Santa Maria Bay from the Cabo San Lucas cruise port

Snorkelingabout 15 minutes by taxi3-4 hours including the driveFits a typical call

A small horseshoe bay in a protected marine sanctuary with some of the best shore snorkelling near Cabo: dense schools of fish along the rock walls. It holds a Blue Flag and has basic restrooms and outdoor showers. Many boat snorkel tours from the marina stop here.

Getting there from the ship

From
Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier
Travel time
About 15 minutes by taxi · 16 km
Allow 45 minutes to tender ashore first. Cabo San Lucas taxi fares.
Cost
Free entry and parking. Taxi about US$40 each way (2025). Umbrella rental about US$13.
Time to allow
3-4 hours including the drive

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Cabo San Lucas call you have up to 4 h 45 min at Santa Maria Bay, enough for a visit (allow 3-4 hours including the drive), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship anchors
    Tenders usually start running within the first hour; tour groups go first.
  2. 2
    9:00 am · At Santa Maria Bay
    About 15 minutes by taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier.
  3. 3
    1:45 pm · Leave Santa Maria Bay by
    That gets you back to the tender dock an hour before all aboard, with time for the tender queue.
  4. 4
    3:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Cabo San Lucas; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Snorkel around 08:00 for the best visibility; it feels crowded once tour boats arrive mid-morning. Bring your own gear, water and snacks (a 2025 guide says there are no rentals or shops). The sand is pebbly, so wear water shoes, and expect little shade.

Cabo San Lucas cruise port: Santa Maria Bay FAQ

How far is Santa Maria Bay from the Cabo San Lucas cruise port?

From Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier it is about 15 minutes by taxi, about 16 km. Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, so add 30 to 45 minutes to get ashore first.

How much does it cost to visit Santa Maria Bay?

Free entry and parking. Taxi about US$40 each way (2025). Umbrella rental about US$13.

How much time do you need at Santa Maria Bay?

Allow 3-4 hours including the drive. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Cabo San Lucas call you have up to 4 h 45 min at Santa Maria Bay, enough for a visit (allow 3-4 hours including the drive), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Santa Maria Bay on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is about 15 minutes by taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier. Snorkel around 08:00 for the best visibility; it feels crowded once tour boats arrive mid-morning. Bring your own gear, water and snacks (a 2025 guide says there are no rentals or shops). The sand is pebbly, so wear water shoes, and expect little shade.

Tours that go to Santa Maria Bay

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Santa Maria Bay

All 11 places
  • Chileno Bay · Snorkeling · about 20 minutes by taxi from the pier · 2.0 km from Santa Maria Bay
  • Medano Beach · Beach · a walk (the beach starts at the marina entrance) or a short water taxi from the pier · 8.9 km from Santa Maria Bay
  • El Arco by boat · Attraction · about 10 minutes by water taxi from the pier · 10 km from Santa Maria Bay
  • Lover's Beach · Beach · about 10 minutes by water taxi from the pier · 10 km from Santa Maria Bay