The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas, month by month, for a day on the water

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas for a day on the water is November through April. Rain falls on 7% of days or fewer, highs stay between 77 and 84°F (25 and 29°C), and humpback whales start arriving in November and stay through April. If warm water for snorkeling matters more, go in July or late October to November.

Every month has trade-offs for a boat day. Below is the year broken down by what you can see and do from the water, using 10-year averages (2015 to 2024) from NASA POWER and NOAA Coral Reef Watch.

Cabo weather by month

Temperatures are averages for each month. "Rainy days" is the share of days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Here is what the next week looks like right now:

Spring is the driest stretch, with rain on 1 or 2% of days from March to May. The water lags the air: it is coolest in February to April and warmest in August to October.

Our trip guide has the same data with sunset times, plus a forecast covering about the next nine days.

Best months for each activity

These ratings come from our guide. A "best" day on deck means highs between 76 and 86°F (24 and 30°C) and rain on 10% of days or fewer. A "best" snorkel month has water at 80°F (27°C) or warmer and rain on 12% of days or fewer.

Winter: December to February, whale season

Humpback whales come to the warm water off Los Cabos to mate and give birth. The first ones show up in November. The official SEMARNAT season, with regulated whale watching, ran December 15 to April 30 in 2025 to 2026 (new dates come out each October), and January and February are the peak. Our whale watching experience is a typical 3 hour charter, and our Cabo whale watching season article covers the details.

Winter is also mild on deck: highs of 77 to 79°F (25 to 26°C) and little rain. The water is the coolest of the year, around 72 to 74°F (22 to 23°C) in January and February, so snorkeling works, but you'll want a rash guard. Sunsets come early, between about 5:37 PM in mid-December and 6:16 PM in mid-February.

Spring: March to May, the driest months

March and April still have whales, rated "good" in our guide, and this is the driest part of the year. Highs run about 79 to 81°F (26 to 27°C) from March to May. The water stays cool until May, when it reaches about 75°F (24°C).

For a family boat day, a birthday charter or a group outing, spring is hard to beat. Sunsets move later, to about 6:53 PM in mid-May.

Summer: June to August, warm water and late sunsets

June is a sweet spot. Rain falls on about 5% of days, the water warms to 77°F (25°C), and sunsets are the latest of the year, about 7:06 PM in mid-June and 7:08 PM in mid-July.

July brings the first "best" snorkel month, with water at 81°F (27°C). It is also hot, with highs around 88°F (31°C), so a morning charter or a sunset run is more comfortable than midday. Mornings are usually calmer too, since the wind tends to build after midday.

August has the warmest water, about 85°F (29°C), but rain arrives on about a third of days. Boat days still happen; just keep your plans flexible.

Cabo in September and October

September is the rainiest month, with rain on about 34% of days. It is also when most harbor closures happen. The Port Captain (Capitanía de Puerto, part of the Mexican Navy) closes the harbor only under a hurricane or storm threat or another extraordinary situation, and most closures fall between September and mid-October. If your charter date is affected, you choose a new date or get a full refund.

Cabo in October changes over the month. Rain drops to about 10% of days, the water is still around 85°F (29°C), and October rates "best" for snorkeling in our guide. Sunsets come back to about 5:54 PM by mid-month. If your dates are flexible, the second half of October is the safer bet for a boat day.

These months are also turtle season. Olive ridley hatchlings emerge on Los Cabos beaches roughly from August to November, and several resorts and conservation groups run hatchling releases.

Cabo in November

November rates "best" on every count in our guide except whales: water around 81°F (27°C), highs about 84°F (29°C), rain on about 7% of days, and sunsets around 5:35 PM. That makes it a strong month for snorkeling at Santa María Bay. The first humpbacks also arrive in November, and you can spot them from the boat. Our snorkel experience is a typical 4 hour charter, and November is one of its three best months.

Cabo in December

December has highs around 79°F (26°C), water around 78°F (26°C) and rain on about 5% of days. More whales arrive through the month. The last official SEMARNAT season, with regulated whale watching, ran December 15 to April 30, and the 2026 to 2027 dates come out in the DOF, Mexico's federal register, each autumn. Sunset is at its earliest, about 5:37 PM, so a sunset cruise leaving around 4 PM is back in time for dinner.

Sunset times in Cabo by month

Sunset decides when a sunset cruise leaves, so it is worth checking before you book. These are mid-month times, Cabo time:

A sunset cruise is typically 2 hours, so plan to leave the dock about an hour and a half before sunset. In November and December that means a start around 4 PM; in June and July, closer to 5:30 PM.

Best time of day for a boat day

Mornings are usually calmer, because the wind tends to build after midday. That makes a morning start the best choice for snorkeling at Santa María or Chileno, for kids, and for anyone who gets seasick. In summer, a morning charter also avoids the hottest part of the day.

Late afternoon is for the Arch at golden hour and the sunset. Yachts sail until 8 PM, and those leaving from the marina may stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM, so you can watch the town lights come on before heading in.

A few things that apply all year

• Cabo is on Mountain Standard Time all year, the same as Arizona, with no daylight saving. Every time in your confirmation is Cabo time.
• Charters depart between 7 AM and 7 PM. Yachts leaving from the marina may stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM.
• The bay and Land's End are usually calm. The Pacific side and open water have more swell.
• Rates are per boat, not per person, with 16% tax included. The customary 15% crew tip is not included.

Picking your dates

If you're coming for whales, aim for January or February. For warm water and snorkeling, aim for July or late October through November. For a bit of everything with very little rain, March to May works well.

Once you have dates, our 3, 4 and 5 day Cabo itineraries show where the boat day fits. Then put your date and group size into the planner, and we'll suggest the yacht and route for that week. The planner also shows typical conditions for the exact week you pick.

Questions people ask

What is the best month to visit Cabo San Lucas?

For most people, November through April. Rain falls on 7% of days or fewer, highs sit between 77 and 84°F (25 and 29°C), and humpback whales start arriving in November and stay through April.

Is October a good time to visit Cabo?

Late October is very good for snorkeling, with water around 85°F (29°C) and rain on about 10% of days. The first half of October is the tail of the period when the Port Captain is most likely to close the harbor under a storm threat.

What is Cabo like in December?

December has highs around 79°F (26°C), water around 78°F (26°C), rain on about 5% of days and the earliest sunsets of the year, about 5:37 PM. Whales are already arriving, since the first ones come in November. The last official whale season ran December 15 to April 30, and the 2026 to 2027 dates come out in the DOF, Mexico's federal register, each autumn.

When is the water warmest in Cabo?

August, September and October, when the sea averages about 85°F (29°C). The coolest water is February to April, at about 72°F (22°C).

What happens to my boat charter if the port closes?

The Port Captain closes the harbor only under a storm threat or other extraordinary situation. If that happens, you choose a new date or get a full refund.

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.

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