Cabo in January: peak whale season, cool mornings and what to book
January is the peak of whale season in Cabo: the weather, the water temperature, what to wear and how to plan a whale charter.
In this guide
January is peak whale month in Cabo. Humpback mothers and calves are in the area, highs hold near 77°F (25°C), rain falls on about 5% of days, and our trip guide rates the month "best" for whales, sunsets and days on deck. The water is cooler, about 74°F (23°C) on average, and mornings on the boat call for a light jacket.
The boat day we recommend this month is a 3-hour morning whale charter on a flybridge yacht, which gives you height for spotting and time to wait for a whale to surface.
Cabo weather in January
January in Cabo is dry, sunny and mild, with cool nights. These are typical conditions on three dates, from the 10-year averages (2015 to 2024) in our trip guide:
| Date | Air high / low | Water | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | 77°F / 67°F (25°C / 19°C) | 76°F (24°C) | 3% |
| January 15 | 77°F / 66°F (25°C / 19°C) | 74°F (23°C) | 5% |
| January 31 | 77°F / 65°F (25°C / 18°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 7% |
Here is the live forecast for Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo San Lucas forecast
Loading the forecast
"Rainy days" means days with at least 1 mm of rain. Even at the end of the month, rain falls on fewer than one day in ten.
The typical daily top wind is about 12 mph (19 km/h). Mornings are usually the calmest part of the day on the bay, since the wind tends to build after midday. That is one more reason to go out early for whales.
Cabo water temperature in January
The sea cools through the month, from about 76°F (24°C) on New Year's Day to about 73°F (23°C) by January 31. It keeps dropping into February, March and April, which sit around 72°F (22°C), the coolest water of the year.
At 74°F you can still swim and snorkel. Our guide rates January snorkeling as "possible" rather than good, because it uses 76°F (24°C) as the line for "good". A rash guard makes it more comfortable, and a towel and dry layer for after the swim matter more than in summer. Our what to wear and bring checklist covers the rest.
Whale watching in Cabo in January
Humpback whales come to the tip of Baja every winter to breed and calve. They start arriving in November, and January and February are the peak months, with mothers and calves in the area. The official whale-watching season set by SEMARNAT ran December 15 to April 30 in 2025 to 2026.
The whales travel along the coast and through the mouth of the bay, often within sight of Land's End. A private charter lets you stay when a whale shows up, instead of following a tour schedule.
Captains follow Mexico's whale-watching rules. They keep their distance, slow down near the whales and never chase them. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the season is reliable. Our whale watching season guide explains the rules and the species in more detail.
Why 3 hours on a flybridge yacht
A typical 3-hour whale charter on our whale watching experience goes like this:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | Board at Marina Cabo San Lucas |
| 0:15 | Out past Land's End to open water at the mouth of the bay |
| 0:30 | Everyone scans for blows; humpbacks often breach or slap their fins |
| 2:15 | The Arch and the sea lions on the way back |
| 3:00 | Back at the dock |
We recommend 3 hours because it leaves time to wait for a whale to surface again after a dive. Longer charters leave more time to search.
A flybridge yacht gives you the highest vantage point on the water, which makes it easier to spot blows at a distance and to see the whale when it is close. In our fleet, the flybridge yachts include the Sea Ray 40, the Azimut 45 Flybridge and the Sea Ray 55.
The Arch in January
Every route passes the Arch, the granite arch at Land's End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the marina. On a whale charter you usually see it on the way back, along with the California sea lions that haul out on the rocks next to it.
Sunrise is around 7 AM in January, so a 7 or 8 AM departure catches the early light on the rocks.
Sunset times in January
Sunsets move later through January, by about 20 minutes. Our guide rates January "best" for sunsets: little rain and light wind.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | 7:00 AM | 5:46 PM |
| January 15 | 7:03 AM | 5:56 PM |
| January 31 | 6:59 AM | 6:07 PM |
A late-afternoon whale charter can end at sunset. Whales are wildlife, so the timing of any sighting is up to them, but you get both on a good day. Bring a warmer layer for the ride back, since evenings in January get down to the mid 60s°F (about 18 to 19°C).
