The
Ultimate Outdoor Playground
Call
it the ultimate bucket list question. Everyone's got that dream destination at
some point in the back of their mind.
Enter
Cabo San Lucas
Los
Cabos in general and Cabo San Lucas specifically breaks the mold.
Located
at the southern tip of Baja California, this world-class outdoor playground has
some of the most epic outdoor adventures on Earth.
Ready
to explore what makes it so great?
Lets
dive into the best outdoor adventures in Cabo San Lucas.
What
you'll discover:
Why
Cabo's Location Creates Unbeatable Adventure Conditions
The
World's Best Water-Based Outdoor Adventures
Desert
& Mountain Outdoor Adventures
Seasonal
Adventures to Check Out Year-Round
Why
Cabo's Location Creates Unbeatable Adventure Conditions
Fun
fact, most people don't know…
Cabo
San Lucas is a point where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez converge.
The
spot where these two bodies of water meet is not your average beach.
Wait
for it… This collision of
ocean currents and waters produces one of the highest concentrations of marine
biodiversity on Earth. Jacques Cousteau famously dubbed the Sea of Cortez
"The World's Aquarium" and was not being hyperbolic.
Nutrient
upwelling at the convergence creates an entire marine food chain supporting
everything from colorful tropical fish to whale sharks and diverse underwater
topography, all with year-round good weather and water conditions.
On
land, Cabo San Lucas is dominated by rugged Sierra de la Laguna mountains
jutting out of desert terrain and creating micro-climates in the region that
support a range of terrestrial life and landscapes as well. You can find
everything from cacti gardens and oases to desert cliffs and mountains in Cabo.
The
end result? You can go from scuba diving with hammerheads in the morning, to
jet skiing, or biking desert cliffs in the afternoon.
Yeah…
It’s pretty rad.
The
World's Best Water-Based Outdoor Adventures
Is
Cabo San Lucas just all hype? Not a chance.
Cabo
is world-class for water sports because of the unique spot where two ocean
systems meet. The abundance of marine life creates serious buzz for a wide
range of water sports.
From
easy to expert adventures, the Cabo offers everything.
Here's
the proof…
Scuba
Diving & Snorkeling: Underwater Paradise
First
up, one of the reasons Cabo's diving reputation is head and shoulders above
other beach destinations is simple – variety.
In
one morning you can dive at Pelican Rock (Beginner-friendly with sea lions and
tropical fish), Neptune's Finger (Advanced divers flock to experience the Sand
Falls and chance shark encounters), and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park – a
UNESCO marine reserve with 400% increase in fish population since protection.
Cabo's
marine life is off the charts. Expect hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, spring
season migrations of mobula rays (sometimes literally hundreds of them in one
spot), humpback whales, and over 900 species of fish.
And
here's a big pro for Cabo over other beach destinations…
Dive
sites tend to be closer. We're talking less than 30 minutes from marina for
most sites. Fewer hours on the boat, more underwater time.
Sport
Fishing: Ultimate Action
Don't
let the picture above fool you…Baja does have fishing restrictions these days
to protect habitats and fish populations, but there are still great options for
sport fishing.
Los
Cabos (specifically Cabo San Lucas) is the self-proclaimed "Marlin Capital
of the World" and they're not joking. These waters produce more billfish
per square mile than any place on the planet.
Peak
seasons for marlin/sailfish (April-December), dorado (May-November), yellowfin
tuna (Year-Round) and wahoo (November-March).
Sport
fishing tends to be one of the most popular Cabo
San Lucas activities. The deep water close to shore and high fish
populations in local waters combine for some of the best fishing on the planet.
Whale
Watching: Giants of the Deep
And
finally, what Cabo is world-famous for is whale watching.
Whale
watching in Cabo during the winter months (December – April) is among the top 5
on the planet. Warm shallow waters provide ideal nursery waters for humpback,
gray and blue whales.
But
what makes it special is that the whales here come incredibly close to shore.
So close you can see 40 ton humpback whales breach mere yards from beach in
some cases. It's breathtaking.
Desert
& Mountain Outdoor Adventures
Enough
water
sports, you say? That's where you're wrong.
The
Baja desert is home to its own set of unique land-based outdoor adventures. In
fact, for land sports and high-speed adventure, this region of Baja is
unmatched.
ATV
& UTV Desert Adventures
You
want adrenaline?
How
about ripping across sand dunes, desert plains and rocky arroyos on an ATV or
UTV (smaller utility vehicle)?
Sounds
intense and its the best way to experience the wide open desert around Cabo.
Routes
to choose from vary from desert focused loops like Migrino Beach, Fox Canyon
(more technical), to Margaritas Village (add in cultural immersion).
Scenery
and landscape change dramatically over different paths. One minute you're
dodging giant cacti, the next gliding across a sandy wash with mountain views
on all sides.
Zip-lining
Through Desert Canyons
How
about some elevation and some bird's-eye views?
Zip-lines
through Baja canyons take you over desert landscapes with ocean and mountain
panoramas unlike anything else.
What
makes Cabo zip-lining unique? Combination of crossing multiple ecosystems, from
desert floor to mountain ridges, access to suspension bridges (one of the
longest hanging wooden bridges in the world), and variety of wildlife spotting
opportunities.
Horseback
Riding on Remote Beaches
The
most relaxing desert adventure…
Need
some more laid-back time after all that?
Galloping
along white sand beaches with only the sound of ocean and desert breeze is as
zen as you can get.
Pick
your favorite beach for horseback riding. Popular include Pacific Beach (nice
for sunset), mountain trail rides (best for hidden oasis and oases), and
estuary riding to spot birds and other marine life.
Seasonal
Adventures to Check Out Year-Round
The
other thing about Cabo San Lucas is…
Outside
of marine life migrations and activity that are dictated by season (think whale
watching, ray migrations, and even some fish populations), outdoor adventures
are nearly perfect year round.
Winter:
Whale Season Spectacular (December – April)
As
mentioned, this is when Cabo is at its peak.
Warm
temps (hover around 80F average) with almost no rainfall make every outdoor
activity ideal during this season.
In
addition to whales, this is the time to look for whale shark snorkeling, best
diving conditions (visibility, fish and marine activity), and ideal hiking and
beach conditions.
Spring:
Mobula Ray Madness (March – June)
Need
to see one of the most insane ocean spectacles around?
Every
spring, literally thousands of mobula rays pass through Cabo waters performing
incredible shows while searching for mates.
Mobula
migration is considered one of the most impressive marine life events on the
planet. Picture yourself snorkeling while hundreds (literally, hundreds) of
rays the size of small cars elegantly dive beneath you.
Summer:
Best for Desert Adventures (July – October)
Summer
brings warmer weather and humidity, but that doesn't mean outdoor adventures
aren't great. You just might need to switch it up.
Go
early for hikes, sunrise ATV, and zip-line through shaded canyons. Summer also
features some of the best deals on accommodations.
Wrapping
It All Together
Put
it all together and you have one of the most well-rounded set of outdoor
adventures for a beach location.
Cabo
San Lucas is top notch for water sports, both diving and non-diving, and as
good as it gets for marine adventures.
From
the opportunities provided by two ocean systems to dramatic desert and mountain
topography for land-based adventures, perfect weather year-round, and
accessibility from major cities in North America, Cabo San Lucas has a great
combination of adventure thrills, natural beauty, and friendliest of Mexican
hospitality.
Whether
a quick weekend trip or extended vacation, San Lucas is a great destination.
So
which adventure are you choosing first?
