Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch

REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch

  • 4.558 reviews
  • 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • From $125.00
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Operated by Best Cabo Tours, LLC · Bookable on Viator

A Cabo boat day with drinks and sea views. This 3.5-hour trip mixes the postcard sights of Land’s End with a protected snorkeling stop on the Sea of Cortez, then rolls right back into music, games, and great food.

I really like two things about this experience: the open bar keeps the mood light all cruise long, and lunch means you’re not rationing your budget or your appetite mid-day. The main catch is that snorkeling is more of a fun swim than a deep, serious session, so if you want long time underwater in the clearest water possible, you may feel a little shortchanged.

Key points before you go

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - Key points before you go

  • Land’s End photo stops: the Arch plus classic Cabo beaches that people come for.
  • Protected snorkeling spot with gear and a guide so you’re not figuring it out alone.
  • Open bar included (beers, mixed drinks, and sodas) with crew service throughout.
  • Lunch is part of the ride so you get fed while you cruise instead of hunting food afterward.
  • Party-leaning energy: music, games, and a lively onboard atmosphere.

A party-til-the-last-beer cruise around Cabo’s biggest sights

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - A party-til-the-last-beer cruise around Cabo’s biggest sights
This isn’t a quiet “nature only” outing. The vibe is social, music-forward, and intentionally upbeat. You’ll be moving through some of Cabo’s most famous coastal sights from the water, with the boat doing what boats do best: giving you angles land tours can’t match.

The day starts with you heading from the Cabo Marina area and quickly settling in. You’ll cruise past the coastline highlights that Cabo is known for, including Lovers and Divorce Beach and the famous Cabo Arch at Land’s End. Along the way, you’re also in the right place for sea life—think sea lion territory and the general abundance the Sea of Cortez is famous for.

If you’re a first-timer, this kind of trip has real value. It compresses the “wow” factor into one morning/afternoon block, with food and drinks handled, so you spend your energy looking at the view—not planning the next stop.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Cabo San Lucas

What to watch for (so expectations stay honest)

On this kind of boat, you’ll likely be under direct sun more than you expect. There may not be much shade depending on how the boat’s set up on your sailing, and you’ll want to plan for heat, especially if the water is choppy and the snorkeling slot gets shorter.

Snorkeling in Cabo: a guided, safe swim with limited time

Let’s talk about the snorkeling straight. You’re not signing up for a calm, extended reef hike with hours in the water. Instead, you go to a safe, protected snorkeling area, you get the gear, and an experienced guide helps you anchor and snorkel in the best nearby conditions.

That’s a good setup if:

  • you’re newer to snorkeling and want a guide handling the safety part
  • you want a fun “jump in, see some fish, get back on the boat” experience
  • you’d rather enjoy the whole day onboard than treat snorkeling as the main event

What you should plan for is a shorter, more playful swim. Some people find visibility not as crisp as they hoped, and if the water is choppy, it can affect how long you’re comfortable staying in. Even when the snorkeling isn’t perfect, the overall value is that you still get the sights, the open bar, and lunch—so the trip doesn’t fall apart if the water isn’t glassy.

If you want Pelican Rock-level snorkeling

If your goal is a true, focused snorkeling outing at Pelican Rock, then you’ll probably want a tour built specifically around that kind of reef time. This one is designed to balance snorkeling with sightseeing and onboard fun.

The stops that actually shape your photos and memories

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - The stops that actually shape your photos and memories
This cruise has a clear “route” feel. You’ll know when you’re approaching key landmarks because the boat slows down for viewing and picture time, and the crew keeps things moving with energy.

Divorce Beach and Lover’s Beach vibes

You’ll visit Divorce Beach and Playa de los Amantes (Lover’s Beach). These aren’t random scenic pull-offs. They’re part of Cabo’s classic coastal story—rocky edges, dramatic shoreline, and that iconic “only in Cabo” look.

What I like about including these stops by boat: you get a wide view of the coastline and the water’s color shifts as the boat turns. That’s where your phone camera actually benefits—so keep it charged.

The Cabo Arch at Land’s End

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the headliner. It’s one of those landmarks where the second you see it from the sea, you instantly understand why it’s famous.

Boat viewing also helps because the Arch sits out from shore. From a distance, it can look like a simple shape. From water level, it has depth and scale, and that makes your photos feel more “real” instead of postcard-flat.

Playa el Chileno and Pelican Rock

You’ll also pass Playa el Chileno and Pelican Rock. Even if you’re not spending all your time snorkeling at one single spot, it’s a strong addition because these areas are associated with Cabo’s sea-life reputation.

Practical note: your actual snorkeling experience can depend on the conditions in the chosen protected area—so treat these locations as part of the broader “sea life and scenery” plan, not a guarantee of one exact reef view.

