Cabo San Lucas: Whale watching tour with local guide & photos

Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas with stops at El Arco and Lover’s Beach

You’ll ride out from Cabo San Lucas with a local guide, stopping for photos at El Arco and feeding fish at Pelican Rock before searching for whales near Lover’s Beach. With drinks included and free pictures taken by your guide, you’ll experience moments of awe (and maybe laughter) that stick with you long after you’re back on shore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale Watching and Beach Exploration

• Visit Arch of Cabo San Lucas
• Pass by Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach)
• Stop at Pelican Rock to feed fish

The Experience

I’ll be honest, I almost dropped my phone when the first whale surfaced — it was that sudden. The boat rocked a little and everyone went quiet except for our guide, who just grinned like he’d seen this a thousand times (he probably has). We’d started out from Cabo San Lucas early-ish, the air still salty and cool, and I remember thinking how the water looked almost fake — too blue to be real. Our guide, Luis, pointed out Pelican Rock first. He tossed some food in and all these fish just exploded around us. I tried to get a photo but mostly got blurry fins. Luis laughed and said something about “fish paparazzi.”

After that we cruised toward El Arco — you know, that famous arch you see on postcards? It’s even more dramatic up close, especially with pelicans swooping around. Luis offered to take our picture there (included in the tour, which is nice because my selfies are tragic). Then we drifted by Playa del Amor — Lover’s Beach. The sand looked soft but apparently sometimes you can’t get off the boat if the swell’s too big or the port authority says no. We just floated nearby and watched waves crash on both sides: Sea of Cortez on one end, Pacific on the other. Kind of wild to think about.

But really, it was all about the whales. When we finally spotted them — two adults and what looked like a calf — everyone got quiet again except for one kid who kept whispering “whoa” over and over. There was this weird mix of excitement and calm; maybe it was just being out there with nothing but water and sky (and Gatorade bottles rolling around underfoot). I didn’t expect to feel so small or so lucky at the same time.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this whale watching tour?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at the departure point in Cabo San Lucas.

Are drinks provided during the whale watching experience?

Yes, Gatorade and water are included during your tour.

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

Yes, infants and small children can join; they may ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult's lap.

Will I get free photos during the whale watching trip?

Yes, your guide will take free pictures for you during the experience.

Do we stop at Lover’s Beach during this day trip?

The boat may stop near Lover’s Beach if allowed by port authority and if conditions are safe; sometimes landing isn’t possible due to swell.

Is this whale watching tour suitable for travelers with spinal injuries?

No, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes all drinks (Gatorade and water), free photos taken by your local guide at each stop like El Arco and Pelican Rock, plus time spent searching for whales near Lover’s Beach before returning to Cabo San Lucas harbor.