Discover adventure on the high seas
For everything there is a season, and in Los Cabos summer-fall means water sports. Few places on the planet can match Los Cabos for the sheer diversity of its high-quality water sports and tour options; that’s especially true this time of year. Water temperatures are at their warmest, visibility is at its highest, and the fishing is just, plain fantastic.
Love snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing? This is your time. Conditions are also ideal for kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. And sunset tours of Land’s End never really go out of style. As temperatures heat up, don’t be afraid to dip a toe in—or dive right into—the region’s best water-based activities.
The only real question is where to start?
The Cabo San Lucas Marina is an obvious answer, as this bustling area is home to fishing boats and luxury catamarans, as well as several of the area’s top water-based tour companies. Cabo Adventures (www.cabo-adventures.com) is a longtime fixture on the marina, and its roster of seagoing excursions is hard to beat. From snorkeling and scuba diving to luxury sailing tours, this company does it right. As famous as Los Cabos is for its fishing, the area also boasts many superb dive sites, from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo Pulmo and all points in between, and Cabo Adventures excels at showing off colorful, fish-rich sites in the vicinity of Lover’s Beach and Land’s End. Ever been surrounded by schools of exotic fish, watched a majestic procession of manta rays, or been greeted by sea lions? If the answer is no, what are you waiting for? If the answer is yes, what took you so long to get back?
Cabo Adventures also operates Cabo Dolphins (www.cabodol phins.com), which perennially ranks as one of Baja California Sur’s most popular attractions. It’s easy to see why. Not many activities are as family-friendly as dolphin swims, encounters, and trainer-for-a-day programs. Whether you’re 6 or 60, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience; few things bring more joy to children than dolphin hugs and kisses. Now Cabo Dolphins has expanded, with dolphinariums in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, so there’s no excuse to not stop by a for a swim with these playful and intelligent creatures.
Cabo Expeditions (www.caboexpeditions.com.mx) is another superb Cabo San Lucas Marina-based tour company, with offerings that include day trips to the spectacularly beautiful Espíritu Santo island (located off the coast of La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur), as well as opportunities to swim with whale sharks (the world’s biggest fish), become a Snuba diver (Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba), and enjoy incredible aquatic experiences courtesy of Sea Trek (underwater helmet diving) technology.
If the idea of being near water without actually getting your feet wet appeals, you might also want to consider a flight with Cabo Sky Tours (www.skytourscabo.com). Take in awe-inspiring aerial views of the Cabo San Lucas Bay, Médano Beach, Land’s End, and the affluent Pedregal development from a motorized hang glider. Ace pilot Ernesto Magaña has more than 30 years of flying experience, and he hasn’t harmed a tourist yet (although he’s certainly thrilled quite a few).
What about fishing, you ask? Well, as a matter of fact, Cabo San Lucas was basically built on big game sportfishing. The story goes that after World War II, U.S. pilots flying over the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula were blown away by the size and sheer number of fish teeming in the local waters, and their glowing reports helped fuel the area’s population as a resort destination.
By the 1950s, fly-in resorts were popping up throughout Baja California Sur, and Hollywood stars were coming down to try their luck with the local marlin population. Los Cabos has a been one of the world’s premier fishing destinations ever since. And although the likelihood of hooking a particular type of fish can vary with the seasons, summertime anglers will have ample opportunities to get their hooks into amberjack, black marlin, blue marlin, bonito, dorado, roosterfish, sailfish, striped marlin, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna.
Fly Hooker Sportfishing (www.flyhooker.com) doesn’t equate the size of the fishing fleet with the quality of service. Owned and operated by Los Cabos Magazine’s very own fishing expert, Captain George Landrum, and his wife, Mary, the company is committed to maximum service with minimum complexity. The Landrums have close to two decades of experience fishing the local waters aboard their 31-foot Bertram, and they offer excellent, detail-oriented service and expert fish-finding for exclusive groups of up to six anglers.
Of the other high-quality charter companies in the area, Picante Bluewater Sportfishing (www.picantesportfi shing.com) and Silverados Sportfishing (www.silveradosportfi shing.com) certainly stand out, not only for their fish-finding prowess, but for their tremendous record of success in local fishing tournaments. Like Picante, whose fleet of vessels ranges from the 24-foot Picantito the the 68-foot custom yacht Pegasus, Silverados’ charter boat fleet is large and varied enough to satisfy any angler’s budget.
Looking for someone to cook up your catch of the day? Try Solomon’s Landing (www.solomonslandingrestaurant.com), a longtime Cabo San Lucas Marina favorite known for its outstanding seafood menu. The chef will be happy to cook up your catch any way you like it, and the servers won’t object if you wash it down with some ice-cold Mexican beer. Or, if you need a little ballast before braving the high seas, stop by for breakfast and the best waffles in México; they’re stuffed with warm apple compote and hot blueberry sauce, then topped with real whipped cream.
Have you waited 30 minutes after eating your waffles? OK, back in the water …
As you might imagine, the Cabo San Lucas Bay is a busy place. During the summer months, the bay is awash in nautical activity: Small pangas (skiffs) transport people out to Lover’s Beach, wave runners dart between dive boats that have dropped anchor, kayakers paddle along Médano Beach, and fishing boats power out in search of big catches.
