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

REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS

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

  • 4.5176 reviews
  • 45 minutes to 1 hour (approx.)
  • From $44.10
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Operated by Best Cabo Tours, LLC · Bookable on Viator

See Cabo through the bottom of a boat.

This tour takes you sailing where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortes, guided by a certified crew, with clear-boat views that make the rocks, fish, and wildlife feel close instead of distant.

I love the full clear boat design. You can actually watch tropical fish swim beneath you, and even spot sea lions around key photo areas. I also like the packed-in route: in under an hour you get the Arch, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, and Playa de los Amantes, plus great chances to frame the classic Cabo views.

One drawback to think about: the guide and crew take time for passenger photo moments and a follow-up pitch for professional photos afterward. If you want maximum time floating quietly, plan for that pacing.

Key things to know before you go

  • Clear-boat views: you’re in open sight all the way down, not just along the bottom panel
  • Marine life stops: fish, pelicans, and sea lions are part of the usual scene
  • Landmarks in one run: Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, and Playa de los Amantes
  • Phone-first photography: bring your phone for unlimited on-your-own snapshots
  • Small group size: a max of 12 travelers keeps it easier to move around and get set up
  • Timing is tight: it’s a short tour, so you’ll feel the rush between photo stops

Clear Boat San Lucas: Why This Sail Feels So Different

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Clear Boat San Lucas: Why This Sail Feels So Different
Cabo San Lucas has the usual boat-tour draw: sea views, dramatic rock formations, and salt-air sun. What makes this one special is the clear boat experience, which turns the water from background scenery into the main event. When the boat drifts, you’re not imagining what’s down there. You can see it.

You’ll also be sailing along coastlines where the vibe changes quickly. One minute you’re thinking Pacific-side cliffs and waves, the next you’re looking toward calmer zones where the Sea of Cortes energy shows up. That mix helps explain why the sights feel more varied than you’d expect from a short ride.

And since you have a certified guide, you’re not just watching from the deck. You get context for what you’re seeing, from rock formations to marine-life hangouts. That matters because clear-boat tours can turn into a simple photo session if you don’t know where to look.

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

The Route Around Cabo San Lucas: What You See at Each Stop

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - The Route Around Cabo San Lucas: What You See at Each Stop
This is a 45 minutes to 1 hour tour, so it moves on purpose. The upside is you cover the big hits quickly. The trade-off is each stop is brief, so come ready with a charged phone and your best camera settings already dialed in.

Stop 1: Arch of Cabo San Lucas (Up Close Photo Moments)

The Arch is the star. You’ll see Cabo’s most famous landmark up close from the boat, and the framing is ideal for photos. It’s the stop most people plan their whole trip around, and it’s easy to understand why once you’re there: the rock shape against the water reads instantly.

Photo tip: If you want the cleanest shots, give the guide a quick second to position the boat, then take your pictures right away. Don’t wait until the boat is already moving—this ride is short.

Stop 2: Pelican Rock (Sea Lions, Pelicans, and Fish)

Next comes Pelican Rock, where wildlife often shows up around the rock formation. In addition to pelicans, you can spot tropical fish and sometimes sea lions. This stop works well because it isn’t just a monument. It’s a living zone.

The clear-boat factor really helps here. Watching fish from above is one thing. Watching fish pass below your feet changes the whole feel of the stop.

Stop 3: Divorce Beach (Pacific Side Swell and Cliff Views)

Then you swing to Divorce Beach on the Pacific side. The name is famous, but the reason it gets people’s attention is visual: strong waves and dramatic cliffs. The water here often looks more energetic than the calmer spots, which gives you a different style of scenery compared with the earlier landmark shots.

Drawback: because it’s known for surf, you might not get the same “drift and watch fish” feeling you get in clearer, calmer moments. It’s still a great contrast stop.

Stop 4: Playa de los Amantes (Where Two Oceans Meet)

Finally, you reach Playa de los Amantes, a calmer beach area where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific meet. The shift is noticeable—this is the stop that tends to look more relaxed and scenic.

This is also a nice end cap for couples and photographers, because it’s the kind of place where your photos look good without heavy editing. It’s softer, more open, and often feels like a breath after the more dramatic Pacific-side views.

The rest of the scenic run: Land’s End and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas

Beyond the listed stops, the tour also covers Land’s End and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas areas as part of the route. That’s where the experience earns its “see everything fast” reputation. You’re not just popping into one landmark and leaving. You’re getting a broader sweep of Cabo’s coast while the boat keeps moving.

Crew, Safety Gear, and the Photo Reality

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Crew, Safety Gear, and the Photo Reality
A certified guide is included, plus safety equipment. That’s the baseline. The practical value is that you can focus on enjoying the sights instead of worrying about the details.

