If you have not been to Cabo San Lucas (Cabo) before you can expect a busy and lively marina. The town grew around the small fishing port and marina development at the very southern tip of the Baja Peninsular (in fact the town is still growing and you will notice lots of construction of new hotels, resorts etc). The IGY marina is a first class destination and really is in the heart of the city, busy with day trippers, water taxis, fishing boats and if a cruise ship is in port (anchored in the bay) then there are also the lifeboats ferrying passengers ashore. There are restaurants and bars of all tastes lining the marina and plenty of tourists and locals alike out walking the promenade day and night. With such a busy marina security is a high priority and IGY marina takes it very seriously with gated pontoons, CCTV and 24hr English speaking security guards. IGY is no stranger to ARC rallies as they host the finish of the ARC each December in Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.
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As you enter Cabo you will pass by two of the big attractions that are worth checking out. First you will pass by the natural rock formations of Land’s End, often known as El Arco, or The Arch. This is where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean and El Arco is much like a gateway to what lies beyond. Easy to visit in one of the local boats (pangas) and spend some time on the two beaches, Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach, snorkelling, see the sea lions. There’s great scuba diving along this headland also.
The other attraction is the beautiful Maho Beach, which is on the starboard side as you enter the marina and a short distance away once in your slip, either a good walk or a short panga ride. There are busy sections close to the more popular restaurants, where your tables are literally on the beach, but it is possible to find your own quiet spot.
Cabo is a great place to re-provision for the long leg to the Marquesas with large stores such as Costco available so you don’t have to load up too much in LA. It's also good to know that your membership is valid from the US, or it's easy to register for an account.
There is always time during rally stopovers to explore and enjoy being in port and Cabo is no exception, crews are encouraged to take time away from the boat and see the places they have worked so hard to arrive at. Enjoy the fine spas, golf courses, shopping, there really is plenty to see and do. It’s worth mentioning that there will be a program of events which typically includes a welcome party, happy hours, skippers briefing and a prizegiving for leg 1.
Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean