Cabo San Lucas: Glass Bottom Kayak & Snorkel Two Bays Tour

Summary

Santa Maria’s clear water, glass bottom kayaks and easy snorkeling at Chileno Bay

You’ll paddle a glass bottom kayak from Santa Maria Bay with a local guide, spotting fish below before snorkeling at calm Chileno Bay. Expect clear water, easy laughs, hotel pickup included, and time to relax on the sand after swimming. If you want Cabo San Lucas marine life without crowds or boats, this feels like the way to do it.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of sand under my feet at Santa Maria Beach — that, and how the sun made the water look almost unreal. We met our guide, Luis, who handed us bottled water and gave a quick rundown in both Spanish and English (I tried to follow both, but honestly mostly nodded). Our glass bottom kayak looked kind of futuristic sitting there on the sand. I’d never been in one before — you can actually see fish darting around under your feet as you paddle out. It’s a little weird at first, like you’re floating above an aquarium.

Paddling across the bay was quieter than I expected; just the sound of my friend laughing behind me every time we drifted sideways. Luis kept pointing out rock formations and telling us stories about Cabo San Lucas — something about pirates hiding out here ages ago. The water was so clear you could spot schools of tiny silver fish without even trying. At Chileno Bay, we swapped our paddles for snorkels. The mask always smells faintly rubbery (not my favorite), but once you dip your face in, it’s all forgotten — yellow and blue fish everywhere, some coral waving around in the current. Someone said they saw a turtle but I missed it because I got distracted by a big pufferfish puffing itself up.

Afterwards we just hung out on the beach for a bit, eating granola bars with wet hands (they taste better salty for some reason). There was this older couple from Guadalajara who shared their sunscreen with us — apparently I was already turning pink. The van back to town had cold AC blasting, which felt pretty good after all that sun. I still think about that moment when everything went quiet underwater except my own breathing — kind of peaceful, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak and snorkel at two bays

• Travel through hotel zone with ocean view
• Kayak at Santa María Bay
• Snorkel at Playa el Chileno
• Relax on the beach after snorkeling

Top questions

How long is the Cabo San Lucas glass bottom kayak tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours total including round trip transportation.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or accommodation are included.

Do I need kayaking experience for this tour?

No experience needed; guides provide instructions and support throughout.

What age is required for participants?

Participants must be at least 6 years old to join.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

You’ll snorkel at Chileno Bay after kayaking from Santa Maria Bay.

Are snacks or drinks provided?

Bottled water and granola bars are included during the activity.

Is there somewhere safe to leave belongings?

You can safely leave personal items in the air-conditioned vehicle during activities.

What happens if weather conditions are bad?

If weather is unsafe (wind, waves), you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned van, all kayaking and snorkeling equipment (including masks), bottled water and granola bars for snacks, plus guidance from a local expert throughout both bays before returning to your accommodation refreshed.