Los Cabos is known for a lot of things, including spectacular luxury hotels, dramatic scenery and exciting activities. Considering the fact that this Mexico vacation hot spot is perched at the crossroads of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, it’s no surprise that water-based activities are among the biggest draws.
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy time on — and in — the water.
Sportfishing
Los Cabos offers some of the hemisphere’s most rewarding sportfishing, especially for marlin and swordfish. Anglers can time their visit to coincide with the catch that most interests them. Marlin season runs from September through the middle of March, while dorado are a big catch from February through April. A charter operator called Kingfish Cabo offers five-, six- and eight-hour charters for one to four people, with live bait, breakfast, lunch, an open bar and other extras included.
www.kingfishcabo.com
Sailing
A peaceful and relaxed sailing excursion is the perfect way to take in some of the destination’s most legendary natural sites, including El Arco, the much-photographed Land’s End Arch rock formation that rises from the very tip of the Baja California peninsula. Cabo Sails offers private sailing tours onboard sailboats and catamarans; its fleet includes the 44-foot Espiritu Santi, which is billed as the only sailboat in Cabo powered by an electric engine and solar panels.
Cabo Sailing Ocean Adventures, meanwhile, offers a variety of memorable experiences as well, including a Cabo Sunset Cruise that includes an open bar and snacks, with a maximum of 14 passengers. Private sunset cruises are also available, which last longer and provide extra time for swimming.
www.cabosails.com
www.cabosailing.com
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Visitors looking to explore the region’s extensive marine life will find especially favorable conditions in Santa Maria Bay, Chileno Bay and Land’s End. Cabo Adventures offers a family-friendly snorkeling expedition, open to anyone 10 years of age or older, to Cabo Pulmo National Park, a bay known for its clear waters and living reef. Colorful tropical fish, as well as sea turtles, eels and rays are among the local residents that are often viewed in the park area.
Experienced scuba divers — as well as those who would like to learn how to dive — can sign up for outings at Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort, which offers diving classes and two-tank dive tours for groups of up to six people. The resort also offers an Eat, Sleep and Dive package for certified divers that includes two nights of accommodations and diving activities, with the option to add night diving for an extra fee.
www.cabo-adventures.com
www.cabopulmo.com
Whale and Shark Encounters
Los Cabos offers multiple options for meeting large-scale marine life face to face. Swimming with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, is a bucket- list activity for many travelers, and the Sea of Cortez is an ideal place to view these fascinating creatures, which can reach lengths of up to 40 feet. Cabo Expeditions offers a 12-hour excursion, available from early winter through late spring, that takes participants to the nearby city of La Paz.
Whale watching is another popular activity in Los Cabos; Whale Watch Cabo offers excursions from December to April to view migrating humpbacks and gray whales in the sea’s warm waters.
www.caboexpeditions.com
www.whalewatchcabo.com
Paddleboarding and Surfing
Viewing the natural beauty of Los Cabos from atop a board can be either breathtaking or relaxing, depending on your mindset and the type of board you choose. Cabo Pros offers escorted surf trips to some of the best waves around the tip of the peninsula, as well as classes for every experience level. For something a bit slower, consider stand-up paddleboarding, usually referred to as SUP. A company appropriately named Cabo SUP offers guided tours and board rental, all of which include a safety lesson and basic instructions that help visitors get the most out of their experience as they explore the natural beauty of Medano Bay.
www.cabosup.com
www.cabosurfer.com
