Cabo Arch and Santa Maria Bay day trip from San José del Cabo
- From Departs from San José del Cabo
- 8 hours
- up to 40 guests
- All year
Photos: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · rainer schmidt, CC BY 3.0 · Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones, CC BY-SA 2.0 · DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sncc210, CC BY-SA 4.0
A full day on the Los Cabos coast from San José del Cabo: out to the Arch at Land's End, then back by way of Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay to swim and snorkel at anchor.
What you do
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Highlights
- Land's End from the water
- Two snorkel stops on the way home
- The coast from San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas, seen from the sea
- A full day with no drive to Cabo San Lucas
About this trip
From San José del Cabo the Arch is at the far end of the coast, a little over 16 nautical miles away in a straight line. Eight hours is enough to reach it and still spend most of the afternoon in the water. We designed this route from the distances between the marina, Land's End and the two bays: the Arch first, then the bays on the way home.
The run west passes Palmilla and the hotels of the Los Cabos tourist corridor on the way to Cabo San Lucas. At Land's End the boat slows along the rocks: the sea lions, Lover's Beach, and the Arch at the tip, where the Pacific becomes the Gulf of California.
Then the day turns into a swimming day. Santa Maria Bay is a horseshoe cove between two rock headlands, with reef fish around the rocks at both ends; its water is considered a marine sanctuary. Chileno Bay, the next cove east, is the second stop before the run home.
The captain may take the bays first and the Arch afterwards if the sea suggests it.
Itinerary
After departure: 0:00
Board at Puerto Los Cabos Marina
Meet the crew at the dock in San José del Cabo.
After departure: 0:10
The coast to Land's End
Under way toward Cabo San Lucas, with drinks on deck on the boats that serve them.
After departure: 1:50
Land's End
A slow pass along the rocks, with time to stop for photographs.
After departure: 2:30
Back east along the coast
About five and a half nautical miles to the first of the two bays.
After departure: 3:05
Santa Maria Bay
Two hours at anchor to snorkel and swim from the stern.
After departure: 5:05
Chileno Bay
A short move to the next cove for a last swim and an hour or more with the boat's own toys.
After departure: 6:40
Return
About ten nautical miles back along the coast to Puerto Los Cabos Marina, docking in the late afternoon.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
How long is the boat ride to the Arch from San José del Cabo?
About an hour and forty minutes at 10 knots, the speed we plan this route on, the slowest any boat on this trip states. The whole route is about 33 nautical miles. Faster yachts take less and leave more time at anchor; the itinerary times are for the slower ones.
Can we do this trip in less than eight hours?
On the slower boats, not with both the Arch and a proper swim: at 10 knots the route takes about three hours and twenty minutes under way. On the faster boats six hours can cover it. For a half day, take the Chileno Bay charter.
Is there a park fee?
The Arch lies inside the Cabo San Lucas Flora and Fauna Protection Area. CONANP, which runs it, charges 125 pesos per person per day, paid with a wristband; children under 12, seniors and people with disabilities are exempt, and Mexican nationals and residents pay half. We'll confirm whether your boat's price includes it.
Is lunch included?
On most of the boats, yes: several have a chef aboard and include meals and an open bar. A few include drinks only or charge for food. The boat's page lists what its price covers, and on an eight-hour day it is worth choosing one that serves lunch.
Can we go ashore at Lover's Beach?
Lover's Beach is reached by water, and whether you go ashore is the captain's call on the day. It faces the sheltered Sea of Cortez side. Divorce Beach, back to back with it on the Pacific side, faces rougher water.
Will we see whales?
Perhaps, in winter. Humpbacks are among the area's species, but this is not a whale-watching trip and no sighting is promised. For a trip built around them, take the whale-watching tour.
Is snorkel gear provided?
Yes, every boat on this trip carries snorkel gear, and most also carry paddleboards or kayaks. The boat's page lists its equipment.
Where do we board?
At Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San José del Cabo, where six of the boats on this trip are berthed. Neoprene, Olivia Grace and Steel Aweigh are berthed at Marina Cabo San Lucas and come round to San José for it; their pages show the fee for starting there.
How many people can come?
The boats listed for this trip take from 8 to 40 guests and run from 43 to 112 feet. The smallest is One&Only, a 43-foot motor yacht for 8; Number Juan, at 100 feet, takes 40. Each boat's page gives its limit, and some price a base group and charge per guest above it.
How do I book, and what happens in bad weather?
A 50% deposit confirms the date, and the balance is due 7 days before the trip. If the trip cannot run because of weather, you get a full refund or a new date. Cancellation terms otherwise vary by boat, and we confirm them in writing before you book.
Is the crew's tip included?
Usually not. Several boats on this trip name 15% to 20% of the charter price as the usual tip, and the amount is yours to decide.
$4,392+ Tax
8 hours · 2 guests