Snorkeling on a private yacht in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos

The spots: Chileno, Santa Maria and Pelican Rock

Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay are bays with usage rules to protect the reef, and the captain operates in line with the regulations in force. In their waters you can see king angelfish, Cortez angelfish (a Tropical Eastern Pacific species, ranging from the Gulf of California to Peru), parrotfish, threebanded butterflyfish, sergeant majors and, with luck, a sea turtle. Santa Maria is the pink-sand horseshoe cove, smaller and calmer; Chileno is the wider bay, with a rocky reef. For shorter stops without leaving Cabo's bay, Pelican Rock at the foot of Land's End works beautifully.

Visibility changes with wind, swell, rainfall and the time of year; the captain picks the bay according to the day. House rules: no fish feeding, no standing on coral — the reef is the whole point.

Timing

If you want a relaxed swim/snorkel stop plus time around the Arch area (when the plan allows), groups often book a longer block–many itineraries use at least four hours when snorkeling is a priority. The captain chooses the maneuver and site based on wind, swell, and visibility.

Gear & yacht choice

Snorkel gear is available on trips of 4 hours or more; water toys and other equipment depend on the vessel and what you confirm when quoting. Browse the fleet and tell us headcount, date, and whether snorkeling is the top priority.