Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations

Cabo’s clear-boat view changes everything. You sail where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortes with a certified guide, and you’ll drift over fish from the clear-bottom hull while hitting major photo stops like the arch and pelican rock for phone-ready shots. One thing to weigh: the tour is short, and the crew may spend extra time taking group photos that they later sell.

This is a straightforward 45 minutes to 1 hour experience in Cabo San Lucas, capped at a maximum of 12 travelers, so it doesn’t feel like a floating parking lot. You’ll get a mobile ticket and the tour is offered in English, and the meeting point is at Envatours CaboMarina (Local 15 y 16 A, Centro).

You’ll also get safety equipment, plus admission to the beaches you visit. Bring your phone, and keep in mind the day depends on weather, since the operator can reschedule or refund if conditions are poor.

Key things to know before you go

• Clear-bottom views are the whole point: you’re meant to look down as much as you look ahead.
• Four fast landmark stops: expect quick photo moments rather than long beach hang time.
• Motion-sickness heads-up: if you’re sensitive, plan for it before you board.
• Short ride means less flexibility: you’ll see a lot, but you won’t linger.
• Crew photo time is part of the flow: you can still take your own pictures, so manage expectations.
• A high step for boarding: mobility can be a factor when getting in and out of the boat.

Why the Cabo Clear Boat Feels Different on the Sea of Cortes

A lot of Cabo boat tours show you coastline. This one adds a second “window,” literally. With the fully clear boat, you can spot fish and movement under the hull, which turns the ride into more of a slow glide than a typical sightseeing cruise.

The route matters, too. You’re sailing in a spot where ocean conditions look dramatic: you get exposed Pacific-style coastline views, then shift to the Sea of Cortes side where the water often feels calmer visually. That mix makes the scenery change quickly, which is exactly what you want when the tour runs under an hour.

And yes, the photo opportunities are real. The big landmarks are close enough for your phone to matter, not just your memory. People come for the arch and stay for the underwater look in between.

Price and Value: What $44.10 Gets You

At $44.10 per person for a 45-minute to 1-hour tour, you’re paying for speed plus access to multiple “must-see” spots in one outing. The value is strongest if you want a single, efficient hit list: the famous Cabo arch area, pelican rock, and both sides of the coastline views.

What helps the math: safety equipment is included, a certified guide is included, and you don’t have to worry about separate beach admissions for the stops you visit. You’re also not stuck waiting around for long stretches between landmarks, which can be a hidden cost of cheaper half-day plans.

The main value trade-off is time. If you want a relaxed, long sit-on-the-water kind of day, this won’t feel that way. It’s a sampler, not a slow vacation at sea.

Getting There: CaboMarina Meeting Point and Timing Reality

You’ll meet at Envatours CaboMarina, Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Marina, in Cabo San Lucas. The good news: it’s described as near public transportation, so you’re not forced into a complicated plan if you’re not driving.

The other good news is that the operator uses mobile tickets, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking. Still, this is one of those tours where timing matters. The trip is short, so arriving late can turn a quick cruise into a rushed one.

If you’re trying to stack this with other activities, give yourself breathing room near the marina before check-in.

The Route in Plain English: Arch, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, Playa de los Amantes

This tour moves fast, with stops designed for sight + photos. Expect the guide to steer you toward the best angles, then you get a short window to look and shoot.

Here’s how the day flows:

• Stop 1: Arch of Cabo San Lucas (about 10 minutes)

You’ll get close to Cabo’s signature landmark. This is where your phone does its best work.

• Stop 2: Pelican Rock (about 5 minutes)

You’re on the lookout for colorful fish and sea lions around the rock formation, plus pelicans swooping overhead.

• Stop 3: Divorce Beach (about 5 minutes)

You’ll see the rugged Pacific-side beach scene—dramatic cliffs and rougher-looking water.

• Stop 4: Playa de los Amantes (about 5 minutes)

This is the calmer beach view where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific meet, giving you a different mood from Divorce Beach.

Between these stops, you’ll also cruise through the broader Cabo highlights area, including Land’s End and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. The effect is that you feel like you covered a lot of Cabo coastline without needing multiple trips.

Arch of Cabo San Lucas: The Photo Stop That Actually Delivers

The arch is the big name in Cabo for a reason. When you reach it on a clear boat, you get a double scene: the rock landmark up top, and the underwater view underneath. That combination makes the arch photos look more alive than the classic land-based shots.

You’ll also feel the guide’s role here. The crew tends to position the boat for the best viewing angles, and the short time at this stop means you’ll want to be ready to shoot as soon as you arrive.

One practical tip: charge your phone before you go and keep brightness reasonable. You’ll spend time looking up at rock formations, then snapping pictures looking down.

Pelican Rock and Sea Life: Fish, Pelicans, and Sea Lions

Pelican Rock is the point where the tour’s clear-boat promise becomes most obvious. Even if you’re not an avid snorkeler, you’ll still enjoy how the water movement looks below the hull.

The stop is short, but the sightings can be quick: tropical fish, pelicans, and sea lions are part of the expected marine life here. If you’re traveling with kids or you just want a break from staring at coastline, this is usually the stop that keeps everyone engaged.

If you’re sensitive to boat motion, this is also a good stop to choose a comfortable viewing spot and keep your eyes on the horizon rather than down at your feet. (More on motion comfort later.)

