Kayaking in Cabo San Lucas: Best Spots, Tours & Tips for Beginners

If you’re searching for a fun way to get out on the water in Cabo San Lucas to soak up Cabo’s stunning scenery and natural beauty during your vacation, look no further than sea kayaking!

Kakaying is one of the most popular water activities in Cabo San Lucas, so whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned expert, you’ll find a kayaking tour in Cabo that is ideally suited to your skill level. Get the scoop on kayaking in Cabo below to determine if this water activity is right for you, and read through our top tour recommendations, places to kayak in Los Cabos, and tips for a smooth kayaking experience.

Key Takeaways

• Kayaking is a great way to admire Cabo’s natural beauty and wildlife, but in popular kayaking spots (particularly where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean), the waters can be choppy, so it’s important to know your capabilities and join a guided tour with an experienced guide.
• The best tour providers for kayaking in Cabo include High Tide Los Cabos, Cabo Expeditions, and Cabo Nature. Many tours also include snorkeling and/or upgrades such as glass-bottom kayaks.
• Land’s End, Chileno Bay, Santa Maria Bay, and Cabo Pulmo National Park are the most popular kayaking destinations in Baja California Sur.

Kayaking in Cabo San Lucas: What Can I Expect?

Scenery & Wildlife

Cabo San Lucas is filled with jaw-dropping coastal beauty, from jagged rock formations and sea caves to iconic arches and secluded beaches with turquoise waters. A kayaking tour offers a way to admire Cabo’s beauty from a whole new perspective!

And, if you’re hoping to see wildlife, Cabo’s kayaking tours promise marine life encounters, such as tropical fish, sea lions, and manta rays (and even humpback whales during whale-watching season!) during a kayaking trip in Cabo San Lucas.

Weather & Water Conditions

Cabo San Lucas is located on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Where two bodies of water meet, the conflicting currents and water temperatures can cause intense, tumultuous waves.

Since many of Cabo’s kayaking locations are situated where the ocean meets the sea, it’s smart to check the wind, wave, and tide charts before kayaking in Cabo, and to kayak with an experienced guide for a safe experience.

Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours

Due to choppy waves and heavy boat traffic, it’s challenging to find kayak rentals for self-guided tours in Cabo. The best way to kayak in Cabo San Lucas is on a guided tour that often includes add-ons, such as paddleboarding or snorkeling, or special upgrades, such as kayaking in a glass-bottom kayak.

Top Kayaking Tours in Cabo San Lucas

High Tide Los Cabos

High Tide Los Cabos offers fun land and sea tours to explore the beauty of Los Cabos. High Tide Los Cabos offers two kayaking tours: a glass-bottom kayaking tour to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and a glass-bottom kayaking tour in Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay. Both tours are three-hour small-group excursions with a maximum of 12 participants per group and include snorkeling.

Cabo Expeditions

Cabo Expeditions is a local tour company in Los Cabos with 20+ years of experience. This company offers a range of tours, including parasailing, swimming with whale sharks, and, as you probably guessed, a guided kayaking and snorkeling tour at Land’s End! This 2.5-hour tour costs $99 for adults and $75 for children ages 8–10. Note that the water can be choppy at certain times of the year at Land’s End.

Cabo Nature

Cabo Nature is a local tour company in Cabo San Lucas with super knowledgeable guides and captains who specialize in sustainable excursions, marine mammals, and ocean wildlife. Cabo Nature offers several whale-watching tours, but also provides a two-hour kayaking or paddleboarding tour to the iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas, where you’ll have time to snorkel.

Best Places to Go Kayaking in Cabo San Lucas

Land’s End

Land’s End is located on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, and is famous for its dramatic rock formations, including El Arco and Neptune’s Finger.

Land’s End is a popular spot for kayaking in Cabo San Lucas, as it’s only a short distance from Medano Beach, one of the best swimmable beaches in Cabo. It also offers views of stunning scenery (including the famous Lover’s Beach) and prime wildlife viewing — most notably, a sea lion colony!

Chileno Bay & Santa Maria Bay

Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay are two beaches along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Because both these beaches have calm and clear waters, they are an excellent spot for kayaking and snorkeling tours in Los Cabos.

Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay are close together, so many kayaking tours start at one beach and end at the other. On glass-bottom kayaking tours, you can see colorful fish, reefs, and even sea turtles!

Cabo Pulmo National Park

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, nicknamed the “Aquarium of the World,” is undoubtedly one of the best spots in Cabo San Lucas for snorkeling. However, with its protected environment and abundant marine life, Cabo Pulmo National Park is also an exceptional spot for a glass-bottom kayaking tour!

While kayaking at Cabo Pulmo National Park, in addition to spotting colorful fish, sea lions, and sea turtles, you’ll have the chance to paddle to remote beaches and snorkeling spots that are inaccessible by land, including La Sirenita.

Helpful Tips for Kayaking in Cabo San Lucas

• When is the best time to go kayaking in Cabo? — The best time of year to kayak in Cabo San Lucas is from October through April, when the water is the calmest and clearest.
• What should I wear while kayaking in Cabo? — Wear water shoes and quick-drying clothes with a swimsuit underneath while kayaking in Cabo, since most kayaking tours also include snorkeling. Be sure to also wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect your skin from the sun!
• What are the best safety tips for kayaking in Cabo? — To stay safe while kayaking in Cabo, join a guided tour with an experienced guide, check the weather conditions and waves, know your limits, and wear the proper safety gear, most importantly, a well-fitted life vest.

Plan a Spectacular Kayaking Excursion in Los Cabos During Your Trip with Cabo Rentals by Jane

Ready to plan an unforgettable trip to Cabo San Lucas? Whether you spend your days kayaking and snorkeling at Land’s End or horseback riding on the beach, you’ll need a comfortable, relaxing place to return to at the end of each fun and adventurous day. Explore our luxurious villas, penthouses, and oceanview condos to find the perfect place to stay for your upcoming trip to Cabo San Lucas.