Top 20 Activities to Do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas? You’re in for an adventure! This stunning Mexican destination is packed with breathtaking landscapes, exciting excursions, and incredible ocean experiences. Whether you’re looking for the best activities in Cabo San Lucas, the top places to snorkel, or fun things the whole family would enjoy, we’ve got you covered. From Cabo fishing charters to unforgettable whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas, here’s your ultimate guide to making the most of your time in paradise!

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1. Explore El Arco & Land’s End

One of the most iconic sights in Cabo, El Arco is a dramatic rock formation where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Take a boat tour, kayak, or paddleboard to get up close to this natural wonder. We were fortunate to boat by El Arco in the morning and evening, giving us spectacular views either way. Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach are both found out here too. Lovers Beach is on the side facing the Sea of Cortez. Its waters are more swimmable and calm. Divorce Beach is on the Pacific side, which is not a swimmable area due to choppy waters. Catch a water taxi to Lovers Beach if you want to enjoy swimming and snorkeling here. 

2. Go Snorkeling at Santa Maria Bay

Looking for the best places to snorkel in Cabo? Playa Santa Maria is a top spot! With crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. This was one of my favorite beaches to visit in Cabo San Lucas, with its crystal clear waters, it was perfect for snorkeling with the family. It’s in a bay, so it is more protected from big waves. One thing I didn’t bring, but wish I had at Playa Santa Maria was water shoes. Playa Santa Maria is more pebbles than sand. When walking the shoreline with bare feet, it can hurt.

What items will you want at Playa Santa Maria?

Interested in staying on Playa Santa Maria? Montage Los Cabos is a highly rate, luxury resort that will cost a pretty penny, but the views are amazing.

3. Take a Sunset Cruise

There’s no better way to end a day in Cabo than with a sunset cruise. Enjoy stunning views, delicious drinks, and maybe even some live music as you sail along the coast.

4. Book a Cabo Fishing Charter

Cabo is famous for its world-class fishing and a charter is an excellent way to get on the water! Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, Cabo fishing charters offer the chance to reel in marlin, tuna, and more. It’s a must for any angler visiting the area. We went in March and tried for Marlin, with no luck. Striped Marlin can bite in the winter months, but for your best fishing, come between July to December.

We are already planning a return trip for this reason. We took two fishing charters in Cabo San Lucas, one with Pisces Sportfishing and the other Lands End Charters. Although we didn’t catch what we were hoping for, both trips were wonderful. We caught grouper, mackerel, snapper and sea bass. I would recommend either charter, but some of it depends on the price you want to pay. Pisces was at a higher price point, but this came with a bigger boat with better bathroom and indoor kitchenette. It was also two stories, so we could enjoy fabulous views of the Pacific from higher up. If you’re not able to spend as much, Lands End charters is still an excellent option for fishing in Cabo San Lucas. 

One of my favorite parts of our charters is that it felt like a private whale watching tour mixed in with fishing. We went out for an 8 hour day in March when gray whales and humpback whales are active in Cabo. There were so many whales that we lost count of how many whales we saw surfacing or breaching. We even had some breach pretty close to our boat. 

What to do with the fish you catch on your Cabo fishing charter?

After a successful day on your Cabo fishing charter, you can have your catch filleted and cleaned by the crew. Many local restaurants offer a “catch and cook” service, where they’ll prepare your fish just how you like it. If you prefer, you can also freeze and vacuum-seal your fish to take home, ensuring you get to enjoy your fresh catch later! We brought about half our catch home. The other half was locally donated and the crew kept some.

We brought our freshly filleted Grouper to The Fisherman’s Landing, which is located right off the dock to our fishing charter in Cabo. They cooked our catch to preference and this was hands-down the BEST meal we had in Cabo.

How to avoid getting sea sick while deep sea fishing in Cabo San Lucas?

Another HINT: These are two different motion sickness bands with bought for sea sickness. Both are from Amazon. Our family of four bought two of the first ones (EmeTerm) and two from the second picture (Hion). No one ended up with sea sickness, even though 2 in our party tend to get it more easily. We wore these for both fishing charters and our whale watch. I don’t tend to get sea sick, but wore the more expensive electrode bracelet. I never felt sick, but one thing I noticed is I never had the rocking feel that I often have at night when I’ve been on the water all day. Maybe is was from the bracelet, maybe not, but typically I get that.

5. Swim with Whale Sharks

If you’re visiting between October and April, don’t miss the chance to swim with gentle whale sharks. These incredible creatures are completely harmless and offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is not the tour for me, however. I know these are gentle giants, but I couldn’t even handle the nurse sharks in Belize last spring. I was in and out of the water so fast. 

