Two-ocean Baja: granite reefs, protected parks, and easy beach days
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Overview
Los Cabos sits at the tip of Baja California Sur where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. That geography delivers two very different underwater moods: dramatic granite headlands and surge-fed reefs around Cabo San Lucas, plus calmer coves and warm-water bays along the Tourist Corridor and into San Jose del Cabo. Scuba divers can hop on fast pangas for Land's End pinnacles and the famous sealife of the Cabo San Lucas protected area, then level up with a full-day road trip to Cabo Pulmo National Park, home to a rare coral reef system and huge fish schools. Snorkelers get easy access at beaches like Chileno, plus boat trips to Pelican Rock. Seasonal highlights include humpback whales in winter and big ray action in late spring. On land, Los Cabos mixes beach time with desert hikes, art-and-food nights in San Jose, and day trips to Todos Santos and La Paz.
Los Cabos includes Cabo San Lucas (Pacific-facing), San Jose del Cabo (Sea of Cortez-facing), and the Tourist Corridor connecting them. The mix of exposures matters: the Pacific side can have more swell and surge, while Sea of Cortez coves are often calmer for snorkeling.
Trip callouts
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Last updated: January 23, 2026 • 22 sources
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Choose between Pacific energy around Cabo San Lucas and calmer Sea of Cortez bays closer to San Jose del Cabo for snorkeling-friendly days.
Dive within CONANP-managed protected zones like Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo, where fees fund management and visitor rules reduce impact.
Plan around humpback whale season in winter and late-spring ray action, then use summer and fall for warm-water comfort.
Most Cabo San Lucas dives are short boat rides from the marina, with corridor beaches and San Jose del Cabo day trips close by.
Pair water time with desert hikes, art-and-food nights in San Jose del Cabo, and day trips to Todos Santos or La Paz.
scuba
Why Los Cabos for Scuba Diving
Los Cabos is Baja diving with range. In the same trip you can dive high-relief granite reefs at Land's End, photograph schooling fish at Pelican Rock, and road-trip to Cabo Pulmo National Park for coral heads and dense biomass. Most dives are quick boat rides from Cabo San Lucas Marina or San Jose del Cabo, usually as 2-tank mornings. Expect seasonal temperature swings and occasional thermoclines; late summer to fall brings the warmest water, while winter can overlap with humpback whale season. Currents can be strong at offshore pinnacles and when swell wraps around the headland, so pick sites that match your comfort level.
freedive
Why Los Cabos for Freediving
Los Cabos can work surprisingly well for freediving when you plan around boat traffic and seasonal conditions. Steep drop-offs near Land's End and clear-water windows in late summer to fall suit depth sessions, while calmer Sea of Cortez coves along the Tourist Corridor are better for skills and comfort. For wildlife-focused sessions, operators run ocean safaris in late spring that can target large ray schools. If you want a bigger freedive scene, La Paz and La Ventana are common add-ons from Los Cabos.
snorkel
Why Los Cabos for Snorkeling
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What to do in Los Cabos when you're not in the water
Los Cabos is one of the easiest Baja bases for snorkeling because you can mix beach entry coves with short boat rides. Along the Tourist Corridor, swimmable bays like Chileno Beach are known for clear water and services, while Cabo San Lucas boat trips reach Pelican Rock and Land's End for quick reef time. For a bucket-list day, Cabo Pulmo National Park delivers coral heads and dense fish schools that reward even simple mask-and-fins sessions. Summer and early fall are the warmest months for long swims, while winter is still doable with a thicker suit and protected coves.
Los Cabos is not just a resort strip. Cabo San Lucas brings marina energy, sunset cruises, and an easy launch point for whale watching. San Jose del Cabo adds a walkable historic center, art galleries, and a food scene that rewards slow evenings. Between them, the Tourist Corridor offers beach clubs and calm coves, while inland the desert turns into pine-oak forest in the Sierra de la Laguna region. Build your week around a few anchor days: a Land's End boat ride, a San Jose night out, and one full day for a Pacific-coast or East Cape road trip.
