Reviewed · BOAT TOURS IN LOS CABOS

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

4.5 · 176 reviews 45 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) From $44 Operated by Best Cabo Tours, LLC · Bookable on Viator
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Look down at Cabo from a clear boat. This is a short, high-view trip that takes you around Land’s End with a clear hull, so you can watch fish while you chase big-name photo spots. You’ll hit the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, Divorce Beach, and Playa de los Amantes, plus the bay area, all with a certified guide calling the route.

I like two things most. First, the full clear boat experience actually lets you see the water below in a way that feels different from a regular sightseeing ride. Second, you get a focused route with frequent landmark moments, so in about an hour you can check off the classics without spending your whole day on the water.

One consideration: because the time is tight, you may spend some extra minutes on the guide’s photo setup at stops. If you want maximum quiet time floating and zero photo fuss, build that expectation into your plan.

Key reasons to book

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Key reasons to book

  • Full clear hull views where fish can swim under the boat
  • Pacific meets Sea of Cortez scenery with dramatic cliffs and calmer coves
  • Four headline stops packed into about 45 minutes to 1 hour
  • Photo-first route with unlimited phone photos encouraged
  • Small group cap of 12 for a less chaotic vibe
  • Marine life chances like tropical fish, sea lions, and pelicans

Clear-Boat Views: How the glass part actually changes the ride

Cabo looks good from a deck. It looks better when you can see the water like it is part of the boat. On this clear boat, the hull is designed for viewing straight down, not just a tiny window in one spot. That matters because your eyes stop scanning the horizon only. You start doing both, looking up at cliffs and rock formations, then down for flashes of fish below.

This is a great fit if you like photography that feels effortless. The stops are built around places where your phone camera can capture something instantly, like the Arch when you are close, or Pelican Rock when birds gather around the rock. Bring your phone, because you get time to take your own shots again and again, and you are not locked into one single moment.

Now, a practical note. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. One useful tip from past riders is to take motion-sickness medication before you go. The ride is not described as long, but the water and turning can still set off some people.

Also, this is not a huge party boat. The group is capped at 12 travelers, so you are more likely to get a smooth flow on and off the boat and less jostling for sight lines.

The 45 to 60 Minute Plan: What happens from start to finish

This tour is short on purpose. You are not signing up for a half-day sea cruise. You are signing up for a fast route that hits the best-known rock-and-beach lineup at Land’s End and the Cabo bay area.

A typical flow looks like this:

  • First, you head to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas
  • Then you move to Pelican Rock
  • Next comes Divorce Beach on the Pacific side
  • Then you shift to Playa de los Amantes, where the meeting of waters looks calmer
  • The captain and guide keep moving through the key bays and coastal areas so you feel like you covered the big highlights

Each stop is measured in minutes, not long sightseeing blocks. That is good if you want variety and quick wins. If you want a slower pace, a longer lunch break, or extended time in one spot, you may find the tour feels “just getting started” once you return.

The upside is that you are out, you take your photos, you see wildlife possibilities, and you still have plenty of day left in Cabo.

Stop 1, Arch of Cabo San Lucas: Close-up photos without the land crowd

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Stop 1, Arch of Cabo San Lucas: Close-up photos without the land crowd
The Arch is the headliner for a reason. Up close from the water, it feels taller and more dramatic than it does from the road. This stop is about 10 minutes, which is enough time to get a few angles without feeling rushed through the whole landmark.

If you care about photos, this is the moment to treat like your best shot at the trip. Try a phone shot while the boat lines up, then take another as you drift past. Clear boats are a bit hypnotic, so I suggest you do not forget to look down for a second as well. Depending on conditions, you may see fish move under the hull while the rock formation dominates the background.

One thing to keep in mind from other riders is timing. The tour is short, and some boats include extra time for the guide’s staged pictures during key landmarks. If you are the type who wants total control, take your own shots first. After that, you can choose whether to join the guide’s photo setup or just let it happen while you keep eyes on the scenery.

