Of the two dozen or so game species widely caught in Baja waters, striped marlin run year-round. The season for the majestic blue marlin is June through mid-November. Others commonly hooked include amberjack, black marlin, bonito, black sea bass, corbina, dorado (mahi mahi), roosterfish, sailfish, snapper, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and yellowtail.
During the season it is advisable to book fishing trips well in advance of your trip; some participants reserve boats as much as a year in advance for the Bisbee's Los Cabos Offshore and the Bisbee's Black and Blue, both held the second half of October. These are among the world’s richest marlin fishing tournaments, with base entry fees of several thousand dollars.
A catch-and-release policy is strongly emphasized; anglers experience the thrill of battle, but after their catch is reeled in it is tagged and set free, helping to preserve billfish species and ensure the continuation of the sport.
Most of the larger resort hotels have their own sport-fishing fleets, making it easy to plan an excursion if you're a guest looking for fun things to do on vacation. The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos, the Solmar resort properties and the One&Only Palmilla have fleets with boats anchored at the Cabo San Lucas Marina.
If you prefer to make your own arrangements, several fleet operators operate from the marina's docks on the south side of the harbor. ABY Charters is at the marina's main dock, next to the Flea Market (Mercado de Artesanías); phone (624) 143-0831 or (866) 751-3505 (from the United States).
Pangas (small, outboard motor-powered skiffs) holding two or three people can be rented by the hour, including equipment and a fishing license (required).
More expensive sport-fishing cruisers normally rent for group travel and parties of four to six people so expenses can be shared; the cost usually includes tackle, bait, licenses, lunch and a captain and mate, but not taxes or tips. Rates range from $700 to more than $1,000 per day, depending on the size of the boat. Trips depart around 7 a.m. and return by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Most boats either head east to the fertile fishing grounds of the Gordo Banks or around Los Arcos toward the open Pacific.
Several water sports centers provide a full range of rental equipment as well as organized snorkeling and scuba trips that are perfect if you're looking for things to do this weekend. Manta Scuba Diving specializes in scuba and snorkeling excursions to Chileno Bay. They also conduct two-tank boat dives with an English-speaking guide to nearby sites, twice daily. Bringing your own dive gear is recommended, although rental equipment is available. All major credit cards accepted. The dive shop is located near the south end of the marina at Plaza Gali #37; phone (624) 144-3871.
SeeCreatures, on Boulevard Marina in Plaza Gali (across from the sport-fishing docks), offers guided natural history, scuba and snorkeling tours. These excursions venture to such prime spots as the Socorro Islands, about 200 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, inhabited by 400-pound tuna and exotic species of reef fish; Land's End, a destination home to octopus, tropicals and sea lions; and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, site of a living coral reef that offers experienced divers some of the clearest water and richest marine life in the world.
Most trips are aboard a 25-foot canopied skiff that accommodates four people, or a newer 30-foot boat that can carry up to ten divers. For additional information and reservations phone (624) 143-6915 (from the United States).
Gray whales complete their long-distance migration from the Bering Sea to the warm Pacific waters of the mid- and lower Baja coastline each year from January through March. They can sometimes be spotted from the beaches and rocky overlooks along the Mex. 1 Corridor and the rocks around Land's End.
As popular as sport fishing—if not more so—is golf. A few decades ago the nine-hole Mayan Palace Golf Course in San José del Cabo was it. Now world-class Cabo San Lucas golf courses are scattered along the Corridor between the two Cabos. Some—like the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course in the Diamante condo community—are open to members only. Golfing is one of the more expensive things to do in Los Cabos; greens fees for 18 holes average more than $225 (somewhat less in the low season), cart and bottled water included.
The signature hole at the Nicklaus-designed Palmilla Golf Club, at the One&Only Palmilla resort, is the par-4 fifth. The tee shot must carry over a cactus-filled canyon, which also wraps around in front of the green. The desert vegetation, Gulf of California vistas and view from the mountaintop clubhouse are all breathtaking, and the play is a strategic challenge. For information phone the resort at (624) 144-5250.
The Golden Bear also designed the highly regarded Ocean Course at the Cabo del Sol resort development. The final three holes offer dramatic waterfront scenery as well as an assortment of hazards in the form of cactus, rock cliffs and treacherous bunkers. Instead of negotiating long fairways, players tee off over deep ravines to landing pads and then chip to the green. Even the short par 3 holes are formidable.
The Tom Weiskopf-designed Desert Course features an inland layout that nevertheless provides a view of the gulf from every hole. For information about either course phone the resort at (877) 703-4394 (toll-free from the United States), or the Golf Shop at (866) 231-4677 (toll-free from the United States).
The Cabo Real Golf Course, at Corridor Km marker 19.5, was designed by Robert Trent Jones. It winds its way among beautiful homes and the exclusive Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort. Average players can handle the layout, which doesn't mean play is easy. The palm-flanked 14th-hole fairway sweeps down to the beach, while the 15th tee, right at the surf, offers the most spectacular view of the course. Reservations can be made by phoning (624) 173-9400, 01 (800) 543-2044 (toll-free long distance within Mexico) or (877) 795-8727 (toll-free from the United States).
The Nicklaus-designed course at the members-only Eldorado Golf Club, at Km marker 21 on the Corridor (next to the Westin Resort & Spa at the northeast end of the Cabo Real development), has six holes right along the beach. The layout winds from seaside to rocky canyons and back, with the green at the par-3 16th hole framed by the gulf's cobalt-blue waters. For reservations, phone (624) 144-5464 or (866) 513-4434 (from the United States).
The Cabo San Lucas Country Club is just a short distance east of Cabo San Lucas. This is the only course in Los Cabos with a view of the Land's End rocks, which look particularly impressive from the 18th hole. The gently sloping fairways look out on a desert landscape that features giant cardon cacti. The seventh hole, a par 5 double dogleg that wraps around a lake, is a whopping 620 yards. Greens fees range from $65 (2 p.m. to closing, June through October) to $155 (U.S.), a tad lower than at the other championship courses. For additional information phone (624) 143-4654. Note: The course does not accept U.S. dollars; payment is by credit card or pesos only.