Open Ocean Safari and Whale Watching

The biggest draw here is the chance to see several kinds of marine life in one morning, from humpback whales and dolphins to mobula rays, sea lions, and perhaps even a marlin. The four-hour trip also includes time at El Arco, snorkeling near Pelican Rock, and photos and video, so you get more than a simple whale-watching ride.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the crew room to adjust the plan and keep encounters calm. I also like the clear conservation-minded approach: the guides aim to find wildlife without forcing animals to approach boats or swimmers. The main caution is simple: this is wild nature, not a scheduled animal show. You could see an astonishing range of species, or spend most of the morning with whales and little else.

Key points at a glance

• Wildlife changes by the day: Humpback and grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, mobula rays, sharks, marlin, and colorful reef fish are all possible, but none are promised.
• Small boat group: The maximum is 10 people, a useful size for photography, questions, and getting in and out of the water.
• Three-part route: You visit El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, and the Sea of Cortez during roughly four hours.
• Marine-life-minded guiding: The team focuses on respectful encounters and gives animals space rather than treating them like a guaranteed performance.
• Photos and video included: The trip provides visual memories, with one booking experience noting 10 complimentary photos and a possible extra charge for additional images.
• Plan for changing conditions: A wetsuit may cost an additional $15, according to one detailed account, and the amount of time in the water can vary sharply.

A four-hour search for Cabo’s wild side

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise that circles El Arco, hands you a drink, and heads back to the marina. The purpose is to search open water for animals, then make the most of conditions at several stops.

That makes the outing exciting, but it also means the schedule is flexible in practice. The crew may spend more time in one area if whales are active, or cut a water stop short if conditions or wildlife do not cooperate. If you need every minute to follow a fixed plan, this may feel loose. If you enjoy the feeling of searching for something real, the format makes sense.

The trip begins at 9:00 am from Dock C at Marina del Rey on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas. It returns to the same meeting point after about four hours. The activity is offered in English, and a guide is included.

The group limit matters here. Ten people is small enough that you should not feel lost in a crowd, and it gives the guides a practical chance to help with snorkeling gear, answer questions, and position the boat for sightings. Names connected with the operation include Nick, Rafa, Alex, and Kyla. Individual staffing can vary, so you should not assume a particular guide on your date.

El Arco gives the morning its Cabo postcard

The first listed stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the famous rock formation where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Even if the animals keep their distance, this is a worthwhile part of the outing because it gives you the signature Cabo view from the water.

The stop also works well for photos. One detailed account describes Kyla patiently taking plenty of pictures around the Arch. That is useful for couples, families, and anyone who wants more than a quick phone snapshot while balancing on a moving boat.

Still, El Arco is not the main reason to book this trip. It is a scenic landmark, not a guarantee of marine life. You can see it on many other boat outings in Cabo. The difference here is that the Arch forms one piece of a broader morning focused on wildlife.

Bring realistic expectations about photography. Photos and videos are included, but one account specifically refers to 10 free photos, with an added payment for more. Ask the crew how the image package works before setting your heart on a full gallery.

Pelican Rock is the water stop with the most uncertainty

Pelican Rock is listed as the second stop and is used for snorkeling. This is where you may see reef fish and, with luck, mobula rays or other animals moving through the area.

The snorkeling can be excellent. One outing ended at coral reefs with many colorful fish, while another had only about three minutes in the water while the crew searched for rays. Both possibilities fit the nature of the activity. The ocean decides what is nearby, and safety or animal behavior can limit the time you spend swimming.

That uncertainty is the biggest practical issue to understand before paying $215. You are not buying a set amount of snorkeling time. You are paying for a small-group search across several marine areas, with snorkeling included when conditions and wildlife make it sensible.

A wetsuit may be useful, but it is not clearly included in the listed equipment. One person paid $15 for one and felt the extra cost should have been disclosed more clearly. If you expect to enter the water, ask about wetsuit availability and price before departure. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and snacks are included.

The Sea of Cortez is where the real surprises happen

The open-water portion is the heart of the trip. The crew searches the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez for moving wildlife, often adjusting course in response to what they spot.

Possible sightings include humpback whales, grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, mobula rays, marlin, and other marine life. One particularly productive four-hour outing included a large group of cownose rays, dolphins playing near sea lions, a humpback whale, a marlin, and reef fish. Another morning produced many humpback and grey whales, including two breaches, but little else.

That contrast tells you exactly how to judge the safari. A full list of species is possible, not promised. Whales can dominate the day, which many people will consider a fine trade. If your main goal is swimming with rays, dolphins, or sea lions, you need to accept that you might not get into the water for long, or at all, if conditions are not right.

The guides make a serious effort to locate animals while keeping the encounters respectful. The stated aim is to protect the wellbeing of both marine life and people in the water. That approach may mean fewer close approaches and less chasing. I consider that a good trade, but it can feel less satisfying if you expect constant action.

