10 Best Places to Go Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, a resort town on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, offers some great places to go snorkeling. It’s popular with snorkelers as the Pacific Ocean to its West and the Sea of Cortez (a.k.a. the Gulf of California) to its East offer many different places to snorkel.

Snorkeling is typically better on the Sea of Cortez side of Cabo San Lucas as it’s calmer and more biodiverse. This sea is often referred to as “the aquarium of the world.” Whether you want a day-long boat trip or an easy snorkel off a tropical beach, Cabo is perfect. So, where is the best place to go snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico?

1. Chileno Beach

Conveniently located on the tourist corridor

Good for: Adventure, Families

Chileno Beach off of Chileno Bay is a Blue Flag-rated beach. Blue Flag beaches are awarded for their accessibility, safety, and environmental considerations, all things you want for a good time snorkeling.

If you’re in Cabo San Lucas and looking to snorkel, Chileno Beach is ideal. It’s less crowded than other beaches in the area but still has dreamy, turquoise water like others nearby. The topography of the bay is also ideal as rocky outcroppings and overhangs make for interesting aquatic habitats for the marine life living below the water. Expect to see your fair share of porcupinefish, pufferfish, and boxfish.

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2. Cabo Pulmo

The oldest coral reef on the west coast of North America

Good for: Adventure, Families

Cabo Pulmo is a National Marine Park off the Baja California Peninsula. Snorkelers are amazed by these turquoise waters and a reef that is thousands of years old. Think of Cabo Pulmo as an open-air aquarium where you’ll see parrot fish, mobula rays, eels, sea turtles, and countless schools of tropical fish.

The whole marine park is quite large. You can snorkel in Cabo Pulmo either by boating out closer to the reef or off the shore of several beaches: Los Arbolitos, Playa La Sirenita, or Los Frailes. Don’t forget to wear a mineral-based sunscreen to protect the reef from bleaching.

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3. Playa del Amor

Lover’s beach

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

Playa del Amor is a secret treasure, a hidden cove at the very tip of the peninsula. The beach is nestled between 2 granite rock formations and is only accessible via water transportation. It is also near the famous rock formation, Neptune’s Finger, which is a popular spot to scuba dive or snorkel.

Snorkeling at Playa del Amor is well worth it. The warm, calm waters are clear and ideal for seeing what lies below the water’s surface. A word of warning, though, if the water does happen to be choppy, the rocky nature of Lover’s Beach can be dangerous. Be sure to check weather conditions before heading out.

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4. Land’s End

Features a 3-story tall rock archway

Good for: Adventure, Photo

Land’s End refers to the picturesque arch landmark that Cabo San Lucas is well known for. Called El Arco in Spanish, the formation is found on the southernmost tip of the peninsula and should definitely be a stop for anyone visiting Cabo on vacation.

Snorkelers especially enjoy Land’s End. Where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, you’ll see a diverse range of wildlife including pufferfish, parrot fish, angel fish, eels, and maybe even an octopus. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to take a boat tour or water taxi to get to this remote area of Cabo. On your way over, keep an eye out for the area’s resident sea lions.

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5. Playa Santa Maria

Whale sightings are possible here

Good for: Adventure, Food

Playa Santa Maria is lauded as a very swimmable beach, as it’s located in a secluded and sheltered cove. And unlike some other top snorkeling destinations in Cabo San Lucas, Playa Santa Maria is located right off the tourist corridor and easily accessible. There are also plentiful amenities nearby if you want to stop at a restaurant for post-snorkeling margaritas.

Snorkeling off the shore of Playa Santa Maria is a highly recommended experience. The clear blue waters allow you to see a diverse range of flora and fauna on your excursion including schools of tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles.

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6. Hilton Cove

Day passes available to the resort’s beach club

Good for: Adventure, Families

Though Hilton Cove is adjacent to the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort, the beach is open to the public, not just resort patrons. That’s great news because the family-friendly beach boasts some of the calmest and best water conditions for snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas.

The best snorkeling at Hilton Cove is not far off the beach, over by the rock outcroppings. This is where many marine animals find shelter and feed. The resort also offers “power snorkeling,” which helps you swim faster and see more with the help of a propeller device.

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7. Playa Empacadora

Nearby restaurants serve fresh seafood for post-snorkeling bites

Good for: Adventure, Families, Food

Playa Empacadora, also known as Cannery Beach due to its proximity to an out-of-commission canning plant, is a favorite among locals for snorkeling. This hidden gem offers easy swimming waters and is not often very crowded. It is also conveniently located near the Cabo San Lucas Marina.

Not far from Playa Empacadora’s shore is an algae-covered shipwreck that hundreds of fish now inhabit. This is the place you’ll want to go snorkeling to see the most abundant marine life in the area. Here you’ll find long spine porcupinefish, colorful convict tangs, sergeant major fish, eels, and many more.

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8. Pelican Rock

Accessible via water taxi from the Cabo Marina

Good for: Adventure, Families

Pelican Rock can conveniently be found near other top Cabo San Lucas attractions like Land’s End, Los Arcos, Neptune’s Finger, and Lover’s Beach. Pelican Rock is a large, but more blunt-shaped outcropping in the area. Don’t be surprised if you see brave souls diving off of this rock into the water below.

For a more subdued, yet just as memorable activity, snorkeling is highly recommended near Pelican Rock. The surrounding water is a protected marine area and is therefore teeming with life such as snappers, sea bass, scorpion fish, and puffer fish. Only 10 feet (3 meters) below the surface is a coral reef. Divers looking to go deeper can also find a sand fall 90 feet (27 meters) below.

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9. Neptune’s Finger

Coral, sponges, and sea fans found here

Good for: Adventure, Families, Unusual

You can’t miss Neptune’s Finger, whether you’re seeing it from the boat or looking at it from Lover’s Beach, the giant scraggly outcropping looks like a finger beckoning you in. But more stunning than the rock itself is what is happening beneath the water’s surface at this landmark.

Snorkelers and scuba divers can witness a rare phenomenon at Neptune’s Finger called a sand fall, where sediment cascades down depths like a waterfall on land would. And amidst all that, schools of colorful fish swim about, finding places to hide among the rocks and underwater flora.

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10. Los Frailes

“The Friars” are 2 rock formations that resemble hooded monks

Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo

Los Frailes is a semi-secluded bay on the eastern side of the peninsula. It’s an excellent spot to snorkel right off of the beach. It’s also possible to rent a kayak and go further out to see even more marine wildlife beneath the ocean’s surface. If you do go further out, it’s possible to see the sea lion colony and swim among the powerful creatures.

When you’re done snorkeling in Bahia Los Frailes, spend some time on the soft sand beach, which is known for being clean, tranquil, and safe. Alternatively, hike up Los Frailes Peak to take in the view and watch for whales.

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This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.