Why Los Cabos Gets Completely Packed During This One Specific Week In October

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We at The Cabo Sun hear it every year: “Why is Cabo so busy right now?”

If you’ve wandered the marina in late October and found shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, live bands, camera crews, and a parade of gleaming sport-fishing yachts backing up to a giant scale—congrats, you’ve stumbled into Bisbee’s Black & Blue week.

It’s the Super Bowl of marlin fishing, and it turns Cabo into a high-energy festival for a few unforgettable days.

The short answer: Bisbee’s takes over the town

The 45th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue runs October 20–25, 2025 (fishing Oct 22–24), with the weigh station set up right in front of Puerto Paraíso Mall—prime, can’t-miss people-watching if you’re anywhere near the marina.

This year, organizers are expecting around 200 boats competing for roughly $5 million in prizes, and local officials estimate about $12 million in destination spend from the week’s activities—lodging, dining, dock services, fuel, and more. That single stat explains the energy you feel across Cabo San Lucas during tournament week.

Why that one week in October is extra jammed

• Two marquee tournaments back-to-back. Bisbee’s week is preceded by Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore (Oct 13–18, 2025). The momentum builds through that event and crests with the Black & Blue—so by the time those big marlin hit the scales, every barstool and balcony near the marina is full. If you’re plotting dates, our recent crowds guide notes how October flips the “go time” switch in Cabo.
• Festival atmosphere at the marina. Daily shotgun starts at 7:00 a.m. send the fleet roaring out to sea, and the weigh station opens in the afternoon for dramatic fish-on-the-hook returns—boats must be inside the harbor entrance by 9 p.m. It’s a spectacle that draws not just anglers but curious travelers, cruise passengers, and locals.
• It rides a bigger wave. 2025 is tracking as another record tourism year for Los Cabos, which means a fuller baseline of visitors before tournaments even begin. Stack Bisbee’s on top of that, and you get premium rates and busier hotspots—especially around Medano Beach and the marina district.

Planning around Bisbee’s week (so you love it, not loathe it)

• Book anything near the marina early. Hotels and condo rentals within walking distance of the scales go first, along with top restaurants at golden-hour.
• Know where to watch. For the most electric vibe, aim for Puerto Paraíso Mall and the walkway by the scales between late afternoon and early evening. You’ll catch teams unloading fish, live announcements, and lots of photo ops.
• Escape valves when you need a breather. Ten minutes away, Chileno and other Blue Flag beaches offer calmer water and services when the marina is buzzing—our guide shows how to make the most of them during peak days.
• Consider the “just-right” window after. If you love the scene but prefer fewer bodies, the second week of November often feels like Cabo’s calm exhale—our readers call it the eye of the storm between Bisbee’s and Thanksgiving.

Bonus: It’s not only about fishing

October in Cabo is event season. Even if you don’t drop a line, you can feel the buzz from billfish and marlin tournaments, pop-up music events (hello, Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash fans), and a downtown that’s been steadily winning over travelers for its dining and nightlife. Our downtown deep-dive spells out why the streets around the marina are the place to be this time of year.

Cruise calls add to the daytime foot traffic too, with hundreds of thousands of passengers flowing through Cabo San Lucas over the year—yet another reason the marina hums during headline weeks.

Bottom line

Los Cabos gets completely packed during that late-October week because Bisbee’s Black & Blue turns the destination into a global stage—drawing fleets, media, and spectators while turbocharging the local economy.

If you’re coming for the scene, lean into it: stay marina-side, snag dinner reservations, and catch a weigh-in. If you’re coming despite the scene, use our crowd-savvy tips, choose corridor beaches by day, and time your marina strolls for quieter mornings.

Either way, October in Cabo is pure electricity—and now you know exactly why.