REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Luxury Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas
Book on Viator →Operated by Cabo Day Trips · Bookable on Viator
First, you get the views. Then you add snorkeling around Cabo’s best water stops on a small-group luxury catamaran. I like that the tour keeps things easy with hotel pickup and provided snorkeling gear, so you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time on the water. I also like the premium open bar plus lunch and snacks, because it turns a normal snorkeling outing into a true treat.
One thing to plan for: there’s a $5 port fee per person that’s not included in the tour price, and that can feel annoying if you didn’t expect it.
This is built for an easy, scenic half-day: you start at 10:30 am, cruise past major Cabo landmarks, and have time for photos at the Arch and Lovers Beach areas. With a maximum of 14 travelers, you get a more personal vibe than the big-boat crowd—just show up ready for sun and water.
In This Review
- Key points at a glance
- Luxury snorkeling in Cabo for $149: how the value adds up
- Getting to the boat: pickup, timing, and what to expect on board
- Stop 1: Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Sea lions, Pelican Rock, and Lovers Beach
- Stop 2: Sea of Cortez cruise in front of Medano Beach
- Stop 3: Pacific Coast sailing, Divorce Beach, and Lands End
- Snorkeling gear is included—so bring the basics that make it work
- Lunch and snacks: included, but keep your expectations realistic
- The open bar: premium drinks, easy service, and a real cruising mood
- Crew and captain style: attentive, not overbearing
- Common gotchas: the $5 port fee and the photo question
- Who should book this luxury snorkeling tour—and who might skip it
- Should you book?
- FAQ
- How long is the luxury snorkeling tour?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?
- Is the open bar included?
- What time does the tour start?
- Is there an extra fee besides the $149 price?
- What is the maximum group size?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key points at a glance

- Small-group feel (max 14 travelers) helps the crew keep an eye on everyone without crowding
- Premium international open bar plus snacks throughout the cruise
- Landmarks built into the route: Arch of Cabo, Sea Lions area, Pelican Rock, Medano Beach, Divorce Beach, Lands End
- Snorkeling gear included, so you only need the basics (and a towel)
- Lunch is included, but expect something simple rather than a big Mexican feast
- $5 port fee not included, so budget for it ahead of time
Luxury snorkeling in Cabo for $149: how the value adds up

For $149 per person, this tour isn’t trying to compete with a bare-bones boat ride. You’re paying for comfort and time on the water without the usual hassle—air-conditioned vehicle pickup, a luxury catamaran, and a crew that stays engaged while you’re out there. The biggest value is how the day stays fun even when you’re not in the water, thanks to drinks and snacks.
The other value play: it’s only about 3 hours, which makes it easier to fit into a Cabo stay without burning half your day. And since the group stays under 14, you don’t get the feeling of waiting around or getting ignored between stops.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cabo San Lucas
Getting to the boat: pickup, timing, and what to expect on board

The tour starts at 10:30 am, and pickup is offered. You’ll receive pickup details a few days before your adventure, and you get a mobile ticket. It’s offered in English, which is helpful if you want easy back-and-forth with the crew.
On timing, plan to be ready a bit early. One review highlight: even when a cruise ship tender delay caused a roughly 10-minute late arrival, the hosts waited for the group. That’s the kind of flexibility you want—but you shouldn’t count on late-arrival luck every day.
Once you’re on the catamaran, the pace is designed around sightseeing with actual time to enjoy yourself. You’re not rushed between views, and the drinking and snacking stay available while you sail between Cabo’s biggest landmarks.
Stop 1: Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Sea lions, Pelican Rock, and Lovers Beach
The first stop is all about the iconic Cabo scenery. You’ll head toward the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and spend around 20 minutes in that zone. This is the part of the trip where you’ll likely want your camera ready, because the coastline looks dramatic from the water.
What makes this stop special is the added scenery stops within the same area: a pass by the Sea Lions Colony and Pelican Rock, plus a photo moment at Lovers Beach. The arch and its surroundings are a big part of why people come to Cabo in the first place, so getting this near the start helps you lock in those pictures before the day warms up.
A practical note: even if you’re not a big photographer, this is still a good time to sit back, because the views are what anchor the whole tour.
Stop 2: Sea of Cortez cruise in front of Medano Beach

After the first photo-heavy segment, you’ll sail into the Sea of Cortez area with a stop that lasts about 1 hour. This is the longest stretch of the day, and it’s where the vibe really settles in.
You’ll pass in front of Medano Beach, which is known as one of Cabo’s best-known beaches. While you cruise, you’ll have snacks and your drink in hand—this is the point where the open bar stops feeling like a perk and starts feeling like part of the trip’s rhythm.
What I like about this middle stop: it’s not just looking at rocks and coastlines. It gives you a longer window to relax while the boat moves at a steady pace, so you can enjoy the scenery without constantly bracing for the next landmark.
Stop 3: Pacific Coast sailing, Divorce Beach, and Lands End

