Playa del Amor — Lover's Beach — is the small, dramatic cove at the tip of the Baja peninsula, accessible only by boat. A short walk over the rocks brings you to its Pacific-side twin, Divorce Beach. The water taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina is $10 each way, the beach itself is free, and a half-day visit pairs perfectly with a glass-bottom boat to El Arco. This guide covers the boat logistics, which side is safe to swim, and how not to get stranded by an afternoon swell.
Why Lover's Beach
Geographic drama. Lover's Beach sits at the actual southernmost tip of Baja California — flanked by the granite cliffs of Land's End on one side and the iconic El Arco on the other. The beach itself is an intimate 100 m crescent, ringed by rocks and cactus, with the resident sea-lion colony audible just around the headland. A 3-minute walk over the saddle brings you to Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio), which faces the open Pacific with massive surf. Standing on the saddle between the two oceans is one of the great Cabo moments.
The $10 Water Taxi
- Where to catch: Cabo San Lucas Marina — the water-taxi stand is between Dock H and Dock K, signed clearly.
- How much: $10 per person each way. Negotiable to $7 to $8 each way for groups of 4+.
- How often: Every 15 to 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Last pickup: Officially 5 p.m. — do not miss it. Water taxis stop running at sunset.
- Pickup arrangements: Get the captain's name and boat name. Confirm pickup time. Pay round-trip upfront only with operators you trust.
- Alternative: Glass-bottom boat tours ($20 to $25) sometimes include a 30-minute Lover's Beach drop — confirm before booking.
🧮
Mexico Trip Cost Calculator
Plan a complete Cabo half-day around Lover's Beach, El Arco and the Medano Beach lunch scene.
Lover's Side vs Divorce Side
| Side | Ocean | Swim Safe? | Vibe |
|---|
| Lover's Beach | Sea of Cortez | Yes — calm | Family-friendly, snorkel |
| Divorce Beach | Pacific | NO — rip currents | Dramatic, photo-only |
People drown at Divorce Beach every year. The Pacific side has powerful sweeping rip currents and shore-break waves. Stay on the Sea of Cortez side to swim. Walk to Divorce Beach for the photos and back.
What to Bring
- Refillable water bottle — there is no shop or vendor on the beach.
- Snacks/lunch packed from your hotel.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and sun hat — almost zero shade.
- Beach umbrella if you can pack one — palapas are limited.
- Snorkel gear (rent for $10 at the marina).
- Towel and waterproof phone case.
- Cash for water taxi ($10 each way) plus tip ($2 to $5).
- No glass containers — clubs and bottles are not allowed.
Snorkeling at Lover's Beach
The east end of Lover's Beach blends into Pelican Rock — one of Cabo's best snorkel sites, just 30 m offshore. Expect 5 to 12 m visibility, parrotfish, sergeant majors, schooling jacks, the occasional sea lion. The water is calm enough for novice snorkelers, but stay close to shore — boats pass through the channel between Pelican Rock and the beach. Best snorkel window: 9 to 11 a.m. before wind picks up.
Combine With El Arco
Most travelers do this in a single half-day. Option A: book a $20 glass-bottom boat tour that circles El Arco, drops you at Lover's Beach for an hour, and picks you up. Option B: $10 water taxi each way, with the boat passing under El Arco both times. Option B gives you more time on the beach and is cheaper for groups; Option A is simpler if you want a guided narration of the arch and sea lions.
Tips & Etiquette
- Arrive by 9:30 a.m. for fewest people and best photographs.
- Take all trash with you — there is no waste collection on the beach.
- Sea lions sometimes visit; keep 5 m distance, do not feed them.
- Cell coverage is patchy — pre-arrange your pickup time.
- On big-swell days (June to October), water taxis cancel without notice. Check before paying round-trip.
- Tip the water-taxi captain MXN 50 to 100 ($3 to $5) if service is good.
- Travel insurance (SafetyWing) covers boat-related mishaps and emergency evac.
When to Go
- October to May: Calm seas, water 22 to 26 °C, perfect snorkel.
- December to March: Whales pass nearby — boats often slow on the way out.
- June to September: Hotter, occasional Pacific swell that closes Divorce Beach access.
- August to October: Hurricane season — water-taxi cancellations are common.
- Best window: 9 to 11 a.m. mid-November through mid-April.