Stop 2, Pelican Rock: Birds, fish, and the sea-lion factor

Pelican Rock is a quick hit, about 5 minutes, but it is one of the most fun stops because nature does some of the work for you. The rock formation is the focus, and you may also see pelicans, colorful fish, and even sea lions, depending on what the water and day bring.

This is also a good stop for casual watching. You do not have to be a serious photographer to enjoy it. The best part of a clear boat is that you can glance down and see movement in the water at the same time you glance up at the birds perched around the rock.

If you are traveling with kids or you want something visually active, this is where the boat can feel like a living aquarium tour.

Stop 3, Divorce Beach: Wild waves and dramatic cliffs on the Pacific side

Next is Divorce Beach, another 5-minute stop. This is the Pacific-side look, known for strong waves and dramatic cliffs. From the water, it is less about beach time and more about the scenery, the power of the surf line, and the contrast between rock textures and ocean color.

What I like about including this stop is the variety. The trip is not just about pretty calm water. You get a more rugged look at the coastline. If you are the type who likes “wow” landscapes that feel a bit untamed, you will probably enjoy this segment.

Because it is brief, the trick is to keep your expectations aligned. You are not meant to linger here. You are meant to see it, photograph it, then move on.

Stop 4, Playa de los Amantes: Calmer water at the meeting point

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Stop 4, Playa de los Amantes: Calmer water at the meeting point
Then you shift to Playa de los Amantes, also about 5 minutes. This is described as a calmer beach and a scenic spot where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific meet. Even if you do not know the exact geography, you can feel the difference. The coastline looks more open and scenic, and the water often feels more inviting than the rougher Pacific-side surf.

This is a great stop for couples and anyone who wants at least one “soft landing” moment in the tour before you wrap up. If your phone battery is running low, this is also a good place to go for your final clean shot of the shoreline.

Admission to the beaches is included, so you are not thinking about extra entry fees once you arrive at the stop areas. You can focus on what you came for, the view.

Marine life on a clear hull: What you can realistically expect

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Marine life on a clear hull: What you can realistically expect
This tour is marketed as a way to spot marine life, including tropical fish and sea lions, plus birds like pelicans. In real life, wildlife is always weather- and timing-dependent. But the clear boat setup helps because you are not waiting for something to happen at the surface only.

Even when you do not get a full wildlife show, you might still catch:

  • Fish flashes under the hull
  • Swimming patterns that make the water feel alive
  • Rock and coastline details that are easier to see from above the water

One rider highlighted how mesmerizing it felt watching fish swim beneath the boat while you drift along. That is the core value here. This is a sightseeing tour, but with a built-in reason to look downward.

Certified guide energy: Where the good trips feel better

Cabo's Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations - Certified guide energy: Where the good trips feel better
A clear boat is the hardware. The guide is the part that turns hardware into a story you remember.

Past guides named in feedback include Tomas and Nacho, Lorena, José, Juan, Alex, Michelle, Luis, and Fidel. Captains also get credit in reviews, including Capt Mikey and Capt Miguel. What they all have in common from the tone of the comments is that they keep things moving, explain what you are seeing, and manage the group so you do not feel like you are just sitting there.

You also get English service as an offering. That means you can follow along with what the guide points out, not just watch the scenery in silence.

One caution from reviews, though: some people felt the tour got a bit picture-heavy because the guide takes photos to sell afterward. If you are okay with that, great. If you hate being part of a photo line, I recommend making your own photos first and staying in control of your time on the boat.

Photo value and costs: Phone-first, but professional options exist

You are encouraged to bring your phone for unlimited photo opportunities. That is smart, because the biggest advantage of this tour is instant visuals you can take yourself. You will not be stuck waiting on staff or hoping you caught the right moment.

Still, the tour also offers professional photos for an additional fee. In feedback, some riders noted the paid photo offer was reasonably priced compared to what they expected, and others felt the photo push took too long.

