Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Monthly Weather, Water Temperatures & Wildlife
Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or La Paz?
The truth is, there’s no bad time to visit Los Cabos — just better and best times depending on what you want to do.
As someone who lives part-time in Baja and visits year-round to dive, hike, and explore, I’ve seen Cabo in all seasons. From whale-filled winters to warm summer dives in Cabo Pulmo, each month offers something unique.
In this guide, I’ll break down:
🌡️Monthly weather and water temperatures
🤿Best months for diving, whale watching, and sunbathing
🌧️When to avoid the crowds (and hurricanes!)
So who’s ready to travel to chat best Cabo travel seasons?
Cabo Weather Quick View
Here’s a quick overview of the weather in Cabo, month by month, including rainfall averages.
Weather in Cabo – Month by Month
A month by month breakdown of day averages, night averages, rainfall, and water temperatures.
January – High Season in Cabo
January is one of the most popular months to visit Cabo San Lucas. New Year Celebrations are a big deal, and many North American travellers are escaping the cold winter months around school holidays.
Vibe – Dry, sunny, and breezy.
Air temp: 16–26°C (60–79°F)
Water temp: 22–23°C (72–73°F)
Rain: Almost none
Marine life: Humpback whales, sea lions, and great conditions for diving and snorkelling.
February – High Season in Cabo
February is still high season in Los Cabos, though it calms down slightly after the Christmas madness.
Cabo San Lucas is very popular with travellers from the US & Canada, so the months where it is cold in the north are very busy in Mexico!
February and March are the best times to do a trip to Magdalena Bay to see the Grey Whales!
Vibe: Busy, peak season, weather is cool & fresh.
Air temp: 16–27°C (60–81°F)
Water temp: 21–22°C (70–72°F)
Rain: Almost none
Marine life: Peak time for Grey Whales in Magdalena Bay, blue whales (La Paz), humpback whales, sperm whales, sea lions, Orcas, and schooling fish. Visibility is great for diving.
Photo: Shev
March – Spring Break & Peak High Season
The final month of super high season in Los Cabos, March is also the driest month. It most likely won’t rain at all, the air is cool and fresh, especially in the evenings, and the water is downright cold.
But! Sea life loves cold water, so March is a great time to dive in Cabo if you can brave the water!
If you plan to visit in March, I recommend checking which week schools in the US & Canada have their spring break – that will be the busiest time in Cabo San Lucas all year. After Easter, crowds will slow down in Los Cabos (and the rest of Mexico!).
Vibe: Spring break – woohoo!
Air temp: 17–28°C (62–82°F)
Water temp: 20–21°C (68–70°F)
Rain: None
Marine life: Still lots of whales, Grey Whale season ends, Blue Whales (La Paz), diving visibility stays high, though the water is at its coolest.
Tip: Wetsuits are essential for divers and snorkelers.
April – End of High Season
High season begins to slow in April, depending on when spring break is that year. The water is still very cold, which starts to bring the fevers of mobulas in!
If you aren’t familiar, this phenomenon is definitely worth checking out! Mobula rays gather by the thousands around Baja in groups called “fevers”. I have seen them as late as July, but they arrive as early as April!
Vibe: Less busy than March, a little warmer.
Air temp: 18–29°C (64–84°F)
Water temp: 20–21°C (68–70°F)
Rain: No rain
Marine life: Water is cooler, but visibility remains great. Mobula season begins, some whale activity lingers.
Photo: Shev
May – Shoulder Season
May is an ideal time to visit Los Cabos if you are looking to avoid the crowds. Spring breakers have left, and the summer crowd has yet to arrive.
This is not a great time to dive in Cabo, because the currents are changing. Visibility is low and conditions are unpredictable. It’s also the coldest time to dive, with the water getting as cold as 15°c.
Air temp: 20–31°C (68–88°F)
Water temp: 15–22°C (59–71°F)
Rain: Very low, high winds
Vibe: Warm days, fewer tourists.
Marine life: Transition month for diving; calm seas start returning.
