8 Crazy fun water activities in Cabo San Lucas

So you’re jetting off for a beach holiday in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Lucky you!

There are so many fun water activities in Cabo San Lucas if you like the sea.

Maybe you want to learn to surf on your Los Cabos holiday? Or go on a (non-cheesy) dinner cruise around Land’s End?

And you’ll love walking, swimming and chillin’ on the beaches – we do!

This desert-meets-the-sea resort destination is ideal for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

8 Top water activities in Cabo San Lucas

Let’s dive in!

1) Cabo water taxi to Land’s End

In Cabo, you can’t help but notice the magnificent natural rock formations jutting out into the sea.

That’s Land’s End, at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula.

One of the best ways to see Cabo’s signature landmark is by taking a water taxi.

These small wooden boats (some with glass-bottoms) shuttle back and forth between the marina, Lover’s Beach (and Land’s End) and Medano Beach.

What you see at Land’s End:

As you pass Lover’s Beach, you get gob-smacking views of the Arch (“El Arco”) – the famous 200-foot rock arch that looks like a donkey drinking from the ocean.

Steller sea lions bask in the sun on a cluster of large nearby rocks and play in the surge.

You can smell their strong ammonia stench and hear them barking too.

What you get:

Typically, the boats take you on a 30- to 45-minute, mini-sightseeing cruise around Land’s End to Divorce Beach, then drop you off at Lover’s Beach.

You agree on a pre-arranged time for the boat to pick you up from the beach and take you back to the marina (or Medano Beach).

Cost:

The price is good – between $10 and $12 per person.

2) Snorkeling in Los Cabos

There’s lots of fun to be had gazing at what’s under the water.

Land’s End is nice and close if you’re staying near the town of Cabo San Lucas. 

Santa Maria Beach and Chileno Beach also offer good snorkeling. (You can drive or take the bus to snorkel at Santa Maria Bay – and get there before the snorkel boats arrive. Snorkeling bliss!)

At Cabo Pulmo, you can snorkel with sea lions.

We’ve gone on many fun snorkeling tours in Cabo.

Snorkeling tours by boat typically combine snorkeling at two or more sites.

3) Whale watching in Los Cabos

Whale watching is hugly popular between December and April, when gray and humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

See them up close on a whale watching tour.

For adrenalin thrills, go on a high-speed Zodiac. Or if you want something more stable, choose a tour aboard a big catamaran.

What a fluke! Read more about whale watching in Cabo (including the different kinds tours)

4) Cabo sunset cruises

There’s no better way to take in Cabo’s stunning sunsets than out on the water on a sunset cruise.

You might have seen Land’s End by day, but it’s a whole other experience when the sun starts to drop below the horizon.

The golden light shimmers on the water and a fiery glow outlines the stark rocky cliffs.

Then when the night turns dusky black, the twinkling lights of Cabo are so romantic, you can’t help but hug the person beside you.

Most sunset cruises in Cabo San Lucas are between two and three hours long and offer drinks and appies. Some offer dinner too.

Cabo dinner cruise on the Rissalena:

The Rissalena offers one of the best sunset cruises in Cabo.

We’ve been on the Rissalena a couple of times – Laura (the owner/manager) does an excellent job taking guests on dinner cruises on a custom-designed power catamaran.

The size is just right for an intimate experience (maximum 24 guests), and the Rissalena is always spotlessly clean, with white leather banquette seating and additional reclining leather seating areas for couples up front.

The music is mellow, perhaps opera in the background as the sun sets. (This isn’t a party boat!)

Dinner is surprisingly very good (considering you’re on a boat) – home-made finger lickin’ barbecued ribs or chicken, healthy fresh salad, guacamole, fresh Mexican fruit, etc.

This is a premium experience and one that consistently gets top reviews year after year, for good reason.

Cabo Sails:

See the sun set from your own private sailboat (well, your own sailboat for a couple of hours at least).

Cabo Sails offers private charters for two to 20 guests on a selection of sailboats ranging in length from 28 to 44 feet.

On the 44-foot Espiritu Santi, we lolled about like Romans on plump big cushions scattered on the deck of the bow, as we sipped wine and nibbled on fresh veggies and chicken taquitos.

Pretty decadent!

Pez Gato:

If you’re looking for a party cruise, pick Pez Gato. They offer a fun sunset party cruise, and you can’t beat the price.

The reputable tour operator has a few different boats, but their “Cabo Party Cruise” is the one for dancing, drinking, games and high spirits.

Cabo Mar:

Slip on your dancing shoes (blue suede?) for this sunset dinner-and-dancing cruise.

It’s not a booze cruise, but a fun 2½-hour Cabo dinner cruise (with a Mexican buffet) suitable for couples and families.

Sunrider sunset dinner cruises:

See also this well-reviewed sunset dinner cruise on the Sunrider, a double-deck catamaran.

5) Scuba diving

You can dive at Land’s End.

But for knock-your-socks-off diving, head to the national marine park of Cabo Pulmo – where the wild things really are (like sharks).

October is an awesome month to go diving in Los Cabos.

It’s an underwater world of wonders! Read more about scuba diving in Cabo

6) Surfing in Cabo San Lucas

Get amped on big barrels and pumping wave action!

Surfing is a popular water sport in Los cabos. The southern part of the Baja Peninsula boasts some rocking surfing beaches.

Surf spots in Cabo San Lucas:

On the Sea of Cortez side, the waves are largest in spring and summer (March to October). Check out Playa Acapulquito and Playa Costa Azul.

For winter waves, head to Los Cerritos and Pacific-side beaches near Todos Santos.

More information on surfing Los Cabos:

See the “Surfers Guide to Cabo” on WaveTribe.

7) Hit the beach!

We know, we get it! The beach is where you want to spend a lot of your time when visiting Cabo.

And there are many gorgeous beaches in Cabo!

Just remember you can’t swim at some.

In fact, rogue waves and rip currents make these particular beaches downright dangerous. So be sensible choosing where to swim.

Find out where to go in Cabo: Discover the 5 best beaches in Cabo San Lucas

8) Swimming with whale sharks

There are few places in the world where you can swim with endangered whale sharks – La Paz is one of them.

La Paz (which means “peace” in Spanish) is an authentic Mexican town on the east coast of the Baja Peninsula. The drive from Cabo San Lucas takes a little over two hours.

Basically, you go out by boat into the Bay of La Paz.

When whale sharks are spotted, you slip into the water wearing snorkeling gear, and watch as the huge gentle fish swim by you.

Swimming with the whale sharks is simply one of the best water activities in Los Cabos.

It’s an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience – and highly recommended if you visit Los Cabos between October and February.

Get all the details! Read more about swimming with whale sharks in La Paz

Good time to go to Cabo San Lucas?

The weather is typically very reliable from October to May (sunny and warm), making fall, winter and spring the most popular times to visit Cabo San Lucas.

That works out very nicely for North Americans and Europeans – you can go somewhere warm when it’s cold where you live!

But summer in Cabo is also great, especially if like water sports. (Maybe just avoid September, which is the most humid month, unless you love surfing and fishing – which are great in September.)

Enjoy Los Cabos!

Hey! You made it to the end of our post on the best Cabo waters sports and activities for beach and watersports lovers!

Now all you have to do is pack your bags and go… Enjoy your trip!