So here is the practical take:

  • Plan to take your own photos throughout.
  • If the guide offers staged shots, decide in the moment whether you want them.
  • Do not assume you will spend the entire tour only in selfie mode. The tour is designed around landmark stops that also support the guide’s photo process.

If you go in with that mindset, you will likely feel like the photo time is part of the experience rather than a surprise detour.

Price and value: Is $44.10 fair for what you get?

At $44.10 per person, this is not a budget-only knockoff, and it is not described as a luxury full-day expedition. It is positioned as a quick, efficient way to get the signature Cabo highlights from the water.

What supports the value:

  • The clear boat component, which changes what you can see
  • A certified guide
  • Safety equipment provided
  • Admission included for the beach stop areas
  • A route that covers multiple landmarks rather than one long, single-site hover

What can affect perceived value:

  • The short duration means you will get lots of variety, but less linger time.
  • If you dislike organized photo selling, it can feel like you paid for a speed run plus a sales segment.

From a value standpoint, I think it is a smart buy if you want a single, easy excursion that checks off the big rock formations and gives you a good chance at fish and sea-life viewing below the surface. If you want more water time per stop, you might prefer a longer tour type.

Meeting point and timing: The part that can make or break your morning

The meeting point is listed as:

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

You start and end back here, so you can plan your Cabo day without needing a new transportation puzzle later. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation at booking time.

Two timing reminders that can save headaches:

  • The check-in process matters because the tour operates on a tight schedule for each stop.
  • If the water or conditions cause changes, staff can shift plans, since the experience requires good weather.

One other detail from rider feedback: the “advertised time” can refer to check-in, not exact departure. If you are trying to squeeze multiple activities into one day, give yourself a buffer at the start so you do not feel rushed.

Getting on and off: Easy for most, one caution for limited mobility

Most people can participate, and the tour allows service animals. Still, there is a practical physical note. Some riders mentioned a higher step when entering or exiting the boat, which can be tricky for anyone with impaired mobility.

If that applies to you or your group, consider bringing a little extra support, like a companion who can help you at the step area, and talk to the crew right away at check-in so they can assist.

Who should book this clear boat tour in Cabo?

This is a strong match if you:

  • Want maximum landmark variety in under an hour
  • Like wildlife viewing and enjoy looking down at the water
  • Care about photos and want plenty of chances to take your own with your phone
  • Prefer a smaller group setting with a clear route

You may want to skip or pair it with a different activity if you:

  • Need a longer time at one spot, because this is a short circuit
  • Get motion sick and do not want to take preemptive steps
  • Strongly dislike any photo-selling pressure and think any sales moment will ruin the vibe

The call: Should you book Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

My take is yes, if your goal is a short, efficient Cabo highlight loop with a real visual twist. The clear boat feature is the star here, and the route is built to show you the Arch, Pelican Rock, and the coastline contrast between Divorce Beach and Playa de los Amantes. Add in the chance of fish and sea lions below the surface, and you get a mix that feels both scenic and a little unexpected.

Book it especially if you are the type who wants one “signature” activity that you can fit into a busy day. If you are worried about the photo side of things, solve it with a simple plan: take your own phone shots early at each stop, then decide whether to join the guide’s photo moment.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and who you’re going with (couples, family ages, anyone motion sensitive). I can help you decide whether this timing fits your day in Cabo.

FAQ

How long is Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour?

It runs about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What is the price per person?

The price is $44.10 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What does the tour include?

It includes a certified guide, a full clear boat, safety equipment, and a tour covering the Arch, Land’s End, Pelican Rock, the Sea of Cortez, both beaches, and the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. Admission to the beaches is included as well.

Do I get to take my own photos?

Yes. You are encouraged to bring your phone for unlimited photo opportunities.

Are professional photos included?

No. Professional photos are available upon request for an additional fee.

How many people are on the boat?

The maximum is 12 travelers.

Where is the meeting point?

Envatours CaboMarina Sn Local 15 y 16 A, Centro, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

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