Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations

Look straight through the boat. Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour gives you a fresh view of the Arch, Pelican Rock, sea lions, and the meeting point of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. I like the fully clear hull, which lets you watch fish below, and I like the short route, which packs Cabo’s best-known coastal sights into about an hour.

The certified guides and captains add plenty of fun, with guides such as Tomas, Nacho, Lorena, José, Juan, Luis, Alex, Michelle, and Fidel praised for friendly commentary and good energy. The main drawback is that the tour can feel rushed, especially when staff stop to take professional photos for sale. If you want long, quiet time on the water, this is probably too brief.

Key points to know before you book

• The entire boat is clear: This is more than a traditional glass-bottom boat, letting you look below and around the hull.
• Cabo’s major rock sights fit into one ride: You see the Arch, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, both beaches, the Sea of Cortez, and Cabo Bay.
• The ride lasts about 45 minutes to one hour: It is a compact sightseeing trip, not a half-day cruise.
• The boat holds a maximum of 12 people: That keeps the group fairly small, though seating and photo stops can affect your view.
• Bring your own phone: You are encouraged to take unlimited photos, but professional pictures are also offered for an extra fee.
• Transportation is not included: You must reach the Envatours CaboMarina meeting point in central Cabo San Lucas yourself.

What makes the clear boat different

Many Cabo boat excursions use a glass panel in the floor. This experience uses a boat described as fully clear, so the appeal is not limited to peering through one small section beneath your feet. You can watch the water move below the hull while also taking in the rock formations and beaches around you.

That difference matters most in calm, clear conditions. Fish may pass beneath the boat, and the ride gives children a reason to keep looking down instead of asking how much longer. One family found the experience worked well for young children aged two and four, while another person described seeing fish below as the most memorable part of the trip.

The boat is also a practical way to see Cabo’s famous coastal landmarks in one outing. You do not need to choose between the Arch and the beaches, or between a short wildlife stop and a look at Land’s End. The route touches all of them, though each stop is brief.

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough for a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel. Your guide and captain may vary. José was praised for his humor, Lorena for clear explanations, and Juan for keeping the group comfortable while sharing local information.

From Cabo Marina to the Arch

The tour begins at Envatours CaboMarina, local spaces 15 and 16 A, in the marina area of central Cabo San Lucas. From there, the boat heads toward the area where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez meet.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the main photo stop, with about 10 minutes assigned to the sight. This famous stone formation is best appreciated from the water, where you can see its full shape against the coast. The crew positions the boat for photographs, and you should have a clear chance to use your own phone.

The Arch is also where the photo issue matters most. Some guides spend a good deal of time arranging poses and taking pictures with a professional camera. For people who want family portraits with Cabo’s best-known landmark behind them, that may be worth it. For people who came mainly to watch the coastline, it can feel like the boat is lingering in the wrong way.

Bring your phone and keep it ready. The operator encourages personal photos, and you should not need to purchase the professional package to record the ride yourself. Still, one important practical point is to ask politely when you can take your own pictures if the crew is working in front of you.

Pelican Rock and the underwater view

Pelican Rock is a short stop of about five minutes, but it offers several things at once. You may see pelicans around the rock, colorful fish beneath the boat, and sea lions in the surrounding water.

This is one of the places where the clear hull earns its keep. The formation itself is attractive, but the fish give the stop a little more life than a standard scenic cruise. Keep your eyes moving between the water below and the rock above. If you stare only at the shoreline, you may miss the best part of the boat.

The wildlife is not guaranteed. The tour description highlights fish and sea lions, and past passengers reported seeing both, but animals move freely. You should treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.

Five minutes is enough for a quick look, not enough for patient wildlife watching. If you want to wait quietly for a sea lion to surface or spend a long time identifying fish, you will need a different kind of outing. This tour is built around seeing many sights in one compact circuit.

Divorce Beach on the Pacific side

Divorce Beach faces the Pacific and is known for strong waves and dramatic cliffs. From the boat, you get a view of its rougher character without needing to make this a beach day.

The contrast with the Sea of Cortez side is part of the fun. Cabo’s two bodies of water meet near Land’s End, but the shorelines can feel very different. Divorce Beach has a wilder look, with surf and cliffs that make it a strong photo stop even though the planned viewing time is only about five minutes.

The beach is included in the tour’s coverage, and admission to the beaches is included. The supplied details do not promise a long beach visit or a specific amount of time onshore, so plan on seeing Divorce Beach from the boat unless your departure instructions say otherwise.

If you are hoping to swim, do not assume this tour provides that experience. The description focuses on sightseeing, wildlife, photos, and safety equipment. The strong waves are a reminder that this is a dramatic coastal view, not simply a calm swimming cove.

Playa de los Amantes and the meeting of two seas

Playa de los Amantes, also called Lover’s Beach, offers a calmer scene. It sits near the point where the Pacific and Sea of Cortez meet, giving you a direct look at one of Cabo’s defining geographic features.

This stop lasts about five minutes. That is enough to admire the beach and take pictures, but it is not a long pause for sitting on the sand. The tour’s value comes from linking the beach with the Arch, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, and Cabo Bay in a single ride.

