Cabo Catamaran Snorkel: Arch & Santa Maria, Open Bar, Snacks

The best part of this Cabo outing is the mix: you get a scenic cruise past Lovers Beach and the Arch, then time to swim and snorkel at Santa Maria Bay. Back onboard, the crew keeps the drinks moving, serves snacks, and sets a lively mood with music.

I like the strong value at $75, especially since the price covers the catamaran ride, snorkeling equipment, food, and an open bar. I also like the easy three-hour schedule, which gives you a good taste of Cabo’s coast without taking up your whole day.

The main thing to consider is the snorkeling. Santa Maria Bay can be lovely, but visibility and sea life vary. Some people see plenty of fish, while others find only a few schools. The water may also turn murky in the afternoon.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale sightings are possible from December through April, and several outings have had memorable encounters.
• Santa Maria Bay is mainly a swimming stop, with snorkeling that can range from good to modest depending on conditions.
• The open bar and music shape the mood, making this feel more like a social catamaran cruise than a quiet nature trip.
• La Princesa Catamaran leaves from Pier D, in front of the Luxury Avenue Mall behind Plaza Puerto Paraiso.
• Food is snack-sized, usually including items such as small sandwiches, chips, salsa, and other light fare.
• The crew is a major strength, with Daniel and the onboard team often praised for friendly, attentive service.

A relaxed start from Cabo San Lucas Marina

Your meeting point is D Dock at Marina Cabo San Lucas. Check-in is listed for 12:40 p.m., with the boat, La Princesa Catamaran, located in front of the Luxury Avenue Mall behind Plaza Puerto Paraiso. You do not get hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the marina on your own.

The marina setting is part of the fun. Cabo’s harbor is full of boats, restaurants, shops, and people heading out for time on the water. Once aboard, the catamaran gives you room to sit in the sun, take photos, or settle in with a drink.

The first part of the cruise takes about 15 minutes. You head out from the marina with views of Cabo’s southern coast and the bright, dry hills around the water. The ride is short enough that you are quickly at the sightseeing portion, but long enough to get comfortable onboard.

This is not a private sailing trip. It is a social boat outing with music, drinks, and shared deck space. The atmosphere can be lively, and the music may suit adults in their twenties and thirties more than families looking for a quiet cruise. One family specifically found the music too explicit for a nine-year-old, so parents should keep that in mind.

Lovers Beach and the Arch: Cabo’s essential photo stops

The catamaran passes Lovers Beach, known locally as Playa del Amor, on the way toward the Arch. You get about five minutes of scenic viewing here, so keep your camera ready and do not wait until the last moment to move into position.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the signature sight of the trip. The catamaran pauses for about 15 minutes, giving you time to take pictures and look closely at the rock formations where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The crew has also been praised for helping people get good photos at the Arch, which is useful when you are traveling without someone who can take a decent picture.

This stop is scenic rather than active. You are not getting off to walk around the Arch, and the boat does not turn this into a long geology lesson. Instead, you get a clear view from the water, which is the right angle for Cabo’s famous rock formations.

The coast here is one of the strongest reasons to book the trip even if snorkeling is not your main goal. If the water is too cloudy for fish watching, the boat ride and Arch stop still give you a worthwhile half-day experience.

Santa Maria Bay for one hour of swimming and snorkeling

The main activity stop is Santa Maria Bay, where the boat remains for about an hour. You can put on the provided snorkeling equipment, swim from the catamaran, and look for fish around the rocky underwater areas.

The marine life may include angel fish and parrot fish. You might also see sea turtles, manta rays, or dolphins, though none of these sightings is guaranteed. Whale season runs from December through April, and whales may appear during the cruise, including on the route to or from the snorkeling stop.

I would set your expectations carefully. Santa Maria Bay is attractive and the water can be clear, but this is not always a dense reef setting. Some outings have produced plenty of fish and enjoyable snorkeling, while others have offered only a few schools. One particularly useful detail is that visibility may decline by around 1 p.m., when the water can become murkier.

The equipment details are also worth checking before departure. The activity includes snorkeling gear, but one person reported receiving goggles and a flotation vest without fins or a breathing tube. That may have been a gear limitation on that particular outing, but if fins matter to you, ask the crew before entering the water.

For confident swimmers, this stop offers a pleasant way to cool off. If you are not comfortable in open water, the boat and flotation equipment let you enjoy the stop without having to snorkel far. You can also remain onboard and use the hour to sunbathe, take photos, or enjoy a drink.

A catamaran ride with drinks, snacks, and music

After the water stop, the trip returns to a more social pace. The open bar includes alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and soft drinks. The crew has been praised for regularly checking on people and asking what they need, which helps the service feel attentive rather than purely self-serve.

The food is designed as a snack, not a full restaurant meal. Expect light items such as small sandwiches, chips, salsa, and bagged chips. Some people found the food very good for a boat trip, while others thought the selection was limited. I would eat a proper meal before boarding if you tend to get hungry, especially since the tour lasts three hours and the included food is modest.

