I’m glad I booked a tour to snorkel, I would have felt uncomfortable going alone, and would have missed things. We got to snorkel into a cave where sea lions were chilling out on the cliffs. The cave entrance was packed with kayakers so it was a rush in and out. The waves are a bit much if you are an inexperienced swimmer but they give you a wetsuit so that helps a lot with buoyancy. (For an extra $15). The tour itself isn’t fancy, they guy giving you the wet suit is clearly angry at life, you will ride in the jankiest van you’ve ever seen, and the snorkeling itself is NOT like the Caribbean so curb your expectations on what you’ll see. Lots of sea grass, and a ton of orange fish. Some other fish whose names I don’t recall. The tour guide was very nice and attentive to all 7 of us, making sure we were safe and away from dangerous rocks. For me it was a positive experience to see the sea lions while in the water. Bring a waterproof case for your iPhone! If you are an experienced diver or snorkeler, you could potentially rent gear and go on your own, If you research the area and the tides.