An Underrated Beach In Mexico's Cabo San Lucas Is A Scenic Spot To Swim With Local Fish

Cabo San Lucas is definitely not an under the radar destination. Fans and frequent visitors include the likes of Austin Butler, Niall Horan, and Selena Gomez. Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar even opened his own bar there, called Cabo Wabo Cantina. However, you don't have to be a Hollywood star to enjoy the paradise in this part of Mexico. Plus, there are lesser-visited spots here and around the greater Los Cabos region with amazing scenery above and below the water.

Some of the best outdoor activities to try on your next trip to the beach can be found at Playa Santa Maria (Santa Maria Beach). Bahia Santa Maria (Santa Maria Bay) makes up the water of this secluded cove, and is just minutes from the Cabo San Lucas Marina. What makes Playa Santa Maria and its bay so special is not just the fact that it is slightly separated from Cabo's more crowded areas, but because it is an ideal place for snorkelers. There are tour companies for both snorkeling and scuba diving, or you can snorkel on your own from the sandy shores.

The vibrant blue water of Bahia Santa Maria is an amazing underwater world. Fish and other wildlife you might see here include marlin of multiple colors, angelfish, mahi-mahi, sea turtles, puffer fish, rays, and parrot fish. Even those new to snorkeling can enjoy looking at the colorful ocean wildlife because the rocky edges of the cove prevent too much wind and waves from turning the beach's water into rough whitecaps.

Playa Santa Maria is along the Tourist Corridor in Los Cabos. This means it is easily accessible from Cabo San Lucas. Boat tours leave from the Cabo San Lucas Marina, including the highly rated Cabo San Lucas Tours. This company takes snorkelers of all ages out to Playa Santa Maria's water on their catamaran sailboat every day. The tour comes with food, drinks, and snorkel equipment. Pre-booked spots cost less than $100 per person. You can also scuba dive to around 50 feet below the surface at Bahia Santa Maria with few crowds and only gentle waves. For around $140 per person, Dive Cabo makes trips to a handful of popular sites along the Tourist Corridor, including Bahia Santa Maria.

Snorkeling and scuba tours from the Cabo San Lucas Marina can help you reach deeper water off the coast of Playa Santa Maria, but getting to this part of the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor by car has its perks too. You'll have more freedom to spend the day without tour scheduling obligations and perhaps get to the beach early. Morning is when Playa Santa Maria is at its most pristine, and the best time to check out what lies beneath the water. No matter how you visit, remember that its bay is a protected marine ecosystem with endangered wildlife. Use pollutant-free sunscreen when visiting any tropical destination, and keep a safe distance from all undersea creatures.

A stay at Montage Los Cabos gets you just feet from Playa Santa Maria. Montage offers kayak, paddleboard, and diving tours of their own. There are more all-inclusive resorts in the area, but a more affordable option that still has quick access to Playa Santa Maria is Hotel Santa Fe Cabo San Lucas. The marina is only a 15-minute walk from here, making it easy to hop on a boat tour and start exploring Playa Santa Maria's underwater wonders.