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Far from the hotel glitz and tourist hype of Cabo San Lucas, past where the power lines end and the pavement gives out onto a rough dirt track; lays the wild heart of the East Cape. It's a place of magical rock points, towering sand dunes, and miles of deserted beaches. In the midst of all this raw beauty, straddling the Tropic of Cancer, sits Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park—one of just a handful of such protected areas in all of Mexico—famous for its coral reef and the large schools of big fish that ply its waters.
The
village
of
Cabo
Pulmo,
bordering the reef, was until recently a laid-back fishing village (and a well-kept secret among a handful of in-the-know gringo adventurers). Today Cabo Pulmo is arguably the most successful off-the-grid community in all of Baja; with five restaurants, three dive centers, fishing guide service, small general store, and a growing community of solar-powered homes; all within easy walking distance. What you won’t find here are hotels, T-shirt shops, jewelry vendors or tourist touts. Lacking discos or bar scene, the nightlife is fairly quiet. Dark too! Being off the grid means no streetlights—and just possibly more stars than you can ever remember seeing.
Experience the moods of the
Sea
of
Cortez
and the rhythms of the tropical desert. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast or just looking for a relaxing place to catch up on your reading, Cabo Pulmo is your kind of place. In addition to diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and windsurfing, there are hiking and mountain biking trails, great bird watching, and desert nature in abundance. Cabo Pulmo even has a tennis club where visitors are welcome. Some of Baja’s best surf breaks are nearby. Or just hang in the hammock and tune in to the perfect weather channel.
Getting there…
Los
Cabos
International
Airport
is just a little over an hour away. Taxi service runs about $150. Most visitors rent a car, affording flexibility for further exploration. The town of
La
Ribera,
with groceries and basic services, is about 16 miles up the road.
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Cabo Pulmo Activities
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Scuba Diving. Large schools of big fish (grouper, snapper, etc.) are the draw here, plus the wonderful diversity of life on the reef. If you’re lucky you may see Whale Sharks or giant Manta Rays. There are three dive outfitters to choose from. No need for advanced reservations; make arrangements the day before. Night dives can also be arranged. |
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Snorkeling. Wade in and kick out to the reef right offshore, or drive to a special spot a couple miles down the road (instructions at the House). Boat snorkeling tours also available. We have several sets of snorkeling gear at the House. Rental gear is also available. Wetsuits recommended for winter and spring.
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Fishing. Local fishing guides take you out past the limits of the
Marine
Park
to fish for Tuna, Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo and more. Guides provide tackle, bait and everything you need for fishing (bring water, snacks and sunblock). These guys are good!
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Kayaking. We have two sit-on-top kayaks on the beach for your use. Rental kayaks are also available. Paddle your flotilla over to
Mermaid
Beach
or to the Sea Lion colony. Detailed info at the House.
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Hiking/Biking. An 11-mile network of trails (created and maintained by dedicated locals) takes you to magnificent overlooks and craggy desertscapes. For mountain bike enthusiasts, these are fun, moderately technical single tracks. BYOB (bring your own bike—about $50 each way on most airlines). Awe-inspiring waterfall canyon hikes are about 45 min. away by car.
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Bird/Whale/Wildlife Watching. The open tropical desert vegetation makes birding a breeze—great viewing right around the house, including Baja endemics like the pugnacious Black-fronted Hummingbird. Species checklist and bird books are at the house, spotting scope also available. Migrating Gray Whales can be viewed in winter. BYOB (bring your own binos).
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Tennis. Improbable as it sounds, there is a Cabo Pulmo Tennis Club—now with two brand new courts! Our local teaching pro, who gets rave reviews from students at all levels, offers lessons and can make introductions to locals at your level of play. Visitors are welcome, reservations required, fees apply. Contact us for details.
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Windsurfing/Kite Boarding. When the winter nortes blow, the tranquil
Sea
of
Cortez
is transformed into a wacky wavy playground for wind/watersport enthusiasts. With the reef offshore and gusty side/offshore winds in the launch area, this is no place for beginners. Bring your own gear. You can leave it stashed at the beach, just like the locals do. We’ll show you where.
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Surfing. Decent waves can happen anytime of year, but spring and summer brings the most reliable swell. Really fine surf breaks are within a 20 mile/40 minute drive from Cabo Pulmo. BYOB (bring your own board.)
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Hammock Hanging. When it’s time to take a break from the action, we have the most comfortable hangs around. You’re gonna love it here!
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Activity Book. We keep an activity book at the house, with detailed information on what to do, where to go, who to talk to, etc.
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