When winds out of the north whip Bahía Pulmo into a frothy mess, the next bay south, Bahía de los Frailes, is usually calm enough for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. The bay plunges to depths of 210 meters, which makes for slightly colder water temperatures than in Bahía Pulmo.

Following the Coastal Road, it’s about eight kilometers to the turnoff for this white-sand beach. Since Los Frailes lies just outside the national marine park, the fishing onshore and inshore tends to be especially good here. Anglers often catch roosterfish by casting into the surf; charters catch yellowfin tuna, grouper, dorado, and marlin within a couple miles of the shoreline.

Hotels and Camping

Villa Los Frailes (El Camino Rural Costero, U.S. tel. 206/390-1700, www.bajavilla.com, US$600 per night) is an oceanfront home that sleeps 10 people in four bedrooms and five baths, plus a hot tub and pool deck.

Cabo Villa Rentals manages a few vacation properties along the East Cape, including Casita Luna Azul at Estancia (U.S. tel. 310/943-7614, toll-free U.S. tel. 877/473-1946, www.cabovillarentals.com). This one-bedroom casita is set on a point overlooking the sea and costs US$225 per night.

You can camp on the beach along the north end of the bay—a fee of US$2–3 per site may be charged.