Snorkel Privately in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo looks best from the water. This private three-hour outing combines a coastal boat ride with guided snorkeling, giving you a close look at Cabo San Lucas rock formations, the Arch, Lover’s Beach, and the Sea of Cortez. I especially like the clean, comfortable boat and the fact that Roger gets in the water with you to point out fish and marine life. I also like that photos and underwater videos have often been shared with the group at no extra charge.

The main drawback is simple: you spend about 30 minutes boating to the snorkeling area, and some outings include only two snorkel sites. If your only goal is hours in the water, this may feel short. The price is $420 per group of up to three, so it makes the most sense for a small group that values privacy, personal attention, and a flexible pace.

Key points to know before you book

• Roger guides from the water: He often swims alongside the group and helps locate turtles, rays, puffer fish, sharks, and other sea life.
• The boat is part of the experience: You cruise along Cabo’s coast, with views of the Arch, Lover’s Beach, and unusual rock formations before or around the snorkeling stop.
• The ladder has an extra extension: That small detail matters when you are tired, cold, or helping children climb back aboard.
• Private means private: Only your party takes part, so the pace can be adjusted for confident swimmers, beginners, or families.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Past outings have included whales, dolphins, rays, turtles, and even orcas, but none of these sightings can be promised.
• Bring food if needed: Bottled water and soda are included, but lunch is not.

A private boat gives Cabo a different feel

Cabo San Lucas can feel crowded around the marina, especially when several glass-bottom boats and sightseeing vessels head toward the Arch at the same time. A private boat changes the rhythm. You do not need to compete for a railing spot or squeeze around strangers when Roger slows for a photo.

The group price is $420, with up to three people included. That works out to $140 per person for three people, before any transport or food costs. For two people, it is a more serious splurge at $210 each. I would look at this less as a basic snorkeling ticket and more as a private coastal outing that happens to include snorkeling.

That distinction matters. You are paying for the boat, captain, guide, equipment, drinks, and the ability to keep the outing centered on your group. Past parties have also included larger families, but the stated price is for up to three people, so confirm the current capacity and cost if your party is larger.

Roger’s communication before departure is one of the strongest practical advantages. He has sent directions ahead of time and has even provided a Spanish message that could be shown to a taxi driver. That is useful because the meeting point is not simply a large, obvious terminal entrance.

Finding the dock at Playa El Médano

The meeting point is The Office on the Beach, at Playa El Médano, near Dock 1. Look for a circle of standing surfboards and the swimming-with-dolphins attraction at the corner. The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.

I would allow extra time to find it. One party found the location tricky, despite good communication from the company. This is the kind of small Cabo detail that can turn a relaxed morning into a hurried one if you arrive at the last minute.

The start point on El Médano Beach also puts you close to the water from the outset. You are not heading inland to a remote launch site. Still, send a message if your lodging is far away or if you are arriving by taxi, since the exact dock reference matters.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details identify the beach office as the main starting point. Ask ahead about pickup from your hotel rather than assuming it is included everywhere.

The first hour: Cabo’s rocks, Arch, and open water

The boat ride is not dead time. Roger explains the coastline, the rock formations, and the kinds of stone shaping the shore. That gives the trip a bit more substance than a simple ride out to a reef.

A typical outing may include a pass near the Arch and Lover’s Beach, with time for photographs. The private boat can make it easier to get a clear angle, especially when other vessels are nearby. Past groups have also stopped to watch dolphins, whales, jumping rays, and other marine life before reaching the snorkeling area.

The boat itself receives repeated praise for being clean, comfortable, and spacious. One particularly useful feature is a front sun deck, which gives you another place to sit during the ride. Music may be played, with the guide adjusting it for the group. Families have appreciated kid-friendly selections.

Wildlife is a bonus, not the product’s central promise. Cabo is a strong place for marine sightings, and early-year outings have included humpback whales, dolphins, and even orcas hunting. One group heard whale song underwater. Those are remarkable moments, but you should book expecting a scenic boat ride and snorkeling, not a guaranteed whale-watching expedition.

Snorkeling with Roger in the water

The best part of this trip is the personal guiding once you reach the snorkeling area. Roger does not simply point you toward the water and wait on the boat. He often gets in with the group, watches your comfort level, and points out animals that are easy to miss.

Past outings have included brightly colored fish, puffer fish, sea turtles, rays, and white-tip sharks. One group swam with a turtle. Another saw a very large ray. These details show what an attentive guide can add: you may be looking straight at the reef and still miss the animal tucked beneath a ledge.

The reviews also describe Roger as patient with first-time snorkelers and children. He has helped young swimmers feel comfortable, while also giving stronger swimmers a more active look at the reef. That makes the trip a good fit for mixed-ability families, as long as everyone is prepared for a boat ride and open-water swimming.

