Reviewed · GLASS-BOTTOM & TRANSPARENT BOAT TOURS

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!

★ 4.0 · 13 reviews 1 hour (approx.) From $10 Operated by Go n Travel in Cabo · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Cabo’s famous Arch is easy to see from shore, but a fully transparent boat gives you a second show beneath the waves. As you cruise around Land’s End, you can look down at tropical fish and reefs while also taking in Pelican Rock, Love Beach, Divorce Beach, and the meeting point of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez.

I like the low price, especially if you are comparing this with larger cruise excursions. I also like the small touches that make the ride more fun: guides such as Luis and Carlos explain the rock formations and local history, while the onboard photographer takes pictures around the Arch. The main concern is communication about pickup, which has caused serious frustration for some customers, so confirm every meeting detail before tour day.

  • A real see-through boat: The clear hull lets you watch marine life below your feet while the Arch and Cabo’s rocks rise around you.
  • A focused one-hour outing: The ride lasts about 50 minutes to one hour, making it easy to fit into a cruise stop or free morning.
  • Excellent Cabo photo angles: The route includes the Arch, Pelican Rock, Love Beach, Divorce Beach, and the Window of the Pacific.
  • Pickup costs extra: Hotel or one-way pickup is available for $13 per person and must be arranged at least 24 hours ahead.
  • The boat is not a beach excursion: The named beaches are sightseeing stops from the water, with no beach time or landing described.
  • Weather and communication matter: The tour requires good conditions, and you should confirm the exact meeting place before setting out.

Why the Clear Boat Makes This Cabo Ride Different

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Why the Clear Boat Makes This Cabo Ride Different

Most boat tours around Cabo San Lucas focus on the view above the water. This one adds a second layer. The transparent hull lets you look down at fish and reef areas as the boat moves through the Sea of Cortez.

That feature is the reason to choose this trip. The boat is not a glass-bottom section added to a standard vessel. It is described as 100 percent transparent, with safety equipment, insurance, and certified crew included. The underwater view will depend on sunlight, water clarity, and your position in the boat, but it gives the ride something extra beyond a simple photo run to the Arch.

The setting helps. Cabo’s Land’s End rock formations are dramatic from any angle, yet they are especially striking from the water. The Arch, Pelican Rock, and the rocks beside Love Beach form a compact cluster, so you see several of Cabo’s signature sights during a short outing.

The Arch, Pelican Rock, and Cabo’s Famous Beaches

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - The Arch, Pelican Rock, and Cabo’s Famous Beaches

The main stop is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, the pale rock formation that marks the end of the Baja California peninsula. The boat approaches the Arch for photographs and a close look at the surrounding rock walls.

Pelican Rock is another good photo point. It sits near the Arch and is part of the same rocky area where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The route also includes the Window of the Pacific, a natural opening through the rocks that gives you another memorable frame.

Love Beach and Divorce Beach are viewed from the boat. Their names refer to their different sides of Land’s End: Love Beach faces the calmer Sea of Cortez, while Divorce Beach faces the rougher Pacific side. The distinction is useful, but do not treat this tour as a beach visit. The posted plan gives each location only a few minutes as a sightseeing point, and it does not describe time ashore.

Medano Beach, Cabo San Lucas Beach, Santa Maria Beach, and Playa el Chileno also appear among the route points. These names describe the wider bay and coastline you pass while cruising. You are not promised a stop, swim, or landing at each one. Think of the trip as a moving tour of Cabo’s shore, not a beach-hopping day.

What You See Under the Boat

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - What You See Under the Boat

The clear hull is most useful when the boat passes over shallow, clear water. The trip is designed to show tropical fish, reefs, and other marine life below the boat, along with sea lions when conditions and location allow.

You may find that the underwater view is strongest when the sun is high. The information does not promise a specific species count or a dedicated snorkeling session, so set your expectations correctly. You are looking through the boat rather than getting into the water.

That makes this a good option for families or anyone who wants a marine-life glimpse without swimming. It is also handy for a short port visit when changing clothes and carrying wet gear would waste time. The experience combines wildlife viewing with the classic Cabo rock tour in one compact ride.

One customer also described spotting whales on the return trip. That is a welcome possibility, not a guaranteed part of the excursion. The advertised focus remains the Arch, the rock formations, tropical fish, reefs, and beaches around Land’s End.

A One-Hour Route With Many Named Stops

The route lists 12 points, but the short time assigned to each one can make the plan look more extensive than it is. In practice, the tour is a continuous cruise with brief viewing points rather than 12 separate visits.

