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

The best part of this Cabo Blue cruise is how much it fits into three and a half hours. You get the classic Land’s End sights, a swim and snorkel stop at Santa Maria Bay, lunch, drinks, and a good chance of seeing whales in season. The crew keeps the day moving without making it feel rushed.

I like the friendly service and easygoing mix of activities. You can snorkel, paddleboard, float, take photos, or simply enjoy the ride. I also like that lunch is prepared while you are in the water, so a fresh meal is ready when you climb back aboard. The main thing to consider is the party-boat atmosphere: music is part of the experience, and some departures feel more lively than quiet.

Key points at a glance

• Whale watching can be a major bonus: From mid-December to mid-April, the captain may stop for humpback whales, sometimes before and after the snorkeling stop.
• Santa Maria Bay gets about 45 to 50 minutes: That is enough for a pleasant swim and fish viewing, though serious snorkelers may want more time.
• The boat is social, not silent: Expect current music, an open bar, attentive service, and a fun group setting.
• Lunch goes beyond a basic sandwich: You get turkey, cheese, and vegetable baguettes, plus guacamole, salsa, tuna salad, chips, and fruit.
• Land’s End is covered efficiently: Pelican Rock, Lovers Beach, and El Arco provide the big photo stops.
• Arrive early at the marina: Check in by 12:40 p.m. for the 1 p.m. departure, since the marina can be confusing to navigate.

A short Cabo cruise with a full afternoon of scenery

At $79.80 per person, Cabo Blue offers good value if you want several Cabo activities bundled into one outing. A short sightseeing cruise, snorkeling session, lunch, open bar, and water toys would each cost something on their own, and here they come in one package.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Cabo from the water. You are not signing up for a specialist snorkeling expedition. You are booking a social boat day with snorkeling as the main active stop and Cabo’s famous rock formations as the backdrop.

The boat holds a maximum of 40 people. That is not a tiny private charter, but it is manageable for a group cruise. Some departures may feel relaxed, while others may lean more toward a music-filled party. If you prefer calm conversation and quiet wildlife watching, sit farther from the speakers and understand the mood before you book.

The experience lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The 1 p.m. start gives you a useful afternoon option, especially if you spent the morning at your hotel or arrived in Cabo on a cruise ship. The boat returns to the same marina meeting point.

Finding the boat at Cabo’s large marina

Cabo Blue departs from the main pier at Muelle Principal, Marina del Rey, in Cabo San Lucas. The marina is large, and finding the correct check-in point may take longer than expected. One taxi drop-off at the wrong side of the port caused confusion, so do not assume that being dropped at the marina entrance puts you beside the boat.

Plan to arrive by 12:40 p.m. Boarding begins before the 1 p.m. departure. You may want to request a map or Google pin in advance, and allow extra time if you are walking from a hotel or arriving by taxi.

Parking is located around the corner from check-in. The operator can provide a map upon request. A $1 port tax, or 20 pesos, is payable in cash and is not included in the tour price. Bring cash for that fee and for gratuity.

The ticket is mobile, and the tour is offered in English. Public transportation is nearby. The minimum age is 5, and most people can take part, though you should be comfortable boarding a boat and spending time in the sun and water.

Pelican Rock brings you into the Land’s End scenery

Pelican Rock is one of the first major sights. You may not spend a long time here, but the stop gives you a clear look at the rock formations rising from the Sea of Cortez. It is a good moment to get your camera ready before the boat moves toward the better-known landmarks.

The crew can help take photos. That small service matters because the best angle often comes from the boat, not from a quick phone photo taken while managing drinks, sunscreen, and a life jacket.

The water and rock formations are the real attraction here. The boat provides the viewpoint, so you do not need to climb onto the rocks or swim around them. If you sit at the front, expect the possibility of getting splashed. That spot gives you a lively ride and good forward views, but it is not the best choice if you want to stay dry.

Lovers Beach shows Cabo’s unusual geography

Lovers Beach, or Playa del Amor, sits at Land’s End between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. From the boat, you get the striking visual contrast of a beach tucked against Cabo’s famous rock formations.

This is mainly a photo and sightseeing stop. The tour does not list beach time here, so do not expect to get off and stroll the sand. The crew will position the boat for views, giving you a chance to photograph the shoreline and understand why this small beach is one of Cabo’s signature sights.

The sea can look different on each side of Land’s End, which makes this more than a quick landmark stop. It is a useful bit of geography in a compact tour: one peninsula, two bodies of water, and a dramatic rock boundary between them.

El Arco is the cruise’s essential photo stop

El Arco, the stone arch at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, is the image most people associate with Cabo San Lucas. Cabo Blue stops here and allows time for photographs, with crew members available to help capture pictures.

The stop is important, but keep your expectations practical. The boat’s schedule also includes snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and possible whale watching. One passenger wished for more time at the Arch, so the photo opportunity may feel efficient rather than leisurely.

Still, seeing El Arco from the water is the right way to experience it. You get the full scale of the rock formation and the surrounding sea, rather than viewing it from a distant shore. Keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray and use a wrist strap if you have one.

Santa Maria Bay is the main water stop

Santa Maria Bay is the heart of the active portion of the cruise. The boat anchors here, and the crew sets you up with masks, tubes, fins, and life jackets. Snorkeling typically lasts around 45 to 50 minutes.

The bay is known as one of the better snorkeling areas in Los Cabos, and the fish are often close to the boat. The best moments come when you stop worrying about covering a huge area and simply watch the water around the rocks and boat.

