It’s hard to quantify Los Cabos beaches: They’re innumerable, with golden sandy stretches lined one after another across the municipality’s 125 miles of picturesque coastline. It’s also hard to rate them aesthetically: They’re all beautiful.

So, which ones are the best to visit? It depends on your idea of a perfect day at the beach. If you like swimming, I can immediately suggest several beaches and eliminate others that have steep drop-offs or strong rip currents. Do you prefer beaches where you can enjoy drinking and dining, or where you can go snorkeling?

All beaches in Los Cabos have strengths and weaknesses based on factors like these. So, in the interests of visitors who haven’t had a chance to experience many local beaches, here are the standouts in some important categories.

Swimming

Several beaches in Los Cabos should be avoided for swimming as they are dangerous. These notably include Playa Divorcio and Playa Solmar. However, many others are safe, with a green flag displaying the quality of the swimming conditions. Playa Palmilla, site of the swimming portion of the annual Ironman 70.3 race, gets the nod as the best, thanks to its calm currents and onsite lifeguard (a prerequisite of Blue Flag beaches, of which there are 25 locally.

The best: Playa Palmilla (San José del Cabo)
Honorable mention: Playa Santa María (Tourist Corridor), Playa Chileno (Tourist Corridor), Playa El Médano (Cabo San Lucas)

Snorkeling

Most boat tours departing from Cabo San Lucas take people to Chileno or Santa María Bays to snorkel in the waters off those respective beaches. I would endorse either, but Playa Chileno is a slightly better option — more marine life, and more space to explore — and a lot cheaper if you nix the boat tickets and get there on your own. However, remember to bring a mask and fins, and be ready for lots of company, as Chileno is a local favorite.

The best: Playa Chileno
Honorable mention: Playa Santa María, Playa Cabo Pulmo (East Cape)

Diving

Cabo Pulmo’s beach is beautiful, its coral reef system is one of the oldest in North America and its abundance of marine life is unmatched anywhere in the Sea of Cortés; three good reasons why this world-class East Cape dive site is part of a national park that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The only other dive sites locally that rival it are at Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas. Which is to say, they’re close to Playa del Amor. However, it’s not as if you can arrange anything or get equipment, as Lover’s Beach — the most gorgeous anywhere south of La Paz — lacks services. So this one is a walkover.

The best: Playa Cabo Pulmo

Surfing

This is tough. There are so many great surf spots in Los Cabos, and they’re scattered across the length of the municipality, from Nine Palms and Shipwrecks on the East Cape to Costa Azul and Acapulquito in San José del Cabo, Playa Monumento near Cabo San Lucas and Pacific Coast standouts like Los Cerritos.

Zippers, one of a trio of surf breaks at Costa Azul, is the most iconic in the area, and the former site of the pro events Fletcher Los Cabos Classic and the Los Cabos Open of Surf. As a bonus, the nearby Middle Break is perfect for beginners. However, for great year-round surfing and rideability for all skill levels, the winner has to be Los Cerritos.

The best: Playa Los Cerritos (Pacific Coast)
Honorable mention: Playa Costa Azul (San José del Cabo), Playa Monumento (Tourist Corridor)

Windsports

Those knowledgeable about local geography may note that Los Cerritos — my best surf beach — and Los Barriles on the East Cape — my top option for windsports — are not in Los Cabos but part of the neighboring La Paz municipality. For windsports, this is unavoidable, as the two places that benefit most from seasonal El Norte winds are Los Barriles and La Ventana, within the municipal boundaries of La Paz.

Each used to host a windsports competition — the former the Lord of the Wind Showdown, the latter the La Ventana Classic. Both are great for windsurfing, kiteboarding and kitesurfing from November through March, but Los Barriles is slightly better due to stronger and more consistent winds.

The best: Playa Los Barriles (East Cape)
Honorable mention: Playa Central in La Ventana

Volleyball

Thinking about recreating the famous volleyball scene from “Top Gun”? There are many great options in Los Cabos, starting with the Playa Hotelera in San José del Cabo, the long beachfront lined by many of the city’s best resorts, including volleyball-friendly ones like Royal Solaris and Hyatt Ziva. Meanwhile, Médano Beach is the go-to playa for setting and spiking enthusiasts in Cabo San Lucas, with several nets typically set up along its two-mile length.

