Cabo's Santa Maria Beach

Santa Maria Beach (source: cabosanlucasbeaches.com)

Our third day in Cabo San Lucas was spent at Santa Maria public beach. This little cove is one of just a few beaches where you can swim in Cabo.  Waves are too intense elsewhere.

Steven emerges from the surf.

We learned several things about beaches on the tip of Baja, California.  First, it is almost impossible to run on the beach.  At the best, you hope for a slow jog. This is because the Mexican sand is not the fine stuff we have come to know and love in San Diego.  It consists instead of small pebbles that are just big enough to make us wince as we walked.  We also learned that in August Baja beaches are especially hot and humid, and that pebbly sand heats up to a high "ouch" degree. Do not venture out without some sturdy flip flops! (The guys selling mangos on the beach wear socks and shoes. I think they know something we don't.)

View from under our thatched umbrella.

We also learned that shade is your friend and the public swimming beaches have wonderful wooden thatched umbrellas. They were fully occupied by natives who knew to stay under them unless they were enjoying the surf. We gingerly worked our way down to the water and stepped into the bathwater of the Sea of Cortez.  The sea is warm, but the waves are big, even in this protected cove! While we got used to the surf, several boats appeared in the bay and unloaded some snorkelers.

Panamic Sergeant Majors enjoying Bimbo bread. 

We decided we should do our own snorkeling too. Though Santa Maria Beach is a designated marine preserve, it is common practice to feed the fish. Armed with a loaf of the local "Bimbo" brand white bread, we attracted a swirl of beautiful tropical fish, all wearing bright yellow.  There is nothing to compare to being surrounded by these beauties of the sea.

Want to attract Gafftopsail Pompano?  Bimbo brand bread does the trick.

On a sadder note, while under our thatched umbrella, we noticed a commotion further down the beach.  The guy selling mangos near us whistled loudly and waved over the lifeguards to the point where a crowd of swimmers were dragging an unconscious man onto the beach. Thankfully, he was revived and carried off the beach on a stretcher, we presume to a waiting ambulance.  We are not sure exactly what happened to this gentleman, but the undertow at Cabo beaches is strong and I suspect incidents like this are not uncommon.