Private Whale Watch Tour Cabo San Lucas: Marine Biologist Guide

Watch humpback whales from a boat built for close encounters, not crowds.

A private whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas with a marine biologist guide, running 2.5 hours on a small eco-friendly boat. The tour covers Lover's Beach, Pelican Rock and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas on the way out of the bay, then heads into the Sea of Cortez or Pacific Ocean to find whales, dolphins, sea lions and other marine life. The guide teaches you about the animals you encounter, takes photos throughout the tour at no extra cost, and the operator guarantees a whale sighting or you return free during the season (Dec 15–Apr 15). Choose your departure time (8:30am, 12pm or 3pm) when you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and bay sightseeing

• View Arch of Cabo San Lucas
• Pass by Lover's Beach for photos
• Pass by Pelican Rock
• Whale watching in Sea of Cortez or Pacific
• Learn from marine biologist guide
• Receive free tour photos

The experience

The boat leaves the Cabo San Lucas marina and passes Lover's Beach and Pelican Rock on the way out of the bay, giving you time to photograph the coastline before heading into open water. Once you're past the protected area, the marine biologist guide steers toward the Sea of Cortez or Pacific Ocean depending on where whales are most active that day. Humpback whales are the most common sighting, but you might also encounter grey whales, dolphins, sea lions and turtles. The guide stays away from the crowds and goes the extra distance to observe the animals without disturbing them, which is when the best encounters happen.

Your guide teaches you about the behavior and biology of the whales and other marine life as you watch them. A hydrophone on board lets you hear the humpback whales sing when conditions allow. Throughout the tour, the guide photographs you and the wildlife, and those photos are yours to keep at no extra charge. You don't have to choose between watching and being in the frame. The boat has a restroom on board and provides lifejackets for guests between 20 and 300 pounds.

If no whales appear during your tour, you can return for free during the whale season (December 15 to April 15). The operator has been running this tour for 14 years and holds the 100% sighting guarantee because they know where to look and when. A guide fluent in English or Spanish leads every departure, and the small boat size keeps the group intimate rather than crowded.

What’s included

• Marine biologist guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• 2.5-hour private tour on a small eco-friendly boat.
• onboard restroom.
• lifejackets for guests 20–300 lbs.
• high-quality tour photos taken by your guide at no extra cost.
• whale sighting guarantee with free return tour if no whales are spotted during season (Dec 15–Apr 15).

Options for this experience

3 options

Private whale watch tour at 3 pmGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 27 Nov · 15:00Guided tour led by a marine biologist.

Private whale watch tour at 12 pmGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 27 Nov · 12:00Guided tour led by a marine biologist

Private whale watch tour at 8:30 amGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 27 Nov · 08:30Guided tour led by a marine biologist

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 12:00 and 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 27 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Whale Watch Cabo

Is this one for you?Book the 8:30am departure if you want the bay landmarks and whale watching finished before midday heat sets in. The 12pm or 3pm slots work better if you're building the tour around other activities or prefer an afternoon on the water. Private transportation is available on some departures if getting to the marina is the planning piece you'd rather skip.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What whales will I see on the Cabo San Lucas whale watch tour?

Humpback whales are the most common sighting on the tour, especially during the December-to-April season. You may also encounter grey whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles depending on what's active that day in the Sea of Cortez or Pacific Ocean.

What happens if we don't see any whales?

The tour includes a 100% whale sighting guarantee. If no whales appear, you can return for a free tour during the whale season (December 15 through April 15).

How long is the whale watching tour and what time does it depart?

The tour runs 2.5 hours. You can choose from three departure times when you book: 8:30am, 12pm or 3pm.

What landmarks do you pass on the way out of Cabo San Lucas?

The boat passes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Lover's Beach and Pelican Rock (a small rock formation in the marine protected area of the bay) before heading out to open water to search for whales.

Are the tour photos included in the price?

Yes, your marine biologist guide takes photos throughout the tour and provides them to you for free. You also have the option to book private transportation to and from the marina depending on which departure time you choose.