Let’s be honest. There’s never a bad time to visit Los Cabos. The weather is warm and sunny year-round, and with over 100 miles of coastline, the Baja California peninsula’s southernmost municipality sports an endless variety of breathtakingly beautiful beaches.
But certainly, in terms of tourism, some seasons are busier than others…and for most of the 50+ year history of the area as a tourist destination, August and September have been the height (or more accurately, the nadir) of low season.
In fact, although cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are now considered year-round travel destinations – with the occupancy rates to prove it – many long-time local businesses still shut down for remodeling, repairs, or rest during the August-September dog days.
And as the phrase dog days suggests, these months are the hottest of the year in Los Cabos, and also occur during the peak of hurricane season, when the occasional storm floods local streets and drives beachgoers back to the air-conditioned comfort and security of their resorts or vacation rentals.
Does it sound like we’re trying to dissuade people from visiting during August and September? Quite the contrary. Despite the heat and occasional storms, this is actually one of the best times of year to visit for some of the region’s signature outdoor activities. And for those who like bargains (who doesn’t, really?), this is the best time of year to take advantage of reduced room rates, specialty activities packages, and discounted greens fees at area golf courses.
The best reasons to visit during these months, however, are the optimal conditions for outdoor activities and adventures like big-game fishing, surfing, snorkeling and diving, and more.
With that in mind, here are our top 5 reasons to visit Los Cabos during what remains of the summer season in 2021.
Spectacular Big-Game Fishing for Blue and Black Marlin
Make no mistake. There is no bad time to go fishing in Los Cabos. But for those interested in getting their hooks into enormous black and blue marlin, there is definitely a “best” time…and it starts right now. Why do you think Bisbee’s hosts its trio of big-money tournaments every year in August and October? Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore saw a record 704 lb. blue marlin bagged last year, and went over the million-dollar mark in prize money for the first time. Now all three tournaments have a prize pool in seven figures. Despite the lucrative competitive allure, however, visiting anglers don’t need to enter any tournaments to enjoy the region’s spectacular big-game sportfishing. Charter boats are always available from the Cabo San Luas Marina.
World-Class Conditions at Unforgettable Scuba Diving Destinations
Los Cabos boasts spectacular year-round diving, with a half-dozen great sites at Land’s End alone, plus easy access to the living coral reef at Cabo Pulmo–one of the oldest and largest in the Western Hemisphere–and dedicated shipwreck dive sites in both Los Cabos and La Paz. One local boat, the Solmar V, even offers week-long trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago, some 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, for unbelievable underwater encounters with deep sea creatures like manta rays, dolphins and great white sharks. The best times to visit in terms of water temperatures and visibility, however, are during the late summer and early autumn months. From July through October, water temperatures typically range from about 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cabo Pulmo is the recommended regional dive site during peak season, offering access to the spectacular coral reef, as well as the densest accumulation of fish and other marine life in the Sea of Cortez (over 800 species, thanks to its protected status as a national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Family-Friendly Programs to Help Protect Endangered Sea Turtles
Five of the world’s seven endangered sea turtle species come to Baja California to lay their eggs–the green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive riddle and leatherback (the largest sea turtle and the world’s fastest aquatic reptile)–with local conservation agencies and some area resorts offering opportunities to assist in the hatchling process. Why is this help so important? Although mature sea turtles are long-lived and have few predators, they are in great danger during their initial journey away from the nest, extremely vulnerable to predators on both land and sea. The help visitors give, in other words, contributes to the long lives of hatchlings, and also to the continuation of these remarkable species. In Los Cabos, sea turtle season begins in late August.
Peak Conditions for Surfing the Sea of Cortez
Surfers will find great waves in Baja California Sur on a year-round basis, although the scene shifts according to the season. During the winter months, for example, the best top breaks are found on the Pacific Coast, most notably off beaches like Cerritos, San Pedrito and La Pastora. The Sea of Cortez takes center stage during the summer months, when seasonal weather fronts and storms send perfect southeast swells towards Los Cabos and its beautiful East Cape. Los Cabos sites like Monuments (Playa Monumentos) reach their zenith during the summer, as do East Cape meccas like Nine Palms and Shipwrecks. The most famous summer break, however, is Zippers at Playa Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo, formerly the host of the only WSL sponsored tournament in the area. Zippers and The Rock as Costa Azul are best left to the experts, but Costa Azul’s middle break and nearby Acapulquito are popular spots for beginners, and lessons are available.
Amazing Opportunities to Swim Side-by-Side with the World’s Largest Fish
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, reaching up to 40 feet in length, and weighing as much as 47,000 pounds. There is no risk in swimming with these gentle giants, however, since they subsist solely on plankton. Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz is the premier place to indulge in this unforgettable wildlife adventure, with the majority of interactions occurring near the tip of the El Mogote peninsula. For those interested in whale shark swims, complimentary round-trip transportation from Los Cabos is provided by several respected activities providers, beginning during the month of August each year.
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Saludos from Co-Founders…
Chris Sands – Writer and Michael Mattos
Thank you so much to share such an amazing and informative article. Keep us updating with more interesting articles.