Open Ocean Safari and Whale Watching

Cabo’s most exciting wildlife trips happen when the plan gives nature room to surprise you. This four-hour safari heads from the marina toward El Arco, Pelican Rock, and the Sea of Cortez, with time to look for humpback and gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, rays, and other marine life. Some outings have produced cownose rays, a marlin, and whales breaching close by.

I like two things right away: the small group, capped at 10, and the clear focus on respectful encounters. I also like that photos and videos are included, since it is hard to watch a whale and manage a camera at the same time. The main caution is simple: this is wild nature, not a fixed menu. One outing may deliver whales and little else, and time in the water can be brief.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale watching is only part of the story: You may also see dolphins, sea lions, sharks, Mobula rays, marlin, and reef fish.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 10 people allows the crew to adjust the outing around conditions and wildlife.
• El Arco adds a classic Cabo moment: The famous rock formation is part of the route, with time for photographs.
• Snorkeling is included, but not guaranteed for a set length: One outing had only about three minutes in the water while the crew searched for rays.
• Photo and video coverage adds real value: Crew members such as Kyla have taken group pictures, while underwater and drone footage may capture the animals and your time on the water.
• Budget an extra wetsuit charge: One participant paid $15 for a wetsuit, a cost worth confirming before departure.

Why this Cabo safari feels different

Many boat trips around Cabo follow a short sightseeing route, point out El Arco, and return to port. This one is built around searching for animals in open water. That changes the rhythm. You spend less time ticking off fixed sights and more time watching the sea for a fin, splash, wing, or blow.

The setting helps. Cabo sits where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, giving the crew access to different marine habitats. The route can bring you past the iconic rock formations, along rocky points where sea lions gather, and toward open water where whales and dolphins may appear.

The strongest reason to book is the range of possible encounters. A single outing has included a large group of cownose rays, dolphins playing near sea lions, a humpback whale, a marlin, and colorful fish over coral reefs. That is an extraordinary result, but you should treat it as a lucky combination rather than a promise.

The crew’s attitude matters just as much as the wildlife list. The stated approach is to keep animals’ welfare at the center of the outing and avoid forcing contact. That is especially important when marine life comes close. You are there to observe, not to turn the ocean into a petting zoo.

The team has included guides named Nick, Rafa, Alex, and Kyla. Nick has provided detailed explanations of local marine life, Alex has been praised for patient and persistent searching, and Kyla has handled group photography. The exact crew can vary, but the trip is clearly shaped by people who care about the animals and want to share what they know.

Leaving Dock C for El Arco

The meeting point is Dock C at the Marina del Rey, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas. The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity returns to the same point after about four hours.

Starting in the marina keeps the morning simple. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer from another part of Cabo based on the information provided. The activity is also near public transportation, which helps if you are staying without a rental car.

The first stop is El Arco, Cabo’s signature rock formation at the tip of the Baja peninsula. It is the familiar postcard view, but it has more value here than a quick photo stop. The rock marks the meeting point of two major bodies of water and gives you a striking opening to the day.

You may get time for photographs of the arch and the people in your group. One outing included repeated group pictures, and the photo service can be useful because taking a good shot from a moving boat is not easy. Ask early how many finished images are included and what costs extra, since one participant received 10 free photos and was charged separately for additional material.

El Arco is also a reminder that the trip has two sides. You get a famous Cabo landmark, but the real purpose is the search beyond it. If you want a sightseeing cruise focused mainly on the arch and shoreline, a shorter standard boat trip may be a better fit.

Pelican Rock and the first chance to get in the water

Pelican Rock is the second listed stop. It is associated with clear water, rocky surroundings, and snorkeling opportunities, though the exact conditions and time spent here depend on the day.

Snorkeling gear is included, along with bottled water and snacks. The crew may also provide a wetsuit, but you should confirm the charge before departure. One participant paid $15 for a wetsuit and felt that this extra cost had not been made clear during booking.

The water portion can be rewarding. One outing ended over coral reefs with colorful fish, while another had a short attempt to locate rays. That contrast tells you how flexible the activity must be. If wildlife is moving through another area, the crew may spend more time searching there rather than holding to a rigid snorkeling schedule.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness for this outing. The activity involves being on the ocean, handling snorkeling gear, and possibly entering the water. No exact swimming requirements are provided, so if you are not a confident swimmer, ask the operator how they handle water entry and support before paying.

Keep your expectations realistic about the length of the swim. The advertised duration is about four hours, but that does not mean you will spend hours in the water. The boat ride, animal searches, photography, and changing sea conditions all use part of the morning.

The Sea of Cortez search

The open-water portion is where the safari earns its name. The crew searches for whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, Mobula rays, and other creatures rather than following a guaranteed sequence of sightings.

Humpback whales are a major possibility, especially in the season when they pass through Cabo waters. Gray whales have also appeared. You might see a blow in the distance, a back rolling through the water, or the much rarer sight of a breach. Two breaches were seen on one outing, but that kind of moment cannot be scheduled.