The best: Playa Hotelera (San José del Cabo)
Honorable mention: Playa El Médano

Drinking and dining

Playa El Médano, the biggest and most popular beach in Cabo San Lucas, has by far the most drinking and dining options, including restaurants on the beach like The Office, Mango Deck, The Sand Bar and SUR Beach House; and those overlooking it, like the spectacular Rooftop 360 at Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa. However, there are other options, too. Zipper’s Bar and Grill on Playa Costa Azul in San José del Cabo is a longtime local favorite, as is Tacos & Beer on Playa Cabo Pulmo.

The best: Playa El Médano
Honorable mention: Playa Costa Azul, Playa Cabo Pulmo

Of course, these aren’t the only activities available. Los Cabos is a paradise for lovers of almost every outdoor pastime imaginable — at least those that don’t involve cold weather.

Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, as evidenced by its inclusion in several categories above, is the best place to go for an abundance of options — from sunning and swimming to volleyball, parasailing, flyboarding, jet skiing and more. 

It’s also a great place to walk your dog, although you’ll have to steer clear of the scattered Blue Flag portions of the beach, where pets aren’t permitted.

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

The state middle school track and field championships, held May 30 at UVM’s track in Burlington, were renamed in honor of Nathan Suter, who died on May 13, and who had been instrumental in nurturing Montpelier’s middle and high school track programs and the state middle school meet itself. From Montpelier’s perspective, the meet was a tribute to Suter, and it was an emotional day for the Main Street Middle School boys and girls teams. On the back of eighth-grade runner Andy Sheehan’s shirt were the words: “This One’s for Nathan.” Photos by John Lazenby.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKETS

• North: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
• South: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

FEATURED COVERAGE

North Jersey, Group 1 Final

No. 13/2-West Caldwell Tech 2, No. 6 1-Harrison 1

• Recap: Tech repeats in rematch

North Jersey, Group 2 Final

No. 17/2-Randolph 2, No. 19/4-Garfield 1

• Recap: Rams win in dramatic fashion
• Photos

North Jersey, Group 3 Final

No. 3/1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2, No. 18/3-Millburn 1

• Recap: SPF makes it four in a row

North Jersey, Group 4 Final

2-Livingston 2, No. 11/1- Elizabeth 1

• Recap: Lancers end 12-year title search

South Jersey, Group 1 Final

No. 10/2-Hudson Catholic 2, No. 7/1-St. John Vianney 0

• Recap: HC grows from last year’s loss

South Jersey, Group 2 Final

No. 5/1-St. Joseph (Met.) 2, No. 8/3-Holmdel 1

• Recap: Experience, adjustments lift St. Joe

South Jersey, Group 3 Final

No. 2/1-Southern 2, No. 15/3-WWP-South 0

• Recap: Southern returns to top

South Jersey, Group 4 Final

No. 1/1-Old Bridge 2, No. 5/2-Monroe 1

• Recap: No. 1 rallies for dramatic win

TOP 20 SCOREBOARD

STATEWIDE SCOREBOARD

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

Tyler Duffy can be reached at tduffy@njadvancemedia.com.

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Lehi’s Ashton Shewell takes a swing in a 6A boys volleyball state tournament match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Cooper Pope of Timpanogos takes a swing against Desert Hills in a 4A boys volleyball state semifinal match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Lucky Jennings (8) celebrates with his teammates during a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match against Green Canyon at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Maple Mountain’s Taft Hillman passes the ball in the 5A boys volleyball state finals against Wasatch at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Jeff Porcaro, Maple Mountain Sports

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Here are the top boys volleyball players in the Utah Valley area for 2025.

Player of the Year: Trey Thornton, 6-7 Sr. OH, Maple Mountain

Thornton was the lynchpin for back-to-back state championships, even with defenses geared to slow him down. This season, Thornton logged 422 kills (4.7 per set) while hitting .431. He added 49 aces, 43 total blocks and 169 digs. In the past two seasons, the BYU-bound lefty totaled 851 kills.

Offensive MVP: Ashton Shewell, 6-5 So. OH, Lehi

Shewell’s main sport is basketball but you could make a case for volleyball as well. In just his second varsity season, Shewell managed 394 kills (4.7 per set) while hitting a robust .367 to go along with 30 aces and 26 total blocks.