The guides shape the quality of the morning

The strongest praise for this experience focuses on the crew’s attitude. Nick and Rafa are described as an effective team, with Nick sharing information about local marine life. Alex is noted for patience, care, and persistent effort in searching for animals. Kyla is associated with taking photos at El Arco.

Those details matter because an open-ocean safari can otherwise become a long stretch of waiting. A guide who explains what you are seeing, why the boat is changing course, and how to behave around animals gives the morning more purpose.

The operation also appears to attract people who care deeply about marine life, including experienced free divers and marine photographers. That does not mean you need special skills. It does suggest that the crew is comfortable around people who want thoughtful, responsible encounters rather than a fast ride and a checklist of sights.

You should still keep your own expectations in check. One guide was described as warm but fairly new to Cabo and less informed about the town itself. This is primarily a marine excursion, so the quality of wildlife guidance matters more than a broad city tour.

What $215 buys you

At $215 per person, this is a costly half-day activity. The value depends on what you want from the water.

You receive about four hours, a small group capped at 10, snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, a guide, and photos and video of the experience. You also get a chance to see El Arco and search a wider area than a simple landmark cruise usually covers.

The small group is the key value point. A cheaper boat with a much larger load of people may offer a similar view of the Arch, but it will not necessarily give you the same access to guides or the same ease when getting ready to snorkel. The wildlife search also requires a crew willing to spend time looking, rather than following a simple sightseeing loop.

Still, the price does not buy certainty. It does not guarantee whales, rays, dolphins, or swimming time. You may see several headline species in one morning, or mostly whales. The possible $15 wetsuit charge also raises the true cost, so budget for that if you expect to enter the water.

For me, the price is easiest to justify if marine life is the main reason you are in Cabo and you value a small, focused boat. It is harder to justify if you mainly want El Arco photos, since less expensive sightseeing trips can provide those.

Fitness, comfort, and practical planning

A moderate level of physical fitness is advised. You need to manage a boat outing and snorkeling equipment, and you should be comfortable with the possibility of entering open water. The activity is not described as requiring advanced swimming or free-diving skills, but you should be honest about your comfort in the sea.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The booking provides a mobile ticket, and confirmation is issued at the time of booking.

Wear practical swim gear and bring anything you need for sun protection, though only the included supplies are confirmed here. The operator provides bottled water and snacks, but the information does not specify the type or amount of food. I would keep the morning after the tour flexible. One detailed account advises patience with timing and confirmation, and another outing returned early after wildlife searches did not produce the hoped-for sightings.

That scheduling point is worth taking seriously. Confirm directly with Apex Ocean Divers before the day of departure, even though your booking confirmation has already arrived. It is a simple step that can prevent a wasted morning.

The experience is offered in English. Since the group is small, ask questions as you go. You will get more from the outing if you learn to recognize the animals, understand the rules around them, and hear why the crew chooses one area over another.

Weather and cancellation rules

The sea controls this activity. If bad weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached and the operator cancels.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses Cabo San Lucas local time.

These rules are fairly clear, but the practical point is to avoid placing the safari at the end of a tightly packed vacation schedule. A weather cancellation may be handled well, yet you may not have another open morning for a replacement.

Who will enjoy this ocean safari most

I would choose this for someone who puts marine life ahead of a fixed itinerary. You will probably appreciate the trip most if you are happy to wait, search, and accept that the sea decides what appears.

It suits:

• People who want a small group rather than a crowded boat
• Snorkelers with moderate fitness
• Photographers who value supplied photos and video
• Visitors who care about respectful treatment of wildlife
• Anyone hoping to combine El Arco with a serious marine-life search

I would think twice if you need guaranteed snorkeling time, dislike open-water uncertainty, or want a simple, low-cost landmark cruise. Families may enjoy it, but the data provided does not specify a minimum age, child policy, or exact boat facilities, so ask before booking with young children.

Should you book the Apex Ocean Divers safari?

Book it if your priority is the chance to see wild animals in a small group, with guides who appear to care about both the animals and the quality of your experience. The strongest days can be remarkable: whales, dolphins, sea lions, rays, marlin, reef fish, and the Arch in one four-hour outing is a lot of Cabo for a morning.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed species list or a set amount of time in the water. The $215 price is fair only if you value the crew’s effort, small group, included media, and broad search more than certainty. Confirm the departure directly, ask about the $15 wetsuit charge, and leave room in your schedule.

If that sounds like the right kind of adventure, this is one of the more focused ways to meet Cabo’s ocean life without treating the sea like a theme park.

FAQ

Where does the ocean safari begin?

It begins at Dock C, Marina del Rey, Boulevard Paseo de la Marina, Centro, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include mobula rays, sea lions, dolphins, sharks, humpback whales, grey whales, marlin, and other ocean creatures. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling is part of the planned experience. The amount of time in the water can vary.

Are food and photos included?

Snacks, bottled water, photos and video of the experience, and a guide are included. One account notes 10 complimentary photos and an additional payment for more images.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may result in another date or a full refund.