Then there is the calm in the middle of this maritime hive, the serene and stately sailboats. Los Cabos has a wonderful selection of sleek, sexy sailboats and luxury catamaran tours, but for brevity’s sake, we’ll stick to the most singular, impressive, and consistently satisfying tours.
First up, the romance and of adventure of Cabo Sails (www.cabosails.com). Cabo San Lucas is blessed with exceptionally good sailing winds outside the protected bay, and for salty sailor types or those who want to learn to sail during their vacation, Cabo Sails is a great choice. Sailboats range from 30 to 42 feet in length and are able to accommodate up to 20 guests for snorkel and sunset tours, as well as private and overnight charters customized to the specific needs of guests. The sunset tours are as romantic as you can imagine, with champagne-aided sunsets and the feel of the deck shifting beneath your feet as you run before the wind. Mariachis are optional, but highly recommended. Special sails are offered for cruise ship passengers with limited time in our seaside paradise.
Lovers of luxury catamarans and multibay snorkel and kayak tours, meanwhile, should definitely seek out the elegant, French-built EcoCat (www.caboecotours.com), which offers all the double-hulled stability and smooth sailing characteristic of the larger cats, with surprisingly affordable and budget-friendly pricing. EcoCat features a large salon-style air-conditioned cabin, where you can beat the heat as you enjoy one of its many tours. Outing options include sunset and VIP dinner cruises, as well as combination snorkel-kayak-zodiac trips. Splash and paddle around beautiful locations like Pelican and Seal Rocks in Cabo San Lucas Bay or sign up for a two- or three-bay option, which includes stops at Chileno and Santa María bays.
Party boat and booze cruise aficionados may want to sign up for the Sunrider 100 (www.sunridertours.com). The 100-foot catamaran carries up to 250 guests for snorkel lunch and sunset dinner cruises, so you feel as if you’re aboard the world’s largest floating nightclub, with plenty of drinks, dance music and all-you-can-eat treats from the Mexican-themed buffet. Something a little more intimate? Try the Sun Rider or the Fun Rider. The former holds up to 60 guests, the latter up to 18 for family-and-friends cruises.
Catamaran enthusiasts would also be impressed with the trinity of tours offered by Pez Gato (www.pezgato.com), Tropicat (www.tropicatcabo.com), and Cabo Mar (www.cabo-mar.com). Pez Gato is the early bird of the group, with snorkel trips to Bahia Santa María as well as hugely popular party cruises with drinking, dancing and games. Its sister cat Tropicat, on the other hand, is known for its more relaxed jazz and wine sunset cruises. I don’t know abou you, but sipping some pinot noir, nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, and feeling a gentle mist of salt spray sounds pretty good right about now. Cabo Mar is the designated dinner cat, boasting a fiesta-themed dinner cruise that includes dancing and an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet. In addition to the tasty eats, photo opportunities abound on this tour, with scenic views as the sun descends into the Pacific Ocean beyond Land’s End, the sky painted with vivid pink and purple brushstrokes. Too poetic? Get back to me after you have taken this tour.
La Princesa (www.laprincesacharters.com) has two superb catamarans as well as a trimaran to choose from, and tour options include snorkel trips, sunset booze cruises, and the occasional theme night with masquerades or salsa dancing. One of the best things about sailing with La Princesa is the later start time. Since they don’t throw off the mooring lines until noon, spend the morning hours reading the latest copy of Los Cabos Magazine before sailing up the coast to Bahia Santa María. You’re on your own at that point, but I suggest snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing with cocktails and excellent Mexican dishes like mole, fajitas,and flautas.
Kids aren’t the only ones who love pirates, which may explain the enduring popularity of the Buccaneer Queen (www.buccaneerloscabos.com). This scurvy black flag–flying vessel combines all the peg-legged, parrot squawking, X marks the spot buried treasure allure you’d expect in a pirate-themed adventure, with all the leisurely amenities you’d expect from a high-end pleasure boating cruise. All tours boast spectacular views, a complimentary meal, and an open bar. Other highlights include scenic snorkeling in Chileno Bay, and enough sword fights and treasure hunts to delight guests of all age groups. If you’re lucky, you won’t have to walk the plank, and you won’t leave the boat wearing an eye patch.
Last, but certainly not least, is Caborey (www.caborey.com). This is the king of Cabo dinner cruises, and the luxurious 144-foot triple-decker catamaran boasts six delicious entrée choices, with dessert accompanied by an incredible Las Vegas-style floor show showcasing the traditional music and folk dances of Latin America. It’s really hard to resist lobster, filet mignon, and tango dancing, and aboard Caborey you don’t have to. In addition to the dinner cruises, Caborey also offers afternoon snorkel tours to Chileno Bay, and Margarita Cocktail Cruises, which include live music and lovely sunset views of Lover’s Beach and the arch at Land’s End.
As they like to say at Cabo Sails, “sailing is not just another boat ride, it’s a lifestyle.” The same logic applies to adventures in Los Cabos. These aren’t just water-based activities, they’re an integral part of the Baja California Sur vacation experience. Anchors aweigh!