January or February for whales?
Both are peak months, and the difference between them is small. February has slightly cooler water and later sunsets.
| January | February | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 74°F (23°C) | 72°F (22°C) |
| Air high | 77°F (25°C) | 77°F (25°C) |
| Rainy days | 5% | 4% |
| Sunset, mid-month | 5:56 PM | 6:16 PM |
Pick the one that fits your trip. Whale season continues after February, rated "good" in our guide for March and April.
What to wear on a boat in January
Towels are included on the Sea Ray 40 and Azimut 45, and on the Sea Ray 36. On other yachts, bring your own.
Which yacht for whale watching in January?
Prices are per boat, not per person, with 16% IVA tax included. The customary 15% crew tip is not included.
| Yacht | Guests | 3 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Ray 40 | up to 12 | USD 1,199 / MXN 22,799 |
| Azimut 45 Flybridge | up to 12 | USD 1,649 / MXN 31,399 |
| Sea Ray 55 | up to 15 | USD 2,129 / MXN 40,399 |
| McKinna 70 | up to 12 | USD 4,499 / MXN 85,499 |
The Sea Ray 40 is the most affordable flybridge in the fleet. The Sea Ray 55 takes the biggest group, up to 15, and has air conditioning, cabins and heads, which helps on a cool morning. The McKinna 70 adds a chef, a multi-course menu cooked on board and complimentary drinks served by its crew.
Booking a whale charter in January
Send your date and group size through the planner, and mention that you want whales so we suggest a morning departure on a flybridge yacht. We reply in writing within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time. Payment goes through a secure Stripe link once your date is confirmed.
If your trip starts right after New Year, book early. Christmas to New Year is Cabo's busiest stretch on the water. Our Cabo in December guide covers the holiday rules.
Several ships call during peak whale month. The Norwegian Star is in port four times in January, the Serenade of the Seas three, and the Ovation of the Seas and Disney Wonder once each. Their pages show the hours ashore and whether a 3 hour whale charter fits.
Yachts in this guide
Questions people ask
Is January a good time to see whales in Cabo?
Yes. January and February are the peak months of the whale season in Cabo, with humpback mothers and calves in the area. The official season set by SEMARNAT ran December 15 to April 30 in 2025 to 2026.
What is the water temperature in Cabo in January?
About 74°F (23°C) on average, cooling from about 76°F (24°C) on January 1 to about 73°F (23°C) by January 31. A rash guard makes swimming more comfortable.
What is the weather like in Cabo in January?
Mild and dry. Highs average about 77°F (25°C), lows about 66°F (19°C), and rain falls on roughly 5% of days. Mornings on the water are cool, so bring a light jacket.
How long should a whale watching charter be in January?
We recommend 3 hours. That gives the captain time to head out past Land's End, search open water for blows and stay with a whale when one shows up, then pass the Arch on the way back.
What time is sunset in Cabo in January?
About 5:46 PM on January 1, 5:56 PM on January 15 and 6:07 PM on January 31, Cabo time. Cabo stays on Mountain Standard Time all year.
Plan your day on the water
Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.
Keep reading
Things to doCabo Whale Watching Season: When to Go and How to See ThemWhen the whales are in Cabo, which months are best, what species you'll see, and how a private boat compares with a shared whale tour.7 min read
Plan your tripCabo in December: Weather, Whales and the HolidaysDecember in Cabo brings mild days, the start of whale season and the busiest holiday stretch. How to plan a boat day around it.7 min read
Plan your tripWhat to Wear on a Boat in Cabo, Plus a Packing ChecklistA packing list for a Cabo yacht day, covering what to wear, what's on board, what to bring and what to leave behind.7 min read
Plan your tripWhale Watching on a Cabo Cruise Stop (December to April)When the whales are in Cabo, why boats head to the Pacific or corridor, how long you need and which yacht fits a port call.8 min read