Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!

A clear-bottom boat makes Cabo feel close. This short tour brings you right to El Arco and the rocks of Lands End while you can spot fish below your feet.

I love the way the boat is built for views, not just movement. Seeing sea life through the glass makes stops at places like Pelican Rock and the Window of the Pacific way more fun than a normal boat ride.

One thing to plan for: a noticeable chunk of time and money can shift toward photos. If you hate being sold souvenirs, bring a calm attitude—or stick to your own phone pics.

Key things to know before you go

• A 100% clear glass-bottom boat: you get nonstop chances to look down, not just during a few moments
• El Arco plus Love and Divorce beaches: you’ll get the Cabo-famous lineup in one outing
• Short, frequent stops: many sites are quick passes with a longer viewing window near the coast
• Small group size (up to 15): easier to hear the guide and keep your place on busy days
• Optional professional photos: useful as a souvenir, but they’re not cheap, and you can say no
• Dock fee is separate at check-in: expect a required marina/port charge in addition to your ticket

A Clear-Bottom Boat Near Lands End: What Makes It Different

If you’re coming to Cabo for the big postcard spots, you’ll appreciate how this ride is set up. You don’t just angle toward the arch and hope for good lighting—you’re actually looking down at the water and up at the cliffs for the whole trip.

The boat itself is the star. It’s marketed as a crystal-clear option (and people consistently praise that the experience is really different from a regular water taxi). That matters because the main pay-off here isn’t speed—it’s what you can see while you float over reefs and drop-offs.

I’d file this tour under fun-and-easy. It’s ideal when you want a relaxing hour that still feels like you did something distinctly Cabo.

The Big Sights You Glide Past: El Arco, Pelican Rock, and Love/Divorce Beaches

Cabo’s Lands End area is where the geography does the showing off. You’ll hit the famous Arch zone, plus the rock formations and beaches that look like they belong in a nature documentary and a vacation brochure at the same time.

The names to remember because they’re tied to what you’ll recognize in photos:

• Cabo Arch / El Arco: the headline view
• Pelican Rock and the nearby sea-facing photo frames
• Playa de los Amantes (Beach of Love) and Divorce Beach (yes, that’s really what it’s called)

On the water, those stops aren’t just scenic. The tour format is built so your guide can point out what’s happening underwater as you pass the rocks—fish, reef areas, and wildlife sightings when conditions are right.

Stop by Stop: How Each Glance Is Designed Around Photo Spots and Fish Viewing

This tour runs like a sequence of short sighting moments, with one longer stretch for coastal viewing and marine life. Exact timing can vary by departure and how boarding flows, but the overall rhythm stays the same: see the landmark, look down through the glass, move on.

Arch of Cabo San Lucas (El Arco) and the coast framing

This is where everyone’s camera flips on. You’ll get close to the arch area from the clear boat, which is better than seeing it from a distance because you can align your shot while you’re moving slowly through the best viewpoints.

Why it works: the arch is iconic, but underwater visibility is part of the experience too. You’re not only photographing a rock landmark—you’re scanning for fish near reefs.

Medano Beach and Playa de los Amantes

You’ll glide past and see the arch from additional angles. Medano Beach is a recognizable Cabo reference point, and the guide uses it to orient you to where you are.

Playa de los Amantes is one of those Cabo stops where the name alone pulls you in. From the clear boat, you’re also getting a second chance to notice how the coastline drops off and where sea life tends to show up.

Divorce Beach and the clear-boat moment

Divorce Beach is a signature stop, and it’s specifically tied to the clear boat selling point: “complete views throughout the boat.” In plain terms, you’ll keep looking down, not only when the captain positions the boat perfectly.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is often where the magic clicks. Watching fish swim beneath your feet is usually more interesting than just hearing the arch story.

Parroquia San Lucas and rock-and-water explanations

Near the Parroquia San Lucas area, the format shifts slightly toward explanation. The captain and guide combine to give context on marine life and the rock formations in the Cabo San Lucas zone.

One practical note: you’ll spend less time stationed and more time drifting between photo-friendly angles. If you prefer lots of stationary viewing, you might feel this tour is paced more like scenic cruising with underwater check-ins.

Playa el Chileno and the longer viewing stretch

This is the stop that tends to feel the most substantial. The description calls it a longer coast segment (around 50 minutes), plus photos available afterward.

Playa el Chileno is also where you might spot wildlife and see reef areas through the glass. Several guides are credited for making extra stops where fish activity is higher, so the experience can feel better when the water is cooperative.

Mt. Solmar and the return toward Lands End

Mt. Solmar is another big rock-and-reef reference point. You’ll get the full “Cabo from the water” perspective—rock formations around the bay and more underwater viewing as you pass.

This part is often where you’ll notice how the captain handles traffic and wave action. If you get seasick easily, this is also where you’ll want to be prepared.

Marina Cabo San Lucas, Santa Maria Beach, and Cabo San Lucas Beach

These are more than filler stops. They help you see the Bay area as a whole while the boat moves between the landmark zone and the more open-water views where the Sea of Cortez (and the Pacific meeting point vibes) become part of the story.

You can use this stretch to relax. The motion is usually manageable, and it’s a good time to watch for fish while the guide keeps commentary going.

Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas and Pelican Rock photo moments

Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas is a wildlife and fish-viewing focus on this route. Then comes Pelican Rock—often described as a top photo opportunity because of the dramatic framing and angles.

