Open Ocean Safari and Whale Watching

Cabo’s best wildlife encounters can happen fast: a humpback breach, a marlin cutting across the water, or a flock of cownose rays spreading below the boat. This four-hour open ocean safari searches the Pacific and Sea of Cortez for that kind of surprise, with time at El Arco, Pelican Rock, and a reef area for snorkeling.

I like the small group of no more than 10, which gives the guides room to adjust their search and keeps the outing more personal. I also like the clear respect for marine life, plus the useful extras: snorkeling gear, snacks, bottled water, and photos and video.

The catch is simple: nature makes the schedule. You could see whales, dolphins, rays, sea lions, sharks, and colorful fish, or you could spend much of the trip searching. A wetsuit may also cost an extra $15, and the water time can be brief if conditions or sightings do not cooperate.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale sightings can be spectacular: Humpback and grey whales have been seen, including breaches, but no species is guaranteed.
• Small groups matter: The boat carries a maximum of 10 people, a good setup for wildlife watching and personal help in the water.
• Three distinct settings: You visit El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, and the Sea of Cortez.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: Equipment, snacks, water, photos, and video are included, though swimming time depends on conditions.
• The crew aims for respectful encounters: The stated priority is the safety and wellbeing of the animals and people.
• Build in schedule flexibility: The trip lasts about four hours, but sightings, weather, and ocean conditions can affect the day.

What this Cabo ocean safari is really about

This is not a simple harbor cruise with a quick look at the Arch. It is an active search for marine life, using Cabo’s meeting point as a launchpad for the open water.

The best part is the range of possible sightings. You might see humpback or grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, mobula rays, cownose rays, marlin, and reef fish. That list is exciting, but it is also a reminder to keep your expectations sensible. The ocean does not follow an itinerary.

Some outings produce a remarkable mix of wildlife. One four-hour trip included cownose rays, dolphins playing near sea lions, a humpback whale, a marlin, the Arch, and snorkeling over reefs filled with colorful fish. Another outing brought many whales and two breaches but almost nothing else.

That contrast tells you how to judge this experience. You are paying for the crew’s effort, local searching, a small boat setting, equipment, and the chance at a memorable encounter. You are not buying a guaranteed checklist of animals.

Leaving from Marina del Rey at 9:00 a.m.

The tour starts at Dock C in Marina del Rey, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in central Cabo San Lucas. It returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the morning simple if you are staying near the marina or arranging your own transport.

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the outing takes about four hours. That usually leaves part of the afternoon free, but I would not schedule an important activity immediately afterward. One important practical tip is to confirm the departure directly with Apex Ocean Divers before the day. A booking can be confirmed while last-minute changes still occur, and notice may not always be generous.

The maximum group size is 10. That is one of the strongest practical features here. A small group means fewer people competing for the best view, less time spent organizing everyone, and a better chance to ask the guide questions. It also helps the crew respond to changing conditions without handling a large crowd.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness, since the day involves being on a boat and may include getting into the water.

El Arco: Cabo’s signature opening scene

The first listed stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the famous rock formation at the tip of the Baja peninsula. It is the place for classic Cabo photographs, with steep golden rock, open sea, and the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez.

This stop gives the trip a strong visual beginning, even if the wildlife is quiet. It also helps you understand Cabo’s unusual position. The waters around the tip bring together different conditions and currents, which is part of why the area can attract such a wide mix of marine life.

Do not think of El Arco as the main event, though. The photo stop is valuable, but the safari is built around searching beyond the iconic rock. A guide may take pictures of you here, and the included photo and video service can help you go home with more than phone snapshots.

The amount of time at the Arch is not specified, so you should not expect a long shore-style visit. This is a boat-based wildlife trip, not a sightseeing tour devoted to Cabo’s landmarks.

Pelican Rock and the chance to get in the water

Pelican Rock is the second listed stop and a familiar snorkeling area near Cabo. The exact water conditions determine how useful this part of the outing becomes.

The tour provides snorkeling equipment, and the plan may include looking for fish and rays. A successful outing can bring you close to mobula or cownose rays and let you watch reef fish below the surface. Some people have had only a few minutes in the water while the guides searched for rays, so I would treat snorkeling as a possibility rather than the central guarantee.

This distinction matters if you are choosing between a wildlife safari and a standard snorkeling trip. If you mainly want a long, relaxed swim, this may not be the best fit. If you want a flexible day that combines wildlife searching, scenic stops, and some time in the water, the format makes more sense.

A wetsuit is not listed among the included items. One person paid $15 for one, so ask Apex Ocean Divers about current wetsuit costs before you go. Bring a swimsuit and sun protection, but do not assume every piece of water gear is included simply because snorkeling equipment is supplied.

Searching the Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez is where the trip’s main purpose comes into focus. The crew searches for active wildlife rather than following a fixed animal route.

