Cabo Snorkle Excursions: Santa Maria or Chileno Bay?

[svolpe]

What would be your choice of bays to snorkle and have some beach time: Chileno or Santa Maria?

 

The price of the excursion is the same except on the Chileno Bay excursion there's an open bar (on the way back to the ship, of course).

[sceneisle]

Chileno and Santa Maria are less than 1/2 mile apart. The snorkeling is about the same and in my opinion, Santa Maria's beach is a little nicer. Santa Maria is a small cove and the snorkeling area can get crowded, if there is more than one tour boat there at the same time. I personally would take advantage of the open bar and go on the Chileno Bay excursion.

[svolpe]

Thank you SO much for the input! I really appreciate it.

[jmike]

If I were you I would go to Santa Maria cove. I have been to both places twice and the water can get alittle rough in Chileno while Santa Maria will still be calm. Both places are very similar. If you are new to snorkeling then I would go to Santa Maria. If you are experienced then Chileno might be a better choice since it is less crowded.

 

Mike

[FinelyCruising]

jmike, I've read the water is cold there....60 degrees cold. Would you say that is accurate?

[jmike]

The water temp in Santa Maria cove is in the low to mid 70's in the winter months and in the low 80's in the summer. The water in the arch area will be several degrees colder. I have snorkeled Santa Maria cove in mid Janunary and the water was warm.

 

Mike

[svolpe]

Any recommendations for a snorkeling tour company I can book on my own?

[FinelyCruising]

Thanks so much!

[jmike]

I have used Cabo Expeditions before and they have a very good snorkeling tour. They use zodiac boats so the tour group is smaller and the boat provides a fun ride across the bay. Here is a link http://www.caboexpeditions.com/caboexpeditions/

 

Mike