Jet skis and the Arch of Cabo is a combo.

This El Medano Beach ride puts you on a Yamaha WaveRunner (2020–2022) close to El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, with fast water time and big, open-bay views. It’s built for adrenaline, but it also gives you a real chance at wildlife sightings, depending on season.

I love how the experience stays focused: one 60-minute run across the bay, then back to the beach. I also like that you get the basics handled for you—life jackets plus guide support—so you can spend your energy on steering instead of figuring out gear.

One thing to consider: the cost can climb once you add insurance and photos, and one low-rated incident report raised red flags about equipment breakdown and how payment was handled. I’d still book if you’re prepared with backup expectations, but go in informed and ready.

Key points to know before you go

• Medano Beach location: You start right at El Medano Beach, in the area closest to El Arco.
• Yamaha WaveRunner 2020–2022: Expect a newer model range with a power-focused ride.
• About 1 hour on the water: The clock matters, so you’ll want to be ready to go.
• Marine life sightings are possible: Even humpback whales in winter months are part of the story.
• No cameras allowed: Your ride is likely photo-only via the operator’s options.
• Max 30 people: Smaller-feeling group size compared to big tours.

Jet skis at El Medano Beach: why this Cabo route feels different

El Medano Beach is already one of Cabo’s most active shorelines, and that’s part of the appeal. You’re not heading out to some far-off marina and waiting forever in a bus. You’re starting near the action by the bay, then cutting out onto the water with the Arch area as a key visual target.

The biggest difference here is that your ride is shaped around the scenery you came for: the dramatic rock formation at El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, plus the open-bay stretches near Medano. Even if the beach is crowded, the water time tends to feel more spaced out than you’d expect. One review specifically called out that there were barely any other jet skis out while they rode, which is exactly what you want if your goal is photos with less noise in the background.

This is also a good Cabo choice if you like speed but don’t want a whole production. You’re not signing up for a half-day show. You’re paying for a focused water experience—adrenaline first, logistics second.

The Yamaha WaveRunner setup (and the rules that affect your ride)

This is a WaveRunner rental experience with a Yamaha unit in the 2020–2022 model range. That matters because jet ski rides live or die by handling and reliability, and the setup is meant to keep you on the water for the full run.

Here’s what you need to know so you don’t get surprised on-site:

• Time is one loop, not a buffet. You’ll get about 60 minutes total until the fun runs out. That means the ride is paced for excitement, not lingering.
• Capacity per bike matters. It’s set up for one or two people per motorcycle (jet ski). If you’re riding as a pair, you’ll want to confirm you meet the rider age rules.
• Weight limit: 300 lb. If you’re near that limit, plan carefully. It’s the clearest safety cutoff listed.
• No cameras accepted. This one is big. Because cameras can fall into the water, you won’t be allowed to bring yours. So if you want action shots, you’re relying on the operator’s photo options.
• Age rules are strict. Only children over 10 who are accompanied by an adult can do the wave runner activity. Only children over 16 can ride the double with an adult.

If you’re the type who likes to document everything, this system can feel annoying at first. But it also removes the temptation to do risky balancing mid-ride. The tradeoff is clear: you trade personal filming for safety and operator photos.

Stop 1: El Arco de Cabo San Lucas from the water

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is the star, and you get to see it the way most people only imagine: from the water, moving fast enough that the view changes every few seconds.

You’ll start your ride with this in mind—your route is structured so your first big visual moment is the Arch area. That’s a smart sequence. Early on, you’re fresh, focused, and you’re more likely to nail the right posture and hand placement for stable steering. And visually, it’s easier to appreciate scale when the Arch is already in front of you rather than something you catch later on as you’re heading back.

What makes this stop especially fun is the contrast. The Arch looks dramatic and photogenic from shore, sure. But from the bay, it feels more 3D and immediate. The waterline and rock textures become clearer, and you get the sense of how narrow some of the surrounding water can feel when you’re close.

One practical drawback: because you’re moving and the jet ski is in motion, you’ll get the best shots if you go with the operator’s photo plan rather than trying to improvise with your own gear. Since cameras aren’t accepted, don’t count on bringing your own for this portion.

Stop 2: Medano Beach time on the bay (plus wildlife odds)

After the Arch moment, the ride shifts back toward Medano Bay energy—more open water and more time with coastal views. Medano Beach itself is the anchor point, and the activity is designed to end right back where it started.

This part of the experience is often where the ride becomes pure enjoyment. The bay gives you the space to feel the speed without the tension of constant turns. And because it’s known for marine life, you might see wildlife on the way. The info includes the possibility of humpback whales during winter months, which is the kind of seasonal detail that makes this ride more than just a thrill.

Now, quick reality check: wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed. But even without a whale, the change from rock formations near the Arch to flatter coastal stretches helps your brain reset and enjoy the ride as motion rather than navigation.

Also, if you’re sensitive to sun or heat, plan for it. Medano can be bright and intense. Even one unhappy review mentioned extreme heat conditions on a hot day (and that they were on bare feet through hot sand while waiting). So bring sun protection seriously—more on that in a bit.

How the 60 minutes on the water feels in real life

Jet ski tours look simple on paper: ride for an hour and go back. In practice, that hour can feel either like a satisfying burst or like it goes too fast—mostly depending on how ready you are at the start.

This ride is structured to keep you moving. You’ll use the 60 minutes for steering, acceleration, turns, and the main scenic route near the Arch. So you shouldn’t expect long instruction sessions or lots of downtime. The experience is adrenaline-first.

