Snorkeling
Visit Los Cabos calls Chileno one of the best spots in Los Cabos for snorkeling and even beginner-friendly diving 2.
Places · Snorkel cove · Tourist corridor
Chileno BayBahía Chileno, Los Cabos
The cove just past Santa María, with calm water that the official tourism board rates among the best in the area for snorkeling and swimming 1.
- From the marina7.9 mi 13 km
- Blue Flag since2013
- On the beachLifeguard stand
- Charters from5 hours
Photo: rainer schmidt, CC BY 3.0
What's there
Calm water, easy snorkeling.
The story
Hollywood guests, a raid in 1822 and a Blue Flag.
El Chileno was one of the first Mexican beaches to earn Blue Flag, certified in 2013 and ratified in 2014 4. The municipality calls it the first in Los Cabos 5.
On the bluffs of Chileno Point, William "Bud" Parr built the Hotel Cabo San Lucas, which drew guests such as Bing Crosby and John Wayne. The hotel was later torn down, and Chileno Bay Resort & Residences stands on the site 6.
The name may go back to February 1822, when crews from Chilean ships under the British officer Lord Cochrane raided the San José del Cabo area. A local historian proposed the link, and it is not confirmed 7.
Photos
What it looks like.
Getting there
On one of our routes.
- 5 to 8 h · Santa María & ChilenoThe full day: the Arch, both coves on the corridor with time to snorkel each, lunch at anchor.
5 to 8 h · Santa María & Chileno The full day: the Arch, both coves on the corridor with time to snorkel each, lunch at anchor. 18.5 miles (30 km) round trip
Stops, with distance from the marina
MarinaLandmarkBeachSnorkelWildlifeWhale season area
Typical routes. Your captain adapts them to the sea that day. Coastline © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
By private yacht
What it costs to get here.
Every price is per boat for your whole group, not per person. The captain, the crew and the 16% tax are included. The yacht is yours alone, never shared.
| Route | Time on the water | From | Yacht at that price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa María & Chileno18.5 mi · 30 km round trip | 5 to 8 h | $1,219 | Bayliner 30up to 6 guests |
Questions
People also ask.
Is Chileno Bay good for snorkeling?
Yes. The tourism board calls it one of the best spots in Los Cabos for snorkeling and even beginner-friendly diving 2.
Why is it called Chileno?
The most cited story links it to Chilean ships under Lord Cochrane that raided the San José del Cabo area in 1822, but it is not confirmed 7.
How far is Chileno Bay from the marina?
About 7.9 miles (13 km) by water, on our Santa María and Chileno route of five to eight hours.
How much does a private boat to Chileno Bay cost?
A private charter on a route that includes Chileno Bay starts at $1,429 for 5 hours on the Bayliner 33, for up to 8 guests. The price is per boat, not per person, and includes the captain, the crew and the 16% tax.
See it from the water
Put Chileno Bay on your route.
A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.
Sources
- Visit Los Cabos (official tourism board), Chileno Beach
- Visit Los Cabos, Blue Flag beaches in Los Cabos (April 2026)
- Cabo Trek, dive sites on the Los Cabos corridor
- SECTUR, Mexican beaches certified Blue Flag (May 2014)
- Municipality of Los Cabos, 25 Blue Flag beaches
- Cabo's Finest, the hotel pioneers of Los Cabos
- BioBioChile, the origin of the name El Chileno (August 2021)
- Cabovisión, camping is prohibited on Los Cabos beaches
Photo credits
- rainer schmidt, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- HockeyholicAZ, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
- Other photos: taken aboard our yachts.