The guide style: friendly, fast, and photo-aware

From what I’ve learned about how crews run this tour, the guides tend to be upbeat and provide explanations in English. Several guides have been praised by name in past trips, including Tomas and Nacho, Lorena, José, Michelle, Juan, Luis, Alex, and Fidel. The pattern is consistent: they keep the group moving, point out where to look, and make sure you don’t miss the key photo angles.

The part people love or don’t: passenger photo time and the sales pitch

Here’s the honest trade-off. Many people think the professional photo moment is part of the fun—others feel it takes too long and can shorten what you see on the water. If you fall into the second group, you can protect yourself by doing two things:

  • Take your own photos quickly during the best angles, so you aren’t relying on the crew’s camera timeline
  • Keep expectations realistic: this is still a short tour, so every “photo pause” adds up

Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee. You’re encouraged to bring your phone for unlimited snapshots, and that’s a smart safety valve. Even if you skip the add-on, you’ll still leave with your own Cabo memories.

Motion-sickness note (yes, this matters on boats)

If you’re prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. One helpful reminder that came up is to take medication before you go. Clear boats don’t remove motion; they just make the view more visible—so your body can still react normally (or not so normally).

Price and Value: Is $44.10 a Fair Deal?

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Price and Value: Is $44.10 a Fair Deal?
At $44.10 per person, this tour sits in the “try it once” category for many visitors. The value comes from three things working together:

  1. You get a clear-boat format, not just standard sightseeing
  2. You pack multiple landmarks and two beaches into one run
  3. A certified guide and safety equipment are included

It also helps that the tour is short. A lot of Cabo activities either take most of a half day or feel repetitive after the first hour. Here, you’re paying for a focused route that gets you the highlights without committing your whole schedule.

What can affect value is the photo add-on dynamic. If you buy the professional photos, the overall cost rises. If you don’t, the phone-based approach keeps it simple and still fun. Either way, you’re not blocked from taking your own shots.

Timing, Check-In, and the CaboMarina Meeting Point

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Timing, Check-In, and the CaboMarina Meeting Point
This tour ends back at the meeting point, so it’s a self-contained outing. The start is listed as:

Envatours CaboMarina Sn Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico

Two details are worth planning around:

  • The tour includes time at multiple locations, so you don’t want to arrive late and stress the day
  • Check-in timing can feel confusing for some people because the advertised time may relate to check-in rather than departure

My practical advice: arrive early with your phone ready for your mobile ticket, plus confirmation you receive at booking. If you’re traveling in a group, build in a small buffer so everyone’s ready to board together.

Good weather matters. This experience requires decent conditions, and if it’s canceled for weather, you should be offered a different date or a full refund.

Who This Clear Boat Tour Is Best For

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Who This Clear Boat Tour Is Best For
This is a good fit for most travelers, and it’s a small group by design, with a maximum of 12 travelers. That’s ideal if you want your boat experience to feel personal, not like a cattle car.

Great for couples, solo travelers, and families

People often pick this kind of tour when they want variety without planning every moment. The clear-boat format also works well for families because kids and adults can all watch the fish and wildlife.

You’ll also find it a solid solo option if you want a guided introduction to Cabo’s main coastal landmarks. If you’re with a partner, it’s also easy to build photos into your trip.

Accessibility reality check

One review-based caution to keep in mind: getting in and out can involve a high step over the side. If you or someone in your group has impaired mobility, it may require extra help from the crew. It’s not labeled as impossible, but it’s smart to know the physical aspect before you commit.

Pets and service animals

Service animals are allowed, which can make the tour easier to plan for visitors who need them.

Should You Book Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Should You Book Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?
Book it if you want the Cabo essentials fast, especially if you care about seeing fish and marine life from a clear-boat vantage. It’s also a strong pick if you like guided context. The route hits the Arch, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, and Playa de los Amantes, and that mix gives you both dramatic and calmer scenery in one trip.

Skip it or think twice if you dislike tours that include a longer passenger photo process and an upsell for professional photos. If you’re the kind of person who wants to quietly soak in the water, aim to take your own shots quickly and treat the crew photos as optional.

One more smart planning move: given that it’s commonly booked around two weeks in advance, lock in your date early if you’re traveling during peak weeks. And if weather is iffy, be ready for a possible reschedule.

FAQ

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - FAQ

FAQ

How long is Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

It runs about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $44.10 per person.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a certified guide, a full clear boat ride, safety equipment, and the tour route that includes the Arch, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, Sea of Cortes areas, both beaches, and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas.

Do I need to buy separate beach admission?

No. Admission to beaches included on the route is included in the tour.

What photo options are available?

Bring your phone for unlimited photo opportunities. Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, you’ll have a mobile ticket.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Envatours CaboMarina Sn Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Does the tour include transportation to and from your hotel?

Transportation is not included with the tour.

Is the tour canceled if the weather is bad?

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

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Within 24 hours, refunds are not provided.

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