Los Cabos has beautiful beaches… few of which you can actually swim in. But the water activities and beaches in Los Cabos where you can swim are gorgeous! Even more, the top Cabo beaches can be national parks and several are world famous for their natural beauty and marine biodiversity. Come find out more info about these amazing places where you’ll have an unforgettable dip.
What are the Top Cabo Beaches to Swim in?
There are many incredible beaches in Los Cabos, but you can’t swim in all of them. But the top Cabo beaches that are swimmable are: Lover’s Beach, Chileno Beach, Santa Maria Beach, Medano Beach and Palmilla Beach. Come learn more about each of these breathtaking places.
1. Lovers’ Beach – La Playa del Amor
This is without a doubt the most famous beach in Los Cabos. It is a beautiful beach in the area of Finisterra, the last part of the peninsula, right where you can find the famous Arch. Lovers’ Beach is set where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. That’s why even though it is right next to Lovers’ Beach, on the Pacific Ocean side the beach is named Divorce Beach. Be careful because on that side, the waves and the treacherous ocean are as pretty as the beach’s name!
You can reach Lovers’ Beach only by one of the famous Cabo glass-bottom boat tours and it is one of the most popular stops of the Los Cabos City Tour. However, if you wish to spend as much time as possible in the beach, you should take the Snorkel Lovers’ Beach Plus tour. It includes a box lunch, snorkeling equipment and a guide that will be with you in the water the whole time.
The best part is that you can interact with the local sea life, like starfish, puffer fish, octopuses and thousands of colorful fish you’ll see right then and there. You can even get amazing underwater photos taken by the tour guide in a CD at the end of your tour! Lovers’ Beach is actually a National Marine Park so you won’t find any sort of facilities there (like bathrooms!). But if you join this tour there will be an umbrella especially for you, as well as cold beverages that are already included! All you need to bring is your towel.
2. Chileno Beach – Playa del Chileno
Many actually consider this one of the most beautiful and clean beaches in the world! This beach got the Blue Flag distinction last year, a certification granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only given to beaches that comply with a defined set of environmental and quality standards.
Some of Chileno Beach’s highlights are its crystal-clear waters, an amazing reef in the middle of the bay, palm-tree palapas, bathrooms and showers. It even is accessible for people with disabilities and has an underwater wheelchair! Chileno Beach is one of my favorite beaches, and of most locals too who usually come to visit the beach during the weekends. The rest of the week, Chileno Bay is normally calm and somewhat empty.
You can reach this beach by sea and by land. By sea you’ll find many snorkeling tours and catamaran tours that will take you snorkeling to the bay’s reef. By land you can contact Amstar about taking the Chileno Beach Snorkeling Tour, which includes umbrellas, a box lunch, snorkeling gear and a guide. Plus, the Los Cabos City Tour includes an optional stop here.
3. Santa Maria Beach
This is a somewhat hidden beach (even a few locals know about it!) but it is very easy to get there. It’s located only 15 minutes from San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas. Santa Maria Bay has a very calm beach. There are no facilities (bathrooms) available since it is a protected Natural Park. The bay is surrounded by small cliffs and there are colorful reefs in the sea with tons of sea life, ideal for snorkeling.
This beach is also one of the favorite stops for catamaran and sailing tours, because of the great snorkeling you can do here. And hanging out in the bay is not bad either! If you want to go this beach on an amazing tour get the Santa Maria Snorkeling Tour. It includes transportation, a box lunch, snorkeling gear, umbrellas, beverages and a great snorkeling guide.
4. Medano Beach
This is one of the most popular swimmable beaches in Cabo San Lucas. There are restaurants, bars, beach clubs and water activities you can enjoy right at the beach! It is located within the Cabo San Lucas Bay, to the left of the marina. If you’re staying in a hotel in Cabo San Lucas’ hotel zone, Medano Beach is perfect for you.
You can get there easily walking or with a taxi and the beach is always full of music, drinking contests, and fun. Plus, you can try some traditional food from Los Cabos at the local restaurants, such as The Office on the Beach.
5. Palmilla Beach
This beautiful swimmable beach is located in the San Jose del Cabo Bay. It’s the Hotel One and Only Palmilla’s beach and one of the most popular among the locals. You can swim easily in this beach’s calm waters, kids can play in them happily and parents can rest peacefully!
There are some palapa umbrellas and access for people with disabilities. You can only get there easily by land. The most advisable thing is to get there by car or with a taxi. There’s a taxi stand in the parking lot. You can also snorkel and see some marine life here.
Come Swim in the Top Cabo Beaches Today!
Now you know the top Cabo beaches to swim in. Plus you know how to get there and have the time of your life. Let Amstar know if you’ve been there already and if you like these beaches in the comment section below, and share the knowledge!
—This is an update of the original December 2013 post.