Tip: Early May is one of the best times for quiet travel and good deals.
Photo: Shev
June – Summer Diving Begins
Temperatures are finally on the rise in Baja, so you have a chance to warm up in between dives!
It’s shoulder season, so a great time to visit if you are on a budget or just want to avoid the crowds.
June is also when surf season picks up in San Jose del Cabo and the East Cape.
Vibe: Hotter, more humid — start of Cabo’s “summer” feel
Air temp: 23–33°C (73–91°F)
Water temp: 18–26°C (65–79°F) (thermoclines can get colder)
Rain: 1 or 2 days
Marine life: Mobula rays, big schools of fish, cownose rays
July – Surf Season
While the waves in Los Cerritos are pretty stable all year long, summer is the best time to surf around Los Cabos. Especially in San Jose’s East Cape!
I LOVED diving in the Sea of Cortez in July, especially in Cabo Pulmo. The water was incredible. Calm, warm, and full of life.
Air temp: 26–35°C (79–95°F)
Water temp: 27–29°C (81–84°F)
Rain: Possible showers or storms
Vibe: Hot and humid; fewer tourists than in winter
Marine life: Summer diving begins! Lots of fish activity, warm water finally
Pro Tip – plan activities for early morning or late afternoon. It is HOT in July in Cabo.
Photo: Shev
August
I enjoy Cabo in August, but it is crazy hot. The UV index is off the charts, and its an intense, unrelenting desert heat.
The shade is cooler as there is a breeze and not much humidity, but there is not much shade in a desert!
August gets the most rain, usually in short storms throughout the month.
Vibe: Steamy and tropical — but very few crowds
Air temp: 27–36°C (81–97°F)
Water temp: 18–30°C (75–86°F) (really depends on the day and thermoclines)
Rain: Wettest month (but often just short, heavy storms)
Marine life: Warmest water, best chance for coral spawning, macro life
Honestly, August is a great month for diving if you can handle the heat and humidity.
September & October – Hurricane Season
If you have to pick a month to avoid Cabo, I would go with September or October. The issue is that the weather is unpredictable, so if you can only get away for a short holiday, fall is a risky time in Baja.
Air temp: 27–35°C (81–95°F)
Water temp: 24–30°C (76–86°F)
Rain: Hurricane season peaks
Vibe: Slowest tourism month
Marine life: Reef life thrives in warm water; visibility can be hit or miss
Mexicans jokingly call this month Septi-hambre (Spanish for “hungry”) because tourism is so slow. Many businesses close and take their holidays in September & October.
Photo: Shev
November – My Favourite time in Cabo
I spend every November in Cabo, so this is my favourite time of year to visit. It’s shoulder season so you avoid the December crowds, the water is still warm from the summer, and you get the beginning of whale season! I usually see humpbacks from the beach at least once or twice.
Sometimes the mobulas come back in November too! I have seen them near the beaches and jumping in the air.
Vibe: Definitely chill, but starting to pick up again
Air temp: 22–31°C (72–88°F)
Water temp: 26–28°C (79–82°F)
Rain: Mostly dry
Marine life: Mobula rays, early humpback whales, can be great visibility, depending on when the rains slow down.
Tip: This is one of my favourite months in Baja — diving, hiking, and fewer crowds. Perfect shoulder season.
December – Whale Season Begins!
Air temp: 18–28°C (64–82°F)
Water temp: 24–25°C (75–77°F)
Rain: Very little
Vibe: Holiday travel ramps up; cooler evenings
Marine life: Humpback whales return, reef life active
Tip: Book early if visiting over the holidays — this is one of the busiest months.
Photo: Shev
Best Time to Visit Cabo for Scuba Diving
Best months: July to November
The water is warmest and clearest in late summer and fall, making it my favourite time for divers. October & November are especially good — warm seas, fewer crowds, and tons of marine life in places like Cabo Pulmo and La Paz.
