Cabo San Lucas has a rich fishing history and over the years has developed into the “Marlin Capital of the World.” How did this Cabo sport fishing craze start? The early history of Los Cabos started as a small fishing village. Because of the abundance of Tuna, Cabo San Lucas developed into a commercial fishing industry and by 1927 the historic Cannery was established. Then by the late 1950s, the Mexican Government ended commercial fishing with the goal to develop Cabo San Lucas as a major tourist destination with a focus on sport fishing. The area expanded over the next thirty years with villas and hotel developments. In 1981, Bob Bisbee started the Black & Blue Marlin Tournament which has become one of the largest payouts in sport fishing history. Through the 80s and 90s as sport fishing was developing, Los Cabos became the world’s top destination for sport fishing.
Sport Fishing
From Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo to the East Cape, you will experience the best sport fishing in one condensed area at the tip of Baja California Sur. Once reserved for the wealthy and private yachts, sport fishing in Cabo is now the number one attraction for beginner and expert anglers. Sport fishing is popular all year around, but in October and November you will encounter the world-famous Marlin, Bill Fish, Dorado and Tuna Fishing Tournaments. World class anglers travel from all over the globe in pursuit of the champion fish. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, it is common to catch Marlin, Dorado, Roosterfish, Tuna or other large fish varieties on your very first trip out.
2018 Tournaments
10/14/18 – 10/18/18 – Los Cabos Billfish Tournament
Since the first resorts appeared in the late 1950s and early 1960s, anglers have been lured to the abundance and enormous billfish.
10/18/18 – 10/21/18 – Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore
This tournament pits anglers in a competition to top the previous year’s record
10/23/18 – 10/27/18 – Bisbee’s Black and Blue
Anglers compete for black or blue marlin, dorado and tuna.
11/7/18 – 11/10/18 – WON/Mercury Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot
Surf/Shore Fishing
All areas of Los Cabos beaches are great for shore fishing. One well known spot is called “Rooster Alley” in Los Frailes. There are plenty of companies that offer guided surf fishing trips that can direct you to the best fishing spots, but just about any stretch of coastline offers up the chance to catch any number of species. From catching Roosterfish along the sandy beaches to angling Sierra and Dorado on a mixture of sandy beaches with rockpiles. The rocky point areas where you find the reefs and rocky ridges are great areas to try your luck for Califorina yellowtail. Also, look for rocky outcroppings where you can cast from atop to target hogfish and several varieties of snapper and grouper species.
Fishing from the shore does not require any documentation or restrictions, but just make sure you cast at a safe distance of at least 250 meters away from any swimmers. The most important thing to remember when surf fishing is to never turn your back to the water! The current is very strong and can easily sweep you away if you’re not careful. Below are a few types of fish you may encounter:
• Roosterfish (fun to catch but not for eating)
• Sierra (great eating species of mackerel)
• Groupers (mostly leopards)
• Snappers (including cabrilla and pargo)
• California Yellowtail
• Dorado
• Jack Crevalle (fun to catch but not for eating)
• Pacific Snook
Fish Calendar
December – February – Striped Marlin, Shark
March – May – Yellow Tail
April – September – Snapper, Snook
May – July – Amberjack, Jack Crevalle, Cabrilla, Grouper, Mackerel, Rooster Fish
July – November – Mahi Mahi, Wahoo
September – November – Yellow Fin Tuna, Sail Fish, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Dorado
Recommended Fishing Charter
Charter operators provide top-notch rods and reels spooled with fresh line. And they provide the lures, leader line and terminal tackle for any opportunity that might arise. The fishing fleets in Los Cabos are very knowledgeable and professional and will ensure you are given the optimal opportunity to reel in the perfect catch.
Dorado
Back to Vacation Rental after a successful trip
Cabo San Lucas and the surrounding area has a vibrant underwater marine life to discover. Exploring the crystal-clear underwater world is refreshing, relaxing and fascinating and will sure to be a memorable adventure. You will encounter numerous tropical fish and other sea creatures that inhabit these beautiful waters. After relaxing by the poolside of your vacation rental, venture out to snorkel and dive on your own or schedule a tour for a boat ride to various destinations.
SNORKELING
Pelican Rock near the famous Los Arcos Arch, Santa Maria, or Chileno Bay are some locations where your time under the water will be an enjoyable experience. One available tour will take you beyond the hotel zone in San Jose del Cabo to secluded coves and isolated beaches for the ultimate snorkel excursion. The tour also includes stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and a comfortable, Apex high-speed boat ride.
Cabo San Lucas & Corridor
Cannery Beach, Cabo San Lucas – Best on Own
For a more peaceful experience, this small beach (located at the end of Marina Blvd. past the Navy base) is popular with locals. This hidden gem is a private, but public beach, with no vendors and is great for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Lovers Beach, Cabo San Lucas – Best with Tour
Lover’s Beach (Playa de Amor) is located on the Sea of Cortez side near the famous stone arch (El Arco). The only access to this beach is by water taxi from the marina or Medano Beach. Make sure to arrange for your return trip. Swimming and snorkeling is good on the Sea of Cortez side depending upon the water conditions. This beach is crowded so be aware.
Santa Maria, Corridor – Best on Own
Another beach that should be top on your list is Santa Maria Beach. This beach boast calm, clear waters which is perfect for diving, snorkeling, and swimming. It is claimed as a marine sanctuary with an abundance of tropical fish. This beach is great for families. Remember to bring your own snorkel gear, water and snacks if you’re going to venture on your own. This is a perfect spot for snorkeling due to the quiet setting and great rock outcroppings. You will encounter royal blue and yellow damsel fish, cow fish, parrot fish, urchins, coral, and long nose hawk fish.