Defensive MVP: Aaron Neilson, 6-4 Sr. MB, Orem

Nielson teamed up with Luke Wolsey as perhaps the best middle blocker combo in the state. Neilson contributed 89 total blocks while adding 203 kills (1.9 per set) and hitting .336.

Co-Setter MVPs: Taft Hillman, 6-7 Jr., Maple Mountain and Lucky Jennings, 6-0 Sr., Orem

Hillman was the setter for last year’s state championship and helped repeat the effort with 964 assists (10.6 per set) while adding 69 kills, 29 aces, 77 total blocks and 127 digs. Jennings topped the 4A state champion Tigers with 733 assists (7.7 per set) with 69 kills, 40 aces and 164 digs.

Co-Coaches of the Year: Bill Sefita, Orem and Napoleon Galang, Maple Mountain

All Sefita does is win championships. He has led the Orem girls program to consecutive state titles (2023-24) and then directed the boys program to a 26-6 mark and gold trophy this spring. Galang, an assistant for the Golden Eagles during their 2024 championship season, inherited a lot of talent but kept the program challenged and on target for another state title while posting a 29-1 record.

FIRST TEAM ALL-VALLEY

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Chase Billeter, Jr. OH, Wasatch

Billeter totaled over 300 kills (3.5 per set) for the 5A state runner-up Wasps.

Mattheus Borges Jr. OH, Maple Mountain

Borges provided another potent attacker for the Golden Eagles with 192 kills (2.1 per set) while hitting .260 while also adding 16 aces, 27 total blocks and 153 digs.

Reis Brothers, Jr. S, Springville

Brothers had a terrific year for the Red Devils with 705 assists (8.7 per set) and also totaled 59 kills, 32 aces, 67 total blocks and 108 digs.

Kamohoalii Chan Sr., Spanish Fork

Chan did it all for the Dons with 236 kills (2.6 per set), 45 aces and 178 digs.

Keagan Cundiff, Sr. S, Westlake

Cundiff directed the offense for the Thunder with 940 assists (9.6 per set) and also logged 46 kills, 26 aces, 40 total blocks and 238 digs.

Freddy Dayton, Jr. OH, Lone Peak

Dayton totaled 220 kills (2.3 per set) to go along with 35 aces, 33 total blocks and 211 digs for the Knights.

Waylon Francom, Sr. OH, Payson

Francom led the way for the Lions with 393 kills (3.8 per set) and hit .284 with 40 aces, 51 total blocks and 199 digs.

Max Hale, Sr. OH, American Fork

Hale was the main weapon for the Cavemen, finishing with 354 kills (4.5 per set) and hitting .249 while logging 16 aces, 29 total blocks and 148 digs.

Brady Holt, So. OH, Lone Peak

Holt built on a great freshman season with another good one, ending up with 350 kills (3.7 per set) and hit .279 while adding 28 aces, 43 total blocks and 149 digs.

Ben Hone, Sr. OH, Orem

Hone was a powerful weapon for the 4A state champions, finishing with 305 kills (3.4 per set) and hit .266 to go along with 45 aces, 28 total blocs and 145 digs.

Luke Michaelis, Jr. OH, Cedar Valley

Michaelis had 336 kills (3.1 per set) and hit .303 with earning 36 total blocks and 16 aces.

Cooper Pope Sr. OH, Timpanogos

Pope’s dynamic play led the T-Wolves to a surprise second-place finish in the 4A tournament with 378 kills (4.7 per set) while hitting .263. He also had 33 aces, 51 total blocks and 233 digs.

Ty Reynolds, So. S, Lehi

Reynolds is one of the top young setters in the state and led the Pioneers with 948 assists (11.4 per set) and also managed 35 aces.

JJ Serre Jr. OH, Wasatch

Serre couldn’t be stopped and had over 300 kills (3.7 per set) while hitting .311 for the Wasps.

Brockton Shirley, Sr. OH, Payson

Shirley totaled 337 kills for the Lions (3.3 per set) and contributed 22 aces and 181 digs.