The final sightseeing segment moves you toward the Pacific Coast, where you’ll explore views around Divorce Beach and Lands End, on the other side of the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. This portion is about 40 minutes.
The timing works well: you’ve already done the Arch and Medano stretches, so by now you know what kind of weather and water you’re dealing with. That means you can judge how you want to spend your energy for the last leg—whether you’re mainly here for views, more time around snorkeling opportunities, or just soaking up the sailing.
One small detail that matters: this stop shows up with different admission wording than the first two segments, but from your perspective on the water, what you’ll care about is the experience—more coastline variety, more photo angles, and continued access to premium drinks and snacks.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Cabo San Lucas
Snorkeling gear is included—so bring the basics that make it work

This tour includes snorkeling equipment, which is a big deal for convenience. You shouldn’t need to hunt down rentals or pack your own mask and fins for a 3-hour outing.
The highlight pitch is that the tour is designed to find good swimming and snorkeling spots around Cabo’s Chileno Bay area. In plain terms, you’re not just doing a sightseeing cruise. The boat time is used to reach good water, then you get in and see what’s around.
Here are the practical tips that came up in the best feedback:
- Bring a towel for each person. It sounds obvious, but it’s the fastest way to make the post-snorkel part comfortable.
- Wear a sun shirt rather than relying on sunscreen alone. One review specifically recommended sun shirts because sunscreen is a problem for coral and its inhabitants.
- Expect snorkeling to be good, not perfect-for-everyone. One review said there were lots of fish. Another said snorkeling was okay. That difference usually comes down to water conditions and where the captain is able to put you at that moment.
If you hate wet gear, plan to change or at least rinse off before you head out into town after the tour.
Lunch and snacks: included, but keep your expectations realistic

Lunch is included, and so are snacks. The open bar and snack flow also helps during snorkeling breaks, because you’re not stuck hungry on a boat that feels like it forgot you exist.
That said, don’t expect a big, showy meal. One review called out a lunch that included a sandwich and pasta, with only a small salad component, and said it left them wanting more Mexican-style add-ons like chips, salsa, or guacamole. In other words: it’s there to keep you going, not to win a food award.
My take on planning your appetite:
- Eat a small breakfast or light early bite before pickup.
- Treat lunch as fuel, then enjoy the day’s best part—views, sailing, and water time.
- If you’re a picky eater, consider bringing something small from your hotel before pickup, but keep it discreet and respectful of boat rules.
The open bar: premium drinks, easy service, and a real cruising mood

This is an open-bar experience, and the bar is described as a premium international open bar. You’ll also have snacks along the way, so you won’t be stuck drinking on an empty stomach.
What stood out in top feedback is the service style: drinks felt bottomless, and the crew was attentive without being intrusive. Translation: you’re not being interrupted every two minutes, but you also aren’t left guessing when you’ll be able to order again.
If you’re responsible about it, this is one of the nicest ways to do Cabo water time because you get the “vacation feeling” without needing to plan alcohol stops yourself.
Crew and captain style: attentive, not overbearing
Small-group tours only feel good when the crew is good. Here, the feedback points to a captain and crew who are attentive while letting you enjoy the moment.
One key example: when the cruise ship tender delay ran late, the hosts waited for the group. That kind of patience matters in Cabo, where sea-to-shore timing can be unpredictable for cruise passengers.
Another theme: crew members were quick to check in on drink refills and generally made the experience feel smooth. You should still keep your own situational awareness—sun and boat movement are real—but the staff seems tuned in to the flow of the day.
Common gotchas: the $5 port fee and the photo question
Two things can catch people off guard:
First, the $5 port fee per person. It’s not included in the stated price. If you like to see the final number up front, budget for that extra amount before you go.
Second, the photo situation. One review felt that if a photographer took photos, the results should have been included by email. The tour data you provided does not clearly confirm how photos are handled, so the smart move is to ask about photo packages (if any) before the boat heads out—especially if you care about getting digital images after the trip.
Who should book this luxury snorkeling tour—and who might skip it
I’d point this tour toward you if:
- You want a short, high-comfort Cabo outing with hotel pickup and a small group.
- Snorkeling is a priority, but you also care about sailing time, views, and drinks.
- You like the idea of stopping at major landmarks like the Arch area and having time to grab photos.
You might look elsewhere if:
- You’re extremely food-focused and want a more elaborate meal than what you typically get on a boat day.
- You’re budgeting tightly and don’t want to add extra fees on arrival (the $5 port fee is real).
- You need guaranteed snorkeling depth or guaranteed conditions. This kind of outing depends on weather and how the captain positions the boat.
Should you book?
If your goal is an easy, scenic Cabo water day with snorkeling gear included, a luxury catamaran ride, and a genuine vacation feel from the open bar and snacks, this one makes sense. The small-group cap (max 14) and the crew’s attentive style are the ingredients that usually turn a “tour” into a memorable outing.
Just go in prepared: plan for the $5 port fee, bring towels, and wear a sun shirt to protect both yourself and the water life. If that fits your style, you’ll likely feel like you got your money’s worth.
FAQ
How long is the luxury snorkeling tour?
The tour lasts about 3 hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup is offered, and pickup details are sent a few days prior.
Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?
Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.
Is the open bar included?
Yes. The tour includes a premium international open bar, along with lunch and snacks.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 10:30 am.
Is there an extra fee besides the $149 price?
Yes. A port fee of $5.00 per person is not included.
What is the maximum group size?
The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.






































