Open Ocean Safari and Whale Watching

Cabo’s best wildlife encounters happen when the ocean decides to cooperate. On this four-hour safari, you search the Pacific and Sea of Cortez for humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, and rays, then finish with snorkeling near Cabo’s famous Arch and Pelican Rock. I like the small maximum of 10 people, and I like that the crew puts animal welfare ahead of forced encounters.

The price is steep at $215 per person, and wildlife is never guaranteed. A lucky morning may bring whales, dolphins, rays, fish, and even a marlin. Another may bring mostly whales and a very short time in the water. You should also confirm wetsuit costs before departure, since one outing required an extra $15 charge.

At a glance

• Whale watching with real variety: You may see humpback or grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, mobula rays, sharks, and marlin.
• Small boat group: The maximum is 10 people, giving the guide more room to adjust the plan and help you in the water.
• Three notable locations: The route includes El Arco, Pelican Rock, and waters in the Sea of Cortez.
• Snorkeling and media included: Equipment, snacks, bottled water, and photos and videos are part of the package.
• Nature sets the schedule: Sightings and water time can change with conditions, animal behavior, and luck.
• Four hours from central Cabo: Meet at Dock C in Marina del Rey at 9:00 a.m., then return to the same place.

Why this safari is different from a standard Cabo boat trip

Many Cabo excursions take you out for a set ride, point toward the Arch, and return after a bit of sightseeing. This trip is more of a search for wildlife, with the crew looking for active animals rather than following a rigid sightseeing loop.

That distinction matters. You are not buying a guaranteed show. You are buying time on the open ocean with a crew that can change course when whales surface, dolphins appear, or rays gather below the boat.

The experience covers both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Those waters can offer very different conditions and animal sightings, so the route has room for surprises. The published possibilities include underwater mobula rays, sea lions, dolphins, sharks, and whales. One especially productive outing included a large group of cownose rays, dolphins playing near sea lions, a humpback whale, a marlin, and colorful reef fish.

That kind of variety is the main appeal. It is also the main uncertainty. You may see only some of those animals, and even a strong sighting can be brief.

Leaving Marina del Rey at 9:00 a.m.

You meet the boat at Dock C, Marina del Rey, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas. The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about four hours, ending back at the same meeting point.

There is no hotel pickup listed, so plan to reach the marina on your own. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in central Cabo, though you should leave enough time to find Dock C and get organized before departure.

A small group can make the start less hectic. With no more than 10 people, you are less likely to spend the morning crowded along the rail or waiting for a large group to enter the water. It also gives the guide a better chance to answer questions and keep an eye on everyone during snorkeling.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, but it is still sensible to confirm the departure details with the operator. One account of a Cabo outing warned that schedules can shift with little notice, so do not build a tight airport transfer or another fixed appointment around the return time.

El Arco: Cabo’s classic first view

El Arco is the recognizable rock formation at the meeting point of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. It is the spot that appears in nearly every Cabo postcard, and this tour gives you time to see it from the water.

The Arch is not just a photo stop. Its location helps you understand Cabo’s geography. On one side is the Pacific, with its open swell and changing conditions. On the other is the Sea of Cortez, where the water may feel more sheltered. The boat’s route lets you see this meeting point while the crew continues looking for marine life.

You may also have a chance to take photos here. The crew has provided pictures of people at the Arch, along with underwater and aerial footage from the day. If you care about getting a clear shot without managing your own camera, that is a useful part of the package.

Do not expect a long land visit. This is a boat-based viewing stop, not a shore excursion. Your time is better spent watching the water and following the crew’s instructions than trying to stage a perfect photograph.

Pelican Rock and the chance to snorkel

Pelican Rock is the second listed stop and one of the places where you may enter the water. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

The water portion can be the most exciting part of the morning, especially when fish or rays are nearby. One outing ended with snorkeling over coral reefs and colorful fish. Another had only about three minutes in the water while the group searched for rays, so you should treat the swim as a possibility, not a promise.

That short-water possibility is the clearest weakness of the experience. You might spend most of your time watching whales from the boat, then have little time to snorkel because conditions or animal sightings do not line up. If your main goal is a long, relaxed swim, a dedicated snorkeling trip may be a better fit.

If your priority is wildlife, the limited water time may feel reasonable. The crew’s first duty is to the animals and the sea conditions, not to forcing a particular swim stop. Bring patience, and you will have a better day.

