Chileno Bay snorkeling yacht charter from San José del Cabo
- From Departs from San José del Cabo
- 4 hours
- up to 40 guests
- All year
Photos: rainer schmidt, CC BY 3.0 · DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sncc210, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
A half day from San José del Cabo: along the Los Cabos tourist corridor to Chileno Bay, then most of two hours to snorkel and swim at anchor before the run back.
What you do
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Highlights
- Close to two hours at anchor in Chileno Bay
- A shallow rock reef a short swim from the boat
- The tourist corridor and Palmilla seen from the sea
- Boarding in San José del Cabo, with no drive to Cabo San Lucas
About this trip
We designed this half day around one snorkeling bay. Chileno Bay lies on the tourist corridor toward Cabo San Lucas, about 10 nautical miles away in a straight line: a cove whose shape shields it from the waves of the open coast, with calm water.
The run there is part of the day. From the marina the boat follows the beach of San José del Cabo west, passes Palmilla, then the resorts of the corridor that most visitors only see from the road.
At Chileno the reef is rock: boulders and outcrops in shallow water. Look for Panamic sergeant majors, parrotfish, and king and Cortez angelfish, or stay on the surface with the boat's own toys.
Four hours is enough for one bay done properly. For the Arch as well, take the full day.
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
West along the coast
About an hour under way past San José's beach and Palmilla, with drinks on deck on the boats that serve them.
After departure: 1:10
Chileno Bay
At anchor for about an hour and three quarters. Snorkel over the reef, swim from the stern, and eat on deck if your boat serves a meal.
After departure: 2:55
Return
About an hour back up the coast to Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
How long is the boat ride to Chileno Bay?
About an hour each way at 10 knots, the speed we plan this trip on and the slowest any boat on it states. Faster yachts take less and leave more time at anchor; the itinerary times are for the slower ones.
Why Chileno Bay and not Santa Maria Bay?
Chileno is the nearer of the two from San José del Cabo, which leaves more of a four-hour charter for the water. Santa Maria is a little over a mile further on; if you prefer it, tell the captain, and the time at anchor is about a quarter of an hour shorter. The full-day trip from San José visits both.
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.
We have never snorkeled. Is this trip suitable?
Yes. The bay is sheltered and you enter the water from the boat's swim platform or ladder. Tell the crew, wear a life jacket in the water, and stay near the boat. Children should be with an adult in the water. Currents can run here even on a good day, so the crew decides where and when you swim.
How cold is the water?
Coolest from February to May, in the low 70s °F (about 21 to 23°C), when a thin wetsuit or a rash guard makes a long swim more comfortable. Warmest in late summer and early autumn, above 80°F (27°C).
Will we see whales?
Perhaps, in winter, when whales are seen along this coast. This is a snorkeling trip and no sighting is promised; for a trip built around them, take the whale-watching tour.
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.
What is included in the price?
It depends on the boat, and each boat's page lists what its price covers. Most include an open bar and a meal; a few include drinks only or charge for food. Some add tax, or a fee per guest above a base group size. The price shown for this trip is the lowest charter price among its boats for this length of trip.
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.
$2,196+ Tax
4 hours · 2 guests