Los Cabos snorkeling: where the trips go
Los Cabos snorkeling happens along the southern tip of Baja, where the rock arch of Cabo San Lucas, Land's End and Pelican Rock sit within reach of the marina. The trips below follow that coast. Some paddle out from Playa Empacadora, others sail from the marina and anchor in a cove for the water stop. Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay along the Tourist Corridor are the other well-known snorkel spots, and Santa Maria is easier to enjoy in the morning, when visibility is better.
Cabo Pulmo, further up the East Cape, is a separate day out with its own park rules. You will find it on the Cabo Pulmo page, and divers can read the diving guide.
Snorkel trips compared
Start point, length and what is on board.
| Trip | Start | Length | On board | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arch and Lovers Beach kayak tour | Playa Empacadora | 2.5 hours | Snorkel gear, water, granola bar, photos at the Arch | 90 USD |
| Glass-bottom kayak and snorkel trip | Playa Empacadora | 2 hours | Guide, snorkel gear, snacks, transport from selected areas | 95 USD |
| Trimaran snorkel cruises (two routes) | Main Dock Marina | About 3.5 hours | Snorkel gear, open bar, light lunch | 79.80 USD |
| Land's End sail and snorkel | IGY Marina | 3 hours | Crew, open bar, lunch, park fees | 120 USD |
| Luxury sailing and lunch cruise | Cabo San Lucas | 4 hours | Open bar, lunch, paddle boards | 112 USD |
The price gap follows what is included. The trimaran cruises are the lowest at 79.80 USD and put food and drink on board. The sailing trips cost more, and the Land's End sail already includes the park fee. The kayak tours sit in the middle at 90 and 95 USD and are the active choice, since you paddle to the Arch yourself.
Our picks: snorkel trips from Cabo San Lucas
The glass-bottom kayak and the Arch kayak tour start at the beach, the sailing trips add lunch and an open bar.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Land's End luxury sail and snorkel cruise
- Open bar
- National park fees
- Professional crew/guide
- Lunch and snacks
- Towels
- Use of snorkelling equipment
Three hours by sailboat with a professional crew, open bar, lunch and snacks, towels, snorkel gear and national park fees.
Check availability →
Luxury sailing, snorkel and lunch cruise
- Open bar
- Lunch
- Snorkel equipment
- Stand up paddle boards
Four hours under sail with a snorkel stop, open bar, lunch and stand up paddle boards. Dock fee and hotel transfer extra.
Check availability →
Glass-bottom kayak and snorkel trip to the Arch
- Certified bilingual guide
- Tandem kayak and snorkel gear
- Water and light snacks
- Round-trip transport from selected areas
Two hours in a tandem glass-bottom kayak from the beach with a bilingual guide, snorkel gear, snacks and transport from selected areas.
Check availability →Arch and Lovers Beach kayak tour plus snorkeling
- Snorkel equipment
- Photos in front of the Arch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Water and granola bar
Two and a half hours by kayak to the Arch and Lovers Beach, with snorkel gear, photos in front of the Arch and an air-conditioned vehicle.
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Trimaran snorkeling cruise with open bar and lunch
- Snorkel gear
- Open bar
- Baguettes and appetizers
- Paddleboards (calm conditions)
A trimaran trip with snorkel gear, open bar and a light lunch of baguettes and appetizers. Check-in is at 12:40 pm.
Check availability →Cabo San Lucas and Santa Maria Bay snorkeling cruise
- Snorkel gear
- Open bar
- Baguettes and appetizers
- Bluetooth sound system
A sightseeing cruise by trimaran with a snorkel stop, open bar and a light lunch. Check-in is at 12:40 pm.
Check availability →Snorkel trips from Cabo San Lucas
Kayak tours from the beach, sailing trips with lunch and trimaran cruises, with prices per person.
Which snorkel trip suits you
Matched to how you like to spend the day.
Active and short
Pick one of the two kayak tours if you want to paddle out to the Arch and be back within two to two and a half hours. The glass-bottom tandem kayak suits couples. The Arch and Lovers Beach tour adds photos in front of the Arch.
Relaxed with lunch
The trimaran cruises leave in the early afternoon with an open bar and a light lunch of baguettes and appetizers. They are the lowest-priced boat option.
Sailing
The Land's End sail covers three hours under a professional crew, with park fees, towels, lunch and drinks in the price. The four-hour luxury sail adds stand up paddle boards.
Season, weather and age limits
What the operators set out.
Season and time of day
The tourism office describes snorkeling in Los Cabos as a year-round activity. Mornings give the clearest water at Santa Maria. The kayak operator recommends the 9 am departure over 2 pm, and with strong wind the route stops at Pelican Rock instead of the Arch. If the weather or waves do not suit the trip, the operator rebooks or refunds you.
Age and health
The glass-bottom kayak tour is open from age 6, and the sailing and snorkel trip with paddle boards from age 8. Both exclude pregnancy, and the kayak tour is not suited to back problems or serious medical conditions. A life jacket is required while snorkeling. Tandem kayaks carry a combined weight limit, around 193 kg on the Arch and Lovers Beach tour.
Protected area and beach flags
Leave coral, fish and sea life undisturbed. A red flag on a beach means no entering the sea, and a black flag means the beach is closed.
What to bring
Swimwear, a towel, sandals and biodegradable sunscreen, as the operators ask. On the sailing trips add sunglasses and a light jacket.
Los Cabos snorkeling: frequently asked questions
How much does a snorkel trip in Los Cabos cost?
The six trips here run from 79.80 USD for the trimaran cruises to 120 USD for the Land's End sail, per person, as of November 2026. The kayak tours cost 90 and 95 USD, and the luxury sailing cruise 112 USD.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes. All six trips supply snorkel gear. Wetsuits are available on request on the glass-bottom kayak trip.
How long do the trips last?
The kayak tours take 2 and 2.5 hours, the Land's End sail 3 hours, the trimaran cruises about 3.5 hours and the luxury sail 4 hours. Add the transfer time on tours that include a vehicle.
Where do the trips start?
The kayak tours start at Playa Empacadora in Cabo San Lucas. The trimaran cruises check in at the Main Dock Marina at 12:40 pm, and the Land's End sail leaves from the IGY Marina downtown.