Even though I think the summer and fall are the best times to dive in Los Cabos, winter is the most popular time to dive. The diving is still great in winter, but it’s proper cold. You’ll need a 5 or 7mm suit, and you don’t warm up on the surface.
Photo: Shev
When to See Whales in Los Cabos
Best months: Mid-December to March
Humpback, sperm, and gray whales migrate through Baja’s warm waters in winter. January and February are the peak months for sightings, and you can often spot them from the beaches around Los Cabos.
Want to see whales breaching? Book a tour early — they fill fast during the season!
Whale watching is regulated in Los Cabos from December 15 to April 15 every year. Outside of those dates, you are not allow to officially “search” for whales, but you might happen to come upon them on your dive trips or ocean safaris.
Humpback Whales – December to April
The best time to see Humpack Whaless in Cabo San Lucas is from December to March. They are often around earlier and later, but during these months you are almost guaranteed to see them.
Grey Whales – December to April
Visiting the Grey Whales in Magdalena Bay is permitted from December to April, but the best time to see Grey Whales is February and March.
Blue Whales – January to March
Blue Whales are not seen in Los Cabos, but rather in the Gulf of California. The best place to see Blue Whales is near Loreto in February and March.
Mobula Rays – April to July
Another animal phenomenon in Baja is the mobula aggregation. The peak time to see the “fevers” of rays is May and June.
Photo: Shev
Best Time to Visit the Beaches in Cabo
Best months: November to May
The winter and spring months have sunny skies, low humidity, and cooler evenings — perfect for beach days and relaxing poolside.
Cabo beaches do not offer much shade (unless you rent an umbrella). This makes it almost impossible to be on the beach during the day in Cabo in the Summer.
When to Visit Cabo to Avoid the Crowds (and save money!)
Best months: May, June, September
These are the should or or off-season months. There are fewer tourists, lower prices, and often surprise you with great weather. September is hot and has hurricane risk — but also serious deals.
I also loved summer in Cabo San Lucas. I found July & August to be very quiet on the beaches and in town, but still lots of nightlife in the evenings.
Tip: Look for last-minute accommodations or tours during these quieter times.
Photo: Shev
When to Surf in Los Cabos
Best months: June to August (East Cape), October to March (Pacific side)
Cabo’s dual coasts mean different surf seasons. In summer, the East Cape gets great south swells. In winter, head to the Pacific side for big wave action near Todos Santos and Cerritos Beach.
I learned to surf in Cerritos! It has an incredible staged break that means beginners and pros have their own space. Locals tell me the surf is pretty much the same all year round, so you can always surf in Cerritos. But the best time is in the winter.
My Favourite Time to Visit Cabo
I always visit Los Cabos in November. I love the chiller vibe, smaller crowds, and the water is still warm from summer!
However, sometimes there are still storms that can cancel your dive days.
Surprisingly, I really loved Los Cabos in the summer. But, because I was working during the day and could enjoy the area in the mornings and evenings. It is difficult to holiday in Baja in summer, because it is too hot to do many activities during the day.
FAQs
When is hurricane season in Cabo?
September & October are the months with the greatest risk for hurricanes and tropical storms in Los Cabos and Baja California Sur.
Is Cabo too hot in summer?
Maybe – I love it for diving but if you want to hike and go to the beach its impossible during the day, you have to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
What’s the busiest month in Cabo?
December & March. These are the big holiday seasons and attract the most crowds.
When NOT to Visit Cabo
What time of year should you not go to Cabo? September and October are hurricane season. I wouldn’t visit during this time because the rough weather would mean cancelled dives, and I can’t have that!
Shev’s Summary – Best time to go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, or La Paz?
Whether you’re chasing sunshine, whale sightings, epic diving, or empty beaches, knowing the best time to visit Cabo can help you plan the perfect trip. As someone who explores Baja year-round, I’ve broken down what to expect each month — including weather, water temperatures, marine life, and tips for avoiding crowds (or finding the best surf).
Spoiler: there’s no bad time to go, but some months shine brighter than others depending on your travel style.
