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Besides swimming and relaxing on the beach, sportfishing is Cabo’s number
one outdoor activity. An average of 50,000 billfish -- marlin, sailfish, and swordfish --
a year are hooked off the cape, more than anywhere else in the world. The granddaddy
of them all, the marlin azul (blue marlin), can reach 16 feet in length and weigh close to
one ton. In the Cape area, it is not out of the ordinary to catch 440 to 880 pound blue
marlins. The marlin negro or black marlin is almost as big as the blue. The marlin rayado
(striped marlin) is a smaller species weighing 600 pounds or more.
Good marlin-fishing spots include Banco San Jaime, 18 miles southwest of Cabo Falso,
and Banco Golden Gate, 19 miles west of Cabo Falso. Dorado and wahoo are also common
in the same areas. Marlin are also somewhat common just beyond the steep drop-offs
between Los Frailes and Cabo Falso, an area easily reached by panga or skiff. Black seabass,
cabrilla, sierra, and grouper are available in inshore waters for the less ambitious angler.
Surfcasters can take corvina, ladyfish, sierra, and pargo. The best surfcasting in the
immediate area is at Playa Solmar. The old pier extending from the old tuna cannery at the
entrance of the harbor also offers surfcasting.
To land large gamefish,the best bet is to join a sportfishing cruiser -- a powerboat equipped
with electronic fish-finders, sophisticated tackle, fighting chairs and harnesses, and wells
for keeping live bait. Guided cruiser trips can be easily arranged. Rates average $450 a day
for a six-person 36-foot fishing cruiser, $335 on a 28-foot charter, $250 a day or $100 a
half-day on a 26-footer or $175 per couple on a 31-foot party boat. Cruisers generally hold
up to six anglers with rates including tax, license, gear, and ice. The better outfits include
fish preparation and packing among their services at no extra charge. All Cabo sportfishing
outfits request and some even require that anglers release billfish. Instead of killing this
magnificent fish, they suggest bringing a video camera along to record your brilliant catch.
When a customer demands to keep his billfish, the Sportfishing Association of Los Cabos
stipulates that only one billfish per boat may be killed. You can catch and release as many
as you want or can.
Pangas, fiberglass fishing boats, are available in Cabo San Lucas, but most panga-fishing
trips operate out of San Jose del Cabo. The average panga trip costs $125 in a three-person,
22-foot boat in either town. The $125 usually does not include rental gear and sometimes
does not include licenses. As with the sportfishing cruisers, ask whether the quote includes
the filleting of edible fish. |
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Cabo San Lucas is a unique diving destination since it
is in the middle of a transition zone between tropical and
temperate waters. Small, colorful tropical fish swim with
larger species partial to temperate waters, such as amberjack,
hammerheads, and manta rays.
Cabo is also convenient with several snorkeling and diving
sites only a 15 to 25 minute boat ride from the marina.
A popular snorkeling spot is at the base of the cliffs on
each side of Playa del Amor. In 10 feet of water, you can
explore coral and tropical fish. For a bit more of a challenge,
go to nearby Pelican Rock and snorkel in 20 feet deep of
fish filled water. On calm days, strong divers can swim
south around the arch to the seal colony at Los Frailes
to frolic with the playful creatures. |
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Sand Falls
30'-100' For beginners or advanced, 5 minute boat ride time. Steep sand banks
cascading into the canyon with many tropical fish. The canyon is a finger jutting out
from Cabo San Lucas canyon and runs within 30 yards of shore. Cabo San Lucas
canyon makes Bahia San Lucas the 4th or 5th deepest bay in the world.
Pelican Rock *+
25'-80' For beginners, 5 minute boat ride. Large Rock which attracts many tropical
and schooling fish.
Neptune's Finger +
80'-100' Beginners to advanced, 5 minute boat time. A spectacular canyon wall dive
for advanced divers only. Many pelagics.
Land's End +
50'-60' Intermediate to advanced, 5 minute boat time. An opporutnity to dive with sea lions
and observe many different moray eels. During August, September, and October a small
sunken wreck may be observed.
Cabeza De Ballena *+
20'-40' For beginners, 25 minute boat time. Dive through a maze of large boulders on this
easy and fun shallow dive.
Santa Maria Cove +
20'-40' For beginners, 35 minute boat time. Excellent for fish feeding where the fish come
right to you. This is the entrance to Santa Maria Canyon.
Twin Dolphin +
20'-40' For beginners, 35 minute boat time. Small schooling fish over sandy and rocky bottom.
An ideal place to watch for turtles.
El Gavilan +
70'-100' Intermediate to advanced divers, 35 minute boat time from Cabo San Lucas.
Rocky ledge leading into a canyon where jewfish and large grouper are often observed.
Blow Hole +
30'-70' Beginners to advanced, 35 minute boat time from Cabo San Lucas but only 10 minutes
from Chileno. Rocky valley which presents a lively and exciting dive.
Chileno *+
35'-70' For beginners. Dive center at Chileno Beach. Large rocky reef with some coral trees
and a large variety of tropical fish. Sea turtles are often observed and this is about the only
place to view Corwn of Thorns Star Fish - #1 enemy in Australia because they eat coral.
Las Salinas +
30'-45' For beginners. An hour and ten minutes boat time or 1 hour by car and 1 hour by boat
from Playita. Your exotic dream to dive a shipwreck. A Japanese fishing boat surrounded by
a large assortment of underwater sea life.
Gordo Banks
110'-120' For advanced divers. An hour and 45 minutes boat time there is a seamount where
one can observe Hammerheads, Marlin, Skip Jacks and Pacific Crevalle Jacks.
Cabo Pulmo +
30'-100' For beginners and advanced divers. 2 Hours by car and 5 minutes by boat. The only
living coral in the Sea of Cortes. Here there is a tpyical wreck patially covered by a net which
entices many fish into the area.
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