Searching the Sea of Cortez for whales and dolphins

The Sea of Cortez is where the safari earns its name. The crew scans for movement, blows, fins, splashes, and groups of birds that may point toward feeding activity.

Humpback whales are among the strongest possibilities. Grey whales have also been seen, and a productive morning included two breaches. You may see a whale surface several times, or you may catch only a distant blow. The viewing can be thrilling, but it is not a staged performance.

Dolphins may appear in groups, sometimes moving near sea lions. Mobula and cownose rays can gather below the surface, creating one of the most unusual sightings available around Cabo. Sharks and marlin are also possible, though you should consider them bonus sightings rather than expected stops.

The guide’s role is important here. The crew has been praised for working hard to find animals while keeping encounters calm and respectful. Guides named in past outings include Alex, Nick, and Rafa, with Kyla helping with photographs on one trip. Staffing can change, so do not book based on one particular person being aboard. The more important point is to expect a guide who explains what you are seeing and adjusts the plan to the ocean.

What the small group means on the water

A 10-person maximum is a real advantage for this type of outing. A whale watch with dozens of people can turn every sighting into a scramble for a view. A smaller boat group gives you a better chance of hearing the guide, moving safely, and getting a clear look when something surfaces.

It also helps during snorkeling. You may receive more direct help with equipment and entering the water, and the crew can watch the group more closely. That matters if you are comfortable in the water but not an experienced snorkeler.

The stated fitness level is moderate. You should be able to manage a boat outing and snorkeling equipment. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give details about boat access, storage, or specific assistance needs, so contact Apex Ocean Divers before booking if you need those details confirmed.

Photos, video, snacks, and the extra-cost question

The package includes snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, a guide, and photos and videos of the experience. That improves the value, since professional media can be hard to capture while you are watching whales or swimming near fish.

Aerial drone footage and underwater images have been part of past outings. The crew may capture the animals, the boat, the Arch, and you in the water. However, one outing included 10 free photos, with additional images available for a separate payment. Ask exactly what the included media covers before you leave the dock.

The same goes for wetsuits. A wetsuit was charged separately at $15 on one trip, and that cost was not clear in the original booking details. You should ask if a wetsuit is needed for your date and if it costs extra.

At $215, this is not a bargain boat ride. The value depends on what you want. If you want a small group, an active search for several kinds of marine life, a guide, equipment, refreshments, and media, the price can make sense. If you mainly want a low-cost view of the Arch or a guaranteed whale sighting, you can probably find a simpler outing for less.

When the ocean does not cooperate

The most important thing to understand is that this is a nature trip. The crew can search, but it cannot order animals to appear.

One morning may produce humpback and grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, rays, marlin, and reef fish. Another may produce plenty of whales but little else. A whale may breach twice, then vanish. Rays may be present but too difficult to locate for a worthwhile swim.

Poor weather can cancel the tour. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason comes with the same choice of a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

This is also why I would leave spare time in your Cabo schedule. The listed duration is about four hours, but sea conditions and wildlife searches can affect the day. Do not arrange a same-day commitment that depends on an exact return time.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Inside that window, you do not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy it most

This safari suits you if you care more about wildlife variety than a fixed checklist. It is a good choice for people who want to see Cabo from the water, are happy to spend time scanning the sea, and understand that a whale or ray sighting may be brief.

It also suits confident swimmers and snorkelers who like the chance to enter the water but do not need a long swim session. The small group is useful for couples, families with suitable fitness, and photographers who value room to move.

You may want another tour if you need a predictable schedule, a guaranteed amount of snorkeling, or a calm, inexpensive boat ride. You should also think twice if paying extra for a wetsuit or additional photographs would frustrate you. Ask about those costs before committing.

Should you book the Open Ocean Safari?

Book it if your ideal Cabo morning includes open water, a small group, an informed guide, and the possibility of several kinds of marine life. The strongest reasons are the 10-person limit, the chance to see whales and dolphins alongside rays and sea lions, and the included equipment, refreshments, and media.

Skip it if you need certainty. The $215 price is fair only when you value the search itself, not just the final animal count. Bring patience, leave room in your schedule, confirm the wetsuit and photo details, and you will have a much clearer idea of what you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Dock C, Marina del Rey, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

What time does the tour leave?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the safari last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and ends back at the original meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include mobula rays, sea lions, dolphins, sharks, humpback whales, grey whales, marlin, and other ocean animals. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, photos and videos, and a guide are included.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. A full refund is also available if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels.