Cabo excursions at a glance
Most Cabo excursions start on the water. The marina is the base for boat trips to El Arco, Land's End and Lover's Beach, and the same boats run sunset cruises and snorkeling trips. In winter, whale watching boats join them. Other products, such as ATV tours, are separate offers with their own meeting points.
The prices below are single examples from 2026, not a range for the whole market. They change, and a displayed price does not show whether seats are free on your day. A dock fee of $3 per person comes on top in each example, and the protected-area fee is a different item.
Our picks: tours and day trips
Boat trips are the core: the snorkel catamaran for a few hours on the water, the sunset sail for the evening. The city tour and the quad ride add a land option with hotel pickup.
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.
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Whale watching with an all-women crew
- Marine biologist on board
- Digital photos
- Free second trip if no whales
Two hours on a boat with a hydrophone to listen for whales. Sightings depend on the season and cannot be promised.
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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.
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City tour of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas
- Hotel pickup and return
- 30-minute boat tour
- Tequila tasting
Six hours in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide, covering both towns and ending with a short boat ride.
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Catamaran snorkeling cruise with lunch and open bar
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Light lunch and snacks
- All fees and taxes
Three hours on a catamaran with a snorkeling stop, a light lunch and a national open bar. Hotel transfers are not part of the booking.
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Beach and desert quad tour with tequila tasting
- Hotel pickup and return
- Helmet, goggles and bandana
- Tequila tasting
Two and a half hours on a single or double quad, depending on the option you pick, after a safety briefing. The eco-park fee is extra and is paid at check-in.
Check availability →Cabo San Lucas tours and excursions
Boat trips to El Arco, glass-bottom and sunset cruises, snorkeling and whale watching in season, with live prices and availability.
Cabo San Lucas tours compared
Price examples per person in 2026, plus a $3 dock fee, unless noted.
| Excursion | Length | Price example | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom boat 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 |
| Boat plus city sightseeing | Ask for the exact length | $49 instead of $69 | Ask the operator |
| Shared sunset cruise | 2 hours, daily | $95 instead of $115 | Land transfer and drinks |
| Snorkeling at the arch | Ask for the exact length | $77 instead of $85 without land transfer, $89 instead of $99 with land transfer | Equipment, vest, snacks and soft drinks |
| Whale watching | Winter season | $98 instead of $115 deluxe, $89 instead of $99 glass-bottom variant | Land transfer, guide and soft drinks |
| Private sunset boat | 2 or 3 hours | $495 instead of $550 for 2 hours for 1 to 4 people, $648 instead of $720 for 3 hours | Ask the operator |
For most first-time visitors, the glass-bottom boat is the shortest way to see Land's End. Choose the sunset cruise for an evening on the water and the private boat for a group, because its price is for the boat and not per person. Details by type are on the boat tours page.
Cabo San Lucas tours by type
What each kind of trip is like.
Glass-bottom and Land's End trips
The classic short trip goes from the marina to El Arco and often to Lover's Beach. In the example, the beach stop is optional, so a boat trip does not automatically include a landing. Land transfer is a separate option, so check what it covers and where you meet.
Sunset cruises
The shared sunset example lasts 2 hours. Private boats are priced per boat, with an extra charge for each person above four. In the example, a 2 hour private trip adds $40 instead of $45 for each additional person, and the 3 hour trip adds $58 instead of $65.
Snorkeling excursions
The snorkeling example goes to the arch, and Pelican Rock at Land's End is a snorkeling spot. Ask for the exact length and the time in the water before you book.
Snorkeling →Whale watching
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. No sighting is guaranteed.
Whale watching →ATV tours in Cabo
A separate kind of excursion.
ATV tours are offered as their own product, away from the boats. Details such as the route, minimum age, length and what the price covers differ by provider. Before you book, ask for the meeting point, the minimum age and the full list of what is included. Do not assume that a tour rides on beaches or dunes unless the description says so.
Fees and booking basics
What to check before you pay.
Two separate fees
The protected-area fee is 125 MXN per person and day. Children under 12 are exempt, students and teachers with valid ID get 75 percent off, and Mexican nationals and foreign residents with proof get 50 percent off. The $3 dock fee in the examples is a different item. Ask whether the protected-area fee is part of your price.
Group prices and children
Private boat prices are for the boat, not per person. Ask for child rates when you book.
Cancellation
Some offers include free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Read the terms of your own booking, because they differ by offer.
Weather
Boat trips depend on the sea. The landing at Lover's Beach is not guaranteed in rough water, so keep some flexibility in your plan.
Cabo excursions: frequently asked questions
Which excursion should I choose in Cabo San Lucas?
That depends on your time. The glass-bottom boat to El Arco is the shortest option, the sunset cruise suits an evening, and snorkeling and whale watching need more time or the right season. The table above compares single examples, not a ranking.
How much do Cabo excursions cost?
The 2026 examples range from $18 for a 45 minute glass-bottom trip to $95 for a shared sunset cruise per person, and $495 for a private boat for 2 hours for 1 to 4 people. Each adds a $3 dock fee per person. They are single products, not a market range.
Do I need to book Cabo tours in advance?
The offers can be reserved online. A displayed offer does not show free seats on your day, so check availability for your date before you plan around it.
Are there ATV tours in Cabo?
Yes, as a separate product. Check the route, the minimum age and what is included with the provider, since these differ.
Is the dock fee the same as the national park fee?
No. The dock fee is charged by the operator, $3 per person in the examples. The protected-area fee of 125 MXN per person and day is another item. Do not assume that one covers the other.