Snorkeling with Sea Lions in the Sea of Cortez
Swim among sea lions and watch dolphins from the boat as you cruise between two snorkeling sites
A full-day snorkeling activity in the Sea of Cortez near Cabo where you swim with sea lions, tropical fish and rays at two protected sites on Espíritu Santo Island and Balandra Beach. A bilingual guide briefs you on marine biology and safety, helps with your gear, and the boat includes all snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, water and snacks. Hotel pickup is included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Snorkeling and wildlife cruise
- Enjoy panoramic sea and beach views
- Receive snorkeling gear and safety briefing
- Snorkel with dolphins, fish, and sea lions
- Cruise past beaches and marine life
- Swim and snorkel at Espiritu Santo Island
- Relax and make memories on the yacht
- Malecón 1h
- Espiritu Santo Island 30m
What’s included
- All snorkeling equipment and wetsuits.
- bottled water and snacks.
- an experienced bilingual guide who briefs you on marine biology and safety.
- a well-maintained boat with an experienced captain.
- hotel pickup.
- all fees and taxes.
Times
- Every day 11:00
Before you book
Operated by Go n Travel in Cabo
Prices and times updated 13 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a cruise toward Espíritu Santo Island. Once aboard, your bilingual guide gives a briefing on the marine life you'll encounter (sea lions, dolphins, manta rays, occasionally whales), and how to move through the water with respect for the animals. The boat itself becomes part of the experience: as you cruise past remote beaches and coves, you'll spot dolphins and other sea life moving freely in the water before you even enter it.
At Espíritu Santo Island, you slip into the water with the sea lions. This is the centerpiece. You're swimming in a natural sanctuary where the animals move around you, and the guide is there to help you into your wetsuit and life jacket if you need it. The snorkeling itself happens among brightly colored tropical fish, sea stars, corals, turtles and sea lion pups. After this first site, the boat moves to another bay where you get a second chance to swim and snorkel in calmer water.
The Sea of Cortez earned UNESCO World Heritage status for a reason: the marine life here exists nowhere else. You're not watching it from above. You're in it, moving slowly through the water while the guide stays nearby. Between snorkeling sessions, you sit back on the boat, dry off in the sun, and eat snacks while the captain searches the protected area for more wildlife to see from the surface.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving in Cabo with a free afternoon or morning and want to get in the water the same day: pickup from your hotel means you don't arrange transport, and the guide handles the briefing and gear setup so you can focus on the sea lions and the reef.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Bangla, Chinese, Wu Chinese, Slovak, Serbian, Swedish, Korean, Kurdish, Cantonese, Tamil, MNP, Gujarati, Czech, Telugu, Punjabi, Thai, Polish, Hebrew, Danish, Javanese, Xiang Chinese, Chinese, Malay, Pashto, Filipino, Croatian, Hungarian, Hakka Chinese, Ukrainian, Urdu, Malayalam, Marathi, Greek, Finnish, Burmese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Japanese, Persian, Romanian, Dutch, Norwegian, Russian and Turkish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 19 years); Child (4 to 9 years); 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 snorkeling gear do I need to bring, or is everything provided?
All snorkeling equipment is provided, including wetsuits and life jackets. Your guide can help you put them on and adjust them before you enter the water.
Will I actually see sea lions up close, or just from the boat?
You swim directly with the sea lions at Espíritu Santo Island in a protected natural sanctuary. The guide briefs you on how to move respectfully around them, and you'll encounter sea lion pups as well as adults in the water.
How long is the boat ride to the snorkeling sites?
The journey to Espíritu Santo Island takes time, but the cruise itself is part of the experience. You'll see dolphins and other marine life from the boat as you travel, and the captain searches the protected area while your guide explains the biology and ecology of what you're seeing.
Is this activity suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?
The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You wear a life jacket, the guide stays with you, and you have a second snorkeling site in calmer water if you want a gentler experience.
What's included in the price, and what isn't?
The price includes hotel pickup, all snorkeling gear and wetsuits, a bilingual guide, the boat and captain, bottled water, snacks and all fees and taxes. Tips for the guide and crew are not included.
How many hours is the full-day snorkeling trip?
The activity runs for four hours total, including the boat ride to the sites, time in the water at two locations, and the return journey.
Snorkeling with Sea Lions in the Sea of Cortez
4h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT · PT +45
from US$ 121 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.