Manase Storey, Sr. MB, Maple Mountain

Storey owned the middle for the Golden Eagles with 165 kills (2.0 per set) while hitting an astounding .498. He also contributed 27 total blocks and 34 aces.

Evan Straw Sr. MB, Springville

Straw was a presence for the Red Devils with 213 kills (2.7 per set) while hitting .350, to go along with 57 total blocks, 21 aces and 162 digs.

Kilika Tafa, Jr. OH, Westlake

The high-flying Tafa was one of the Valley’s most dynamic athletes and ended up with 326 kills (3.9 per set) and hit .238 while adding 28 aces and 39 total blocks.

Preston Taylor Sr. OPP, Salem Hills

Taylor topped the Skyhawks with 303 kills (3.5 per set) to go along with 60 total blocks, 27 aces and 169 digs.

Brayden Thomas, Sr. OH, Pleasant Grove

Thomas led the Vikings with 222 kills (2.6 per set) and fired off 46 aces while totaling 213 digs.

Chance Wallace Sr. L, Timpanogos

Wallace was on top of his game for the T-Wolves with 398 digs (4.9 per set).

Luke Wolsey Jr. MB, Orem

The quick-jumping Wolsey was a headache for opponents, finishing with 175 kills (2.0 per set) and hit .377 while adding 27 aces and 64 total blocks.

SECOND TEAM ALL-VALLEY

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Trevor Allen, So. OH, Lone Peak

Allen had 159 kills (1.7 per set) while totaling 32 aces, 25 total blocks and 190 digs.

Jace Anderson, So. OH, Spanish Fork

Anderson finished with 187 kills (2.0 per set) with 18 aces and 161 digs.

Dylan Avery, Sr. OPP, Lehi

Avery had 151 kills (1.8 per set) and hit .277 while adding 44 total blocks.

Eli Baldwin, Jr. OH, Salem Hills

Baldwin contributed 177 kills (1.9 per set) and tallied 15 aces, 38 total blocks and 162 digs.

Will Beckwith Sr. OH, American Heritage

Beckwith was a top option for the Patriots, finishing with 260 kills (3.5 per set), 51 aces and 124 digs.

Treyvon Cly Jr. L, Orem

Cly had 105 kills but eventually switched to libero, where he totaled 299 digs (2.7 per set).

Talon Colarusso Sr. OH, Provo

Colarusso topped the Bulldogs with 149 kills (2.2 per set) and a total of 51 blocks.

Caden Cox, Jr MB, American Fork

Cox totaled 127 kills (1.7 per set) for the Cavemen.

William Dayton, Jr. S, Lone Peak

Dayton had 766 assists (8.1 per set) and contributed 21 aces, 34 total blocks and 189 digs.

Zaxon Downey Jr. S, Timpanogos

Downey really came on down the stretch and led the T-Wolves with 667 assists (8.3 per set) to go along with 37 aces and 133 digs.

Brody Hemphill, Jr. OH, Mountain View

Hemphill finished with 197 kills (2.2 per set) with 38 aces and 165 digs.

Brody Hulme Sr. S, Wasatch

Hulme was solid at the setter spot for the Wasps, averaging 9.6 assists per set with more than 40 aces.

Josh Johnson Sr. OH, Skyridge

Johnson was one of the top hitters for the Falcons and averaged 2.5 kills per set.

Sam Lowell Sr., MB, Timpanogos

Lowell did good work for the T-Wolves with 55 total blocks and 106 kills (1.6 per set).

Aki Malietoa, Jr.RS, Pleasant Grove

Malietoa added 205 kills for the Vikings (2.0 per set) with 47 total blocks.

Jace Mangum Jr. OH, Payson

Mangum finished with 239 kills (2.4 per set) and hit .232 to go along with 44 aces, 30 total blocks and 241 digs.

Nicholas Nelson, Jr. OH, Mountain View

Nelson did his job of the Bruins, totaling 215 kills (2.4 per set) and adding 41 blocks.

Kimball Olsen Fr. OH, Maple Mountain

Olsen has a bright future with the Golden Eagles after he had 128 kills (1.4 per set) and hit .230 while firing off 32 aces and logging 95 digs.

Evan Olmstead, Sr. L, American Fork

Olmstead, who will play for his father at BYU, ended up with 397 digs (5.0 per set) and also added 13 aces.

