Snorkel Privately in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo’s best feature is often seen from the water, and this private three-hour boat trip gives you that view without a crowded tour boat. Roger, his son Otto, and sometimes Jimmy guide you along the coast, past the Arch and Lover’s Beach, then into the water at a chosen snorkeling spot.

I like the clean, comfortable boat and the fact that Roger gets in the water with you. I also like the practical extras: good snorkeling gear, cold bottled water and soda, and GoPro or drone footage shared with you at no extra charge. The main drawback is time. Reaching the snorkeling area can take about 30 minutes, so a short outing may include more boat travel than some people expect.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for your group: You avoid a packed excursion and can spend more time on sightseeing, swimming, or snorkeling.
• Roger guides from the water: He points out fish, rays, turtles, puffer fish, sharks, and other marine life that is easy to miss alone.
• The Arch and Lover’s Beach are part of the appeal: The ride is not only about snorkeling, but also about Cabo’s famous coastal sights and rock formations.
• Photos and videos are a useful bonus: GoPro footage and, on some trips, drone images are shared with you without a separate photo charge.
• The boat has an extended ladder: This makes getting back aboard easier after swimming.
• The snorkeling stop is not guaranteed to be crowded or wildlife-packed: Conditions vary, and one account found only a small snorkeling area with limited fish variety.

A private start from El Médano Beach

The trip begins at 9 a.m. at The Office on the Beach on Playa El Médano. Look for the circle of standing surfboards near Dock 1, close to the swimming-with-dolphins facility. The meeting area can be a little tricky to spot, so I would save the location details before leaving your hotel.

Pickup is offered, but the provided meeting instructions focus on this beach location. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book. Roger has been praised for sending clear directions before departure, including a Spanish message that can help when arranging a taxi.

The private setup changes the feel of the morning. You are not waiting for a large group to board, and your guide can adjust the pace to your family or friends. If one person wants more time taking pictures and another wants to snorkel, that is easier to manage on a private boat than on a fixed group outing.

The advertised price is $420 per group of up to three people. That is not a budget snorkeling trip, but it can be fair if you value privacy and personal guiding. Split among three people, it works out to $140 each before any other costs. The value improves if your priority is a quiet boat, a guide in the water, and included video rather than the lowest possible fare.

Pay close attention to the group limit. The listed price covers up to three people, while some past outings described larger family groups. Do not assume a larger party is covered by the same price. Ask the operator for the correct rate before booking.

Cruising past Cabo’s famous rock formations

The boat ride begins with a look at Cabo’s southern coastline. Roger explains the rock formations and the kinds of rock along shore, giving the ride a useful sense of place rather than treating it as simple transport.

The Arch is the headline sight. You also pass the area around Lover’s Beach and other recognizable coastal viewpoints. A private boat can pause for photographs without forcing you to compete for a place at the rail. The crew makes an effort to frame pictures without a wall of other boats behind you, though popular Cabo sights can still be busy.

This part of the trip matters even if the sea is too rough for excellent snorkeling. You are seeing Cabo from its most dramatic angle, and the guide can point out details you would miss from land. Some outings have also included sightings of rays moving through the water, dolphins, and whales during the ride.

Wildlife is never a guaranteed part of the schedule. Whales are especially seasonal, and sightings depend on the time of year and conditions. Still, February outings have included several whales, dolphins, and even the sound of whale song underwater. Other trips have reported close whale encounters, orcas, turtles, and rays. Treat those as fortunate additions, not promised stops.

Choosing the snorkeling area

After roughly 30 minutes of boating, the crew takes you to a place suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The exact area can vary, and Roger may offer more than one option based on conditions and the comfort of your group.

This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip. Beginners can have a calmer introduction, while confident swimmers can spend more time looking for marine life. Roger has been described as patient with children and first-time snorkelers, helping them become comfortable before moving farther from the boat.

The boat’s ladder includes an extra extension. That small feature matters after you have been swimming, especially for children, older adults, or anyone who finds a high step difficult. You should still be comfortable entering the water and swimming with snorkeling equipment, but you are not left to climb a steep, awkward ladder.

The equipment is included, and several outings have used gear described as clean and well cared for. One important caution is fit. A family member on one trip could not find a mask that sealed comfortably, which made snorkeling frustrating. If you use glasses, have a narrow or broad face, or are particular about mask fit, contact the operator before departure and ask about available sizes.

What you can see below the surface

Roger does more than drop you beside a reef and wait on the boat. He gets in the water, watches for small movements, and points out animals you might swim past. That guide service is valuable in Cabo, where the best sighting may be a ray resting on the bottom, a puffer fish tucked near rocks, or a turtle appearing for only a moment.

Reported sightings on these outings have included:

• Sea turtles
• Rays, including very large rays
• Puffer fish
• Sharks, including white-tip sharks
• Dolphins
• Whales
• Brightly colored reef fish
• Coral and other underwater life

One outing included swimming alongside a turtle and seeing large numbers of fish. Another included puffer fish close enough to observe clearly. Families with children have also had success because Roger stays with the group and helps young swimmers find animals safely.

