Whale Watching Cruise Cabo San Lucas: Humpback Whales & Arch

A morning on the water watching humpback whales migrate through Baja California waters

A whale and dolphin watching cruise from Cabo San Lucas that runs December through April, when humpback whales migrate 7,500 kilometers from Alaska to breed in Mexican waters. The tour includes round-trip ground transportation from your hotel or a meeting point, a catamaran ride past the Cabo San Lucas Arch, an open bar with beer and soft drinks, tequila tasting, a professional bilingual guide, lifevest, and a bottle of water. You choose between catamaran only or catamaran plus ground transportation at checkout.

The experience

Between December and April, humpback whales travel from the Bering Sea to the warm waters off Baja California to breed, and this cruise puts you on the water during that migration. The boat departs from Cabo San Lucas and heads out to the feeding and breeding grounds where you'll watch for whales and dolphins. A professional guide in English or Spanish narrates what you're seeing and points out the animals as they surface. The Cabo San Lucas Arch is part of the route, so you'll pass that landmark on the way to the deeper water where the whales are.

The catamaran carries an open bar stocked with beer and soft drinks throughout the four hours, and tequila tasting happens on board. You get a lifevest and a bottle of water. If you book the option that includes ground transportation, a driver picks you up at your hotel or meets you at a designated point and brings you back after the cruise ends. Both options include the same whale watching experience and the same guide. The difference is whether you arrange your own way to the boat or have it included.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and non-slip shoes. Infants can come along and sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels. Photographs of whales are your own to take. Professional photos are available for purchase.

What’s included

• Round-trip ground transportation from your hotel or a designated meeting point (on the transportation option).
• catamaran ride with professional bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• Cabo San Lucas Arch tour.
• open bar with beer and soft drinks.
• tequila tasting.
• lifevest.
• bottle of water.
• humpback whale and dolphin watching during migration season.

Options for this experience

2 options

In Beautiful CatamaranGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Dec · 08:30The package includes an open bar and a box lunch but excludes ground transportation; guests meet at Marina Cabo San Lucas Gate 4, in front of Señor Frog's, and pickup is included.

Travel by catamaran, with transportation providedGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Dec · 08:00The package covers an open bar, a box lunch, and a tequila tasting, and includes roundtrip ground transportation from the meeting point or hotel, with pickup included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SundayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Live&Travel Tours

Is this one for you?Book the catamaran-only option if you have your own transportation to the departure point and want to save on the package price. Choose catamaran plus ground transportation if you'd rather have a driver handle the pickup and drop-off, so you can focus on the whales instead of navigating to the boat.

Traveler reviews

3.45★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): 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.

When is the best time to see humpback whales on this cruise?

Humpback whales migrate through Baja California waters between December and April, which is when this tour operates. The whales travel from Alaska to breed in the warm Mexican waters, making this the window for seeing them on the water.

What's included in the open bar on the catamaran?

The open bar on the catamaran includes beer and soft drinks throughout the four-hour cruise, plus a tequila tasting while you're on board.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the boat, or is it included?

You have two options at checkout: catamaran only, or catamaran with round-trip ground transportation. If you choose the transportation option, a driver picks you up at your hotel or meets you at a designated point and brings you back when the cruise ends.

Can I bring my infant on this whale watching cruise?

Yes, infants are welcome and can sit on an adult's lap during the four-hour tour. The cruise is suitable for all fitness levels.

What is the Cabo San Lucas Arch, and will I see it on this tour?

The Cabo San Lucas Arch is a natural rock formation at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The catamaran passes it on the route out to the whale watching grounds.

What should I bring or wear for this whale watching tour?

Wear swimwear, a hat or cap, and non-slip comfortable shoes. Bring biodegradable sunscreen to protect the marine environment. A lifevest is provided on board, and you'll get a bottle of water during the ground transportation portion.