Conditions matter. One account described cloudy water but still found plenty of fish, while other outings had clear, aquarium-like views. Snorkeling quality changes with water, light, and weather, so I would book this for the whole boat experience, not as a guarantee of perfect underwater visibility.

Two paddleboards and a floating water mat are included when ocean conditions are suitable. The crew can help you get set up. Swimming to shore is not permitted, so your water time stays close to the anchored boat.

If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew. Life jackets are included, and the attentive service helps make the water stop less stressful. The activity is open to most people, but the crew cannot change the basic realities of ocean conditions, boat movement, or sun exposure.

Lunch is simple, fresh, and well timed

Lunch arrives after snorkeling, which is exactly when you will want it. The meal includes freshly prepared baguettes with turkey, cheese, and vegetables, along with guacamole, Mexican salsa, tuna salad, chips, and fruit.

This is not a restaurant meal, but it is more substantial than a packaged snack. The timing works well because food is prepared while you are in the water, and you can return to the boat, rinse off, and eat without a long wait.

The rinse-off hose is useful after salt water and snorkeling gear. Drinks and snacks are available during the cruise, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices included in the open bar. The crew regularly offers beverages, so you do not have to keep returning to the bar area.

The open bar and music set the mood

Cabo Blue’s atmosphere is one of its strongest features, but it will not suit everyone equally. Music starts early, drinks flow throughout the trip, and the crew keeps the mood social. Several outings were described as fun without feeling out of control, while others felt clearly like a party boat.

That difference may depend on the group aboard that day. The music is current and can be loud, especially if you sit near the sound system. Families can enjoy the cruise, and the minimum age is 5, but parents should know this is not a quiet nature boat.

I like the balance when the crew keeps the service attentive and the music from taking over the whole day. You can enjoy the sights, snorkel, and eat without being pushed into every activity. If you prefer to sit back, you can do that. If you want to join the music and social side, the boat gives you plenty of room to do so.

Whale watching can transform the afternoon

Whales are an added bonus from mid-December through mid-April, the main whale season. The captain may stop when whales appear, both on the way to Santa Maria Bay and on the return trip.

Sightings can be brief, or they can become the highlight of the cruise. The boat has encountered humpback whales breaching, fin slapping, and traveling in pods. Sea lions and turtles have also been seen on some outings. None of this is guaranteed, but the captain does make an effort to point out wildlife when it appears.

If whale watching matters most to you, book during the stated season and keep your camera ready. The snorkeling schedule may shift slightly if a good sighting develops, but that is a worthwhile trade. You are already on the water, and an unexpected whale breach can make the day far more memorable than planned.

Outside whale season, the cruise still works as a sightseeing and snorkeling trip. Do not book solely for whales if your dates fall outside mid-December to mid-April.

The crew is the reason the day feels easy

The staff receives especially strong praise for attentive service, safety help, photo assistance, and steady drink service. Specific crew members named in feedback include Ricardo, Ismael, Lalo, Brian, and Captain Kiko Mariscal.

The crew helps with snorkeling equipment, checks on people in the water, and assists with photos at the Arch. They have also adjusted plans to allow whale watching when conditions and timing made it possible. That kind of flexibility is valuable on a short cruise.

You should still bring cash for gratuity. Gratuity is not included, and the crew’s hands-on service is a major part of what you are paying for.

What to bring for a comfortable cruise

Pack reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a shirt with strong sun protection. The sun can feel intense on the open water, and there is limited relief once the boat leaves the marina.

Bring a phone or camera for El Arco, Lovers Beach, and wildlife. A waterproof case is sensible because the front of the boat can get splashed and wet hands are unavoidable around the swim stop.

Wear a swimsuit under light clothing and bring a dry change of clothes if you dislike staying damp. The boat has a rinse-off hose, but it will not replace a full shower.

Arrive with cash for the $1 port tax and gratuity. You may also want small bills for easier tipping.

Who should book Cabo Blue?

I would recommend this cruise to families with children age 5 or older, couples, friends, and first-time Cabo visitors who want variety. It works particularly well if you have only one afternoon available and want to see Land’s End without giving up a swim and meal.

It is also a smart pick for people who like a social boat with music and drinks. The open bar adds real value if you plan to have several beverages, while the included lunch removes the need to organize food during the afternoon.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private, silent sail, a long snorkeling session, or a specialist wildlife tour. The Arch stop may feel too short for photographers, and 45 to 50 minutes of snorkeling may not satisfy experienced snorkelers.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book this Cabo snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want a social half-day on the water that combines Cabo’s major sights, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a chance at whales. The crew service, flexible wildlife stops, and broad mix of activities make the $79.80 price reasonable.

Go in expecting a lively trimaran rather than a quiet sailing lesson. Arrive early, bring sun protection and cash, and do not count on perfect snorkeling visibility or guaranteed whales. With those expectations, Cabo Blue is a practical, good-value way to see the best of Cabo San Lucas from the sea.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo Blue snorkeling cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. It departs at 1 p.m. and returns to the original meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Check in by 12:40 p.m. so you have time to board before the 1 p.m. departure.

Where does the tour start?

The boat departs from Cabo Blue Boat at Muelle Principal, Marina del Rey, in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What stops are included?

The route includes Pelican Rock, Lovers Beach, the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, and Santa Maria Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, tubes, fins, and life jackets are included.

Are paddleboards and a floating mat included?

Yes. Two paddleboards and a floating water mat are available when ocean conditions are suitable.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages is included. A $1 port tax per person and gratuity are not included.

Can I see whales on this tour?

Whale sightings are possible from mid-December through mid-April, but they are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 5 years old. Most people can participate, though the tour includes a moving boat, sun exposure, snorkeling, and ocean conditions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.