Playa del Amor — Lover's Beach — is the small, dramatic cove at the tip of the Baja peninsula, accessible only by boat. A short walk over the rocks brings you to its Pacific-side twin, Divorce Beach. The water taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina is $10 each way, the beach itself is free, and a half-day visit pairs perfectly with a glass-bottom boat to El Arco. This guide covers the boat logistics, which side is safe to swim, and how not to get stranded by an afternoon swell.
Why Lover's Beach
Geographic drama. Lover's Beach sits at the actual southernmost tip of Baja California — flanked by the granite cliffs of Land's End on one side and the iconic El Arco on the other. The beach itself is an intimate 100 m crescent, ringed by rocks and cactus, with the resident sea-lion colony audible just around the headland. A 3-minute walk over the saddle brings you to Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio), which faces the open Pacific with massive surf. Standing on the saddle between the two oceans is one of the great Cabo moments.
The $10 Water Taxi
- Where to catch: Cabo San Lucas Marina — the water-taxi stand is between Dock H and Dock K, signed clearly.
- How much: $10 per person each way. Negotiable to $7 to $8 each way for groups of 4+.
- How often: Every 15 to 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Last pickup: Officially 5 p.m. — do not miss it. Water taxis stop running at sunset.
- Pickup arrangements: Get the captain's name and boat name. Confirm pickup time. Pay round-trip upfront only with operators you trust.
- Alternative: Glass-bottom boat tours ($20 to $25) sometimes include a 30-minute Lover's Beach drop — confirm before booking.
🧮
Mexico Trip Cost Calculator
Plan a complete Cabo half-day around Lover's Beach, El Arco and the Medano Beach lunch scene.
Lover's Side vs Divorce Side
| Side | Ocean | Swim Safe? | Vibe |
|---|
| Lover's Beach | Sea of Cortez | Yes — calm | Family-friendly, snorkel |
| Divorce Beach | Pacific | NO — rip currents | Dramatic, photo-only |
People drown at Divorce Beach every year. The Pacific side has powerful sweeping rip currents and shore-break waves. Stay on the Sea of Cortez side to swim. Walk to Divorce Beach for the photos and back.
What to Bring
- Refillable water bottle — there is no shop or vendor on the beach.
- Snacks/lunch packed from your hotel.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and sun hat — almost zero shade.
- Beach umbrella if you can pack one — palapas are limited.
- Snorkel gear (rent for $10 at the marina).
- Towel and waterproof phone case.
- Cash for water taxi ($10 each way) plus tip ($2 to $5).
- No glass containers — clubs and bottles are not allowed.
Snorkeling at Lover's Beach
The east end of Lover's Beach blends into Pelican Rock — one of Cabo's best snorkel sites, just 30 m offshore. Expect 5 to 12 m visibility, parrotfish, sergeant majors, schooling jacks, the occasional sea lion. The water is calm enough for novice snorkelers, but stay close to shore — boats pass through the channel between Pelican Rock and the beach. Best snorkel window: 9 to 11 a.m. before wind picks up.
Combine With El Arco
Most travelers do this in a single half-day. Option A: book a $20 glass-bottom boat tour that circles El Arco, drops you at Lover's Beach for an hour, and picks you up. Option B: $10 water taxi each way, with the boat passing under El Arco both times. Option B gives you more time on the beach and is cheaper for groups; Option A is simpler if you want a guided narration of the arch and sea lions.
Tips & Etiquette
- Arrive by 9:30 a.m. for fewest people and best photographs.
- Take all trash with you — there is no waste collection on the beach.
- Sea lions sometimes visit; keep 5 m distance, do not feed them.
- Cell coverage is patchy — pre-arrange your pickup time.
- On big-swell days (June to October), water taxis cancel without notice. Check before paying round-trip.
- Tip the water-taxi captain MXN 50 to 100 ($3 to $5) if service is good.
- Travel insurance (SafetyWing) covers boat-related mishaps and emergency evac.
When to Go
- October to May: Calm seas, water 22 to 26 °C, perfect snorkel.
- December to March: Whales pass nearby — boats often slow on the way out.
- June to September: Hotter, occasional Pacific swell that closes Divorce Beach access.
- August to October: Hurricane season — water-taxi cancellations are common.
- Best window: 9 to 11 a.m. mid-November through mid-April.