Cabo San Lucas: 2-Tank Dive Tour at Pelican Rock & The Arch

Summary

Dive into Cabo’s marine life at Pelican Rock and The Arch

Drop into Cabo San Lucas Reserve for two guided dives around Pelican Rock and The Arch—watch sand falls drift by, meet playful sea lions up close, then cruise past Lover’s Beach on your surface interval. With all gear provided and only a short boat ride from town, you’ll spend more time exploring than traveling—and maybe leave with salt still in your hair.

What’s the experience like?

You don’t really get used to that moment when you first drop beneath the surface in Cabo San Lucas — it’s like the world just flips. We met up at MANTA’s shop (they’re right by the marina, easy to spot), and after some quick gear checks and a bit of nervous laughter about wetsuit zippers, we were off. The boat ride was barely ten minutes, but I swear my heart was already racing before we even reached Pelican Rock. Our guide, Diego, kept pointing out the pelicans overhead and telling us stories about Jacques Cousteau calling this place “the aquarium of the world.” I didn’t expect to feel so small in the best way.

First tank: straight down into these massive underwater cliffs that look almost carved. There’s this hush down there — except for your own bubbles and sometimes a distant snap from a shrimp or something. I remember brushing my hand against the sand near the base and feeling it slip away — Diego called it a “sand fall,” which sounds made up but is real. At one point, a sea lion zipped past us (honestly startled me) and circled back like he wanted to show off. Between dives we sipped water on deck while Diego pointed out Lover’s Beach and El Arco; he switched between Spanish and English without missing a beat. There was this salty breeze that made my hair stick everywhere.

Second dive felt calmer. Maybe I was just getting used to breathing underwater again or maybe it was seeing so many schools of fish moving together — yellowtails, puffers, some I couldn’t name even if I tried. Visibility was good (Diego said it usually is inside the bay), and there wasn’t much current at all. He explained how this side of Cabo became protected back in the ‘70s; you can tell it’s worked because everything looks… well, alive. On the way back we passed close to the sea lion colony — they barked so loud you could hear them over the engine.

I still think about that light underwater — kind of greenish-blue, with sun slicing through in strips. If you’re certified and want a short day trip from Cabo with someone who actually knows these waters, this 2-tank dive tour is worth it just for those quiet moments below the surface when you forget what time it is entirely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Two-tank dive and sightseeing tour

• Meet at Manta Scuba Dive Shop
• Take short boat ride to dive sites
• First tank dive exploring underwater cliffs
• Short sightseeing tour to Lover's Beach and The Arch
• Visit sea lions colony and Pacific Ocean
• Second tank dive observing marine life

Top questions

How long is the 2-tank dive tour in Cabo San Lucas?

The tour lasts around 4 hours including two dives and a sightseeing boat ride.

Do I need to be certified for this dive?

Yes, divers must show proof of certification for this tour.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at MANTA Scuba Dive Shop near Cabo San Lucas marina.

What sites do you visit during the dive?

The main sites are Pelican Rock, Lover's Beach, The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, and the sea lion colony.

Is transportation included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you meet directly at the dive shop.

Are tanks and weights provided?

Yes, tanks and weights are included as part of your day trip.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is provided but bottled water is included between dives.

Can non-divers join this activity?

No, only certified divers may participate in this specific 2-tank dive tour.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at MANTA Scuba Dive Shop in Cabo San Lucas marina where your professional guide handles all logistics—tanks, weights, bottled water for surface intervals—and covers National Park fees plus local sales taxes so you can focus on diving instead of paperwork or extra costs.