Cabo San Lucas: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat Tour to Arch & Pelican Rock

Summary

Snorkeling pelican rock arch sea lions glass boat cabo

You’ll ride a glass-bottom boat from Cabo San Lucas marina past El Arco and sea lion colonies before snorkeling at Pelican Rock among tropical fish and starfish. Relax on Medano Beach with lunch included, then end your day with tequila tasting and shopping time before hotel drop-off. It’s salty hair, sandy toes, real laughter—just how Baja should feel.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever try to put on snorkel fins while wobbling on a glass-bottom boat? I nearly toppled over and Carlos — our guide — just grinned and said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll swim better than you walk.’ We’d left the marina in Cabo San Lucas maybe half an hour before, sun already bouncing off the water and pelicans gliding so close you could almost hear their wings. The boat’s bottom was clear as promised; I kept peering down, half-expecting to spot something wild before we even got to Pelican Rock. Instead, it was all shifting blues and flashes of silver fish. Kind of hypnotic actually.”

We drifted past the Arch of Cabo San Lucas — El Arco — where everyone on board tried to snap a photo at once (my phone nearly went for a swim). Sea lions barked from their little outcrop like they owned the place. Carlos pointed out Lover’s Beach and told us how at certain tides you can walk right across to Divorce Beach. He laughed when I asked if that’s ever awkward for couples. The air smelled like salt and sunscreen, with this weirdly sweet note from someone’s juice box. Anyway, by the time we anchored at Pelican Rock for snorkeling, my nerves had mostly faded.

The water was colder than I expected but clear enough to see starfish clinging to rocks below. Fish darted everywhere — yellow ones mostly — and I swear something brushed my leg (Carlos said probably just a sea cucumber but I’m not convinced). There was this quiet moment floating face-down where all I could hear was my own breathing through the tube and muffled splashes from somewhere nearby. Honestly, that sticks with me more than any photo.

Afterwards we flopped onto the sand near Medano Beach with our deli-style baguettes (I went for tuna), chips, juice — nothing fancy but somehow perfect after swimming. Someone shared their granola bar with a stray dog who looked like he’d seen every tourist season since 1995. The sun felt heavy on my shoulders by then but in a good way. On the way back there was tequila tasting (I tried one sip too many) and some time wandering shops in Cabo San Lucas marina before we got dropped off at our hotel. Still thinking about those pelicans though.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and boat tour in Cabo

• Hotel pick-up
• Travel to marina
• Board glass-bottom boat
• Boat ride to landmarks
• View Arch of Cabo San Lucas
• Pass Pelican Rock and Medano Beach
• Snorkel at Pelican’s Rock
• Relax at beach
• Enjoy deli-style baguette lunch
• Return to marina
• Tequila tasting and shopping

Top questions

How long is the snorkel tour in Cabo San Lucas?

The total experience lasts several hours including 45 minutes by glass-bottom boat and about 55 minutes of guided snorkeling at Pelican Rock.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cabo San Lucas snorkeling tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel is included in your booking for convenience.

Where do you snorkel during this tour?

You snorkel at Pelican Rock, an area only accessible by boat near Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas Bay.

Are meals or drinks provided during the tour?

A deli-style baguette lunch (ham, turkey, tuna or vegetarian), chips, juice and granola bar are included after snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, sanitized snorkel gear including mask, tube, fins (with shoe size needed), and life vest are provided.

Can cruise ship passengers join this tour?

Yes, but you need to provide your ship name and docking details when booking.

Is this tour suitable for beginners or kids?

The tour requires moderate fitness; infants must sit on laps; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiac issues.

What landmarks will I see on this glass-bottom boat ride?

You’ll see El Arco (the Arch), Lover’s Beach, sea lion colony areas, Medano Beach views and unique rock formations around Land's End.

Is there free time at the beach?

Yes, after snorkeling you have free time to relax on Medano Beach before returning to town.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Cabo San Lucas or nearby areas; all sanitized snorkel equipment (mask, tube, fins with shoe size required); a box lunch with baguette sandwich options plus chips, juice and granola bar; guided glass-bottom boat ride past famous landmarks like El Arco; tequila tasting session; shopping time in town; and return transport back to your hotel when it’s all done.