Snorkeling at Pelicans Rock

Pelican Rock gives you two Cabo experiences in one: a scenic boat ride around the famous Arch and a close look at the sea life below the Sea of Cortez. The maximum group size of 13 keeps the outing more personal than a large party boat.

I like the easy hotel pickup from San Jose del Cabo and the chance to see sea lions, rock formations, and colorful fish in a single outing. I also like that snorkeling gear and a professional guide are provided. One thing to check carefully before paying is the food and tequila offer, since the written details conflict about whether lunch and tasting are included.

Key points at a glance

• A 45-minute glass-bottom boat ride takes you past the Arch, Lands End, Lovers Beach, Divorce Beach, and a sea lion colony.
• Pelican Rock snorkeling lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the day and conditions.
• A maximum of 13 people allows the guide to give closer attention in the water.
• Hotel pickup is offered from San Jose del Cabo, with transport to the Cabo San Lucas marina.
• Guides and crew may include Jonathan, Shaggy, Captain Lupe, or Captain Edson, though assignments can change.
• Lunch and tequila tasting need confirmation, because they are promoted in some details but not clearly included in the stated inclusions.

From San Jose del Cabo to the Cabo marina

Your outing begins with pickup at your San Jose del Cabo hotel. The guide shares information during the ride to the Cabo San Lucas marina, so the transfer is not simply dead time. It also saves you the trouble of arranging your own taxi or finding the departure point.

The total experience lasts about two and a half hours. That is a useful length for a morning or afternoon plan, especially if you want time at the beach or another activity later in the day. The drive from San Jose del Cabo to the marina is part of the schedule, so keep that in mind when planning around meals, reservations, or airport transfers.

The group is capped at 13 people. That matters most once you enter the water. A guide can keep a better eye on the group, explain what you are seeing, and help less confident swimmers more easily than on a crowded boat.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity includes boarding a boat, handling snorkeling equipment, and swimming in open water. No special experience is listed as necessary, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions.

A glass-bottom view of Cabo’s famous rocks

At the marina, you board a glass-bottom boat for a 45-minute ride along the Cabo coastline. The boat gives you a useful first look at the water below, but the route is also about the scenery above it.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the star of this stretch. It rises where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, and the boat gives you views of the rock formations around Lands End. You also pass Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach, names that reflect how the coast changes from one side of the peninsula to the other.

The stops are not long beach visits. This is a sightseeing passage before the snorkeling portion, so think of it as a moving tour rather than a chance to get off and explore each place. That keeps the trip within two and a half hours, but it also means you should not book this outing expecting a full day at the Arch.

A sea lion colony is another highlight. You may see the animals resting on rocks or moving around the water near the boat. Along the route, you also have the chance to spot seabirds and other coastal wildlife. The boat ride gives you a broad sense of Cabo’s setting before you focus on the smaller world below the surface.

Pelican Rock and the Sea of Cortez

The boat heads to Pelican Rock, where you receive your snorkeling equipment and enter the water with a professional guide. The water here is the main event. The tour description points to large numbers of colorful tropical fish, and the experience is built around watching marine life in this particular area.

The snorkeling portion generally runs about 30 to 45 minutes. That is enough time to get comfortable, swim around the rock, and look for different species without making the outing feel like an endurance test. The exact time in the water can vary with sea conditions and the pace of the group.

A guide stays with you in the water. That is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling, since you can focus on breathing through the mask and moving calmly rather than trying to navigate alone. The guide can also point out fish and keep the group together.

You will want to move slowly. Quick strokes and splashing make it harder to see fish, while calm floating gives you a better view. The provided equipment keeps the packing list simple, though you should make sure the mask fits before leaving the boat or moving far from the group.

Pelican Rock is a good match for someone who wants a straightforward introduction to Cabo’s marine life. It is less suited to a dedicated snorkeler seeking a long session or several separate sites. The value here comes from combining one focused snorkeling stop with coastal sightseeing.

Guides who add personality to the trip

The guide team can shape the whole outing. Guides named Jonathan and Shaggy have led departures, while Captain Lupe and Captain Edson have handled boats. Assignments are not guaranteed, but the experience is designed around a guide and captain working together rather than leaving you to manage the route by yourself.

The strongest praise centers on clear instructions, humor, and useful facts about the rocks, birds, sea lions, and fish. That combination matters because a boat ride can feel like simple transport if no one explains what you are seeing. A good guide turns the route into a connected story about Cabo’s coast.

Shaggy, in particular, is described as bringing fun facts and a lively manner to the outing. Jonathan is also singled out for helping create a smooth experience with Captain Lupe. You should not book on the promise of one specific staff member, but these names give you a sense of the service style to expect.

The small group helps here. With no more than 13 people, the guide has a better chance to answer questions and give direct instructions. It also reduces the chance that you will spend the whole snorkeling session trying to keep up with a large cluster of swimmers.