Whales are among the most likely highlights during the right season, though the supplied information does not specify dates or guarantee sightings. Humpback and grey whales have both been seen, and breaches are possible. A whale surfacing nearby can make the whole morning worthwhile, even if the rest of the search is quiet.

Dolphins and sea lions add movement and personality. You might see dolphins traveling or playing near sea lions, while rays can form large groups beneath the boat. Sharks and marlin are also possible. The word possible is important here. These animals are wild, and the crew cannot direct them into view.

The guides’ role is not only to find animals but to read the water and choose respectful approaches. Apex Ocean Divers describes animal welfare as a core priority. That means you should expect the crew to avoid forcing contact or crowding wildlife, even if a closer approach might produce a better photograph.

For me, that is a real strength. Responsible wildlife watching is not just a pleasant idea. It affects how calm the animals remain and whether these encounters can continue without harm. You may occasionally wish the boat could stay longer or move closer, but restraint is part of a responsible outing.

Guides, photos, and the human side of the trip

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names connected with the outing include Alex, Nick, Rafa, and Kyla. Alex has been singled out for patience, care, and persistent effort in searching for wildlife. Nick has been praised for explaining the marine life in the area, while Nick and Rafa have worked together as a strong team. Kyla has handled photographs at the Arch.

Because the exact crew can vary, you should not assume all four will be aboard on your date. Still, the pattern is clear: this is meant to be guide-led, not a bare boat ride where you are left to identify animals on your own.

Photos and video are included, which adds value to a water activity where it can be hard to use your own camera. Underwater images and drone footage may capture moments that you miss while watching the sea. The amount included deserves a check before departure, since one outing provided 10 free photos and charged extra for additional images.

That detail does not ruin the package, but it is worth knowing. If you care about professional footage, ask what the included allotment covers and what extra images or videos cost.

What the $215 price buys you

At $215 per person, this is not a casual budget boat ride. The price makes the most sense if you place a high value on a small group, a focused wildlife search, a guide, and photo coverage.

You are paying for about four hours on the water, a maximum of 10 people, snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, a guide, and photos and video. The small capacity is important. Many cheaper boat trips fill more seats and spend less time adapting to what the group wants.

The value is strongest when you see several species or have a memorable whale encounter. A breach, a pod of dolphins, or rays moving beneath the boat can make this a highlight of a Cabo visit. The value is weaker if the water is rough, wildlife stays distant, or you are hoping for a long snorkeling session.

I would compare this price with your priorities, not with the cost of a basic coastal cruise. If your goal is a scenic ride and a photo at El Arco, less expensive options may do the job. If you want a serious attempt to find marine life with a small crew, the higher price is easier to justify.

The main risk: nature controls the score

The most important limitation is also the reason people book. You cannot control what appears.

One day might bring whales, dolphins, sea lions, rays, fish, and a marlin. Another might bring many whales but no rays, dolphins, or sea lions. One outing ended a little early after the search did not produce more sightings. That is disappointing when you have paid $215, but it is not evidence that the crew can guarantee better results.

You should also prepare for changing plans. A wildlife boat may alter its route, spend more time in one area, or cut water time short. The operator requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the outing, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

The cancellation rule is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Inside 24 hours, you do not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted. Since the tour is often booked about 22 days ahead, it is wise to decide early while keeping the cancellation deadline in mind.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you are excited by wild animals rather than fixed attractions. It suits people who can stay patient when the boat is searching and who understand that the best moments may last only seconds.

It is also a good fit for photographers, snorkelers who want wildlife as part of the day, and couples or families who prefer a small group. The included media is useful if you want underwater or aerial images without managing a camera in the water.

You may want a different outing if you need a guaranteed schedule, a long swim, or a specific species. It is also not ideal for anyone who becomes frustrated when an animal does not appear on cue.

Pack patience and flexibility. Ask about the wetsuit fee, confirm the departure, and leave room after the four-hour estimate. Those small steps can prevent the most common disappointments.

Should you book the Open Ocean Safari?

Book it if you want Cabo wildlife watching with a real chance of whales, dolphins, rays, sea lions, and other marine life, and if you value a small group that treats animals with care. The high points can be extraordinary, and the guide effort, equipment, refreshments, and media support add real value.

Skip it if your main goal is guaranteed snorkeling time or a predictable sightseeing route. This is an ocean search, not an amusement ride. The best reason to book is not the promise of a particular animal. It is the chance to spend a focused morning on the water with a crew that keeps looking, while leaving the final score to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the Open Ocean Safari start?

It starts at Dock C, Marina del Rey, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the tour begin?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the starting meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What animals might I see?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with snacks and bottled water.

Are photos and videos included?

Photos and videos of the experience are included. The amount provided and any charge for additional media should be confirmed with the operator, since an extra photo fee has applied on at least one outing.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather or failure to meet the minimum group size cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.