This is one of the better zones for pictures that don’t feel forced. The formations give you natural backdrops, and the clear boat helps you capture the water-feel at the same time.

Puerto Paraíso Mall area stops (short photo opportunities)

You’ll also see the Puerto Paraíso Mall area referenced for photo moments. That’s essentially a final “wrap-up and camera roll” phase before you head back.

Marine Life Under Your Feet: What the Guide Likely Points Out

The underwater viewing is the whole point, so expect your guide to steer your attention. When conditions are good, you’ll likely see a variety of fish and reef life through the glass during positioning stops.

The strongest moments often happen when the guide knows where to pause a bit longer. In feedback I saw patterns like guides stopping where there were more fish, then letting you look straight down and take your time.

Wildlife can also appear. People have mentioned sea lions as part of the experience, and that kind of sighting usually gets everyone quiet for a second—exactly what you want from a short excursion.

Guide and Captain Style: From Pedro and Amir to Nacho, Jaime, and Ahmed

Good guides don’t just read facts. They help you look in the right direction, when the captain positions the boat best, so you don’t miss the underwater action.

I noticed a theme in the praised crew names: guides like Pedro and Amir, plus Nacho and Jaime, are repeatedly described as friendly and engaged. Ahmed and others also get credit for being funny and for making safety and boat handling clear, which matters when the water gets choppy.

Language is another real-world factor. Some rides are described as bilingual (English and Spanish), but not every guest will get the same amount of English if the group is mixed. If English-only narration is a must for you, you’ll be happiest choosing a time slot when your group makeup is likely to be more English-forward—or simply plan to enjoy the visuals even if you catch more Spanish than you wanted.

Photo Packages: Worth It, But You Control the Button

The clear boat naturally creates photo moments. The operator also offers professional pictures for purchase after the cruise, and some staff take pictures during the ride.

This is where opinions split. Plenty of people love the photos as a souvenir—especially solo travelers who don’t have someone to take shots of them. Others feel the experience can turn into a photo sales push.

Here’s the practical middle ground:

• You can take your own photos anytime with your phone or camera.
• The professional photo purchase is optional.
• If you buy, expect pricing to be steep based on what’s been reported (for example, bundles around the $38 range for certain sets, and single-photo prices reported closer to the $30s).

My advice: treat the purchase table like a menu. Look, decide fast, and don’t feel pressured in the moment.

Price and Value: The $15.53 Ticket Plus Dock Fee and Optional Transport

At $15.53 per person, this is priced to be accessible. The “value” isn’t that it’s a long cruise—it’s that the boat design turns it into a different kind of experience. You’re paying for the clear-bottom access to El Arco and the underwater viewing, not for a full-day excursion.

However, read the fine print on what’s extra:

• A dock fee is required. It’s listed at $4 per person, and some experiences report paying about $5 per person at check-in.
• Professional photos are not included.
• Tips are optional.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included by default, but transportation can be added for $13 USD per person (roundtrip) or $13 USD per person (one-way pickup only).

This is also a good time to think about your timing. One reason people recommend skipping complicated transport decisions is simple: meeting points are straightforward, and a short walk from the marina can be easier than waiting on a shuttle return schedule.

Getting There, Weather, and Motion Sickness Tips

Cabo can throw wind at you even on otherwise sunny days. One of the most useful practical tips I picked up is to assume you may get wet or cold on the water depending on conditions. If rain is in the forecast, bring a lightweight waterproof layer.

Also, motion matters. People have recommended Dramamine, especially because the clear boat can rock in choppy or busy-water conditions. If you’re sensitive, a morning departure may be the better bet based on how people described ride comfort.

One small but important rule: you may need to remove shoes on board, so sandals tend to be easier than sneakers.

And plan for the “arrival reality.” The meeting point can involve a walk from the pier area, and some people report it can feel like close to a mile depending on where their tender drops them. If anyone in your party has limited mobility, you’ll want to factor in that walk time.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want a Different One)

This is a great fit if you want:

• A short, not-too-costly outing that hits the main Cabo landmarks
• Clear-bottom underwater viewing without needing snorkeling gear
• A fun activity that works well for families and kids

You might think twice if you:

• Hate photo selling and want a low-pressure, purely nature-focused experience
• Need a long time at one location rather than quick glides between stops
• Get very seasick and don’t want to manage motion with meds or timing

Should You Book the Clear Boat Tour to the Arch?

Yes—with smart expectations.

Book it if you want the signature Cabo experience in one hour-ish window: El Arco, Pelican Rock, Love and Divorce beaches, and fish views through glass. The small group size and repeated praise for the boat experience itself make it a strong choice for first-timers.

Skip or rethink if you’re allergic to photo upsells or if you’re traveling in conditions that make you miserable on boats. In that case, your time might be better spent choosing a different format where you control the pacing more.

If you do book, I’d do three things: bring sandals, consider seasickness help if you need it, and decide ahead of time whether you’ll buy professional photos or just stick with your own.

FAQ

What is the price for the Arch clear boat tour?

The price is listed as $15.53 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 1 hour.

Is there a dock fee?

Yes. A dock fee is listed as $4.00 per person, and some guests report a mandatory port/dock charge collected at check-in (often described around the $5 range).

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included by default. You can add roundtrip transportation for $13 USD per person, or pickup only for $13 USD per person, if you request it in advance.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Envatours CaboMarina Sn Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are tour photos included?

No. Professional photos are not included, though photos can be purchased after the cruise.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.