You begin around the Marina Cabo San Lucas area or another confirmed meeting point, then head toward the Arch and Land’s End. The captain and guide cover the Sea of Cortez, Cabo’s rock formations, and the marine life below.

The listed places include:

  • The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
  • Medano Beach
  • Playa de los Amantes, also known as Love Beach
  • Divorce Beach
  • Parroquia San Lucas
  • Playa el Chileno
  • Mount Solmar
  • Marina Cabo San Lucas
  • Santa Maria Beach
  • Cabo San Lucas Beach
  • Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas
  • Pelican Rock

Some entries are geographic markers rather than formal stops. Parroquia San Lucas, for example, is presented as part of the tour route, while Mount Solmar and Pedregal help frame Cabo’s coastal setting. The precise order can vary with local operating conditions.

The advertised ride lasts approximately one hour, with another description putting the actual tour portion at about 50 minutes. That is enough time for the major sights, but not enough for a slow, lingering cruise at every location. If you want a long wildlife outing, a sunset sail, or time on the sand, choose a different type of boat trip.

Guides, Captains, and the Photo Service

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Guides, Captains, and the Photo Service

A certified captain and guide are included. The guide explains the marine life and rock formations, and the crew may also share information about Cabo and Baja California. Carlos received praise for his explanations of Baja and Mexico, while Luis was noted for keeping the mood light and taking pictures around the Arch.

Other named crew members connected with positive experiences include Nacho, Arnold, Rodrigo, Emilio, Yael, and Kareem. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one particular person. Still, the repeated pattern is useful: the human side of the trip can add much to a short boat ride.

Photos are available for purchase, but they are not included in the ticket. You can also take your own pictures during the cruise. If you want an Arch portrait without relying on the photographer, keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it carefully around the water.

Music has also been part of the onboard atmosphere on at least one departure. That may appeal to you if you want a lively outing, though the core value remains the boat design and the scenery rather than a formal music program.

Is the $10.70 Fare a Good Deal?

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Is the $10.70 Fare a Good Deal?

At $10.70 per person, the base fare is unusually low for a one-hour Cabo boat ride. You receive the clear boat, life jacket, safety equipment, certified guide, captain, insurance, and included taxes and fees.

The price becomes less simple once you add the extras. The dock fee is $5 per person. Round-trip hotel transportation costs $13 per person, and one-way pickup is also listed at $13 per person. Photos and tips cost extra.

That means a person using hotel pickup should budget at least $28 before any tip or photo purchase: $10.70 for the ride, $13 for transportation, and $5 for the dock fee. Confirm the current transportation price before paying because one note also shows a $10 amount, while the detailed pickup information states $13.

For a cruise passenger meeting near the terminal or marina, the base fare plus dock fee may be a strong value. Several positive experiences describe convenient cruise-terminal meeting arrangements, including pickup near the terminal door. That convenience can save you a taxi and reduce the worry of finding the marina.

The value is weaker if you expect a long excursion, an included photo package, or beach access. This is a short, focused sightseeing ride. At the right price, it is a useful add-on, not a full day on the water.

Pickup Is the Part You Should Handle Carefully

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Pickup Is the Part You Should Handle Carefully

Transportation is available, but it is not automatic. You must contact the operator through the booking platform at least 24 hours before departure to request it and confirm the pickup time and location.

Available transportation times are listed as 9:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 3:40 p.m., and 5:20 p.m. You should be in your hotel lobby five minutes before the confirmed pickup time. Drivers may wait only five minutes after that time.

The pickup instructions have been a weak point. Some customers had trouble getting answers about the meeting location, and at least one reported missing a ride after being told to meet near Señor Frogs and Monkey Hostel. Another customer had difficulty calling a number with a United Kingdom country code instead of a local Cabo number.

I would not leave this to the last minute. Send a message 24 hours before the outing, save the written confirmation, and ask for the exact landmark, local phone number, and pickup time. If you are arriving by cruise ship, contact the operator directly to confirm that port pickup can be arranged. Cruise-port access can change, and the tour should not be treated as confirmed until you have clear instructions.

If you arrange your own transportation, check in 20 minutes before departure. That is the simpler option if you are already near the marina and want to avoid the extra pickup fee.

Cruise Passengers Need a Wider Time Buffer

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Cruise Passengers Need a Wider Time Buffer

This experience can fit a cruise day, but the timing deserves care. Cabo cruise ships use tender boats, so getting from the ship to shore can take longer than walking off at a regular pier. The supplied information confirms that port pickup may be possible only after direct confirmation.