Dolphins and sea lions can add a different kind of energy. Dolphins may travel alongside the boat or play near sea lions. Their movement is fast, so the included photos and videos are especially useful here. You can keep watching instead of trying to frame every jump.

Mobula and cownose rays are another reason to choose this trip. Large groups of rays moving below the surface can be an unforgettable sight, but they may be harder to find than whales. One outing produced a huge flock of cownose rays, while another spent only about three minutes in the water trying to locate rays before returning earlier than planned.

Sharks and marlin are possible too. The list of possible wildlife is broad, but none of it is guaranteed. That is not a weakness in the natural setting. It is simply the tradeoff for booking a genuine wildlife search rather than a show with trained animals.

The crew’s stated priority is to avoid disturbing marine life. That can mean keeping a respectful distance, waiting for animals to choose their own approach, or changing plans when conditions shift. For me, that is a better standard than chasing the closest possible encounter at any cost.

Small groups, patient guides, and photo coverage

A maximum of 10 people is one of the strongest practical features. A small boat group is easier to organize, and you are less likely to feel lost when the crew explains what you are seeing. It also gives the boat more freedom to respond to conditions.

The guide quality appears important to the experience. Nick has explained marine life in the area, and Alex has been singled out for patient, positive work in finding as much wildlife as possible. Kyla has taken photos at El Arco and during the outing. The team has also been described as caring and respectful toward animals.

You should still allow for variation. One participant found a guide kind but relatively new to Cabo and less able to answer local questions. That does not mean the trip will be poorly led, but it is a useful reminder that the exact person on board can shape the day.

The included media is a meaningful benefit at $215 per person. A wildlife trip can leave you with a full memory card and no good picture of the moment. Underwater photos, drone footage, and images of you near the scenery can help preserve the day.

Confirm the details before boarding. The activity includes photos and videos, but one outing came with 10 free photos and an additional charge for the rest. Ask whether the package includes all available files or a set number, and confirm the wetsuit fee as well.

Is $215 a fair price?

At $215 per person, this is not a cheap morning on the water. The value depends on what you want from Cabo.

The price makes more sense if you value a small group, an active wildlife search, marine-life guidance, snorkeling equipment, snacks, water, and photo or video coverage. A lucky outing with whales, dolphins, rays, sea lions, reef fish, and a marlin could feel like a very strong return.

The value is less clear if your main goal is a long snorkeling session or a guaranteed whale sighting. One outing had spectacular whales but almost no time in the water. Another finished slightly early after the search did not produce the hoped-for variety.

Think of this as paying for access, crew effort, and the chance at unusual encounters, not for a fixed collection of animals. The team can search hard, but it cannot control the sea. If that uncertainty would leave you frustrated, choose a more predictable sightseeing or snorkeling activity.

The included media helps soften the price, but extra charges matter. Confirm the wetsuit cost and photo allowance before booking so the final total does not surprise you.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this safari to you if you are excited by marine life and can handle an unpredictable schedule. It suits people who would rather spend a morning searching for a whale or ray than follow a fixed sightseeing route.

It is also a good match for photographers and wildlife fans. The boat may produce unusual subjects, and the crew’s own photography can capture moments that are difficult to manage yourself. The presence of experienced freedivers and marine-life photographers on one outing also suggests that the format appeals to people who take ocean wildlife seriously.

Families and first-time snorkelers may enjoy it too, but you should consider the physical side. The activity calls for moderate fitness, and the water portion can change with sea conditions. Ask questions before booking if anyone in your group is uneasy in open water.

This is not the best pick for someone who needs a guaranteed list of sightings, a long swim, or a perfectly fixed return time. Wildlife trips require patience, and the boat may spend time looking without finding every species you hoped for.

The operator accepts service animals, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English and returns to the starting dock.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Book with flexibility in your schedule. One participant advised leaving room around the outing because local activities do not always run exactly as confirmed. The practical move is to confirm the departure directly with Apex Ocean Divers rather than relying only on the original booking message.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Cabo time.

Should you book the open ocean safari?

Book it if you want a serious wildlife search with a small group and are happy to let the ocean set the schedule. The best reason to go is the possibility of combining Cabo scenery with whales, dolphins, rays, sea lions, reef fish, and other marine life in one morning.

Before you commit, confirm the $15 wetsuit charge, the number of included photos, and the day’s expected water conditions. Then leave some space in your plans and bring patience. If you accept that nature may give you a spectacular whale morning or a shorter, less varied outing, this can be a memorable and ethical way to see Cabo from the water.

FAQ

How long does the open ocean safari last?

The activity lasts about four hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Dock C, Marina del Rey, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the original meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, photos and videos of the experience, and a guide are included.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include Mobula rays, cownose rays, humpback whales, gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, marlin, and colorful reef fish. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If bad weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.