Music is part of the character of this experience. It can make the cruise feel festive, particularly for couples, friend groups, and spring-break-style outings. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet nature cruise or are bringing young children who might object to explicit lyrics.

The crew’s attitude helps balance the party atmosphere. Daniel and his team have been singled out for kind, helpful service, and the crew has also helped people with photos at the Arch. You are likely to remember the people running the boat as much as the actual snorkeling.

The return along the Tourist Corridor

After Santa Maria Bay, the catamaran follows the Tourist Corridor for roughly 20 minutes. This is an easy time to sit back, finish a drink, and watch the coastline pass by.

The return route adds value because the trip is not simply a ride straight out to one beach and back. You get another stretch of coastal views, with the changing angle of the sun often making the return ride feel different from the outbound journey.

The final approach to Marina Cabo San Lucas takes about five minutes. This gives you a chance to gather your belongings and enjoy the last views toward the Arch and the harbor before stepping off the boat.

The entire experience lasts three hours. That is a useful length for a morning or afternoon addition to a Cabo itinerary. It is long enough to include sightseeing, swimming, food, and drinks, but short enough to pair with other plans.

Is $75 a fair price?

At $75 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several activities bundled together. The fare includes the catamaran cruise, all listed fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, snacks, alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and soft drinks. You are not paying separately for a scenic boat ride, a snorkeling rental, and drinks.

The value is strongest for people who will use the open bar and enjoy the social boat atmosphere. A person interested mainly in serious snorkeling may find the price less compelling, since the bay does not always offer strong visibility or abundant sea life.

The included drinks also make this different from a basic sightseeing cruise. You can enjoy the Arch, swim, and spend time on deck without watching every small purchase. Gratuities are not included, so budget extra if the crew gives you good service.

The trip has a 4.3 rating from 95 reviews, with 90 percent of ratings reported as perfect. That points to a consistently enjoyable experience, though the lower scores tend to center on predictable issues: limited marine life, murky water, light food, or music that may not suit every age group.

Who will enjoy La Princesa Catamaran most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a relaxed mix of Cabo sightseeing and water time. It works especially well for:

• Couples who want coastal views, drinks, and a simple afternoon activity
• Friends who enjoy music and a social boat setting
• Adults who value an open bar more than a formal meal
• Families who can accept that the music may not always be child-friendly
• First-time visitors who want to see the Arch from the water
• Whale-season visitors hoping to add an unexpected sighting to a snorkeling trip

I would be more cautious if your priority is a serious snorkeling session. The snorkeling can be enjoyable, but the amount of fish depends on conditions, and the area is not described as a major reef site.

You should also bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. Cabo sun can feel strong on open water, and the deck offers plenty of direct exposure. A waterproof phone case would also be sensible for photos, although it is not listed as a required item.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, which makes it a useful option for some travelers who have limited mobility. The listed languages are English, Spanish, and Macedonian.

Weather can change the plan

Water conditions can affect the route and the quality of the snorkeling. One outing could not reach the planned bay because of weather, but the crew adjusted the day and the group still enjoyed the cruise.

That is a good reminder to treat Santa Maria Bay as the intended stop, not an absolute promise. The crew can control the service, drinks, music, and sightseeing route, but not wind, waves, or underwater visibility.

Whale sightings are another bonus rather than a guarantee. December through April gives you the best chance, and some outings have had several sightings, but you should not book this as a dedicated whale-watching trip. The cruise is built around the Arch, Santa Maria Bay, and a relaxed catamaran ride.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Cabo schedule is still shifting. Check the available departure time when booking, since the exact start time may vary.

Should you book this Cabo snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value boat day with scenery, swimming, drinks, snacks, and music. The Arch stop is dependable as a sightseeing highlight, the crew appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience, and whale-season sightings can turn a pleasant cruise into a memorable one.

Do not book it solely for guaranteed reef snorkeling. Santa Maria Bay may offer colorful fish and clear water, but conditions change, and some outings see limited sea life. Think of this as a social coastal cruise with snorkeling included, not a specialist underwater expedition.

For most visitors, the $75 price is fair because so much is bundled into three hours. Eat before boarding, bring sun protection, ask about the exact snorkel equipment, and be ready for upbeat music. If that sounds like your kind of Cabo afternoon, La Princesa Catamaran is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the Cabo catamaran tour depart from?

The tour departs from D Dock at Marina Cabo San Lucas. La Princesa Catamaran is in front of the Luxury Avenue Mall behind Plaza Puerto Paraiso.

What time should I check in?

The listed check-in time is 12:40 p.m. Starting times can vary, so check availability when you reserve.

How long does the activity last?

The catamaran experience lasts three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Marina Cabo San Lucas independently.

What does the $75 price include?

The price includes snacks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and all fees and taxes.

When is whale season in Cabo?

Whale season runs from December through April. Whales may be seen during the cruise, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. Gratuities are not included in the ticket price.