Cabo San Lucas: Glass Bottom Boat Ride to Arch & Sea Lions

Summary

Glass bottom boat tour to the Arch with sea lions and beaches

You’ll board a roomy glass bottom boat in Cabo San Lucas for an easygoing ride past Pelican Beach, Lover’s Beach, and right up close to El Arco and its sea lion colony. With music playing and a local guide sharing stories (and jokes), you’ll get bottled water, time for photos, and plenty of space to relax—plus that feeling you only get floating between land and sea.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to finish my coffee before we were already stepping onto this big 30-foot boat in Cabo San Lucas, the kind with a glass bottom (which I always thought was just for kids, but honestly it’s hypnotic watching little fish dart under your feet). Our guide—Miguel—told us not to worry about shoes or anything fancy. He laughed when I asked if I could bring my hat (“You’ll need it!”), then pointed out where to stash bags near the mattresses. There was music playing softly but you could still hear gulls overhead and the slap of water against the hull.

We drifted past Pelican Beach and Miguel slowed down so we could see these flashes of yellow and blue—tropical fish everywhere. He handed me a bottle of water (included, thankfully; it was already warm) and told a story about how locals used to fish right off these rocks before all the tourists came. At Lover’s Beach, he let us linger for photos and someone tried to teach me how to say “El Arco” properly—I definitely butchered it, which got a few laughs from the group.

The arch itself is… well, it’s just wild seeing it up close. We floated right by a colony of sea lions barking at each other like grumpy old men. The air smelled salty but not sharp, more sun-warmed than anything else. I leaned over the rail just watching waves hit those jagged rocks at Land’s End—the last bit of Baja California before ocean takes over. Funny how an hour can feel both quick and slow out here. I still think about that quiet moment when everyone stopped talking just to look at the light on the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour of Cabo San Lucas highlights

• Board 30-foot boat with amenities
• Visit local beach of Cabo San Lucas
• See tropical fish at Pelican beach
• Explore Lover Beach
• Pass Divorce Plant
• View Arco de Cabo San Lucas
• Observe colony of sea lions
• See Lands End rock formations

Top questions

How long does the glass bottom boat tour in Cabo San Lucas last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour from start to finish.

Is there a restroom on board during the Cabo San Lucas Arch tour?

Yes, there is a bathroom available on board the 30-foot boat.

Are life vests provided on the Cabo San Lucas glass bottom boat ride?

Yes, life vests are included for all passengers during the activity.

Can infants or small children join this Cabo San Lucas Arch tour?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed too.

Is this glass bottom boat tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both transportation options and all areas on board are wheelchair accessible.

What will we see during this day trip to El Arco from Cabo?

You’ll see Pelican Beach, Lover’s Beach, Divorce Beach area, El Arco (the Arch), sea lion colony, Land’s End rock formations, plus tropical fish through the glass floor.

Does this Cabo San Lucas boat trip include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you meet directly at the departure point near Cabo San Lucas marina.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water for everyone on board, traveler insurance during the activity itself, all fees and taxes covered up front so there are no surprises later, plus a bilingual local guide who shares stories along the way—and yes, there’s a restroom available right on the spacious 30-foot glass bottom boat as you cruise around Cabo’s famous arch.