Jonny Petersen Jr. S, Cedar Valley

The Aviators relied on Peterson for 602 assists (5.7 per set) as well as 121 kills (1.1 per set), 30 aces and 201 digs.

Marcus Rettinger Sr. MB, Skyridge

Rettinger averaged 2.7 kills per set for the Falcons.

Jacob Ricks, Sr. OH, Timpanogos

Ricks totaled 133 kills (1.6 per set) as well as 215 digs.

Kyson Ririe Jr. OH, Westlake

Ririe packed a punch with 204 kills (2.1 per set) for the Thunder.

Talon Roberts So. S, Salem Hills

The setter for the Skyhawks finished with 750 assists (8.2 per set) as well as 15 aces, 35 total blocks and 159 digs.

Jackson Sanders Sr. OH, Orem

Sanders was a great option for the Tigers with 154 kills (1.6 per set) and added 116 digs.

Alec Slater, Sr. OH, Wasatch

Slater had a great senior season for the Wasps.

Nephi Spendlove, Sr. MB, Springville

Spendlove totaled 89 total blocks and had 112 kills (1.4 per set) for the Red Devils.

Ian Wilson, Sr. OH, Lehi

Wilson contributed 200 kills (2.4 per set) and tallied 41 total blocks.

Thomas Wood, 6-4 So MB, Westlake

Wood was solid in the middle for the Thunder with 171 kills (1.9 per set) and hit .334 while contributing 51 total blocks.

HONORABLE MENTION

(Listed in alphabetical order)

AMERICAN FORK: Evan Johnson, Smith Littlefield, Jackson Mecham, Jarrett Santiago.

AMERICAN HERITAGE: Peter Jacobson, Jake McGhie, Parker Mendenhall, Sam Wilson.

CEDAR VALLEY: Sam Davis, Jordan Easton, Kahana Franco, Elias Hending, Luke Hokanson, Swayden Sabey.

FREEDOM PREP: Joseh Black, Wyatt Leigh, McKay Smith, Parker Taylor

LEHI: Santiago Hernandez. Dax Moore, Taite Stewart.

LONE PEAK: Thomas Beutler, Mason Green, Max Hamblin, Britton Schiess.

MAPLE MOUNTAIN: McKay Beattie, Jonny Hair, Abe Hawkins.

MOUNTAIN VIEW: Mac Earnest, Micah Fairbanks, Adam Maya, Toby Smith, Braxton Ward, Makai Wood.

OREM: Will Brown, Aaron Maya, Isaac Richardson.

PAYSON: Ryan Facer, Dillon Houston, Parker Houston, Teancum Joel.

PLEASANT GROVE: Elijah Barnes, Jason Frink, Nicholas Call, Tyson Thomas.

PROVO: Leif Gonzalez, Jaxson Koford, Hayden Moser, Tucker Snarr, Corban Tidwell

SALEM HILLS: Harrison Egbert, Kooper Stewart.

SKYRIDGE: Alex Caldwell, Fihi Fainga, Trey Mahe, Ben Muir, Boston Prettyman, Devin Willits.

SPANISH FORK: Alec Bluth, Dylan Bluth, Preston Hupp, Sawyer Larsen, Mason Swenson, Braxton Vale.

SPRINGVILLE: Taylor Cook, Christian Hopkins, Garrett Kilgrow, Marshall Patterson.

TIMPANOGOS: Jared Hansen, Crew Kozlowski, Brigham Wohan.

TIMPVIEW: Bowie Asvitt, Christian Puente, Ikaika Reyes, Gaku Toma, Vander Van Dyke.

WASATCH: Foraker Fisher, Grant Hansen, Everett Saunders, Carter Smith.

WESTLAKE: Parker Swenson, Micah Sorensen, DJ Simmonds, Talon Schank.

ALL-VALLEY BOYS VOLLEYBALL HISTORY

Thornton is the second Daily Herald Boys Volleyball Player of the Year after earning Offensive MVP in 2024, the first season of high school volleyball in the state of Utah.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2024 Ethan Hillyard, Pleasant Grove

2025 Trey Thornton, Maple Mountain

NEEDHAM — This spring season has been quite a ride for Taunton boys volleyball.