Chileno Bay, Corridor – On Own or With Tour
Great for families, snorkeling and diving. Several reefs are situated in these calm, clear waters with an abundance of marine life consisting of over 80 species. The long finger type coral reefs attract a lot of sea life. You will encounter damselfish, sergeant majors, yellowtail surgeonfish and Moray eels can be found and in the deep cracks in the reef. This bay great for beginner snorkelers because of clear and shallow waters. This is a popular destination for snorkel excursions, so it might be busy in the water.
San Jose del Cabo, East Cape, La Paz
East Cape, San Jose del Cabo – Best with Tour
Discover the tiny town of Zacatitos where you can snorkel at healthy coral reefs with a plethora of marine life.
Cabo Pulmo National Park – Best with Tour
We recommend booking a tour as the drive is about two hours out of Cabo San Lucas and it’s a bumpy, windy, and crazy. Cabo Pulmo, a small village with a 17,571-acre Marine Protected Area (MPA), has the best diving and snorkeling in Baja. It’s also home to the only Pacific coral reef in the Sea of Cortez. John Steinbeck wrote about these ancient reefs in his 1951 book The Log from the Sea of Cortez.
La Paz– Best with Tour
Close proximity is another UNESCO World Heritage site located at the Cerralvo and Espiritu Santu Islands.
SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas offers divers of all levels a unique and wondrous diving experience. Diving in Southern Baja will be an exciting and memorable experience with caves, coral reefs and shipwrecks to explore and discover. With over 800 fish species that inhabit these waters and prime conditions will make your diving adventure a remarkable experience.
Cabo San Lucas & Corridor
Pelican Rock & Sand Falls
Located in the Cabo San Lucas Bay along the rocky cliffs towards the famous Land’s End arch, this area provides dives starting at 20 ft depths. There is plenty to discover, including puffers, goat fish, parrot fish, angels and eels. Other common marine life are lobsters, jacks, rays and the occasional reef shark. Jacques Cousteau’s discovered this area also known as the Sand Falls.
Neptune’s Finger
Also located in Cabo Bay, this dive brings you the usual colorful display of tropical fish and you may also receive a visit from a sea turtle.
North Wall – Good for Beginners
This is one of the best locations for beginning divers also located in Cabos San Lucas Bay. This also offers the usual beautiful display of marine life.
Land’s End (The Point) – Experience Divers Only
Dives start out around 25 ft depth with an abundance of tropical fish, lobsters, hawkfish, eels, and even schools of tuna. Currents are strong in this area is best suited for the experienced diver.
Santa Maria Cove & Chileno Bay – Good for All Levels
Claimed as marine sanctuary’s with an abundance of tropical fish. You will encounter royal blue and yellow damsel fish, cow fish, parrot fish, urchins, coral, and long nose hawk fish. Corals and sea fans among the ridges decorate the reef.
San Jose del Cabo, East Cape, La Paz
Gordo Banks, San Jose del Cabo – Experience Divers
Gordo Banks is for experienced divers only with the top of the seamount at 110 ft depth and with strong currents. You will encounter large gatherings of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, marlin, and swordfish. Best diving time is seasonal during August through November.
East Cape – Good for All Levels
This region offers dozens of near shore and off shore diving sites. Suited for all levels of divers the diving sites include Punta Pescadero, Cerro Verde, Rancho Buena Vista Reef, El Cardonal and Punta Perico. For the more experienced diver, discover Punta de la Ventana where, with the right conditions, you can explore caves and encounter grouper, jewfish and sea bass.
Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park – Good for All Levels
This UNESCO World Heritage site is another must-dive adventure to experience with spectacular and vibrant coral reefs found in this marine protected area. Cabo Pulmo National Park has the best diving and snorkeling in Baja and is home to the only Pacific hard coral reef in the Sea of Cortez. The abundant coral growth on the rocky reefs provides shelter and food for countless reef fish, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The diving sites include Bahia Las Barracas to the north and Bahia Los Frailes to the south.
La Paz – Good for All Levels
If you want to venture further North, La Paz is another great dive destination. In close proximity is another UNESCO World Heritage site located at the Cerralvo and Espiritu Santu Islands. These islands provide dozens of dive sites, with a cave that has an air chamber that allows divers to surface while inside.
RECOMMENDED TOUR GUIDES
Cabo AdventuresFrom first time divers to those looking for all levels PADI certifications, Cabo Adventures offers everything you will need. With the most experienced staff and the best and most well-equipped dive boat in Cabo, you are sure to have a safe and amazing dive adventure.
Cabo Adventures has released their latest new tour called “Sunset Turtle Release”. They are working very closely with Asupmatoma to offer their mutual guests the opportunity to explore “Rancho San Cristobal” located on the pacific ocean side of the bay. This special tour will educate participants about the turtles that visit local beaches and allow them to take part in releasing the turtles into the sea. For every space purchased, a percentage is donated towards the protection and care of the turtles. Guests are accompanied by specialized guides throughout the tour.
Tours are $49-$59 USD
Operation: 3 times a week, check in Cabo Dolphins 4.15pm / departs 4.30pm (minimum 6 pax per tour – private tours available)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: $59usd adults, $49usd kids 4 to 12 years
Includes:
- Transportation from Cabo Dolphins to the ranch (20 minutes)
- Journey by unimog to the ranch
- Short trek along the San Cristobal Canyon
- Turtle presentation in the ranch
- Mexican appetizers
- Drinks (flavored water, beer, sodas and water)
- Stroll on the beach at sunset
- Turtle release
- Diploma
- Transportation from San Cristobal to guests hotel
We request that the guests bring: beach shoes, a light jacket and camera
Available dates: 15th of October until 15th of December 2010
Contact Nanci@bajasurvacationrentals.com to book this unique adventure!