Cabo boat tours at a glance
Cabo boat tours leave from the marina and head to El Arco, the rock arch at Land's End. The shortest trip is a glass-bottom boat, and the same waters hold the sunset cruises and private charters. A boat tour does not automatically include a landing: in the glass-bottom example, the stop on Lover's Beach is optional.
The prices below are single examples from 2026, not a market range, and a displayed price does not show free seats on your day. A dock fee of $3 per person comes on top in each example.
Our picks: boat tours
The glass-bottom boat is the short way to the Arch. The sunset sail is the calmer evening option, and the pirate ship adds dinner and a show.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset pirate-ship cruise with dinner show
- Live show
- Dinner on board
- Open bar
Two hours at sunset on a pirate-themed ship. The dock and protected-area fee is extra and is paid in cash at check-in.
Check availability →
Shared sunset sail from the marina
- Open bar
- Snacks on board
- Taxes and fees
A relaxed two-hour sail around the bay and out onto the Pacific for the sunset, shared with other guests and led by a bilingual crew.
Check availability →
Glass-bottom boat to the Arch and a beach
- Glass-bottom viewing area
- Bilingual guide
- Optional beach drop-off
One hour on the water to El Arco with a certified captain, with a toilet and water on board. The beach stop and the boat ride back are optional.
Check availability →Cabo San Lucas boat tours
Glass-bottom trips to El Arco, sunset cruises, snorkeling and whale watching boats, with live prices and availability.
Cabo boat tours compared
2026 examples per person, plus a $3 dock fee, unless noted.
| Boat tour | Length | Price example | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom to the arch | 45 minutes, daily | $18 instead of $25 without land transfer, $35 instead of $45 with land transfer | Life vest, optional beach stop |
| Shared sunset cruise | 2 hours, daily | $95 instead of $115 | Land transfer and drinks |
| Private sunset boat, 2 hours | 2 hours | $495 instead of $550 for 1 to 4 people, $40 instead of $45 per extra person | Ask the operator |
| Private sunset boat, 3 hours | 3 hours | $648 instead of $720 for 1 to 4 people, $58 instead of $65 per extra person | Ask the operator |
| Whale watching, in season | Winter | $98 instead of $115 deluxe, $89 instead of $99 glass-bottom variant | Land transfer, guide, soft drinks |
For most first-time visitors, the glass-bottom trip is the quickest way to see the arch. Pick the sunset cruise for an evening on the water, and a private boat for a group, since that price is per boat.
Glass-bottom boat trips to El Arco
The short classic.
The glass-bottom trip lasts 45 minutes and runs daily in the example. The price is $18 instead of $25 per person without land transfer, and $35 instead of $45 with it. A life vest is included, and the beach stop is optional. Ask about child rates, and keep in mind that the displayed rates are not a guarantee for every date.
The boat passes the arch and the rock formations of Land's End. Lover's Beach, next to it, has no road access, so boats and water taxis are the way in. The landing is not guaranteed in rough water. Learn more on the El Arco and Lover's Beach pages.
Cabo sunset cruise
Shared or private.
The shared sunset cruise in the example lasts 2 hours and runs daily. It costs $95 instead of $115 per person, with land transfer and drinks included and a $3 dock fee on top. Ask about child prices.
A private boat is priced per boat. For 2 hours the example is $495 instead of $550 for 1 to 4 people, and each additional person adds $40 instead of $45. For 3 hours it is $648 instead of $720, with $58 instead of $65 per extra person. A $3 dock fee per person comes on top. Do not read these as per-person prices.
Sailing, snorkeling and whale boats
Other ways to be on the water.
Sailing
Sailing is another way to see the arch. A daily departure is not guaranteed, and length and price differ by operator, so ask before you plan around it.
Snorkeling boats
The snorkeling example goes to the arch and costs $77 instead of $85 without land transfer or $89 instead of $99 with it, per person. Equipment, vest, snacks and soft drinks are included. Pelican Rock at Land's End is a snorkeling spot reached by boat.
Snorkeling →Whale watching boats
Whale boats run in winter. The season in the protected area ran from 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026, and operators may stop around 15 April. Check the dates for 2026/27. Whale watching is restricted within 2 km of El Arco, and a normal boat visit to the arch is not affected by that rule in general.
Whale watching →Fees, weather and what to check before you book
Details that change the final price.
Two separate fees
The $3 dock fee in the examples is charged by the operator. The protected-area fee is 125 MXN per person and day, with exemptions for children under 12. Ask whether the protected-area fee is included in your price.
Weather and sea
Trips depend on the sea, and a landing is not guaranteed in rough water. Beaches have been closed for high waves and strong currents.
Cancellation
Some offers include free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Read the terms of your own booking.
Departure point
Boats leave from the marina, and water taxis to Lover's Beach leave from Médano. Check the meeting point and what the land transfer covers.
More ways to plan your Cabo trip
Related pages.
Cabo boat tours: frequently asked questions
How long is a boat tour to El Arco?
The glass-bottom example lasts 45 minutes. The sunset cruise lasts 2 hours, and private boats run for 2 or 3 hours.
How much does a Cabo boat tour cost?
In the 2026 examples, a glass-bottom trip costs $18 instead of $25 per person without land transfer, and a shared sunset cruise costs $95 instead of $115 per person. A private 2 hour boat costs $495 instead of $550 for 1 to 4 people. A $3 dock fee per person comes on top.
Does the boat tour include a stop at Lover's Beach?
Not automatically. In the glass-bottom example, the beach stop is optional, and a landing is not guaranteed in rough water.
Are drinks included?
It depends on the tour. The shared sunset example includes drinks, and the snorkeling and whale watching examples include soft drinks. Check each offer.
Can I cancel a boat tour?
Some offers include free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Terms differ, so read yours before you pay.