Our pick · Snorkelers
Experiences · Los Cabos · East Cape
Cabo Pulmo snorkel or dive the living reef.
A national park on the East Cape, about two hours by van from Los Cabos, protecting a reef some 20,000 years old. Snorkel it in a small group, or dive two sites if you are certified.
8 hoursDuration
About 2 hoursEach way by van
Ages 10 +12 + for diving
20,000 yearsA living coral reef
Snorkel or diveTwo ways to go
The national park
An old reef on the East Cape.
Cabo Pulmo National Park, founded in 1995, lies on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula, where a shallow bay holds one of North America’s three living coral reefs, around 20,000 years old. The water around it is home to sea turtles, sea lions, rays and large schools of tropical fish.
Cabo Pulmo snorkeling tours from Los Cabos take the whole day: about two hours each way by van to the East Cape, a guided swim over the reef, and a Baja-style lunch at a local restaurant. Certified divers can take the dive day instead, with two sites chosen each day by the sea conditions.
The wreck of El Colima, a tuna boat lost in a storm in 1939, is now covered in coral and green anemones.
Choose your day
Two ways to see the reef.
A guided snorkeling expedition for the group, or a dive day for certified divers. Both are shared small-group days, run by Cabo Adventures and booked through us.
Our pick · Snorkelers
Shared · certified divers
Cabo Pulmo dive day
- Two dives with bilingual PADI-certified guides
- Sites such as El Islote, El Bajo, Los Cantiles and the El Colima wreck
- Lunch after the dives
- Van from Los Cabos and back
Bring proof of certification. A park fee and a gear fee are paid on the day.
Our concierge confirms availability and books it for you.
Diving as a group? Cabo Adventures can arrange a private dive trip, and our concierge books it with them.
The film
A day on the Cabo Pulmo reef
Down the East Cape to the reef, and the schooling fish over it. Filmed by Cabo Adventures, who run the day.
Film · Cabo Adventures
Snorkeling expedition
A full day, in order.
i.
Meet the van
Villa guests check in at the Cabo San Lucas marina
ii.
Drive to the East Cape
About two hours to Cabo Pulmo
iii.
Snorkel the reef
Guided, in a small group
iv.
Lunch
At a local Baja-style restaurant
v.
Drive back
About eight hours in all
The order of the day as the operator runs it; exact times are confirmed when you book.
The gallery
See it for yourself.
When to go
Through the year.
Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
Diving
Jul
Diving
Aug
Diving
Sep
Diving
Oct
Diving
Nov
Diving
Dec
Diving
Best diving, June to December: clear, warm water and calm seas
Good to know
Before you go.
Who can join
Snorkelers from 10, with a 114 kg (250 lb) weight limit; divers from 12, with 120 kg (265 lb). Not suitable during pregnancy or with back problems, and divers with breathing, heart or ear conditions cannot dive.
Experience
Some snorkeling experience and reasonably strong swimming are recommended. Life jackets are worn on the snorkeling day.
Protect the reef
Biodegradable sunscreen only, or better, none at all.
Divers
Proof of certification and at least one dive in the past 12 months. Bring your own gear and you skip the gear fee. Allow 18 hours between your last dive and your flight home.
Our take
Founder, Villa Experience
“Send the keen snorkelers and divers to Cabo Pulmo and give the rest of the villa a quiet day: it takes about eight hours, much of it in the van. Certified divers should take the dive day.”
Founder, Villa Experience
Back at the villa, a late meal by a private chef (at additional cost), arranged by our concierge.
Questions
Before you ask.
How far is Cabo Pulmo from Cabo San Lucas?
About two hours each way by van from Los Cabos, on the East Cape. Allow about eight hours for the whole day.
When is the best season for diving and snorkeling there?
For diving, June to December, with the best visibility, warm water and long calm spells. For snorkeling there is no single best season, but many people choose late spring to early fall.
Do I need to be a certified diver?
Only for the dive day, which needs proof of certification and a dive in the past 12 months. The snorkeling expedition needs no certification. New to diving? Discover Scuba runs from Cabo San Lucas.
What is included in the day?
The van there and back, a guide, snorkel gear or two guided dives, and lunch at a local restaurant. The national park fee, and for divers a gear fee, are paid on the day.
What will we see?
Snorkelers may see sea turtles, sea lions and schools of tropical fish over the reef. Divers may also find large schools of jacks and snappers, groupers and rays, and the coral-covered wreck of El Colima.
Villa Experience Concierge
Let us arrange the day.
Tell us your dates and your group. We book the right option and the transfer, plan the rest of the day at the villa, and send you one confirmation.
Pairs well with
More for the same week.
Cabo PulmoOperated by Cabo Adventures
Reserve
