Which bay has the best snorkeling in Los Cabos?

Chileno Bay and Santa María Bay, the two marine sanctuaries midway along the corridor. Both have rocky reef at the edges and the calmest, clearest water in the morning. Snorkeling gear is aboard every yacht in the fleet.

Can we swim at Lover’s Beach?

The yacht holds position off Land’s End for photos of the Arch and Lover’s Beach. Whether a swim or landing is possible depends on the swell and boat traffic that day; the captain decides on the spot with safety in charge.

How many hours does the full corridor take?

Six hours covers the corridor and the Arch with a proper swimming stop. Eight hours adds time at anchor off Medano Beach or a second bay. Shorter charters of two to four hours stay closer to the marina, around Palmilla and the San Jose coastline.

Do charters stop at Medano Beach?

Yes. Medano is the anchorage in front of the Cabo San Lucas beach clubs, and full day charters often end there with the swim platform down before the run home.

Can the day start from our resort beach?

If you are staying along the corridor, the yacht can collect your group directly from the beach at Palmilla, Chileno, or Santa Maria. Everyone else boards at Marina Puerto Los Cabos, with ground transportation arranged when you book.

Los Cabos by private yacht

A day charter from Marina Puerto Los Cabos runs the length of the corridor: the beach clubs and bays of San José del Cabo and Palmilla, the snorkeling coves of Chileno and Santa María, and the granite arch at Land’s End where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific.

Top down aerial of Punta Palmilla with turquoise coves and beaches

The Arch and Land’s End

The rock formations at the tip of the peninsula are the reason most guests come. By yacht you approach them from the water, pass Lover’s Beach and the sea lion colony, and hold position for photos without the crowds of the panga tours. The captain times the approach around swell and traffic, which changes hour to hour.

Santa María and Chileno bays

The two protected bays midway along the corridor are the best swimming and snorkeling stops on a day charter. Both are marine sanctuaries with rocky reef at the edges and calm, clear water in the morning. Snorkeling gear is aboard every yacht in the managed fleet, and the crew sets up directly from the swim platform.

How the day usually runs

Most groups depart Marina Puerto Los Cabos mid morning, run the corridor with a swimming stop at Santa María or Chileno, reach the Arch around midday, and anchor for lunch on the way back. Afternoon departures reverse the order and finish with the sunset behind Land’s End. The crew adjusts the plan to the group, the season, and the sea state on the day.

Yachts of the Otaduy fleet at anchor off the beach at Palmilla, aerial view

What each charter length covers

Two hours is a sunset tour along the San José coastline and Palmilla. Four hours reaches one of the sanctuary bays for a swim and snorkel. Six hours is the comfortable minimum for the corridor plus the Arch with a real stop in the water. Eight hours runs the whole coastline unhurried, with time at anchor off Médano Beach before the run home. If you want to see how the distances add up, the itinerary builder calculates cruising times live as you add stops.

Season and sea state

The corridor faces the Sea of Cortés side of the peninsula, and mornings are usually its calmest hours, with the breeze building into the afternoon. Water is warmest from late summer into fall and coolest midwinter, when wetsuit tops for snorkeling are worth asking about. From December to April, whale season runs the length of the corridor and charters regularly see humpbacks without changing course.

What to bring

Very little. Swimsuits, reef safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for the ride back are all most guests need; food, open bar, and snorkeling gear are already aboard. Soft soled shoes or bare feet on deck. Cameras and phones get the most use at Land’s End, so arrive with batteries charged.