The best snorkeling in Cabo, ranked from easiest to farthest

The best snorkeling in Cabo is at Santa María Bay, a sheltered horseshoe cove 6.7 miles (11 km) from Marina Cabo San Lucas with reef along both points. The easiest is Pelican Rock, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the dock, where reef fish swim close to the surface in calm water. The water is warmest, about 85°F (29°C), from August through October.

Below are the four spots we send people to, ranked from easiest to farthest, with what each one is like and how long a boat day you need.

Cabo snorkeling spots at a glance

Divorce Beach isn't on the list. It sits on the Pacific side of Lover's Beach, with big surf and a strong undertow. It is for photos from the boat, never for swimming.

1. Pelican Rock: the easiest snorkel in Cabo

Pelican Rock is a rocky point at the foot of Land's End, inside the bay. The water is calm and clear, and reef fish swim close to the surface, so you see plenty without diving down.

It is the first snorkel stop on most charters, a few minutes from the dock. That makes it the right place for kids, first-timers, and anyone who wants to test a mask before a longer swim. Even the 2 hour Arch route passes it, so a short charter can still include a snorkel.

2. Lover's Beach: swim on the bay side

Lover's Beach is a strip of sand on the calm bay side of Land's End, reached by boat. This is the side where people swim, and your crew can drop you close.

Think of it as a swim stop with a view more than a reef dive. The draw is floating in the bay with the granite of Land's End right above you. Its back side is Divorce Beach, facing the Pacific, and that is where you stay out of the water. Our Lover's Beach guide covers both sides.

3. Santa María Bay: the best all-around snorkel

Santa María Bay is a sheltered horseshoe cove up the coast, with reef along both points and clear water. It is one of the favorite snorkel stops in Los Cabos.

Update, October 10, 2026: Santa María Bay is closed for snorkeling for now; we expect it to reopen in November. Until then, the snorkel stop is Pelican Rock, next to the Arch, on the 2 hour charter.

The ride is worth it on charters of 4 hours or more. The standard snorkel route goes to the Arch first, then up the coast to Santa María, with a swim stop on the way back: 15.5 miles round trip. Because the cove is sheltered, it stays a good option on days when the open water has more swell.

You can also reach it by land. It is a public beach with a free parking lot off the corridor highway, but nothing is sold on the sand, so bring water and shade.

4. Chileno Bay: the second cove on a long day

Chileno Bay is the cove just past Santa María, with a sandy bottom and reef on both sides. Captains usually pair it with Santa María on longer charters.

The 5 to 8 hour route covers the Arch, both coves with time to snorkel each, and lunch at anchor, 18.5 miles round trip. Chileno is also a public beach, with parking, restrooms and outdoor showers near the entrance. If you can't decide between the two, read our Santa María vs Chileno comparison.

Here are the places from this guide on a map.

Snorkeling from a boat or from the beach?

Santa María and Chileno are the only two spots on this list you can reach by car. From the sand you swim out to the reef, and you get one cove per parking spot. Pelican Rock and Lover's Beach sit at Land's End, so you need a boat for those.

A boat anchors you over the reef and lets you string several spots together: Pelican Rock, the Arch and the sea lions, then a cove up the corridor. For a couple on a budget, a beach morning at Santa María is hard to argue with. For a group of eight or more, the per-person cost of a boat drops fast (see the prices below), and nobody has to drive.

Cabo water temperature by month for snorkeling

These are 10-year averages (2015 to 2024) from NOAA Coral Reef Watch. Our trip guide shows each month with air temperature, rain and sunset times too.

Our ratings call a month "best" when the water is 80°F (27°C) or warmer and rain falls on 12% of days or fewer. August and September have the warmest water, but rain shows up on about a third of days, and those are also the months when the Port Captain is most likely to close the harbor under a storm threat. If that happens, you get a new date or a full refund.

Winter snorkeling works too. At 72°F the water can feel cool after a while, so a rash guard or a shorty wetsuit helps. Winter also brings the whales, which start arriving in November and stay through April, so a January snorkel day can come with whales on the ride.

What gear is included on a Cabo snorkeling boat tour?

On a private charter you don't rent gear at a counter. Snorkel gear is on the included list for every one of our yachts, along with a floating mat and a cooler.

A few yachts carry extra toys. The Azimut 45, Sea Ray 65 and Azimut 70 come with a paddle board, and the Sea Ray 55 brings four: a floating pool, a paddle board, a lily pad and a floating platform.

Towels are included on the Sea Ray 36, Sea Ray 40 and Azimut 45. On the others, bring your own.

How much is a snorkel boat trip in Cabo?

Every price is per boat, not per person, with 16% tax included. The customary crew tip is 15% and is not included. Here are three yachts for the standard 4 hour snorkel route:

Set your group size and hours to see what each yacht costs per person.

What it costs per person

Guests:

8

Hours2 h3 h4 h6 h

1. Loading

Per boat, 16% tax included, tip not included. Pick a yacht to see its page.

With 10 people on the Chaparral 28, that is about USD 91 each for 4 hours before the tip. The fleet page shows all thirteen yachts with every duration.

Snorkel tips from the dock

• Book a morning start. The wind usually builds after midday, and calmer water is clearer.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep your feet off the reef.
• Tell us if anyone is a weak swimmer, so the captain can plan an easy first stop like Pelican Rock.
• If you get seasick, take something before you board and sit toward the back of the boat. The bay is usually calm; the open water up the corridor has more swell.
• Bring cash for the tip, in dollars or pesos.

Which charter to book

For a first snorkel plus the Arch and the sea lions, 2 hours is enough, since Pelican Rock is on the way. For the best reef, book 4 hours and go to Santa María. For a full water day with both coves, book 5 hours or more.

The snorkel experience page has the route, and the planner shows which yachts are open on your date. If you're still choosing your travel dates, our guide to the best time to visit Cabo goes month by month.

Yachts in this guide

Azimut 45 FlybridgeFlybridge yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $1,249 / 2 hSea Ray 65Express motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $2,509 / 3 hAzimut 70Flybridge motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $4,199 / 3 hSea Ray 55Flybridge motor yacht · up to 15 guestsfrom $2,129 / 3 h

Questions people ask

Where is the best snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas?

Santa María Bay, a sheltered horseshoe cove 6.7 miles (11 km) up the coast from the marina with reef along both points, is the best all-around spot. Pelican Rock, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the dock inside the bay, is the easiest.

When is the water warmest for snorkeling in Cabo?

The water averages about 85°F (29°C) from August through October and 81°F (27°C) in July and November. It is coolest from February to April, at about 72°F (22°C).

Is snorkel gear included on a private boat in Cabo?

On every one of our yachts, snorkel gear is on the included list, along with a floating mat and a cooler.

How long should a snorkel boat trip in Cabo be?

Two hours covers Pelican Rock and the Arch. Four hours is the standard snorkel charter, which adds Santa María Bay, and five to eight hours lets you snorkel both Santa María and Chileno.

Can you snorkel at Divorce Beach?

No. Divorce Beach faces the open Pacific, with big surf and a strong undertow. It is for photos from the boat; swim on the bay side at Lover's Beach instead.

Plan your day on the water

Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Check availabilitySee the fleet