Cabo San Lucas boat tour: Glass-bottom & beach drop-off

See the Arch and the sea lions without fighting the crowds on shore

A boat tour from Cabo San Lucas to the Arch and surrounding marine landmarks, with views through a glass-bottom boat and an optional beach drop-off at Lover's Beach, Pelican Beach, or El Balconcito depending on sea conditions. Hotel pickup is included; the tour runs about four hours and ends downtown. A guide speaks English or Spanish. Beach access is optional and must be requested directly to the captain during the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail to Land’s End and explore

• Admire Arch of Cabo San Lucas
• Spot sea lions and pelican rock
• View marine life through glass-bottom boat
• Optional beach stop if sea conditions allow
• Return to downtown Cabo San Lucas
• Shop, stroll, or enjoy local snack

The Experience

The boat leaves from Cabo San Lucas and heads straight for the Arch, the rock formation that marks where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. Along the way you pass Pelican Rock and the sea lion colony—animals lounging on the rocks that you can watch from the water without disturbing them. The glass-bottom boat lets you see tropical fish and marine life moving below the surface, so you get both the landmarks and the smaller details most people miss from a standard tour boat.

If you want to step onto sand, let the captain know during the tour. A beach stop is possible when sea conditions are calm enough—Lover's Beach is the first choice, but Pelican Beach or El Balconcito work if the water is rougher. The captain makes the call based on real-time conditions, and if he agrees, you get dropped off for roughly an hour while the boat waits. You go ashore with nothing but yourself; there are no umbrellas, chairs or services on the beach, and you stay at your own responsibility. The timing and the decision rest entirely on what the water is doing that day.

The tour finishes downtown Cabo San Lucas, where you have time to walk around, shop, or grab food before heading back to your hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the dock.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• boat ride to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock and the sea lion colony.
• glass-bottom boat viewing of tropical fish and marine life.
• a guide in English or Spanish.
• optional beach drop-off at Lover's Beach, Pelican Beach or El Balconcito if sea conditions and captain approval allow.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Esperanza's Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the Arch and the sea lions from the water without renting a car or arranging your own boat—the glass-bottom boat is what sets it apart from a standard tour, and the optional beach stop gives you a choice the captain makes based on what the water is doing that day.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

1,212 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,105

4 ★61

3 ★23

2 ★11

1 ★12

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I actually get off the boat and walk on a beach during this tour?

Yes, but only if the captain approves based on sea conditions that day. Lover's Beach is the preferred stop during calm seas; Pelican Beach or El Balconcito are safer alternatives when the water is rougher. You must ask the captain during the tour if you want to go ashore, and the decision is final based on safety. If approved, you get about an hour on the beach before pickup.

What exactly will I see through the glass-bottom boat?

The glass-bottom boat shows you tropical fish and marine life swimming below the surface as you travel. You also see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, and the sea lion colony from the water—the glass bottom adds an underwater view most boat tours don't offer.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs about four hours total. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with the boat ride, the glass-bottom viewing, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. Beach access is optional and free if the captain allows it, but there are no beach amenities like umbrellas or chairs.

What happens if sea conditions are too rough for a beach stop?

The captain decides in real time based on safety. If conditions don't allow a beach drop-off, you still see the Arch, the sea lions, and the marine life from the boat. The tour continues as planned—the beach stop is a bonus, not a guarantee.

Where does the tour start and end?

The boat departs from Cabo San Lucas and returns to downtown Cabo San Lucas at the end. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the dock.