Cabo in November: one of the best months for a day on the water

November is one of the best months of the year for a boat day in Cabo. Our trip guide rates it "best" for snorkeling, sunsets and days on deck: the water averages about 81°F (27°C), highs about 84°F (29°C), and rain falls on roughly 7% of days. Sunsets come early, around 5:35 PM, and the first humpback whales start arriving during the month.

The summer heat is gone, the water is still warm, and the harbor-closure window of September to mid-October is behind you. For most people that makes November a safer bet than October for a planned boat day.

Cabo weather in November

November is the month the air cools down while the sea holds most of its summer warmth. These are typical conditions on three dates, from the 10-year averages (2015 to 2024) in our trip guide:

Here is the live forecast for Cabo San Lucas.

"Rainy days" means days with at least 1 mm of rain. For most of the month that is about one day in twenty.

Days on deck are comfortable, with highs in the low to mid 80s°F and a typical daily top wind around 11 mph (18 km/h). Evenings are where you notice the change. By late November the low is about 72°F (22°C), and on the water after sunset, with a breeze and wet hair, that feels cooler than it sounds. Bring a light layer for any charter that ends after dark.

Cabo water temperature in November

The water starts the month at about 83°F (28°C) and ends it at about 80°F (27°C). Our guide counts water at 80°F or warmer, with little rain, as "best" for snorkeling, and November stays on that line all month.

That makes November one of the three best months for our Santa María snorkel experience, along with July and October. The 4-hour route visits the Arch first, then goes up the coast to snorkel Santa María Bay, with a swim stop on the way back. Charters of 5 to 8 hours add Chileno Bay, the next cove over, with lunch at anchor. Our Santa María vs Chileno comparison helps you choose between them.

Closer to town, Pelican Rock sits inside the bay at the foot of Land's End, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the dock, and is the first snorkel stop on most charters. A 2-hour charter can fit it in.

Is November better than October in Cabo?

For a boat day, usually yes. October has warmer water, but November is drier, cooler on deck and past the stretch when storms close the harbor. Both are rated "best" for snorkeling in our guide.

If you want the warmest possible water and your dates are flexible, our Cabo in October guide covers the trade-offs.

Thanksgiving in Cabo

In 2026, U.S. Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 26. The week around it is a busy one for U.S. families in Cabo, so if your group is set, send the date as soon as you have flights.

A few ways families fit a boat into Thanksgiving week:

• A morning snorkel on the holiday itself, back at the dock by early afternoon, leaving the evening for dinner. Departures start at 7 AM.
• A 2-hour sunset cruise the day before or after. Sunset on Thanksgiving week is about 5:34 PM, so you're back at the marina early in the evening.
• A longer day at Santa María and Chileno on the Friday or Saturday, with lunch at anchor.

For a bigger family table, our food menu has a Mexican feast for 6 to 8 people (MXN 2,600) or 14 to 16 people (MXN 4,550), at cash prices; paying by card adds 16%. Order it in the planner when you book. It's not turkey, but it feeds a crowd on deck. Alcohol isn't sold on board, and guests 18 and over can bring their own.

Sunset cruises in November

November has some of the earliest sunsets of the year, and our guide rates them "best": rain on 7% of days or fewer and a light daily top wind. Cabo stays on Mountain Standard Time all year, so there's no clock change in November the way there is in most of the U.S. and Canada.

A sunset cruise usually lasts 2 hours. The Pacific sunset route goes around Land's End and faces the sun as it drops toward the Cabo Falso lighthouse, 12 miles round trip. The 2-hour Arch and Land's End route comes back along Médano Beach as the town lights come on. Our article on the best sunset cruise in Cabo compares the two.

Whales in November

Humpback whales start arriving in Cabo in November, and once they're around, you can spot them from the boat on any route, including a sunset cruise or a snorkel day. They are wild animals, so nobody can promise one.

The official whale-watching season, when SEMARNAT-regulated whale tours run, starts later. For 2025 to 2026 it ran December 15 to April 30, with January and February as the peak. SEMARNAT publishes the dates each year. Our guide marks November as the month the first whales arrive, a step before the official season. Our Cabo in December guide covers the start of the season.

Which yacht for a November boat day?

Prices are per boat, not per person, with 16% IVA tax included. The customary 15% crew tip is not included.

The Sea Ray 36 is the value pick for a family of up to 12. It comes with a captain and deckhand, bottled water and ice, a cooler, towels and snorkel gear.

The Azimut 45 Flybridge suits a group that wants more room and a second deck for the sunset. It has a captain and deckhand, a cooler with ice, water and sodas, towels and snorkel gear.

For a big Thanksgiving group of up to 18, the Pontoon 38 is the only boat in the fleet that fits everyone, with a water slide from the upper deck and an enclosed head with a freshwater shower.

Booking a boat day in November

Send your date, group size and the kind of day you want (snorkel, sunset or both) through the planner. We reply in writing within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time. Payment goes through a secure Stripe link once your date is confirmed.

For Thanksgiving week, book as early as you can and tell us the ages of any kids so the right life jacket sizes are on board. Every yacht except the Chaparral 28 has a head (bathroom), which matters on a longer family day.

Cruise passengers get the same warm water. In November the Disney Magic makes its last two calls of the season, the Voyager of the Seas is in port five times, the Serenade of the Seas four, usually 8 AM to 6 PM, Holland America's Koningsdam twice and Virgin's Brilliant Lady once. Each page has the dates and a plan built around the hours ashore.

Yachts in this guide

Sea Ray 36Express cruiser · up to 12 guestsfrom $659 / 2 hAzimut 45 FlybridgeFlybridge yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $1,249 / 2 hPontoon 38Double-deck party pontoon · up to 18 guestsfrom $869 / 2 hBayliner 33Express cruiser · up to 8 guestsfrom $599 / 2 h

Questions people ask

Is November a good time to visit Cabo?

Yes. Our trip guide rates November best for snorkeling, sunsets and days on deck. The water averages about 81°F (27°C), highs about 84°F (29°C), and rain falls on roughly 7% of days.

What is the water temperature in Cabo in November?

About 83°F (28°C) at the start of November, easing to about 80°F (27°C) by November 30. That keeps it warm enough for comfortable snorkeling all month.

What is Thanksgiving in Cabo like for a boat day?

Thanksgiving is on November 26 in 2026, and the week around it is busy with U.S. families, so book the boat early. Sunset that day is about 5:34 PM, so a morning snorkel or a late-afternoon sunset cruise both leave time for dinner.

Can you see whales in Cabo in November?

Sometimes. Humpback whales start arriving in November and can be spotted from the boat on any route. The official whale-watching season, set by SEMARNAT, ran December 15 to April 30 in 2025 to 2026, with January and February as the peak.

What time is sunset in Cabo in November?

About 5:42 PM on November 1, 5:35 PM on November 15 and 5:34 PM in the last week of the month, Cabo time. These are among the earliest sunsets of the year.

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