Santa María Beach, Los Cabos: Snorkeling & Swimming Cove

Tourist CorridorSea of CortezSwimmable🔵 Blue Flag✓ Reviewed Oct 2026

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Can you swim here?Yes, usually calm

The cove is sheltered and normally calm, which is why families like it. Mornings tend to be calmest; swells can roll in later in the day, so keep an eye on small children in the afternoon.

Santa María Beach sits at the back of Bahía Santa María, a horseshoe-shaped cove between rocky headlands on the Tourist Corridor, around Km 12.5 of the highway. The bay is a protected marine area, and it’s one of the easiest places in Los Cabos to snorkel straight from the beach: tropical fish come right up along the rocks. The sand is coarse and golden, the water is usually calm, and there’s public parking, restrooms and showers.

📍AreaTourist Corridor
🌊WaterSea of Cortez
🏊SwimmingYes, usually calm
🚗Getting thereHwy 1, Km 12.5
🚻FacilitiesParking, restrooms, showers, shade palapas
🔵Blue FlagYes
⭐Best forSwimming, Snorkeling, Families
🗺️Map22.9298, -109.8157

Bahía Santa María, a horseshoe cove with turquoise water and boats on the Los Cabos Corridor — Photo: Francisco Estrada / PhotoMexico.com

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Can you swim at Santa María Beach?

Yes. The cove is sheltered and normally calm, which is why families like it. Mornings tend to be calmest; swells can roll in later in the day, so keep an eye on small children in the afternoon. Check the beach flag before going in.

In May 2025 the Los Cabos municipality reported that Santa María and Palmilla were the only two beaches in Mexico with the top Blue Flag “A+” rating, and Santa María was again rated A+ in the December 2025 control visit.

How to get to Santa María Beach

Drive or take a taxi along the Transpeninsular Highway (Highway 1) to around Km 12.5 and follow the turnoff to the public parking area, then walk down to the beach. You can also get there by boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina.

Local tips before you go

1Go in the morning for the calmest water and the best fish watching along the rocks on the right.
2Bring water and snacks; don’t count on vendors on the beach.
3Bring your own mask and snorkel.

Check the beach flag

Los Cabos beaches use colored flags: green means good conditions, yellow means caution, red means dangerous conditions and no swimming, and black means the beach is closed. Flags change with the weather, so look for them when you arrive.