Private Cabo Snorkel Tour to Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Cove
Description
Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay are part of a network of protected coastal areas that help preserve marine habitats along the Los Cabos coastline. Although located only a short distance apart, each bay offers distinct underwater characteristics shaped by reef structure, ocean currents, and coastal geography. Santa Maria's horseshoe-shaped cove provides natural protection from prevailing swell, while Chileno Bay supports extensive rocky reef habitats that attract a variety of marine life. Visiting both locations in a single experience allows travelers to gain a broader understanding of the Sea of Cortez and the diverse ecosystems that have made it one of the world's most celebrated marine environments.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your private snorkeling adventure at Santa Maria Bay, one of the most protected coves in Los Cabos. The horseshoe-shaped bay helps create calm conditions that are ideal for snorkeling and observing the underwater environment. Accompanied by your guide, explore rocky reef areas and sandy sections while learning about the marine life and ecosystems that thrive within the Sea of Cortez.
Continue to Chileno Bay, a protected marine area known for its clear water and healthy reef habitat. This second snorkeling location offers a different underwater landscape, allowing you to experience another side of the region's marine environment. Depending on seasonal
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
• Complimentary round-trip transportation is available from hotels in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor • If your hotel is not listed, feel free to contact us so we can check transportation availability for your area • Guests arriving with their own vehicle may meet at Plaza Gali OXXO or directly at Santa Maria Beach, where the snorkeling experience begins from the beach • Hotels outside the main tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, Rancho San Lucas, Diamante, or Four Seasons, are not included in complimentary transportation and will meet at Plaza Gali OXXO in Cabo San Lucas • Cruise guests will also meet at Plaza Gali OXXO, approximately 3–5 minutes walking from the marina exit. Detailed walking directions will be provided with your confirmation message • Cabo San Lucas cruise arrivals operate using tender boats, which may take additional time depending on port operations. We strongly recommend taking the earliest tender available or booking priority tender service whenever possible • Guests who miss transportation or arrive late must arrive directly at Santa Maria Beach before the activity start time at their own expense
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 6 years old
- Guests receive exact meeting or pick-up instructions within 24 hours after booking through the Viator operator chat. If not received, please contact us at least 24 hours before your tour
- Maximum waiting time after scheduled meeting or pick-up time is 5 minutes
- Cut-off times are based on local experience time
- Private tours may adapt snorkeling pace, beach time, and location flow depending on guest preferences and overall experience level
- No boats are used — the snorkeling experience begins directly from the beach
- Wetsuits available upon request during winter months in XL, LG, M, and SM
- Morning departures are usually recommended for better visibility and lighter winds
- Visibility and ocean conditions between Santa Maria and Chileno Bay may vary daily. Guides may occasionally recommend staying within one bay to maximize water visibility and overall experience. Partial refunds are not provided for location adjustments related to ocean conditions
- This experience requires favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to unsafe weather, ocean conditions, or operational restrictions, guests will be offered an alternative date or full refund
- No locker facilities are available, but belongings may usually remain inside the transportation vehicle during the activity
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnancy, or serious heart conditions
- Participants under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed
- Medical refund requests require an official same-day doctor’s certificate and prior notification before activity start time
Reviews(42)
Despite some weather issues beyond the tour’s control we had a great experience. Our wonderful guide, Luis, took us where we wanted to go and even gave us a quick extra tour of Cabo San Lucas. Would highly recommend him
Hi there, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that, despite the weather conditions, you still had such a great experience on your private snorkeling tour. We're especially happy to know that Luis helped make the day memorable. His flexibility, local knowledge, and commitment to creating the best possible experience for our guests are what make him such a valued member of our team. We're glad he was able to take you to the spots you wanted to visit and even share a little extra of Cabo San Lucas along the way! Weather is one thing we can’t control, but we always do our best to adapt the experience so our guests can still enjoy an unforgettable day, and we’re thrilled to know that was the case for you. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing High Tide Los Cabos. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another adventure the next time you visit Baja California Sur! High Tide Los Cabos 🌊🤿🐠☀️
Phenomenal experience. The tour guide Sol was great. He knew a lot of history about the area and marine life. We enjoyed learning during the drive and while Snorkling. He was very patient since it was my first time. He gave great education about techniques and was hands on in ensuring we saw special parts of the marine life and coral. He also allowed us to explore independently. Transportation and pickup was seamless. He brought everything we needed. We will definitely reach out again and request sol on our next trip.
