Cabo San Lucas: 2 Tank Dive Santa Maria & Chileno Bay Tour

Summary

Santa Maria & Chileno Bay diving with schools of jacks and rays

You’ll board a boat from Cabo San Lucas marina, gear up with your certified guide, and dive two different sites at Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay. Expect eagle rays at Whale’s Head, colorful reef life at Gavilanes or Blow Hole pinnacles, snacks between dives, and shared laughter with fellow divers. The light underwater feels different here — it stays with you long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

I almost forgot my USB stick for the free dive photos — classic me. Our guide, Jorge, just grinned and said not to worry, they’d figure something out. I liked him instantly. The boat ride out from Cabo San Lucas marina to Santa Maria Bay was longer than I expected (about 40 minutes), but honestly, that salty breeze and the way the sun bounced off the water made it feel shorter. Someone spotted a mobula ray leaping in the distance and everyone scrambled to get a look, laughing when we nearly tripped over each other’s fins.

The first tank dive at Whale’s Head was wild — eagle rays gliding past like they owned the place. I kept losing track of time watching them move through shafts of light underwater; it’s quieter down there than I remembered, just my own breathing and Jorge tapping his tank now and then to point out something small I would’ve missed (nudibranchs? Tiny neon things I still can’t pronounce). My mask fogged up a bit but it didn’t matter much. At Chileno Bay, we drifted above these reefs covered in colors that looked fake until you got close — schools of jacks zipped by so fast it felt like being inside a moving painting.

Snacks back on deck tasted better than any fancy meal — maybe because my hands were still wrinkled from the water or maybe because everyone was swapping stories about their favorite dives elsewhere. There’s this easy camaraderie among divers, you know? Jorge told us he’d been guiding here for years and still gets surprised by what shows up in the Sea of Cortez. That stuck with me for some reason.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Two guided dives in Santa Maria and Chileno Bays

• Boat ride to Santa Maria Bay
• Dive at Whale’s Head with eagle rays
• Boat ride to Chileno Bay
• Dive with schools of jacks and tunas

Top questions

How long is the boat ride to Santa Maria & Chileno Bay?

It takes about 40 minutes by boat from Cabo San Lucas marina to reach both dive sites.

Are guides included on this 2 tank dive tour?

Yes, all dives are guided by experienced professionals familiar with local marine life.

Do I need to be a certified diver for this tour?

Yes, evidence of dive certification is required for all participants on this tour.

What marine life might I see during these dives?

You may see mobula rays, sharks, moray eels, nudibranchs, stingrays, eagle rays, schools of jacks and tunas.

Is scuba refresher training available before diving?

An optional scuba refresher program is available if requested before your dives.

Are snacks or drinks provided on board?

Yes, snacks and beverages are included between dives on this tour.

Can I get free underwater photos during the dive?

Free pictures are included; bring your own USB stick to collect them after the tour.

Is hotel pickup included in this diving tour?

The tour offers flexible pickup options; public transportation is also nearby if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes two guided boat dives at Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay with all taxes and fees covered. Snacks and beverages are served between dives. Free underwater photos are offered if you bring a USB stick along. An optional scuba refresher program is available before heading out from Cabo San Lucas marina—just show your dive certification when you arrive.