Cabo Blue Snorkeling Cruise, Open Bar and Lunch in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Blue’s afternoon cruise packs Cabo’s best water views, a snorkeling stop, lunch, drinks, and a chance to see humpback whales into three and a half hours. The boat pauses at El Arco and Lovers Beach for photographs, then anchors at Santa Maria Bay, where you can snorkel for roughly 45 to 50 minutes.

I like the friendly, attentive crew, with guests singling out Ricardo, Ismael, Lalo, Brian, and Captain Kiko Mariscal for good service. I also like the easy value: lunch, an open bar, snorkel gear, music, and water toys are included. The catch is that this is more of a lively music cruise than a quiet sailing trip, and snorkeling time at the Arch itself can feel brief.

Cabo Blue at a glance

• Whale watching can be a major bonus: From mid-December to mid-April, the boat may stop for humpback whales, and several trips have included breaching, fin slapping, and multiple pods.
• The route covers Cabo’s headline sights: Pelican Rock, Lovers Beach, El Arco, and Santa Maria Bay all fit into one afternoon.
• Snorkeling is relaxed rather than highly structured: You receive masks, tubes, fins, and lifejackets, then explore near the boat at Santa Maria Bay.
• Lunch is prepared on board: Expect turkey, cheese, and vegetable baguettes, plus guacamole, salsa, tuna salad, chips, and fruit.
• The mood leans social: Current music, an open bar, and attentive drink service make this a good pick for people who enjoy a fun boat atmosphere.
• Plan for the marina: Check in by 12:40 p.m. for the 1 p.m. departure, and carry cash for the $1 port fee and gratuity.

What the $79.80 price really covers

At $79.80 per person, this is a useful all-in-one option for a short Cabo outing. You are not paying only for a boat ride or only for snorkeling. The fare also covers lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, masks, tubes, fins, lifejackets, and access to two paddleboards and a floating mat when sea conditions are suitable.

That matters in Cabo, where separate drinks, food, equipment rental, and sightseeing can quickly raise the cost of a half-day on the water. I especially like that you can choose your level of activity. You can snorkel, try a paddleboard, sit with a drink, photograph the rock formations, or simply enjoy the views from the boat.

The food is simple rather than a formal meal. Fresh baguettes come with turkey, cheese, and vegetables, and the side offerings include guacamole, Mexican salsa, tuna salad, chips, and fruit. That is a sensible lunch for a boat trip, and several people found it better than expected. If you want a restaurant-style meal, adjust your expectations. If you want something filling after swimming, it fits the job.

The open bar adds real value for adults. Drinks are offered from boarding onward, and service continues through the cruise. Nonalcoholic drinks are included too, which helps families and anyone taking a break from alcohol in the sun.

Boarding in Cabo’s large marina

The boat departs at 1 p.m. from Cabo Blue Boat at the main pier, Muelle Principal, Marina del Rey, in Cabo San Lucas. You must check in at 12:40 p.m. so the crew can begin boarding on time.

The marina can be confusing. One person had trouble after a taxi dropped them at the wrong side of the port, and another noted that the meeting point was not easy to find because the marina is large. Give yourself extra time, and confirm the exact map pin before leaving your hotel. Parking is around the corner from check-in, and the operator can provide a Google Maps location on request.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. The tour is offered in English, confirmation is provided at booking, and the maximum group size is 40 people. That is not a private outing, but it is smaller than the biggest excursion boats. Some departures have had around 25 people, which leaves enough room for a social atmosphere without feeling packed.

Pelican Rock and the first Cabo views

Pelican Rock is an early photo stop, not a long activity stop. You will see dramatic rock formations rising from the Sea of Cortez and have a chance to take pictures from the boat.

This is a good moment to get oriented. Cabo’s southern tip looks most impressive from the water, and the short ride gives you a clear view of the rocks, beaches, and steep coastal forms that are hard to appreciate from land. The crew can help take photos, a small but useful service when you want everyone in the frame.

If you sit at the front of the boat, expect spray. That position gives you a lively ride and an open view, but it is not the dry spot. Bring a hat that fits well, protect your phone, and use reef-friendly sunscreen. One useful detail from the trip reports is that the sun can feel intense even when the breeze makes the air comfortable.

Lovers Beach and the meeting of two seas

Lovers Beach, or Playa del Amor, sits at Land’s End. One side faces the Pacific Ocean, while the other faces the Sea of Cortez. That unusual position makes the beach more than a standard photo stop.

You will normally view it from the boat rather than walk ashore. The schedule is built around sightseeing, photography, and the later snorkeling stop, so do not expect beach time here. Keep your camera ready as the boat approaches, since the coastline and rock formations make some of the best wide shots of the afternoon.

The route also passes the area often associated with Divorce Beach on the Pacific side, but the supplied plan specifically names Lovers Beach. The important point is that the boat gives you a water-level look at Land’s End without requiring a separate beach transfer.

El Arco, Cabo’s famous rock landmark

El Arco is the trip’s headline sight. This distinctive stone arch marks the southern end of the Baja California Peninsula and is locally known as El Arco, or Land’s End.

Cabo Blue stops here for photographs and gives the crew time to help capture pictures. That assistance is handy on a moving boat, especially for groups who want a shot with the Arch behind them.

One consideration: the timing at El Arco may feel short if this is your main reason for booking. The cruise is trying to fit four stops, a snorkel session, lunch, drinks, and a possible whale encounter into about three and a half hours. You get a good view and a photo opportunity, but this is not a dedicated Arch sightseeing cruise.