I like this part of the route because it gives the boat ride some balance. Divorce Beach supplies the rough surf and cliffs. Playa de los Amantes provides a more sheltered, easygoing view. Together, they show why the tip of the Baja peninsula is such a popular boat-sightseeing area.

The photo service: useful for some, frustrating for others

The crew may take professional pictures during the tour, especially near the Arch. Those photos are available for an additional fee. The extra charge is not part of the $44.10 ticket price, so decide before boarding how interested you are.

For a family or couple wanting a posed photograph, the service can be useful. A crew member can handle the camera while everyone faces the landmark. Some people appreciated the pictures and found the package reasonably priced, while others felt too much of the short trip was spent posing.

That difference comes down to your priorities. If you want a relaxed ride with constant sightseeing, tell the crew early that you prefer to focus on the route. If you want a keepsake, take advantage of the stops and ask for a few photos, then return your attention to the water.

You are encouraged to bring your own phone for unlimited pictures. That is important because it gives you a way to avoid the extra cost. Keep your phone secure, follow the crew’s instructions, and take pictures between the organized photo sessions.

How much value do you get for $44.10?

At $44.10 per person, this is priced as an affordable short excursion rather than a full marine adventure. I think the value is strongest if you want an introduction to Cabo’s famous coastline and do not want to spend several hours on a boat.

You are paying for a certified guide, captain, clear boat, safety equipment, and a route that covers the Arch, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, both beaches, the Sea of Cortez, and Cabo Bay. You also get the convenience of combining several major sights in one outing.

The price looks less attractive if you measure value by time alone. At 45 minutes to one hour, the ride is over quickly. Several people wished it lasted longer, with one person suggesting two hours. You may feel the same if you enjoy being on the water and want unhurried wildlife viewing.

The best value comes when you treat it as a compact highlight tour. It works well early in a Cabo visit, when you want to understand the coastline, or on a day when you have other plans. It is not the right purchase for a slow cruise, a fishing trip, or a dedicated whale-watching outing.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

You must make your own way to Envatours CaboMarina, local spaces 15 and 16 A, in Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Transportation is not included. This detail deserves attention because at least one person arrived expecting a driver. If you need transportation, arrange it separately and confirm the details before the day of the tour.

Allow extra time to find the marina location. One booking problem came from confusion over the advertised time, which appeared to be a check-in time rather than the actual departure time. Check your confirmation and welcome instructions carefully, and contact the operator if the meeting and departure times do not seem clear.

The group maximum is 12. That is a good size for hearing the guide, but seating can still matter. A person traveling alone reported being moved to an inside seat to accommodate a pair. If seeing through the clear hull is your main reason for booking, arrive on time and ask about seating before the boat leaves.

Safety, comfort, and access

Safety equipment is provided, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but boarding requires stepping over the side of the boat. One family found the high step difficult for a relative with limited mobility, though the guide and family helped her aboard.

If someone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator about boarding before you book. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility plan, so it is better to get a direct answer than to discover the challenge at the dock.

Motion sickness is another sensible concern. The route is short, but the boat moves on open water and can feel uncomfortable for some people. One person specifically advised taking motion sickness medicine before the trip if you are prone to it.

The experience is offered in English, and some guides also explain the route in Spanish. Luis, for example, was praised for giving the tour in both languages. The crew generally handles both the guiding and the practical work of keeping the group organized.

Who will enjoy this boat ride most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, solo sightseers, and first-time Cabo visitors who want a quick look at the area’s signature sights. Children may especially enjoy the clear hull and the chance to spot fish, while adults get the Arch, beaches, cliffs, and sea lions in one tidy trip.

It also suits anyone with limited vacation time. You can see the principal rock formations without giving up a full morning or afternoon. The certified guide adds context, and the small group size makes it easier to follow the commentary.

I would hesitate to recommend it to you if your main goal is a long, peaceful cruise. The route is short, the stops are brief, and professional photo sessions may take more time than you expect. It is also not ideal if you are seeking guaranteed wildlife sightings, beach time, or transportation from your hotel.

The tour has a strong record overall, with a 4.4 rating from 176 reviews, but the low ratings point to clear expectations you should set. Confirm transportation, clarify the check-in time, and decide in advance how you feel about professional photos. Those three steps can prevent most of the common frustrations.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, but it is still wise to avoid scheduling the boat immediately before an important flight or fixed activity.

Should you book Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, short, family-friendly look at Cabo’s most famous coastal sights. The clear boat is the main attraction, and seeing fish below while passing the Arch, Pelican Rock, and the two beaches gives the ride more variety than a standard harbor cruise.

Skip it if you want hours on the water, a quiet wildlife search, or a guaranteed beach visit. You should also think twice if a high step into the boat would be difficult.

For the best experience, arrive early, confirm the departure time, arrange your own transportation, bring a phone, and make your photo preferences clear. At $44.10, it is a sensible introduction to Cabo from the water, as long as you accept that this is a fast highlight tour, not a leisurely cruise.

FAQ

How long does Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

How much does the clear boat tour cost?

The listed price is $44.10 per person.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Envatours CaboMarina, local spaces 15 and 16 A, Centro, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

What sights are included on the route?

The route includes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, Playa de los Amantes, the Sea of Cortez, and Cabo Bay.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.