How To Swim With Leopard Sharks In La Jolla Before Summer Is Over

Thousands of leopard sharks are heading to the shallow water of La Jolla for mating season.

According to KGTV, most of the sharks seen in the cove of La Jolla are female and all of them are pregnant. They gather in warmer waters to help speed up the birthing process.

"August and September are the peak months where usually hundreds of sharks can be seen," Alexandra Mier y Teran, Marketing Coordinator at Everyday California told KGTV.

According to KGTV, it's actually safe for families to grab a snorkel and get a good look at the leopard sharks.

"Marine biologists consider leopard sharks to be totally harmless to humans, so people of all ages can safely swim with them in the shallow water right next to the beach," said Mier y Teran.

"Unlike other species of sharks, they feed on animals that live in the mud, like the fat innkeeper worm, crabs, shrimp, octopuses, and fish."

Because the leopard sharks in La Jolla like warm and shallow water, people who want to see the sharks won't need to swim very deep to be around them.

"You can also check out local adventure shops, like Everyday California to rent snorkel gear and get a map of the area where guides can show you where they’ve seen the most leopard sharks that day. Kayak tours are another great way to get out on the water and catch a glimpse of these harmless creatures, as well as other marine wildlife."

Once the leopard sharks leave California, researchers say they are known to swim north but no one is sure where they go exactly.