Lunch and tequila: confirm before you go

The food and drink details need a careful look. The highlights describe a delicious lunch and tequila tasting, and one account praises both. However, the stated inclusions list only snorkeling equipment and the 45-minute glass-bottom boat ride. Another account says the port staff explained that lunch and tequila were not included.

That is a real difference, not a minor wording issue. At $109 per person, the tour may still offer fair value for hotel pickup, boat sightseeing, equipment, a guide, and the snorkel stop. But you should not calculate the price on the assumption that a meal and tasting are included.

Ask Cabo Day Trips to confirm the current inclusions before booking, especially if lunch is important to your plans. Also ask about the cost of any optional food, drink, or photos. The pricing for underwater photos is not clearly included, and one account specifically notes that photos cost extra and that no underwater photos were supplied as part of the tour.

This is also a good reason to bring realistic expectations about the word lunch. The available details do not specify the menu, serving time, or whether the meal is provided on the boat or after returning to shore. Confirmation avoids a surprise and lets you carry a snack if needed.

What the $109 price really buys

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get into the water around Cabo. You are paying for more than snorkeling alone: hotel pickup from San Jose del Cabo, transport to the marina, boat sightseeing, equipment, a guide, and a relatively small group.

The value is strongest if you are staying in San Jose del Cabo and want the transfer handled for you. It is also useful if your group includes different interests. Someone who prefers sightseeing gets the Arch, Lands End, and sea lions, while the stronger swimmers get time at Pelican Rock.

The price is less attractive if you are already near the marina, have your own equipment, or want a long snorkeling session. In that case, a simpler local boat or beach-based option might give you more time in the water for less money. This tour makes more sense as a compact Cabo sampler than as a specialist snorkeling expedition.

The group limit is an important part of the calculation. A maximum of 13 people is not the same as a private charter, but it should feel more manageable than a large boat carrying dozens of people. You get the convenience of an organized tour without committing to a full private outing.

Practical details that can make the day smoother

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring whatever personal sun protection you normally use. The supplied information confirms snorkeling equipment, but it does not specify towels, sunscreen, lockers, or changing facilities, so do not assume those items are provided.

Follow the guide’s instructions closely at Pelican Rock. Open-water snorkeling is more enjoyable when you stay with the group, keep a steady pace, and avoid touching rocks or animals. The guide is there to help you use the equipment and remain safe.

The outing requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the operation sends an itinerary and pickup information in advance. Check those details the day before, since the exact pickup time and meeting instructions matter more than a generic schedule.

The tour has included extra health and safety precautions since the Covid-19 period. Specific current measures are not listed, so ask the operator if you need details about cleaning, equipment handling, or group procedures.

Who will enjoy this Pelican Rock outing

I would choose this for a first-time snorkeler, a couple wanting a short water activity, or a family group with mixed swimming ability, provided everyone meets the moderate fitness requirement. The guide support and small group are more useful for beginners than an unguided rental.

It also suits anyone who wants Cabo’s signature sights without spending a full day on the water. The Arch and sea lion colony give the trip visual variety, while Pelican Rock provides the main active portion.

Strong snorkelers may find the water time brief. If your priority is exploring several sites, photographing marine life, or spending hours in the Sea of Cortez, you may want a longer specialized trip. The extra cost for photos also matters if underwater images are part of your goal.

The lunch uncertainty makes this a weaker choice for anyone who needs a guaranteed meal. Confirm that point first, then compare the final cost with other options.

Should you book Snorkeling at Pelicans Rock?

Book it if you want a well-organized half-day activity that joins Cabo sightseeing with one clear snorkeling stop. Hotel pickup, a capped group of 13, provided equipment, and an in-water guide make the outing easy to manage.

I would pause before booking if you want a long snorkel session, a private boat, or guaranteed lunch and tequila. The marine life and crew service sound like the strongest reasons to go, while the unclear food inclusions and extra photo charges are the main points to settle first.

For most visitors staying in San Jose del Cabo, this is a sensible choice when convenience matters as much as time in the water. Just confirm the current meal policy, photo costs, pickup details, and guide schedule before you commit.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling tour last?

The experience lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes in total. The glass-bottom boat ride lasts 45 minutes, and the snorkeling portion is described as roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

Where does the tour go?

The boat travels from the Cabo San Lucas marina past the Los Cabos Arch, Lands End, Lovers Beach, Divorce Beach, and a sea lion colony before reaching Pelican Rock.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in San Jose del Cabo, followed by transport to the Cabo San Lucas marina.

What is included in the price?

The stated inclusions are use of snorkeling equipment and a 45-minute glass-bottom boat ride. Confirm the current policy for lunch, tequila tasting, and photos before booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 13 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, while a cancellation caused by poor weather offers a different date or a full refund.