3hrs Snorkel Catamaran in Los Cabos

Cabo’s Arch is best seen from the water, and this trip pairs that famous photo stop with time to snorkel at Chileno or Santa Maria Bay. The boat ride also passes landmarks such as Pelican Rock and Lover’s Beach, giving you a good look at the coast without committing to a full-day outing.

I like two things in particular: snorkeling gear and instruction are described as provided, and the three-hour format keeps the trip manageable if you want time for other plans. The stated fare is $85 per person, with lunch and drinks included, though there is also a $5 port fee.

One caution: parts of the supplied tour information refer to an ATV excursion, tequila tasting, and extra charges that do not fit this catamaran trip. I would confirm the transfer arrangements and any costs before booking, rather than assume those details apply here.

• Three hours on the water: A short outing that combines a coastal cruise, a bay stop, and an Arch photo break.
• Snorkel stop depends on conditions or the operator’s choice: The boat visits Chileno Bay or Santa Maria Bay, not necessarily both.
• Water activities are optional: You can choose whether to take part during the roughly 50-minute bay stop.
• The Arch stop is brief: Plan on about 15 minutes for photos near this Cabo landmark.
• Budget for the port fee: The listed extra charge is $5 per person.
• Check the mismatched details: ATV, tequila, and park-fee information appears alongside the catamaran details, so clarify what actually applies.

A short cruise with two Cabo highlights

This trip is built around a simple plan: leave the Cabo San Lucas marina, cruise past familiar coastal sights, stop at one of two bays for water activities, then pause at the Arch before returning to the marina. At about three hours, it is a compact way to get out on the water without giving up most of your day.

The route is appealing because it combines two different kinds of Cabo scenery. At the bay, you have time for optional water activities, including snorkeling with provided equipment. At the Arch, the focus shifts to the dramatic rock formations and a chance to take photos from the sea.

The order and exact timing may vary, but the scheduled bay stop is about 50 minutes and the Arch stop about 15 minutes. That is enough to make both stops meaningful, but not enough to treat the bay as a long, unhurried beach visit. If you want hours to swim or lounge ashore, this is not that kind of excursion.

Leaving the marina and passing the coastal landmarks

The meeting point is La Terminal de CaboMarina, at Puerto 0, opposite the Breathless Hotel in El Medano. The tour is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm and returns to the same meeting point. The route passes the marina and coastal sights that include Pelican Rock and Lover’s Beach, as well as a place rendered in the supplied route details as La Empanadas Beach.

This opening stretch is part of the attraction, not just a transfer between stops. You get a view of the Cabo coastline from the water, and the boat ride helps put the famous Arch in context. It is also a chance to settle in before reaching the bay.

The tour information says hotel transfers are included, but it also gives a precise marina meeting point. Those details can coexist, but the practical arrangement is not clear: you may be picked up at your hotel and brought to the marina, or you may need to meet the boat there. Ask the operator to confirm your pickup location and time before travel day.

The group can have up to 39 people. That is a fairly generous capacity for a catamaran outing, so do not book expecting an intimate private cruise. A supplied account praises a guide named Aldier for personalizing an ATV ride, but that account describes a different activity. It does not establish that Aldier guides this catamaran tour.

Choosing between Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay

The main water stop is Chileno Bay or Santa Maria Bay. The description does not promise both, so you should expect one bay chosen for the excursion. Both are presented as the setting for optional water activities, with snorkeling equipment supplied.

The stop is scheduled for about 50 minutes. That gives you time to use the gear and enjoy the water, but the time includes getting ready and returning to the boat. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, it is worth asking how much of that window is usually spent in the water and whether the crew provides instruction on the day.

The tour says necessary equipment and instruction are provided. That is useful if you are new to snorkeling or do not own your own gear, though the details do not specify which equipment is included beyond snorkeling equipment. If you have particular needs or concerns about fit, ask the operator rather than assume every item you might want is on board.

All activities at the bay are optional. That makes the stop more flexible for a group with different comfort levels: you can join the water activity or stay aboard. The description does not give details about beach access or time ashore, so do not count on a land visit as part of the stop.

The Arch photo stop is short but worthwhile

The 15-minute stop at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas is designed for photos, not a long visit. The Arch is one of the area’s defining sights, and seeing it from a boat gives you the view that a land-based outing cannot offer.

Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the stop. With a short window, you will have little time to get organized once the boat is in position. The tour description does not explain whether the catamaran approaches from a particular side or how close it gets, so treat the stop as a photo opportunity rather than a guaranteed close-up.

The Arch stop also helps round out the trip. After the bay’s active water portion, you can enjoy the scenery without needing to swim or snorkel. For some people, this will be the highlight; for others, the bay will be the reason to book.

What the $85 fare covers, and what it does not

At $85 per person, the stated price includes snorkeling equipment, water, soda, alcoholic beverages, and lunch. That bundle can be good value if you plan to eat and drink aboard and make use of the snorkel gear. It is less compelling if you do not want the included food or drinks and mainly want a brief boat ride.

There is a separate $5 port fee per person. Add it to the advertised fare when comparing this outing with other Cabo boat trips. The information does not say how or when this fee is collected, so confirm that before departure.

The supplied highlights also mention tequila tasting after an ATV tour, while the reviews discuss park entrance charges, ATV insurance, and double-rider ATV costs. Those details conflict with a catamaran-and-snorkeling experience. They should not be treated as confirmed charges or activities for this trip, but the inconsistency is a good reason to contact the operator and ask for a written breakdown of the catamaran price.

There is also a difference between the stated hotel-transfer benefit and the marina meeting point. Since transfer arrangements can affect both cost and timing, ask whether pickup is included for your hotel, where you should wait, and whether the $5 port fee is the only extra charge for the boat trip.

Group size, guide service, and mixed signals

A maximum of 39 people means the experience is not necessarily a small-group cruise, even though one of the supplied highlights says a small group receives more attention from the guide. The actual head count on your departure may be lower, but there is no group-size guarantee below the stated maximum.

The listed rating is 3.3 from four reviews, a small sample that deserves caution. The supplied comments describe an ATV excursion and tequila tasting rather than the catamaran route. One account praises a guide named Aldier and the ability to personalize the ride; two others focus on unexpected ATV-related charges and a disappointing tequila tasting. These comments cannot fairly tell you what the snorkeling trip is like, but they do make it especially important to verify that you are booking the correct activity and understand its fees.

The operator’s replies to those complaints are defensive in tone. That does not prove the catamaran service will be poor, but clear, courteous answers before booking matter when the product details themselves appear mixed. Ask direct questions and keep the response handy.

Timing, weather, and cancellation basics

The scheduled start is 1:00 pm, and the experience lasts about three hours. It ends back at the marina meeting point, so you can plan around an approximate return time, while leaving some margin in case the schedule shifts.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, the stated options are a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start; cancellations made within 24 hours are not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is listed as available in English, and most people can participate. If you have a specific question about swimming, equipment, or your own ability to take part, ask before paying, since those details are not spelled out.

Who should book this Cabo catamaran trip?

This outing suits you if you want a short coastal cruise with a chance to snorkel and a photo stop at the Arch, rather than a full day on the water. It is also a practical choice if you value having equipment, lunch, and drinks included in one fare and are comfortable with the possibility of a group as large as 39.

It may not suit you if you want a small, quiet boat, a long snorkeling session, or a guaranteed visit to both Chileno and Santa Maria Bay. The bay stop is optional for activities, and the Arch visit is brief. If you prefer a tour with a clearly stated pickup plan and no ambiguity about extra charges, get those answers in writing before you book.

I would consider booking once the operator confirms the catamaran details, especially the hotel transfer, the $5 port fee, and whether there are any other charges for this specific trip. The basic route and included food, drinks, and gear make sense for $85, but the crossed wires with ATV information are too significant to ignore.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran tour?

It lasts about three hours, including the coastal cruise, bay stop, Arch photo stop, and return to the marina.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 1:00 pm.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is La Terminal de CaboMarina, Puerto 0, opposite the Breathless Hotel in El Medano, Cabo San Lucas.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point in the marina.

Which bay does the boat visit?

The stop is at Chileno Bay or Santa Maria Bay. The description does not promise a visit to both.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is listed as included, and the tour information says instruction is provided.

What food and drinks are included?

Water, soda, alcoholic beverages, and lunch are listed as included.

Is there an extra fee?

A $5 port fee per person is listed as not included. Confirm whether any other charges apply specifically to the catamaran trip.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refundable.