Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024

By December 9, 2024December 11th, 2024Islas Coronado, Sea Lion, Underwater Photography

I managed several trips in October and November to the Coronado Islands, in northern Baja California just south of San Diego, to dive with California Sea Lion pups (Zalophus californianus) at the “Lobster Shack” rookery. I try to visit each fall when the combination of dive conditions and sea lion pup behavior is at its best.  The sea lions were exceptional this year, really great. It looks to me like they have thrived since June when the pups were born. Water quality was not the best, and it was a struggle to find pockets of clean water in which to make pictures. But the sheer numbers of inquisitive pups, along with several tolerant bulls, made up for it with a dozen or so really fun dives.  This is a sampling of my favorite keeper images from October and November. You’ll notice several depict purple algae on the rocks: one of my favorite spots features a broad, flat shallow patch of this picturesque algae where the pups play with small cobblestones and a bull patrols overhead.  On a calm day at high tide it’s almost like a big aquarium and I’ll spend two hours at a time there if I can.  If you like these, here are posts of the same sea lion colony in previous years.  Cheers, and thanks for looking!

A mother California sea lion and her pup, underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

A mother California sea lion and her pup, underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40729
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40766
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40680
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40681
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40685
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40723
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40724
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California Sea Lions and Underwater Photographer Celia Kujala at the Coronado Islands, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California Sea Lions and Underwater Photographer Celia Kujala at the Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40726
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40727
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A mother California sea lion (bottom) and her pup (top), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

A mother California sea lion (bottom) and her pup (top), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40732
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40733
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40735
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40737
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40738
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A mother California sea lion (right) and her pup (left), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

A mother California sea lion (right) and her pup (left), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40739
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A beautiful golden-brown female California Sea Lion at the Coronado Islands, posing on a carpet of purple marine algae, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

A beautiful golden-brown female California Sea Lion at the Coronado Islands, posing on a carpet of purple marine algae, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40740
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40755
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion pup with open mouth inspecting the dome port on my underwater camera, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion pup with open mouth inspecting the dome port on my underwater camera, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40757
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Two male California sea lions mock joust and fight underwater, not yet full grown, they are learning how to contend with one another when they become bulls and gather their own harems of females. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Two male California sea lions mock joust and fight underwater, not yet full grown, they are learning how to contend with one another when they become bulls and gather their own harems of females. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40760
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40761
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater inspects my glove by gently mouthing it. This is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old. Sea lions are tactile creatures and learn about objects and their surroundings by biting on them. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater inspects my glove by gently mouthing it. This is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old. Sea lions are tactile creatures and learn about objects and their surroundings by biting on them. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40767
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40770
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40684
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40730
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40734
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California sea lion pup playing with a stone underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Young California sea lion pup playing with a stone underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40742
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40773
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

North Coronado Island, Mexico, southern point and keyhole looking north, clouds hugging the top of the island, San Diego in the distance, aerial photograph, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

North Coronado Island, Mexico, southern point and keyhole looking north, clouds hugging the top of the island, San Diego in the distance, aerial photograph.
Image ID: 40775
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Middle Coronado Island, aerial photo, Middle Rocks (Middle Grounds) and South Coronado Island in the distance, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Middle Coronado Island, aerial photo, Middle Rocks (Middle Grounds) and South Coronado Island in the distance.
Image ID: 40745
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

South Coronado Island, viewed from the south, with Middle Island and North Island in the distance, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

South Coronado Island, viewed from the south, with Middle Island and North Island in the distance.
Image ID: 40748
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Tags:

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!

Next Post