Two things I’d strongly recommend so you get the most out of the time:

1. Show up ready. Don’t treat the meeting as a casual walk-in. When you arrive, you should be prepared to get geared fast.
2. Plan your expectations about photos. Since cameras aren’t accepted, your best action images likely come from the operator’s photo options. If you’re hoping for a full photo set, budget for it rather than deciding on the spot.

One review said the company kept things on time even though the beach area is crowded. That’s exactly what you want for a short activity. If the schedule drags, your “one hour” shrinks fast.

Price and value: $140 per group, then the real add-ons

On the surface, the price is $140 per group (up to 2) for about an hour. If you split with a partner, that can feel like a fair way to do Cabo’s signature marine-speed experience without booking a multi-part day.

But here’s the value math you should do before you commit:

• Insurance is not included: $40 per person.
• Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle isn’t included.
• Photos cost extra: one review listed $25 for one photo or $50 for them all.

So if it’s two people, your total can shift quickly once insurance and photos enter the picture. The ride can still be worth it, especially if you’re pairing up and you care about the route and the Yamahas. But if you’re expecting the $140 to be the full cost for everything, you might feel disappointed.

The good news: reviews that rated it highly praised the scenery, the photo results, and the equipment. One person called it a must-do in Cabo and specifically praised the views and photo outcome. Another said customer service and communication were strong from start to finish. That suggests the product is often delivered well—when the equipment and ops go smoothly.

The caution: one low-rating experience described a breakdown and a heated situation around payment and basic courtesy (including concern about card handling). I can’t verify any of that, but it’s enough to treat this like any adventure activity: assume there’s a chance of technical trouble and decide how you’d respond if it happens.

What you get: included gear, guide support, and the no-camera reality

Included in the activity:

• WaveRunner rental
• Life jackets
• Guide support

That’s a solid inclusion list. Life jackets are non-negotiable for safety, and guide support reduces confusion about route and timing. You’re not doing this as a DIY rental.

Not included:

• Insurance: $40 per person
• Air-conditioned transportation

The no-camera policy is the biggest operational detail that affects your experience planning. You’re trading personal tech for safety and stability. The upside is that it keeps the water time focused and avoids people trying to frame shots while handling the jet ski at speed.

If you’re a photo person, don’t wing it. Know the operator photo pricing and decide ahead of time if you want a single shot or the set.

Service quality: what the good reviews focus on

The highest-rated comments cluster around a few themes you should care about:

• Customer service and communication. Multiple positive notes mention great communication and helpful staff from arrival to departure.
• The route and scenery. People consistently call out the views near Medano and the Arch area as the reason they’d do it again.
• Photo outcomes. Reviews praised how photos turned out, which is important because you can’t bring your own camera.

One more detail that’s easy to overlook: the meeting location is on the beach and described as convenient. When you’re doing a water activity, convenience can mean less time standing around and more time on the jet ski.

The one real risk to think about (before you pay)

Any adventure activity has failure points. Jet skis are machines, and water adds stress—salt air, waves, and constant motion.

You have one low rating that described a jet ski breakdown during a day with back-to-back appointments, along with a claim that payment handling felt sketchy. I can’t confirm any of it. But as a practical traveler, you should take that kind of concern seriously enough to protect yourself:

• Be ready to ask questions about how they process payment if there’s a device issue.
• Don’t assume rescheduling will be easy if something breaks. Short-activity schedules leave little slack.
• If you’re sensitive to conflict, consider booking with extra buffer time on the rest of your day.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid the experience. It means you should go in smart, like you would on any time-sensitive activity.

Who should book this El Medano Beach jet ski ride

This is a great fit if you want:

• A fast, hour-long adrenaline experience rather than a long day tour
• The El Arco scenery from the water
• A ride that includes basics you’d rather not manage yourself
• A chance at wildlife sightings (with a real seasonal possibility of whales in winter months)

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate the idea of no personal cameras
• You expect the price to be all-in without insurance and photo add-ons
• You’re traveling with kids outside the stated age rules
• You want a calm, relaxed pace with lots of stop-and-go sightseeing

If your group is two adults (or an adult plus an older teen who meets the age rule for double riding), it’s often a good value because the per-group pricing helps.

Should you book the El Medano Beach jet ski ride?

Book it if you’re excited by one thing: speed plus iconic views near El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. The included life jacket gear and guide support keep it straightforward, and the best reviews point to strong service and great scenery, with photos that land well even though you can’t bring your own camera.

Hold off or shop carefully if you’re not okay with extra costs for insurance and photos, or if you’d struggle with an equipment delay on a tight day schedule. And if you’re the kind of person who needs to document everything yourself, know that this experience is built around operator photos instead.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the jet ski activity start?

It starts at El Medano Beach, Baja California Sur, Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the ride?

The experience runs for about 1 hour.

How much is it?

The price is $140.00 per group (up to 2).

Is transportation included?

No. Air-conditioned vehicle transportation is not included in the tour price.

What’s included in the price?

You get wave runner rental, life jackets, and guide support.

Is insurance included?

No. Insurance is listed as $40.00 per person.

Are cameras allowed?

No. Cameras are not accepted due to the risk of falling into the water.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight for a jet ski is 300 lb.

Can children participate?

Children over 10 years old, accompanied by an adult, are allowed in the wave runner activity. Children over 16 years old can ride the double with an adult.

What happens if weather is poor?

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

What is the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.