Hi there, Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re truly honored to hear that your private snorkeling tour was such a phenomenal experience. Sol will be thrilled to hear your kind words. He loves sharing the history, marine life, and natural beauty of Los Cabos, and we’re so happy you enjoyed learning both during the drive and while exploring the crystal-clear waters of Santa María and Chileno Bays. It’s especially rewarding to know he helped make your first snorkeling experience comfortable and memorable by teaching you the proper techniques, guiding you to the best coral and marine life, and giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. We’re also delighted that the transportation, equipment, and overall organization made your day completely seamless. Creating a personalized, stress-free experience is exactly what we strive for. Thank you for choosing High Tide Los Cabos. We truly appreciate your kind words, and we’ll be sure to let Sol know you’ll be requesting him on your next visit. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable adventure in the Sea of Cortez! High Tide Los Cabos 🌊🤿🐠☀️
Phenomenal experience. The tour guide Sol was great. He knew a lot of history about the area and marine life. We enjoyed learning during the drive and while Snorkling. He was very patient since it was my first time. He gave great education about techniques and was hands on in ensuring we saw special parts of the marine life and coral. He also allowed us to explore independently. Transportation and pickup was seamless. He brought everything we needed. We will definitely reach out again and request sol on our next trip.
Hi there, Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re truly honored to hear that your private snorkeling tour was worth every penny. Sol will be delighted to hear your kind words. He’s passionate about sharing the rich history, marine life, and natural beauty of Los Cabos, and we’re so glad you enjoyed learning both during the drive and in the water. It’s especially rewarding to know he helped make your first snorkeling experience comfortable and memorable by teaching techniques, guiding you to the best marine life and coral, while also giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. We’re also happy to hear that the transportation and pickup were seamless and that having all the equipment provided made your day completely hassle-free. That’s exactly the experience we strive to create. Thank you for choosing High Tide Los Cabos and for your wonderful recommendation. We truly appreciate your support, and we’ll be sure to let Sol know you’ll be asking for him on your next visit. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the Sea of Cortez! High Tide Los Cabos 🌊🤿
This was the perfect beach day activity, lots of fish at Chileno Bay. Pedro was the best guide, super friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and the water. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a couple hours on the beach snorkeling or just hanging out.
Hi there, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear your private snorkeling tour was the perfect half-day beach adventure. Pedro will be thrilled to hear your kind words. His friendly personality and knowledge of the local marine life and beaches help make every tour both fun and memorable. We’re especially glad you enjoyed snorkeling at Chileno Bay—it's one of the best places in Los Cabos to see colorful tropical fish in crystal-clear waters. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing High Tide Los Cabos. We hope to welcome you back to Baja California Sur for another unforgettable adventure in the Sea of Cortez! High Tide Los Cabos 🐠🌊☀️
Great tour guide and experience. I would do this again.
Hi there, Thank you so much for your review! We’re delighted to hear you had a fun experience on your private snorkeling tour. Our private tours are designed to let you enjoy the beautiful waters of Santa María Cove and Chileno Bay at your own pace, while our guides make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and get the most out of your time in the Sea of Cortez. We’re so happy you enjoyed your guide and that the experience was memorable enough that you’d do it again. That’s one of the best compliments we can receive! Thank you for choosing High Tide Los Cabos. We hope to welcome you back to Baja California Sur for another unforgettable adventure soon! High Tide Los Cabos 🐠🌊☀️
Marco Polo was an amazing guide. Dont miss out on this epic snorkeling/. It is worth every penny. We saw all sorts of fish and even a huge eagle ray!