6. Visit Lover’s Beach & Divorce Beach

Lover’s Beach is a beautiful, secluded spot perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Just around the corner, Divorce Beach offers stunning views but strong waves—great for photography, not so much for swimming! As mentioned earlier in this post, these beaches are popular tourist sights. Catch a water taxi from the Cabo San Lucas marina to take you to Marriage Beach. 

7. Go on a Whale Watching Tour in Cabo San Lucas

One of the best winter activities in Cabo is taking one of the many whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas. From December to April, humpback and gray whales migrate here, offering breathtaking sightings. We went in March and were told we have a 100% chance of seeing whales and boy, were they right! We saw both gray whales and humpbacks. A humpback whale even breached right in front of us. These incredible creatures were one of my favorite memories in Cabo San Lucas. 

A preview of the whales we saw on our whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas:

8. Take an ATV Adventure in the Desert

Explore Cabo’s rugged desert landscape on an ATV! Ride through sandy dunes, cacti-filled trails, and enjoy an adrenaline-pumping experience.

9. Relax by the Pool

Let’s face it, you’re on vacation! Make sure you enjoy some much needed relaxing time by the pool. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, Villa Del Palmar. The pool was great and my kids even enjoyed the orca whale slide. The pool side service was excellent. We enjoyed drinks by the pool and the kids devoured fresh smoothies everyday. When we got a little hungry, we did not shy away from ordering some food to eat while the kids swam in the bright Cabo sun!

10. Try Parasailing

Get a bird’s-eye view of Cabo’s stunning coastline by parasailing. It’s an unforgettable experience that offers panoramic ocean and beach views. Parasailing is a popular family activity in Cabo San Lucas. Personally, I am afraid of heights, so not my thing, but I can imagine the views are spectacular, especially in the winter months when you have higher chances of spotting whales from the sky.

11. Experience a Luxury Sailing Tour

If you love being on the water, a luxury sailing tour is one of the best activities in Cabo San Lucas. Relax with gourmet food, cocktails, and a friendly crew while enjoying the ocean breeze. There are many sailing options in Cabo San Lucas for couples or families. 

12. Enjoy a Beach Day at Medano Beach

Medano Beach is Cabo’s most popular beach, known for its soft sand, swimmable waters, and lively atmosphere. It’s great for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Many awesome resorts are located on Medano Beach. This is a wonderful location for those traveling to Cabo San Lucas with family.

Here are some great resort options located directly on Medano Beach. We stayed at Villa Del Palmar and really enjoyed our stay.

13. Walk the Marina

The marina is a must-see place to visit in Cabo. Here, you can shop, eat at amazing places or book many different water excursions, including fishing charters or snorkeling in Cabo. We ate some great meals at Fisherman’s landing and Baja Lobster Co.

14. Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour

If snorkeling isn’t your thing, a glass-bottom boat tour is a great way to see Cabo’s marine life without getting wet. It’s a fun, family-friendly activity. This is a must-do activity in Cabo. There are many different kinds of glass-bottom boats; some with just a glass bottom and some where the whole boat is glass. Go with the full-glass boat.

15. Go Ziplining in Wild Canyon

For thrill-seekers, ziplining in Wild Canyon is an exhilarating experience. Soar above canyons and desert landscapes with breathtaking views.

16. Enjoy a Taco Tour

Mexican food is legendary, and Cabo has some of the best tacos around. Join a taco tour to sample different flavors and learn about local culinary traditions. This is a great way to experience some of the best cuisine Cabo has to offer.

17. Try Surfing at Cerritos Beach

Just a short drive from Cabo, Cerritos Beach is a fantastic spot for beginner and experienced surfers. Rent a board or take a lesson from a local instructor.

18. Go Horseback Riding on the Beach

Riding horseback along the sandy shores of Cabo is a peaceful and picturesque experience, perfect for couples and families. Cabo also offers an array of camel ride adventures.

19. Fish from the Shoreline

Here is an activity for adults, children and families alike in Cabo San Lucas. My son is an avid fisherman and brings his pole everywhere we travel. He brought his travel pole and tackle with him in his luggage. He spent many afternoons fishing off the shores of Cabo.

20. Relax at a Luxury Spa

After all your adventures, unwind at one of Cabo’s luxury spas. Many offer ocean-view massages, facials, and other relaxing treatments. Me and my daughter enjoyed the spa at our resort, Villa Del Palmer. This was a relaxing way to take a break from the sun.

Final Thoughts

Cabo San Lucas is bursting with adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re exploring the best activities in Cabo San Lucas, discovering the top places to snorkel in Cabo, or planning fun things to do in Cabo San Lucas with family, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to book a Cabo fishing charter and experience the magic of whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas during your trip. With so much to do, you’re sure to fall in love with this tropical paradise!

Ready to start planning? Pack your bags and get ready for an incredible trip to Cabo San Lucas!