Jill

Im just wondering if realistically we are going to snorkel in Cabo?? Is this something that everyone does during their stay? Is it easy to set up an excursion to do this?? Is the ocean life good for snorkeling here?? I just dont want to waste the space in our bag for our snorkel gear if we wont need it.

mac

We usually go in October when the water is warm and I just take my mask and snorkel, no fins. The snorkeling isn't as great as Cozumel or Buck Island but much better than Costa Rica. There are lots of excursions offered or you can take a water taxi from the marina to Lover's Beach and snorkel on your own.

beenthere

Be careful at Lovers Beach. The surf tends to get kind of scary after noon. Morning is best. Also if you do Lovers beach you will probably only do that once, so not sure its worth it to bring with.

Cathy

We just got back from Cabo, and enjoyed snorkeling at Santa Maria beach on the corridor.

John

The 2 best snorkling beaches are Santa Maria and Chelino beach. Both can be snorkled from the beach, or you can take a snorkling trip, I enjoy Pez Gato.<BR>4 hour trip with snacks and liquor on the way back. About $35.00 per person, they are located by the Galleon restaurant, anyone can give you directions. Book ahead( the day before)

Patty

The quality of snorkeling really varies depending on the time of year. Water temp can vary as much as 20 degrees with late summer/early fall being the warmest period. One July, I even needed a wetsuit to be comfortable (it was usually cold that year). Visibility is also best during the same period that the water is warmest. In the spring, visibility can be diminished by plankton blooms. I must say that overall we were pleasantly surprised by the snorkeling around Cabo. Lots of fish and other sea life. My favorite spot is Pelican rock which is near Lover's beach (it's one cove over heading away from the arch). Just ask any of the glass bottom boats at the marina to drop you off at the small beach in front of Pelican rock and let them know what time you want to be picked up. The cost should be less than $10pp roundtrip. Bring everything you need as there are no facilities on this beach except a few kids selling Coronas. Another good spot is Santa Maria bay but I prefer Pelican rock (more diversity of sea life here). An excursion that we enjoyed was the Cabo Expeditions raft trip which stops at both of the above mentioned spots, then drops you off at Medano beach afterwards for lunch. I think the cost was around $40pp. You ride on a zodiac type raft and when we went during the low season, there were only 8 passengers on board. It's a rougher ride though, but they get there faster and arrive earlier than the larger cattle boats which is a plus.

badkittym

Another alternative to taking a snorkeling "tour," is to have either the bus (least expensive) or a taxi drop you off at the Twin Dolphins Hotel. There is a little path leading away from the hotel front to the left, that leads straight to Santa Maria Beach.<BR><BR>You can rent snorkel gear there for about $6.00. You can leave whenever you want, or spend the whole day as opposed to the couple of hours you get on the tour.<BR><BR>Be sure to arrange a time for your taxi driver to pick you up BEFORE he drops you off; or you can flag a taxi back to your hotel/lodging in front of the Twin Dolphins. There will be some waiting in the driveway.<BR>-M

badkittym

Forgot:<BR>YES! Snorkeling in Cabo is excellent, in the right places - the other posters have listed them, so I won't bother. Since you have your own gear, bring it. Hire a taxi to take you to Chileano (sp?) or Santa Maria - don't bother spending $35.00 on the tour, which would be wasted. Obviously you've snorkeled before, and the tours are aimed at beginners.<BR>-M

Cathy

The main reason to avoid a snorkel tour is that they jam a zillion people on some of those boats (I call them the "Macarena Boats", and have music blaring. Santa Maria beach is so beautiful and peaceful when those boats are gone. And they are only there for a couple of hours, thank God.

anon

Those fishing pangas have sunk I mean sunk gone down and the tourist in them drowned. One of the glass bottom boats overturned last year with three Cruise Ship passengers drowning. Take care.