Land's End

Land's End (Finisterra) is at the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). This southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula generally refers not just to one specific outcropping, but rather the slender chain of rocks protruding from the waters south of Cabo San Lucas. The most well-known of this group is El Arco (The Arch).

Although visible from shore, the best way to see the eroded formations that constitute Land's End is from the water. Fleets of water taxis (many of the “glass-bottom” variety) line up at the marina to take passengers on a roughly 45-minute trip for up-close looks at these unusual rocky outcroppings. Among the formations along the way are Pelican City, a group of rocks where members of that large-billed species congregate; another clump of rocks where a colony of seals likes to hang out; a cave said to have been a favorite of pirates; Lover's and Divorce beaches; and, of course, El Arco.

Since these water taxi excursions are extremely popular, in order to provide good views the guide may have to maneuver his craft past numerous other water taxis; boats carrying snorkelers and scuba divers to nearby offshore locations; fishing boats; and other watercraft towing parasailers. Before returning to shore, the boat swings by a small rock jutting up from the water, the actual “land's end.”