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

Cabo’s famous Arch looks good from any boat, but this transparent Clear Boat gives you another way to see it. As you cruise past rock formations, reefs, tropical fish, sea lions, Love Beach, and Divorce Beach, the boat lets you look through the vessel rather than over its side. The operator promotes it as the first and only clear boat of its kind.

I like two things here. First, the trip is short, about 50 minutes to an hour, so it fits neatly into a busy Cabo day. Second, the certified captain and guide-photographer add more than simple transportation, with guides such as Fabian and Nora helping explain the marine life and taking photos. The main catch is that the low advertised price does not include the $5 dock fee or optional hotel transportation.

Key points to know before booking

• A transparent boat changes the view: You can look down toward tropical fish, reefs, and the water below while also seeing Cabo’s rock formations.
• The Arch is the main event: The route also includes Love Beach, Divorce Beach, Cabo San Lucas Beach, and the marina.
• The trip is compact: Plan on roughly 50 minutes on the water, or about one hour overall.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Round-trip transportation is listed at $13 per person and must be arranged at least 24 hours ahead.
• The guides add a personal touch: Fabian, Nora, and Captain Luis are among the staff praised for friendly service, safety, and clear explanations.
• The price needs a closer look: The base fare is $16.06 per person, but add the $5 dock fee and any transportation charge when comparing costs.

Seeing Cabo through the boat itself

Many Cabo boat trips take you to the Arch. This one tries to make the ride the attraction, too. The Clear Boat has transparent viewing areas that give you a look at the water below, not just the usual view out toward the horizon.

That matters most when the boat passes over areas with tropical fish and reefs. You should not expect a full snorkeling outing, since this is a sightseeing cruise rather than a swimming activity. Still, the clear design gives children and adults a reason to watch the water during the ride instead of waiting only for the next landmark.

The boat is promoted as the first clear boat in the world. I would treat that wording as part of the operator’s sales pitch, but the unusual design is still the reason to choose this trip over a standard harbor ride. If you have already seen Cabo’s Arch from a regular boat, the transparent floor or viewing areas offer a fresh angle.

The boat carries a maximum of 15 people. That is small enough to keep the trip from feeling like a huge party boat, while still giving the operator room to run a regular schedule. The supplied details do not promise a private boat, so expect to share the ride with other passengers.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the star

The first major stop is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, the tall rock formation at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. The route is designed to bring you close enough for clear views and photographs.

This is where the boat’s guide becomes useful. The guide explains the rock formations and marine life, rather than leaving you to identify everything on your own. The trip includes a guide who also works as a photographer, so you can listen, take your own pictures, and consider purchasing the additional photos afterward.

Bring your own camera if you want to control the cost. The boat’s clear design may give you unusual angles, but bright sun and reflections can affect pictures through transparent surfaces. The guide-photographer’s photos can be convenient, especially if you want a picture with the Arch and do not want to hand your phone to someone else.

The Arch area is also the place to expect the most boat traffic and photo stops. The tour is short, so the pace may feel brisk. If you want a long, quiet stay near the rocks, this is not the right format. If you want the classic Cabo sight without giving up much of your day, it works well.

Love Beach, Divorce Beach, and Cabo’s famous shore

The route includes Playa de los Amantes, better known as Love Beach, along with Divorce Beach. These neighboring beaches are among the most recognizable coastal sights around Cabo San Lucas.

Love Beach faces the calmer side of the peninsula, while Divorce Beach faces the rougher Pacific side. The names make the contrast easy to remember, but the important point for this tour is the setting. From the water, you get a look at the beaches backed by dramatic rock formations, rather than arriving for a beach day.

The itinerary also includes Cabo San Lucas Beach. The supplied information does not promise time to disembark at any of these beaches, so plan to view them from the boat. That distinction matters. You are booking a sightseeing cruise, not a beach-transfer service or a shore excursion with free time on land.

The clear boat can make these stops more interesting than they would be from a high-sided vessel. You can look toward the beaches and down into the water at the same time. The ride is still dependent on the conditions at sea, and the operator notes that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Fish, reefs, and sea lions below the surface

The marine sights are a major part of the appeal. The tour description highlights tropical fish, coral reefs, and sea lions. Seeing wildlife is never fully guaranteed, but these are the sights the crew is prepared to point out during the route.

The transparent boat helps most with fish and reefs. You do not need to get into the water, which makes this a good choice if you want a marine view without committing to snorkeling. One passenger specifically praised seeing the sea lions, and the crew’s explanations can help you understand what you are looking at.

The guides’ role is not just decoration. Captain Luis and guide-photographer Fabian were singled out for making one birthday outing special, while Nora was praised for her energy and for helping a nervous passenger feel comfortable. Those details suggest a crew that pays attention to how people are handling the boat, which is useful if you are uneasy on the water.

Life jackets are included. The tour also says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed. The available details do not list specific limits for mobility devices, so you should contact the operator before booking if you need special boarding assistance.