Open bar and lunch: where the $125 feels like it matters

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - Open bar and lunch: where the $125 feels like it matters
At $125 per person, this tour only feels like a deal if the inclusions are doing real work. Here, they do.

You get an open bar with beers, mixed drinks, and sodas. Even if you only have a couple of drinks, that cuts down the “surprise cost” you’d otherwise deal with on a day trip. More importantly, it keeps the onboard energy consistent. The crew is actively working to keep you comfortable and ready to enjoy the ride.

Lunch is included too, and the timing is smart: you eat while you cruise back. That means you’re not searching for food near the marina, and you’re not stuck deciding between overpriced snacks or going hungry until later.

What lunch is like in real life

The lunch is simple and filling. Expect a basic buffet-style meal with items like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. You’re not coming here for a fine-dining spread, but you are coming here so you can stay in “vacation mode” without having to think about food.

One more value point: the tour is about 3.5 hours, so you’re getting multiple components—sightseeing, snorkeling time, drinks, and lunch—in one block.

The onboard crew energy: service, music, and games

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - The onboard crew energy: service, music, and games
A big part of this experience is the human factor. The crew runs a lively show: music is part of the day, and there are games and activities along the return cruise. If you like interaction—being checked in on, having your cup refilled, getting swept along by the energy—this tour plays right to that.

From the reviews, the consistent theme is how attentive the crew is. They keep the party rolling and make sure you aren’t sitting there wondering what to do next.

Comfort reality check

Because this is a high-energy party vibe, you’ll want to bring practical sun protection. Plan for direct sun during parts of the day, and note that some people have mentioned limited cooling or shade depending on where they’re sitting on the boat. A light cover-up and sunscreen make a noticeable difference.

Getting there: CaboMarina meeting point and what to bring

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - Getting there: CaboMarina meeting point and what to bring
You meet at La Terminal de CaboMarina, Marina de Cabo San Lucas, Puerto 0, in front of the Breathless Hotel in El Médano. The start time is 12:00 pm, and the tour returns back to the meeting point.

A small but useful detail: the boat boarding area can be at the far end of the marina, so give yourself a few extra minutes so you’re not sprinting while everyone else is already lined up.

Bring these and you’ll be happier

  • Your phone for photos: the boat stops for picture moments and the coastline/landmarks make it worth it
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen: you’ll be outside for long stretches
  • A swim-ready layer: it’s easier to get in and out when you’re not trying to change outfits mid-chaos
  • A towel or dry bag if you have one: not listed, but helpful for keeping your day organized

If you’re sensitive to motion, keep it in mind. Boats can feel rougher when the water is choppy, and that can affect snorkeling time.

Who should book this Cabo boat tour (and who should skip it)

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - Who should book this Cabo boat tour (and who should skip it)
This trip is a strong pick if you want:

  • a first-timer Cabo experience with multiple famous stops
  • an easy day plan where lunch and drinks are handled
  • a snorkel experience that’s guided and fun, not a long training-style reef dive

You might want a different snorkeling-focused option if:

  • snorkeling is your #1 priority and you want maximum water time
  • you get frustrated when water clarity isn’t perfect
  • you prefer quiet over party energy

Also, if you’re traveling with a mixed group (people who snorkel plus people who just want the sights), this works well because the boat day keeps everyone engaged even if snorkeling conditions aren’t ideal.

Should you book this one?

Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar, and Lunch - Should you book this one?
I’d book it if you want a one-stop Cabo highlights + snorkeling stop + open bar + lunch day that runs on good energy and keeps the pace fun. The value is strongest when you actually use the inclusions—drinks during the cruise and lunch as part of the package.

I wouldn’t book it as your only snorkeling plan if you’re chasing a serious, long, highly technical underwater experience. This tour is designed to balance snorkeling with sightseeing and onboard fun, so you should treat the snorkeling as a bonus rather than the main event.

If that balance sounds like your style, you’ll have a great time.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo boat tour with snorkeling, open bar, and lunch?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You’ll meet at La Terminal de CaboMarina, Marina de Cabo San Lucas, Puerto 0, in front of the Breathless Hotel in El Médano.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 12:00 pm.

What’s included in the price?

You get the boat tour around Cabo’s highlights, snorkeling gear with an experienced guide, an open bar (beers, mixed drinks, sodas), and lunch.

What snorkeling experience should I expect?

You’ll snorkel in a safe, protected area with gear and guidance. The focus is more on a fun, guided swim than a long, hardcore snorkeling session.

What famous places will we see?

You’ll visit Divorce Beach, the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Playa de los Amantes, Playa el Chileno, and also Pelican Rock as part of the route.

Is there a professional photo option?

Yes. Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee.

Are government fees included?

No. A $5.00 per person government fee is not included.

How big is the group?

The tour lists a maximum of 40 travelers.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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