Cabo Water Sports Guide: Surf, Dive, Paddle & More
Introduction
When the desert meets two extraordinary oceans, adrenaline follows. From Zippers’ hollow surf to Los Barriles’ 20-knot El Norte winds, Cabo water sports deliver year-round thrills for every skill level. This 1,600-word playbook maps the best seasons, spots, gear tips, safety rules, pricing—and how Ozean Luxe Charters bundles yacht days with jet-skis or SUP safaris while saving you fees with our cash-payment perk.
Table of Contents
- Sea & Weather Cheat-Sheet
- Surfing Hot Spots & Seasons
- Scuba Diving & Snorkel Havens
- Stand-Up Paddle & Kayak Trails
- Kitesurf & Windsurf on the East Cape
- Jet-Ski, Parasailing & Flyboard
- Wakeboarding & Foil Sessions in La Paz
- Cost Breakdown & “Pay Cash, Save”
- Safety Regulations & Eco Rules
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Booking Your Ozean Luxe Aqua-Day
1 · Sea & Weather Cheat-Sheet
| Season | Pacific Temp °F | Cortez Temp °F | Typical Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 70-73 | 71-74 | El Norte winds, prime surf north swells |
| Spring | 72-75 | 74-77 | Clear viz for diving; mild winds |
| Summer | 78-84 | 82-86 | Glassy mornings, tropical storms possible |
| Fall | 80-82 | 80-84 | Hurricane-cleared water, epic south-swells |
2 · Surfing Hot Spots
| Break | Skill | Best Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zippers (San José) | Int-Adv | Apr-Oct south swells | Fast right-hander—local etiquette! (Travel Zone Los Cabos – Surfline) |
| Monuments (Cabo) | Adv | May-Sep | Slabby left under El Arco cliffs |
| Cerritos (Pescadero) | Beg-Int | Nov-Mar | Sandy beach, surf schools |
| East Cape (Shipwrecks) | Int-Adv | Jul-Sep | Long right walls, 4×4 access |
Pro tip: Dawn patrol beats onshore wind; our chase boat shoots drone footage for your highlight reel.
3 · Scuba Diving & Snorkel Havens
| Site | Highlights | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Pulmo National Park | 20,000-yr-old coral reef, bull sharks, mega-schools of jacks | Aug-Nov (warmest) |
| Sand Falls | Cascading sand “waterfalls” off Lands End | May-Jul vis 100 ft |
| Gordo Banks | Giant manta & schooling hammerheads | Sep-Dec |
Nitrox & rental Aqualung gear included on Ozean Luxe dive charters.
4 · Stand-Up Paddle & Kayak
- Medano Bay: Calm mornings, Arch selfies.
- Chileno & Santa Maria: Coral gardens under glass-clear water.
- Balandra Bay (La Paz): Mangrove-lined lagoon, postcard-blue.
Inflatable SUPs stow on our yachts—deploy in minutes off the swim platform.
5 · Kitesurf & Windsurf (East Cape)
Los Barriles and La Ventana clock 18-22 knot NNE winds five days a week Nov-Apr. (Wind Conditions – Exotikite Baja California) Side-shore launch, sandy bottom—ideal for learners or big-air pros. Foil lessons and 12 m² Cabrinha kites available.
6 · Jet-Ski, Parasailing & Flyboard
Medano Beach hosts the highest-rated operators; Jet-Ski tours buzz past El Arco. 94 % of TripAdvisor reviewers rate rides 4 ★+. (THE 5 BEST Cabo San Lucas Waterskiing & Jetskiing (2025)) Flyboards elevate 30 ft—our safety crews radio local traffic to keep a clear radius.
7 · Wakeboarding & Foil in La Paz
Flat-water mornings in Bahía de La Paz create perfect wake lanes; private towboat sessions run $550/2 hrs for up to 6 riders. (2-Hour Private Wakeboarding Adventure in Bahía de La Paz – Tripadvisor) Electric e-foils are a silent option for eco-friendly thrills.
8 · Cost Breakdown & Cash-Saving Perk
| Activity | Typical Rate | Cash Savings* |
|---|---|---|
| Private Surf Lesson | $120 / 2 hrs | Save $10 |
| Two-Tank Dive | $195 | Save $18 |
| Kitesurf Lesson | $260 / 3 hrs | Save $22 |
| Jet-Ski Hour | $110 | Save $9 |
| Wakeboard Boat | $550 / 2 hrs | Save $45 |
*Pay 100 % in USD cash and avoid 3 % card fees + 16 % VAT—extra tacos and tequila money!
9 · Safety & Eco Regulations
- Surf zones: Leash mandatory; no motor traffic inside flagged “surf only” zones.
- Diving: Cabo Pulmo limits 1,200 visitors/day; permits handled by Ozean concierge.
- Kitesurf: East Cape rescue pangas patrol 09:00-17:00; helmet & impact vest recommended.
- Jet-Ski: Speed cap 15 kt within 200 m of shore; no-wake in marina.
- Leave No Trace: Reef-safe sunscreen, no single-use plastics on charters.
10 · Frequently Asked Questions
Which water sport is best for beginners?
Stand-up paddle at Medano or Cerritos surf lessons. Calm water, soft sand.
Do I need certification to dive?
Yes—Open Water card or hire a private instructor for resort-course dive.
Best months for all sports in one trip?
November (post-storm clarity, El Norte winds, early surf swells).
Water temperatures—wetsuit or boardshorts?
3 mm spring suit Dec-Apr; rash guard May-Oct.
Are there lifeguards?
Yes at main Cabo beaches. Remote spots have Ozean chase boats on VHF 16.
11 · Book Your Ozean Luxe Aqua-Day
Combine a 70 ft yacht anchor-off with jet-ski tours and sunset SUP yoga, or charter our chase boat to film your surf session at Zippers. Message our 24/7 concierge and mention “I’ll Pay Cash” to pocket instant savings and secure premium gear before it’s booked out.
