Cochemiea halei forms large clusters up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in size.

It has 6-9 stiff, strong, reddish-brown central spines 2.0–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) long that turn gray with age.

[2] Cochemiea halei is found in Baja California Sur, Mexico, specifically on the islands of Magdalena and Santa Margarita at elevations of 10 to 100 meters.

It grows on sand dunes on the beach along with Echinocereus barthelowanus, Opuntia pycnantha, Cochemiea dioica, and Stenocereus eruca.

[4] Frederick Arthur Walton reclassified the species to the genus Cochemiea in 1899.