A short schedule that fits a Cabo day

The advertised duration is about one hour, with the water portion described more precisely as approximately 50 minutes. That makes this an easy add-on to a beach day, a marina visit, or another Cabo activity.

The available departure times for adding transportation are 9:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 3:40 p.m., and 5:20 p.m. These times give you several choices, but pickup and return timing can make the total outing longer than the boat ride itself.

If you arrange your own way to the marina, check in 20 minutes before departure. The meeting point is Envatours CaboMarina, local spaces 15 and 16A, in the Marina area of Cabo San Lucas. The activity ends back at that same meeting point.

That location is practical if you are already in central Cabo or near the marina. The tour details also say the meeting point is near public transportation. If you are staying farther away, pickup can save effort, but you need to reserve it at least 24 hours before the excursion.

The real cost: $16.06 is not the final total

The listed base price is $16.06 per person, which is inexpensive by Cabo excursion standards. But you should add the $5 dock fee per person before deciding what the tour actually costs.

Hotel transportation is optional. The main details list round-trip pickup at $13 per person, covering the Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo areas. One additional booking note mentions $10 instead, so I would confirm the current transportation price directly before paying for it.

Pickup must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. After booking, contact the operator through the booking chat to confirm the hotel and pickup details. You should be in the hotel lobby five minutes before the scheduled pickup, since drivers wait no longer than five minutes.

The transportation arrangement deserves attention because one passenger had to wait for a return shuttle after the boat ride. The explanation was that the shuttle leaves hourly, and a late return meant waiting for the next service. If you have dinner plans, airport arrangements, or another timed activity, ask exactly when the return vehicle leaves rather than assuming it will depart as soon as you step off the boat.

For many people, the best value is to meet at the marina on your own. That keeps the schedule simpler and avoids the extra pickup fee. The optional transfer is more useful if you are staying outside central Cabo or prefer not to arrange your own route.

What the staff adds to the ride

The strongest part of the service is the crew. The captain is certified, life jackets are provided, and the guide gives explanations about the rock formations and marine life.

The available staff names include Captain Luis, Fabian, and Nora. Fabian serves as a guide and photographer, while Nora was praised for making the outing feel lively and comfortable. The crew was also credited with leaving on time and taking good care of passengers.

That combination matters on a short tour. With less than an hour on the water, a disorganized departure would eat into the sightseeing time. A punctual launch and clear check-in help you get the most from the compact route.

The photo service is another useful extra, though the cost is not provided. Photos are available for purchase, so decide before the trip how much you want to spend. If you are marking a birthday or another special occasion, the service may be worth considering. Otherwise, bring your own camera and treat the paid photos as optional.

Who should choose this Clear Boat tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you want Cabo’s essential sights without spending half a day on the water. It suits first-time visitors who want to see the Arch, families looking for an easy marine activity, and anyone curious about the transparent boat design.

It is also a reasonable choice if you are nervous around water. The crew takes safety seriously, life jackets are included, and the ride is short. Still, you are on a boat, so people who become uncomfortable at sea should keep that in mind.

The trip is less suitable if you want snorkeling, swimming, a long beach stop, or a private cruise. The supplied details describe sightseeing from the boat, not time on shore. You should also choose another option if your day cannot absorb a possible transportation delay.

The maximum group size of 15 is a useful middle ground. You get more structure than on a private outing, but the boat is not described as a large vessel carrying dozens of people. The activity is offered in English.

Booking details and weather concerns

Confirmation is received at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you can take a different date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

The tour is booked, on average, 18 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every departure sells out, but it is a good reason to reserve early if your Cabo dates are fixed. The operator offers mobile tickets, which makes it easier to keep the confirmation on your phone.

Should you book it?

Book this Clear Boat tour if your priority is a short, affordable look at the Arch with something different under your feet. The transparent viewing areas, sea lions, reefs, beaches, and friendly crew give it more character than a basic ride to the Arch.

Before you commit, calculate the full cost with the $5 dock fee and confirm the current transportation charge. Meet at the marina yourself if you can, and ask about the return shuttle if you have plans afterward.

For a first Cabo visit, a family outing, or a quick activity between other plans, I think it is a sensible buy. Just keep your expectations in the right place: this is a compact sightseeing cruise, not a full coastal day or a beach adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Clear Boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour. The water portion is described as about 50 minutes.

What sights are included?

The route includes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas Beach, Marina Cabo San Lucas, and Playa de los Amantes, also called Love Beach. It also features Divorce Beach, rock formations, tropical fish, reefs, and sea lions.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Envatours CaboMarina, local spaces 15 and 16A, in the Marina area of Cabo San Lucas. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transportation is optional and must be reserved at least 24 hours before departure. The main tour details list round-trip transportation at $13 per person for the Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo areas.

How early should I arrive?

If you make your own way to the marina, check in 20 minutes before departure. If you arrange hotel pickup, be in the lobby five minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is the dock fee included in the price?

No. The dock fee is listed separately at $5 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A different date, another activity, or a full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not met.