Los Angeles
There is only one place in southern California that offers a dolphin interaction experience and it’s in San Diego, about a 3-hour drive south of LA. While you still can’t really swim with the dolphins (it wouldn’t be very safe), you can get up close and interact with them.
*Note: Please keep in mind that animal tourism is really not the best for animals. And while it is out there, please use your best judgment on if you should really go or not. Places such as these have been criticized in the past for their treatment of the animals because it often stresses the animals out to interact with humans and it desensitizes them from being able to go back out in the wild.
Sea World San Diego’s Dolphin In-Water Interaction
Get up close to dolphins with this in-water experience that allows you to meet, touch, and feed playful bottlenose dolphins in their own environment. Learn how Sea World’s animal specialists provide state-of-the-art animal welfare for their dolphins while interacting with these incredible marine mammals.
Participants under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult participant.
➡️ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & BOOK
Conclusion: Swimming With Dolphins in Los Angeles
Marine-life lovers looking for a unique experience while in Los Angeles should certainly seek out an opportunity to view dolphins up close in the ocean. Keep in mind that it’s not legal to swim with wild dolphins, but you can enjoy viewing them safely from a boat tour or from the shore.
Related Post:
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☀️ California FAQs ☀️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to California?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in the U.S.?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing. It covers some medical as well, which is important in the U.S. due to the high cost of health care.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit California?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest (in some parts it can be pretty hot) but you will have the most crowds. Some parts of the state get “June Gloom” where it can be cloudy during the morning and burn off by mid-day.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have the potential of rain, but you will beat some of the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in California?
Hotels, vacation rentals, and house-sitting are all available for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Vrbo
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
🌴 Where Can You Find Tours?
I find incredible tours around the world >>> HERE with private and guided group tours of the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in California?
I very highly recommend renting a car in California so you don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! California is fantastic for road trips – there is SO much to see up and down the coast. Plus, sites are often spread far out, even in the cities, so having a car is the most convenient option.
>>> Best car rental rates and deals
