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Wildlife · Destination Guide

San Diego and La Jolla

Kelp forests, canyon shore dives, and classic wrecks on Southern California's doorstep

Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 15 sources

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Wildlife In San Diego and La Jolla

Browse the full species list linked to approved dive spots in San Diego and La Jolla.

Photo of Bass
Freshwater Fishes

Bass

1 linked spot

crab on rock
Crustaceans

Crab

1 linked spot

Photo of Hypsypops rubicundus (garibaldi) at the Birch Aquarium in San Diego
Saltwater Fishes

Garibaldi Damselfish

Hypsypops rubicundus

1 linked spot

Green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), Moorea, French Polynesia
Turtles

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

1 linked spot

Photo of Nudibranch
Molluscs

Nudibranch

1 linked spot

Photo of Octopus
Molluscs

Octopus

1 linked spot

Photo of Perch
Freshwater Fishes

Perch

1 linked spot

Photo of Scorpionfish
Saltwater Fishes

Scorpionfish

Scorpaenidae

1 linked spot

green and black fish in body of water
Rays

Stingrays

1 linked spot

Photo of Wolf Eel
Saltwater Fishes

Wolf Eel

Anarrhichthys ocellatus

1 linked spot