Divorce Beach: A Quick Look at the Pacific’s More Dramatic Side

Divorce Beach lives up to its reputation visually. From the boat, you’ll see the Pacific-side energy—strong waves, cliffy edges, and a rougher look than the calmer beach you’ll see later.

Because this is only about five minutes, it’s not a stop for lounging. It’s a stop for context. You get the mood of Cabo’s two faces: the wilder Pacific look, then the softer meeting-place vibe at Playa de los Amantes.

If you like geology and coastal shapes, you’ll probably pause for extra photos here, because cliffs and foam look sharp on clear water days.

Playa de los Amantes: Where Calm Views Meet Big Ocean Drama

Playa de los Amantes offers a calmer, prettier contrast after Divorce Beach. You’ll be looking at a meeting zone where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific meet, which gives you softer water visuals and a different color/texture of the coastline.

This stop also helps the tour feel balanced. Instead of only chasing “wild” ocean scenes, you get the romantic name, the gentler look, and the chance to reset your camera settings for brighter beach tones.

It’s also one of the stops where your phone photos tend to turn out well because the scenery has less chaotic wave behavior than the Pacific-side viewpoint.

Marine Life Without Getting Wet (A Clear-Boat Trade You’ll Actually Enjoy)

Not everyone wants to swim. Not everyone wants to wear gear. A clear boat is a middle path.

You’re not doing a snorkel. But you are doing something close in spirit: watching fish behavior below you while a guide explains what you’re seeing. With the right lighting and a clean hull view, it can feel almost like you’re floating over an aquarium shelf.

A side note from the experience vibe: this tour seems to work well for mixed groups. Couples like the romance and viewpoints. Families like seeing fish and sea lions without going in the water. And solo travelers tend to enjoy the guided flow and quick pace.

Guides and Captains: The Human Touch (and Why It Matters)

A clear boat tour can be just a ride. The best ones add personality and direction. On this experience, certified guiding is included, and the crew helps you enjoy each stop instead of just letting you drift around.

You may hear names like Lorena, José, Juan, Alex, Luis, Tomas, and Nacho mentioned by previous groups, with captains such as Mikey in the mix. Even without knowing who you’ll get, the pattern is clear: the guides aim to keep things fun, explain what you’re seeing, and run the boat in a way that supports viewing.

One timing theme to expect: the crew may take group photos during the tour and then offer them afterward for a fee. You can still take your own shots, so if this kind of photo-selling slows you down, set your expectation that it’s part of how the tour funds itself.

The Photo Conversation: Your Phone vs. Their Camera

This is the one potential snag that comes up most often: some people feel the crew spends too much time on passenger photos. Others say it’s fine and they like having an easy extra set of pictures.

Here’s my practical take: bring your phone, get your must-have shots early at each stop (arch first), then let the crew work without fighting the flow. If you don’t want to buy professional photos, you can still treat this as a phone-first tour.

Also, the tour includes advice to bring your phone for unlimited photo opportunities. Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee, so there’s no need to panic while you’re out on the water.

Comfort, Safety, and Small Realities Before You Board

Safety equipment is provided, and that’s reassuring on a short cruise where you’ll still be out on open water.

But comfort isn’t just safety equipment. Reviews mention a couple real-world considerations:

• If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication before you go. A clear boat can still move, and looking down at the hull won’t help your stomach.
• Boarding can involve a higher step than you might expect. If anyone in your group has mobility challenges, plan for a bit of extra assistance getting in and out.

There’s also a maximum group size of 12 travelers, which tends to keep the ride from feeling cramped.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

I’d book this if you want:

• A fast hit of Cabo landmarks without hopping between multiple tours
• Clear-bottom views to watch fish and sea life
• A guided route that takes care of the “where do we go next” question
• A photo-friendly outing that works for couples and families

I’d think twice if you:

• Want a long, slow ride with minimal photo-selling
• Get annoyed when a guide’s schedule moves quickly through stops
• Need extra help with boarding and you don’t have a plan for mobility support

If your schedule is tight and you still want to see the arch and coastal highlights, this is the kind of tour that makes Cabo feel efficient.

Should You Book Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

If you’re drawn to clear-bottom sightseeing and you’re okay with a short, landmark-heavy cruise, this tour is a strong choice. The value is in what you get per hour: multiple famous Cabo viewpoints, included beach admissions at the stops you visit, and guided spotting of marine life.

I’d also use a simple rule: if you can work with quick stops and you’re happy to take your own photos, you’ll likely feel like you got your money’s worth. If you only want a quiet boat ride and zero photo-side quests, you may find the pacing a bit pushy.

If you’re deciding today, look at your own style. Cabo is famous for big scenes. This tour is built for catching those scenes in one clean, clear package.

FAQ

How long is Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

The tour runs about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What does the tour cost?

It’s priced at $44.10 per person.

Where does the tour start?

You’ll meet at Envatours CaboMarina, Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Is the ticket mobile, and what language is the tour in?

You’ll receive a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

What’s included in the tour?

Included items are a certified guide, the full clear boat experience, safety equipment, and the tour route that covers the arch area, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, the Sea of Cortes, and both beaches/bay of Cabo San Lucas. Admission to the beaches visited is included.

Do I need to buy separate tickets for the beaches?

No. Admission to the beaches included in the tour is provided.

Can I take my own photos during the tour?

Yes. You should bring your phone for unlimited photo opportunities.

Are professional photos included?

Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee.

What should I know about cancellations and weather?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.