El Arco at a glance
El Arco, also called the arch, is the rock formation at Land's End, the tip of the Baja California peninsula. It belongs to the Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Cabo San Lucas, a protected area. It is not an attraction with a ticket office, and there is no walkable arch to enter: you see it from the water.
Most visitors take a boat trip from the marina. Water taxis and kayaks are the other ways, and the beach next to the arch, Lover's Beach, has no road access. The Cabo boat tours page compares the trips and their prices.
The arch at Cabo San Lucas
What it is and how you see it.
Land's End
Land's End is where the peninsula ends in rocks that rise from the sea. The arch is one of them. The protected area also covers the surrounding rocks and the sea around them.
No regular path under the arch
No regular walking route under the arch is part of the visit. Treat the arch as something to see from the boat, and follow the crew's instructions near the rocks.
Lover's Beach and Divorce Beach
Lover's Beach, or Playa del Amor, lies next to the arch. Divorce Beach, or Playa del Divorcio, is on the Pacific side of the same stretch of sand. Swim only on the Gulf of California side. The water at Divorce Beach is too dangerous for swimming.
Lover's Beach →Our pick: a boat to the Arch
The glass-bottom boat is the simplest way to see El Arco up close.
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.
El Arco boat trips
Glass-bottom trips to the arch, sunset cruises, snorkeling and whale watching boats, with live prices and availability.
El Arco Cabo: how to get there
Three ways from the water.
| Way | Starts at | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom or other boat | The marina | The 45 minute example costs $18 instead of $25 per person without land transfer, plus a $3 dock fee (2026) |
| Water taxi | Médano | Also a way to land at Lover's Beach, which has no road |
| Kayak or paddleboard | Varies | An option for reaching the beach, so check the conditions first |
For most first-time visitors, a boat trip from the marina is the simplest choice. A landing at Lover's Beach is not guaranteed when the water is rough. Ask about water taxi fares and return times on the spot.
The arch Cabo San Lucas: the protected-area fee
What you pay to enter the protected area.
The protected area charges 125 MXN per person and day. Children under 12, older people, retirees and people with a disability are exempt, with proof where needed. Students and teachers with valid ID get 75 percent off, and Mexican nationals and foreign residents with an official document get 50 percent off. Do not assume that these discounts can be combined.
You need a wristband or an official proof of payment. Do not disturb plants, animals or the landscape, and follow the safety instructions. The dock fee that operators charge, $3 per person in the examples on this site, is a different item, so ask whether the protected-area fee is in your tour price.
Sea lions and whales at Land's End
Wildlife you may see.
California sea lions
The California sea lion is a typical species of the protected area. You may see sea lions near the rocks, but the size of a colony and a sighting on any given day are not guaranteed.
Humpback whales
The humpback whale is also a typical species. Whales are a winter attraction, and the 2025/26 season ran from 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026. Whale watching is restricted within 2 km of the arch, so a normal boat visit to the arch is a different thing from a whale trip.
Whale watching →
El Arco: frequently asked questions
How do I get to El Arco in Cabo?
By boat from the marina, by water taxi from Médano or by kayak. There is no road to the arch or to Lover's Beach.
Can I swim at El Arco?
El Arco is a rock formation in a protected area. Swim only on the Gulf of California side of Lover's Beach, when the flag and conditions allow it. The water at Divorce Beach is too dangerous for swimming.
Is there an entry fee for El Arco?
The protected area charges 125 MXN per person and day, with exemptions and discounts for certain groups. There is no separate ticket office for the arch itself.
Will I see sea lions at El Arco?
They are a typical species of the protected area, so a sighting is possible. It is not guaranteed on any given day.
When is the best time to visit El Arco?
The protected area operates on all days of the year. Calm sea matters more than the month, and whales add a reason to go in winter. Check the weather and the flags on your day.