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The Sea of Cortés is the side of the peninsula where you can find bays, coves and reefs with swimming-friendly beaches. The Pacific side is rough and riskier, much of it downright dangerous. And, while the Sea has its share of swift deep currents and high surf, there are protected areas, perfect for saltwater days. From south to north along the Sea of Cortés, following are some of the beaches where you can most often swim and frolic with abandon.
Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach), at Land’s End, may be the place to discover young love, rekindle an old one, or write love letters in the sand. Cabo’s answer to Niagara Falls and Yosemite’s Half-Dome, you’ll marvel at the volcanic mountains, thrust up by powerful forces eons ago, which frame this beach. It’s a great place to snorkel among the rocks and hand-feed tidbits to the colorful tropical fish. Unless you enjoy climbing over boulders and cliffs, forget hiking across Solmar Beach on the Pacific side to get to Playa del Amor. Instead, take a water taxi from the marina or Médano Beach. When you arrive at Playa del Amor, just hop ashore into waist-high water with the help of some local “volunteers.” Seriously avoid going near the water on the Pacific side of Land’s End, as dangerous surf conditions prevail year-round.
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Médano Beach on Cabo’s bay is perhaps the best swimming beach in Cabo. A get-down party beach, it features a variety of toes-in-the-sand dining and non-stop fun, drinking and dining at the Mango Deck or Médano Beach Club. Baja Cantina Beach Restaurant offers dining from breakfast through fine dining beneath starry skies. At the east end of Médano is Tabasco Beach Club, a quieter yet still active spot that is accessible by car through the arroyo next to Cascasdas Beach Grill. All types of water sports are available along Médano. For example, JT Water Sports rents wave runners, kayaks and other surface water rides, offers snorkeling tours, parasailing, and more.
Several popular swimming beaches along the Tourist Corridor, such as Santa María and Chileno Bay are undergoing redevelopment at this time, and thus may be somewhat restricted due to ongoing construction. Chileno Bay, at Km 14, is the most accessible. Follow the well-marked signage on the highway to the parking lot. It’s a gorgeous horseshoe of white sand and calm aqua water. Both Chileno Bay and Santa María Bay are stops for snorkeling cruises which leave from Cabo San Lucas.
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Palmilla Beach on the east end of the Tourist Corridor is a popular family beach in San José. Here you’ll discover one of the most sublime bays to be found this side of Tahiti. For snorkeling, there’s a reef full of tropical fish, and sandy inshore areas for swimming. Take the One & Only Palmilla turnoff at Km 27.5 Transp. Hwy.
Acapulquito Beach, at Km 28 Transp. Hwy., fronts the Cabo Surf Hotel, and is at times favored by celebrities looking for an intimate beach off the tourist track. Take the turn off to Cabo Surf Hotel (It can come up fast, so be careful.) and park above the hotel gates.
Playita Beach in Puerto Los Cabos on the other side of San José del Cabo has surfing, fishing, and a marina all in one place. Read more about it elsewhere in this magazine.
Note: Few Los Cabos beaches have services; lifeguards are rare. Not all beaches are suitable for swimming or watersports: use caution and stay well above the tide line. Pacific Ocean beaches are known for rogue waves and undertows and are not recommended for swimming at any time.
By David Mandich
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Copyright © 2010 - Joseph A. Tyson - All Rights Reserved - www.loscabosmagazine.com
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Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - January 28, 2009 - fap
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