Whale Watching, Sandboarding, and More: Top Activities in Mexico’s Most Luxurious Getaway
As one of the best beach towns in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is one of the most visited and best-traveled destinations in the country. Visitors will need to know about all the best things to do in Cabo, Mexico.
Cabo San Lucas has something for everyone: from tours aboard luxury yachts and pristine beaches with clear waters, to one of the world’s greatest golf courses (Cabo del Sol by Jack Nicklaus) and every outdoor adventure there is — from mountain biking to sandboarding.
Ready to discover all the best Cabo things to do? Let’s get to it!
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning when you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and help keep my content free. It’s a win-win for us both. For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.
1. Ride a Camel on the Cabo Beaches
While you may not associate camels with Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is actually part beach, part desert, so it’s the perfect place for camels.
These unique animals are found on eco farms throughout the area, offering visitors one of Cabo’s most unique experiences.
In recent years, Cabo camel rides have become one of the must do activities in Cabo San Lucas for visitors of all ages.
If this is something you want to do, book early, as camel rides in Cabo tend to sell out! Below, you’ll find some of the best camel tours in Cabo.
2. Swim with Whale Sharks in Cabo
The closest place to go whale watching in Cabo is La Paz, Mexico, located about 2.5 hours away.
You can see them all year-long, but if you visit from November to April Cabo, the peak of Cabo whale shark season, it is a bucket list experience to swim alongside the largest fish in the ocean!
Mexico is understandably protective of these endangered animals, so there are many rules for interacting with them, including allowing only a limited number of boats in the area at a time.
As you wait for your boat’s turn to enter the bay, you’ll learn all about the whale sharks.
When it’s time to enter the water, you’ll jump in and find yourself next to a docile whale shark.
The waves can be quite large, but your guides can help pull you towards the whale sharks, which range from about 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m) in length.
3. Cabo Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Each year, several species of whales migrate past Cabo, including humpback whales, orcas (killer whales), gray whales and more.
This area is such a whale-watching hotspot that the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located just offshore.
For visitors heading to Cabo San Lucas in winter, you must add a Cabo whale tour to your itinerary.
Different species go through the Pacific Ocean waters near Cabo at different times of year, but December to April are best for whale watching in Cabo San Lucas.
4. El Arco Boat Tour (Arch in Cabo)
El Arco is the most famous of all Cabo sites — and something you won’t want to miss when traveling to Cabo.
El Arco means “The Arch,” as this is a natural stone arch. It’s located at Land’s End, which is the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
It is only accessible by boat, which you’ll catch at the Cabo Marina.
You can take the water taxi that will simply drop you off at the beaches near the Cabo Arch — Lover’s Beach (Playa de los Amantes) and Divorce Beach — though a tour is more fun and you’ll see more.
Besides the beaches and the Arch, there are other pretty spots around the peninsula, like Scooby Doo Rock and Horse Head Rock.
The tours also offer unique experiences that add more than just seeing the unique rock formations.
5. Diving or Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas
When you need some ocean time, a snorkeling tour (or dive trip for those certified) is one of the best Cabo experiences.
The snorkeling in Cabo is undeniably amazing, and if you’ve been wanting to buy a GoPro (or the more affordable Akaso) — now you have the perfect reason 🐠
🤿 Don’t want to get in the water? There are glass-bottom boat tours in Cabo as well.
6. Cabo San Lucas Sailing Tour
There are so many amazing Cabo San Lucas things to do — and as you might have noticed by now, most of them involve being in, on, or near the water.
When you take a Cabo sailing trip, you get the best of all worlds!
There are so many types of sailing tours in Cabo to choose from, including:
- ⛵️ Luxury sunset sail cruises
- 😍 Romantic sunset dinner cruises
- 🤿 Family-friendly snorkeling cruises
- 🥂 Adults only Cabo booze cruises
- 🏴☠️ Cabo Pirate Ship cruise
7. Enjoy a Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo
The best place to watch the sunset in Cabo San Lucas is on the water, aboard a boat, while enjoying a gourmet dinner — and you can book yours here!
Not just an activity for couples, many cruises take out groups, so this is among the top things to do for solo travelers, a small group or even the whole family.
🍽🍷 Looking for a romantic dinner in Cabo back on land? Flora Farms, an organic farm located just outside of the city, is one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas for couples.
8. Sport Fishing in Cabo San Lucas
Deep-sea fishing is one of the top things to do in Cabo San Lucas, and really, one of the best water sports on the entire Pacific Coast.
The Los Cabos area in particular is a coveted spot for marlin fish, as Cabo is the marlin capital of the world.
9. Ride a Sandboard in Cabo
You’ve heard of skateboarding on land, and snowboarding on snow, but in Cabo you can go sandboarding on the sand dunes.
Cabo’s unique location is part beach, part desert, making it one of the few places on Earth you can sandboard with a view of the ocean.
10. Visit Cabo Pulmo National Park (UNESCO Site)
Cabo Pulmo National Park is part of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, one of the Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In fact, French diver and TV personality, Jacques Cousteau, famously called this part of Mexico “the aquarium of the world.”
The protected waters around Cabo Pulmo are teeming with healthy coral reefs, tropical fish and marine life — making them ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving near Cabo.
However, you’ll miss all the best spots unless you’re with a tour guide who knows where to go!
11. Release Baby Sea Turtles in San Jose del Cabo
Immerse yourself in the nature and ecology of Los Cabos on this baby turtle release tour in San José del Cabo, located about 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas.
The best way to get to San Jose del Cabo from Cabo San Lucas is by rental car or Uber.
During the experience, you’ll learn about the turtles’ biology and behaviors from a knowledgeable guide.
Then, you get to release the baby turtle hatchlings into the sea for the first time in their life 🐢 More than a tour, you get to lend a hand to the local environment on your Cabo vacation.
🎨 San Jose del Cabo Art Walk: If you visit during the high season, don’t miss the Cabo Art Walk. One of the best things to do in San Jose del Cabo, it is held from November to June, Thursday evenings, from 5pm-9pm.
12. Horseback Riding on Cabo Beaches
Like something from a movie, horseback riding on the beach is one of the most unforgettable Cabo activities.
For the best of both worlds—calm tranquility and heart-pumping speed—consider this combo tour that offers a horseback ride and an ATV ride!
Final Thoughts: The Best Things to Do in Cabo Mexico
One of my favorite things about Cabo, and there are many, is that there’s something for everyone.
Travelers of every style (luxury travelers, backpackers, solo travelers, etc.) will find many ways to have a good time because there are so many fun things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
Whether you want to lay on a beach all day, drink in hand 🍹 while soaking up the sun, or jump on an ATV to cruise the sand dunes, it’s all in Cabo!
As one of the top Mexico vacation destinations, Cabo is so well-loved because it’s impossible to not have a great time.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
- The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico (#7 Will Shock You)
- Mexico Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Bucket List
- 20 Hot Springs in Mexico That are Calling Your Name
- Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Never Heard Of
- Best Waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina Mexico
- The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
⚠️ Before You Go — Get Your FREE Guide!
Head here and enter your email address to download your FREE Mexico guide (5 Things You Don’t Want to Forget to Pack for Mexico) and get Mexico travel tips, tricks and more sent straight to your inbox.