Hi there, Thank you so much for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear your private snorkeling tour was everything you hoped for. Marco Polo will be delighted to hear your kind words. His passion for the Sea of Cortez and dedication to creating personalized experiences make every tour unique. Seeing a huge eagle ray along with so many colorful fish is an unforgettable experience and one of the many reasons snorkeling in Los Cabos is so special. Thank you for recommending us and for choosing High Tide Los Cabos. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Baja California Sur for another incredible adventure soon! High Tide Los Cabos 🐠🌊☀️
This easily could’ve been a 5 star review but our guide disrupted the wildlife. He touched a sea turtle which you are absolutely NEVER supposed to do (it is illegal and can impact their long-term health and be fatal). He also disturbed a pufferfish (they have a deadly neurotoxin and a very sharp beak so it’s very dangerous to handle them, and it is bad for them when they inflate due to the stress and physical means it takes for them to do so, so you really should just leave them be). It was so disappointing. If you’re a guide, you should definitely be knowledgeable of the laws, what not to do, and how to advocate for the wildlife. Sadly, the guide’s behavior and actions likely encourages visitors to perform the same behavior and not think twice about it if they are also not aware of what harm they’re doing to the sea life. Please please please educate your guides!!!! Simply just don’t touch the wildlife if you are unsure.
We completely agree that marine life should never be disturbed, and protecting wildlife is something we take extremely seriously at High Tide Los Cabos. As the owner of this company and someone who genuinely loves the ocean, this is actually one of the main reasons I created a small operation instead of becoming a large-volume tour company. Staying small allows us to focus on quality, safety, and responsible interactions with nature. One of the things I am most proud of is our team. Many of our guides have been with us for years — some for over 20–25 years — with virtually no staff rotation. All of them are certified professionals with ongoing safety and marine education training, and several even studied marine biology, so they fully understand the importance of respecting wildlife and marine ecosystems. Because of how serious your comments are, we carefully searched our reservations from the past several months by name, tour type, and previous guest records, but unfortunately we have not been able to locate your booking in our system, which makes us concerned this review may have been intended for another company. That said, if this experience truly happened during one of our tours, we absolutely want to investigate it immediately. Behavior such as touching wildlife for entertainment, photos, or tips is something I personally consider extremely unethical and something I do not tolerate within our company. A situation like this would lead to a very serious internal sanction and potentially termination. We kindly ask that you please contact us directly at +52 624 1789553 with the reservation details or the name/description of the guide involved so we can properly investigate. Additionally, sea turtles in the wild are typically very fast and naturally avoid close human interaction, which is another reason we are struggling to connect this situation with any of our operations. If this review was posted by mistake and the experience was with another operator, we respectfully ask that it be directed to the correct company, as building a trustworthy reputation in tourism takes many years of hard work and care, especially for a small local business. Thank you, High Tide Los Cabos 🌊
Excellent service and very attentive Luis
Hola, ¡Muchas gracias por tu reseña! Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste el snorkel en Chileno y Santa María y que el servicio fue excelente. Luis estará muy contento de leer esto—siempre está atento a cada detalle para que la experiencia sea lo mejor posible. Gracias por acompañarnos y esperamos verte de nuevo en otra aventura en Los Cabos. High Tide Los Cabos
Sol was fantastic. He was a great guide and flexible. Took my 3 kids (16, 1:3, 11) snorkeling for the first time. They had a great time. Definitely recommend for families and small groups
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🤍 We’re thrilled to hear you had a great snorkeling day and that Sol made the experience so special 🌊🐠 His flexibility and friendly approach really make a difference—especially when introducing kids to snorkeling for the first time! It’s awesome that your kids had such a great time exploring Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Cove—those spots are perfect for families and first-time snorkelers 🙌 Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to see your family again on your next Los Cabos adventure! High Tide Los Cabos #HighTideLosCabos #SnorkelCabo #ChilenoBay #SantaMariaCove #FamilyAdventures #CaboWithKids #LosCabosTours
Good private trip for myself and two grandchildren. Sol was great! He was very knowledgeable about the area and history.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌊 We’re so happy to hear you had a great private snorkeling experience with your grandchildren at Chileno Bay and Santa María Cove — such a special way to enjoy the ocean together 🐠 Sol will be very happy to hear your kind words. He loves sharing his knowledge about the area and making the experience both fun and meaningful for our guests. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you and your family again for another adventure in Los Cabos! ☀️ High Tide Los Cabos 🌴 #LosCabos #SnorkelCabo #FamilyAdventure #PrivateTour #ChilenoBay #SantaMariaBay
