Bahía Chileno

Bahía Chileno Review

A private enclave—with golf courses and residences—is being developed at Bahía Chileno, roughly midway between San José and Cabo San Lucas. The beach skirts a small, crescent-shape cove with aquamarine waters that are perfect for snorkeling and swimming (there are even restrooms). Getting here is easy, thanks to the well-marked access ramps on both sides of the road. As of this writing, construction on the new Chileno Bay project, a resort community on the rocky cliff at the east end of the beach, was well under way. Along the western edge of Bahía Chileno, some 200 yards away, are some good-size boulders that you can scramble up. On the trek down you may see some stray wrappers and cans, but the beach itself is clean and usually not too crowded. In winter, this part of the Sea of Cortez gets chilly—refreshing for a dip, but most snorkelers don't spend too much time in the water.

Amenities: Toilets, parking lot.

The only business on the beach is Cabo Acuadeportes, which rents snorkel equipment and offers scuba diving and snorkeling trips to nearby sites; hours are erratic and depend on the beach traffic (or the lack thereof). 624/143-0117.