A private enclave -- with golf courses and residences -- is being developed at Bahía Chileno, roughly midway between San José and San Lucas. The beach skirts a small, crescent-shape cove with aquamarine waters that are perfect for snorkeling and swimming. At this writing, the dirt access road and parking lot were open, but time will tell how the developers will handle public access -- required by law -- to the bay. Ideal for swimming and snorkeling, this pretty Corridor beach skirts a small, crescent-shape cove with aquamarine water. On the western end stands a rocky cliff where the Hotel Cabo San Lucas is perched. Along the eastern edge, some 200 yards away, are boulders you can climb. On the trek down you may see some stray wrappers and cans, but the beach itself is clean and usually not too crowded. During winter, this part of the Sea of Cortez gets chilly -- refreshing for a dip, but most snorkelers cut their swims short.

The only business on the beach is Cabo Acuadeportes (624/143-0117), which rents snorkel equipment and offers scuba diving and snorkeling trips to nearby sites; hours are erratic. The turnoff for the beach is near the Hotel Cabo San Lucas, Km 14.5 on the Transpeninsular Highway (Hwy. 1). There's a sign; from San José turn immediately after the hotel; from San Lucas, just before.