Book a departure with plenty of room before your ship’s required return time. The one-hour ride is only the activity itself. You must also allow time for tendering, meeting the crew, checking in, and returning to the ship.

The positive cruise experiences involved meeting the crew close to the terminal, which is helpful. Still, do not rely on an unclear text message or an unverified meeting point. A printed or saved confirmation is a sensible backup when phone service is unreliable.

Safety, Weather, and What to Bring

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP! - Safety, Weather, and What to Bring

Life jackets and safety equipment are included, and the boat is described as certified and insured. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not give a specific accessibility policy for the transparent boat, boarding steps, or mobility equipment.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you decide not to go because of weather, do not assume that counts as an operator cancellation. Contact the company and confirm the policy before departure.

Bring sun protection, a hat that will not blow away, water, and a camera or phone with a secure grip. The supplied information does not promise shade or storage, so keep your belongings limited and protected from spray.

The trip is offered in English. The guide provides explanations during the ride, though the amount of commentary may vary with the crew and conditions.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour?

I would choose this boat for a first visit to Cabo, a short cruise-port stop, or a family outing where people want to see marine life without snorkeling. It also suits photographers who want several classic Cabo backgrounds in one ride.

The clear hull gives children an easy reason to look down, while the captain’s route keeps adults interested with the Arch and Land’s End rock formations. Couples and solo visitors can also get good photos without committing to a larger, longer boat program.

I would look elsewhere if you want to swim, walk on Love Beach or Divorce Beach, spend hours watching whales, or have a quiet luxury cruise. The ride is short, and the low fare comes with practical compromises: extra dock and transport charges, paid photos, and a pickup process that requires your attention.

Cancellation and Booking Details

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. If you need hotel transportation, request it at least 24 hours ahead rather than assuming the advertised hotel pickup is already included.

Should You Book the Clear Boat?

Book it if you want the Arch and marine life in one inexpensive outing and you are comfortable treating the boat ride as a compact sightseeing trip. The transparent hull is a genuine reason to choose this option, and the route covers Cabo’s most recognizable coastal sights.

I would especially consider it for a cruise stop or a free morning near the marina. Just add the $5 dock fee to your budget, confirm the $13 transportation charge if needed, and get exact pickup instructions in writing.

Skip it if you need guaranteed hotel transport, clear accessibility details, or a weather-proof activity. The boat experience itself can be enjoyable and well handled, but the pickup communication has not been equally dependable. With that issue managed in advance, this is a practical, low-cost way to see the Arch from the water.

FAQ

How long does the clear boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour. The tour description also places the boat portion at about 50 minutes.

What sights are included?

The route includes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Pelican Rock, Love Beach, Divorce Beach, Medano Beach, Cabo San Lucas Beach, Mount Solmar, Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas, the marina, and other Cabo beaches and coastal points.

Can I see fish from the boat?

Yes. The transparent boat is designed to provide views of tropical fish, reefs, and other marine life below the boat. Sea lions are also included among the possible sights described for the route.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transportation is available for an additional $13 per person. Round-trip transportation and one-way pickup are both listed at that price, and you must request transportation at least 24 hours before departure.

Is cruise-port pickup available?

It may be available, but cruise passengers must contact the operator directly to confirm port pickup. Do not assume it is arranged until you receive a specific meeting location and time.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Canceling on your own less than 24 hours before departure is not refundable.

More like this

Glass-Bottom & Transparent Boat Tours, compared.

The full Glass-Bottom & Transparent Boat Tours list →
Los Cabos Arch and Playa del Amor Tour by Glass Bottom Kayak
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,317 reviews· from $95

Los Cabos Arch and Playa del Amor Tour by Glass Bottom Kayak

Read our review →
Cabo San Lucas Glass Bottom Kayak Tour and Snorkel at Two Bays
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 628 reviews· from $100

Cabo San Lucas Glass Bottom Kayak Tour and Snorkel at Two Bays

Read our review →
Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 491 reviews· from $15

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!

Read our review →
Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 335 reviews· from $15

Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!

Read our review →
Cabo San Lucas Arc Group Tour in Glass Bottom Boat
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 297 reviews· from $20

Cabo San Lucas Arc Group Tour in Glass Bottom Boat

Read our review →
Snorkel Tour and Glass-Bottom Boat Ride in Cabo San Lucas
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 177 reviews· from $115

Snorkel Tour and Glass-Bottom Boat Ride in Cabo San Lucas

Read our review →
Cabo’s Original Clear Boat Tour: See all of the tourist locations
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 176 reviews· from $44

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

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Los Cabos

Pick a deck, a desert track or a table.