The boat’s position also depends on conditions and traffic around the landmark. Keep your phone ready before arriving rather than waiting until the last second. The best photograph may come quickly.

Santa Maria Bay is the active part of the afternoon

Santa Maria Bay is one of the main snorkeling areas in Los Cabos, and this is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to water activity. Once the boat anchors, the crew helps you with masks, tubes, fins, and lifejackets.

Plan on about 45 to 50 minutes in the water. That is enough time to swim around the boat and see fish, but it is not a full-day snorkeling session. The experience is best for someone who wants a pleasant introduction to Cabo’s marine life rather than a specialist outing built around several reefs.

Water clarity can vary. Some trips have had clear conditions with fish everywhere, while another found the water cloudy but still saw fish near the boat. That is the honest tradeoff with a bay-based cruise: the setting is beautiful, but visibility and marine life change with weather and water conditions.

You may also use the two paddleboards and floating water mat if conditions are good. These are included, but the crew only puts them out when the sea is suitable. You are not permitted to swim to shore or use the beach area, so treat Santa Maria Bay as a boat-based water stop.

The relaxed format suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, cautious swimmers can use a lifejacket near the boat, and anyone who prefers to stay dry can enjoy the deck. One person who was not a strong swimmer felt safe with the crew’s help, though you should still be comfortable following the crew’s water-safety instructions.

Whale watching can change the whole trip

The official whale-watching period is mid-December through mid-April. Sightings are not guaranteed, but this season gives you a real chance to see humpback whales on the ride out, after snorkeling, or both.

This is not a separate whale-watching cruise with a long search built into the schedule. The captain may slow or stop when whales appear along the route. Several outings included multiple pods, breaches, fin slaps, and whales close enough to photograph. Sea lions and a turtle have also been spotted.

The whale sightings are the clearest reason to consider the winter departure. If you visit outside the main season, book this for the scenery, snorkeling, and boat atmosphere rather than expecting whales. If a whale appears, the crew may adjust the pace to give you a better look, but the exact amount of viewing time depends on the animals and the day.

Bring a phone or camera, but keep it protected from spray. A waterproof case is a smart choice, especially if you sit forward or move around the deck.

Food, music, and the boat’s social mood

Cabo Blue uses music to shape the afternoon. The Bluetooth sound system plays current, upbeat selections, and the volume can be lively. Some people love the party feel, while others may find it too loud for a quiet nature cruise.

That distinction is important. The boat is comfortable and suited to sightseeing, but you should not book it expecting a silent sail or an intimate sunset trip. The crew keeps drinks moving, offers help with photographs and equipment, and checks on people throughout the afternoon.

Service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Ricardo and crew have been praised for being attentive and friendly, while Ismael, Lalo, Ricardo, and Brian received special recognition for keeping an eye out for whales and helping with the day’s activities. Captain Kiko Mariscal was also singled out for professional handling of the boat and attention to safety.

Crew names can change, so do not assume a particular person will be working your departure. Still, the pattern is clear: this is a service-focused operation where staff take an active role rather than simply handing you equipment and leaving you on your own.

Lunch is usually served after snorkeling, with some food prepared while you are in the water. That timing works well. You return hungry, rinse off with the boat’s hose, and can eat while enjoying the ride back.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend Cabo Blue to you if you want several Cabo highlights in one manageable afternoon. It works especially well for:

• Families with children aged five and older
• Couples who want snorkeling plus sightseeing
• Friends who enjoy music and an open bar
• First-time visitors who want to see El Arco from the water
• People visiting during whale season
• Mixed groups with both swimmers and non-swimmers

It is less suitable if you want a quiet sailing experience, a long snorkeling session, or a carefully guided marine-life tour. It may also disappoint if your main goal is extended time at El Arco or swimming to a beach.

Children must be at least five years old, and most people can participate. You should still consider sun exposure, boat motion, and your comfort in the water. A hat, reef-friendly sunscreen, a cover-up, and a waterproof phone pouch are sensible additions.

Booking, cancellation, and small costs

The tour starts at 1 p.m., lasts about three hours and 30 minutes, and returns to the marina. The listed price does not include the $1 port tax, or 20 pesos, payable in cash per person. Gratuity is also not included, so bring cash if you plan to tip the crew.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather, Cabo Blue may cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund.

Because the cruise is often booked well ahead, reserving about a month before your visit is sensible, especially if you need a specific date or are visiting during whale season.

Should you book Cabo Blue?

Book it if you want value and variety in one half-day outing. You get Cabo’s signature rock formations, a proper snorkeling stop, lunch, unlimited drinks, music, and a credible chance of whale watching in winter.

I would choose it over a basic sightseeing boat if I wanted to swim and eat on board, and over a serious snorkeling trip if I cared equally about El Arco and the Cabo coastline. Just arrive early at the marina, bring cash, expect a social soundtrack, and keep your expectations realistic about snorkeling visibility and time at the Arch.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo Blue snorkeling cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes. It departs at 1 p.m. and returns to the same marina meeting point.

What time should I check in?

You must check in at 12:40 p.m. for boarding before the 1 p.m. departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes turkey, cheese, and vegetable baguettes, along with guacamole, Mexican salsa, tuna salad, chips, and fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included through the open bar.

Can I snorkel and use paddleboards?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, and a floating water mat are included. Paddleboards and the mat depend on suitable ocean conditions. Swimming to shore or the beach area is not permitted.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Whale sightings are possible from mid-December to mid-April, but they depend on the animals and conditions. The cruise may stop when whales are spotted along the route.