The snorkeling area may not offer a huge range of habitats. One account described a smaller site with only two snorkeling stops and less fish variety than expected. That is the fair tradeoff for a three-hour outing. This is not a full-day marine expedition with hours to explore several distant sites. It is a compact Cabo excursion that combines sightseeing with a focused swim.

Water conditions, visibility, and wildlife change from day to day. I would book this for the quality of the personal guidance, not because you expect a guaranteed turtle, shark, or whale.

The people who make the difference

Roger is the main guide named throughout the experience, and Otto often joins him. Jimmy has also guided some outings. The crew’s strongest quality is their attention to comfort and pace.

Roger has helped children try snorkeling for the first time, including young children who were unsure about the water. He has also guided adults who needed a slower introduction. The private format lets him stay close to your group instead of splitting his attention among a boatload of strangers.

The crew also provides information about Cabo’s coastline, geology, and local sights. You get more than a short ride to a swim stop, but the amount of explanation can vary with the guide and the group. If you prefer quiet time, the boat can also feel relaxed, with music and room to enjoy the ride.

The crew has responded quickly to small problems during outings. One child received prompt care after a jellyfish sting. That does not remove the normal risks of ocean swimming, but it suggests that the guides pay attention while you are in the water.

Photos, GoPro clips, and the value of the memories

A particularly useful extra is the underwater video. Roger has used a GoPro while guiding, then transferred the footage to guests’ phones before they left the boat or soon afterward. That means you can watch the group instead of trying to manage a camera while swimming.

Some outings have also included drone footage, with Otto operating the drone from above. This can provide a different view of the boat, coastline, or nearby wildlife. The exact photo setup should not be treated as guaranteed for every departure, but the crew has repeatedly included images and video without pressing you to buy a separate package.

That is a real value advantage. Many boat excursions charge extra for photographs, and the best moments are often the ones you miss while handling a phone. Here, the guide can film the encounter while you stay focused on the water.

Bring a waterproof case if you want to use your own phone, but do not count on capturing everything yourself. Ocean spray, wet hands, and glare make personal photography harder than it looks.

Comfort on a three-hour boat trip

The boat has been described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with a front sun deck. You also get bottled water and soda. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before departure or ask the crew for a restaurant suggestion after the trip. Some groups have received a good lunch recommendation for afterward.

Three hours is a useful length for families and couples. You get a proper boat ride and time in the water without committing a whole day. It also means the schedule is tight. If the ride to the snorkeling site takes about 30 minutes each way, a notable portion of the outing is spent cruising.

That timing is fine if you want coastal sightseeing as part of the experience. If your only goal is to maximize time in the water, look closely at the expected route and ask how many snorkeling stops are planned. The supplied details describe several areas for swimming and snorkeling, but a past outing included only two sites.

Music may be played on board, and the tone is generally relaxed. Still, conditions can change, and the experience depends on the sea and weather. The operator requires good weather and will offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would consider this a strong match for:

• Couples who want a private boat instead of a shared excursion
• Families with children who need patient help in the water
• First-time snorkelers who want a guide nearby
• Small groups that care about photographs and video
• Visitors who want Cabo’s coastal sights along with snorkeling
• Confident swimmers who prefer a flexible pace

I would think twice if you want a full-day trip, several remote snorkeling sites, or a guaranteed abundance of fish. The advertised price is based on a small group, and the short duration leaves less room for delays or extra stops.

Most people can participate, but you should be honest about your swimming comfort. Snorkeling is still an ocean activity. Ask about equipment fit in advance, especially if a mask seal is important to you.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour is offered in English, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at El Médano Beach.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather, a cancellation by the operator for poor conditions brings either another date or a full refund.

I would book ahead rather than wait until the last minute. The experience is often reserved about 28 days in advance, which is a useful sign that availability may tighten during popular Cabo travel periods.

Should you book Snorkel Privately in Cabo San Lucas?

I would book it if privacy, personal help, and a comfortable boat matter more to you than the lowest price. Roger and Otto add real value by guiding from the water, helping children and beginners, and sharing underwater footage. The Arch, Lover’s Beach, geology, and possible wildlife sightings make the ride worthwhile even before you put on a mask.

I would not choose it solely for guaranteed snorkeling variety. The ride can take about 30 minutes to reach the swimming area, the snorkeling zone may be modest, and mask fit can be an issue. But for a small group that wants a relaxed Cabo morning with a private crew, coastal views, and a good chance of memorable marine life, this is a well-targeted choice.

FAQ

How long is the private snorkeling tour?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the tour meet?

It begins at The Office on the Beach on Playa El Médano, near the circle of standing surfboards and the swimming-with-dolphins facility at Dock 1.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and soda are included. Lunch is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.