The snorkeling area is not huge. One outing found good fish activity but only a small site with limited variety, and the group spent much of the three hours on the boat compared with time in the water. You should keep that in mind if you have already snorkeled major reefs elsewhere and want a long, multi-site session.

Conditions also change. Fish numbers, visibility, current, and available sites depend on the day. The crew may offer different places to snorkel based on conditions and the comfort of your party, which is useful, but it does not turn the experience into a guaranteed aquarium visit.

Equipment, comfort, and getting back aboard

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and soda. The gear has been described as clean and close to new, which is important for both comfort and confidence. A leaking mask can spoil an otherwise fine outing.

There is one practical warning: mask fit is not perfect for every face. One participant could not snorkel comfortably because the available masks did not seal well. If you have a mask that fits you reliably, bringing it may be wise, though the tour does provide equipment.

The boat’s ladder has an extra extension. This sounds minor until you are climbing out after swimming, helping a child, or wearing fins. A ladder that reaches farther into the water can make boarding less awkward and less tiring.

The crew has also handled small problems quickly. One family reported that a jellyfish sting was treated promptly. That is not a reason to expect stings, but it does suggest that the crew pays attention when something goes wrong.

Photos and video without the usual sales pitch

Roger often uses a GoPro in the water, and Otto has used a drone for additional views on some outings. Photos and videos have been transferred to the group’s phones during or soon after the trip, with no extra photo charge reported in the supplied experiences.

That adds real value. Snorkeling is hard to photograph when you are concentrating on breathing, swimming, and keeping track of children. Having footage of a turtle, ray, shark, or whale lets you enjoy the moment without constantly reaching for your own camera.

Do not treat drone or underwater footage as a guaranteed part of every departure unless the operator confirms it. The strongest descriptions come from outings with Roger and Otto, and conditions, staffing, and equipment can vary. Still, the practice of sharing the footage is a welcome difference from tours that ask you to buy every image afterward.

What the three hours feel like

The published duration is about three hours, starting at 9:00 a.m. A reasonable mental picture is:

• Meet the crew at the beach office and board near Dock 1.
• Cruise along the Cabo coastline while hearing about the rocks and major sights.
• Stop near the Arch, Lover’s Beach, or another scenic area for views and photos.
• Continue toward a snorkeling location, with wildlife sightings possible along the way.
• Spend time in the water with Roger guiding the group.
• Return to the same meeting point with drinks available.

The exact order can change. Some outings include extra stops for rays or whales. Others focus more tightly on the main snorkeling area. The private format gives the crew room to adjust, but three hours still passes quickly once boating, sightseeing, swimming, and boarding are counted.

If you want lunch afterward, plan for it yourself. Lunch is not included. The crew has offered restaurant suggestions to some groups, which can be helpful when you return hungry and still wet from the sea.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• Couples who want a quiet boat rather than a large shared excursion.
• Families with children who need patient help in the water.
• First-time snorkelers who want a guide nearby.
• Small groups that care about photos and personal service.
• People who want Cabo sightseeing and snorkeling in one outing.

I would be more cautious if your priority is maximum time underwater. The boat ride to the snorkel area can take about 30 minutes, and the site may be small. A dedicated reef trip with longer water time could suit you better, though it would not offer the same private coastline sightseeing.

The tour is also a better fit for people comfortable with normal boat and swimming conditions. The operator says most people can participate, but the activity requires getting into the water and climbing a boat ladder. If someone in your group has limited mobility or is unsure about swimming, ask specific questions before booking.

Price, cancellation, and weather planning

At $420 for a private group of up to three, this is not Cabo’s budget snorkeling option. It becomes easier to justify when you value a clean private boat, a guide in the water, included gear, drinks, and photos or video that may be supplied without an added fee.

The private format also protects your time. You are not waiting for a large boat to gather strangers, and you can ask the guide to slow down, change the pace, or give extra attention to a nervous swimmer. For three people, the per-person cost is reasonable for a private half-day outing. For one person, it is harder to defend unless privacy is the main goal.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book Roger’s private snorkeling tour?

I would book it if you want more than a quick swim at a crowded Cabo stop. Roger, Otto, and the rest of the crew have created an outing built around care, personal attention, and a close look at the coast. The boat comfort, extra ladder extension, underwater guiding, and frequent photo sharing all add up.

I would skip it if your main target is a long stretch of reef snorkeling with several large sites. The ride takes a meaningful share of the three hours, and marine life is never guaranteed.

For a small group, especially a family with mixed swimming ability, this is one of the stronger ways to see Cabo by water. Go in expecting a private coastal adventure with snorkeling, not a guaranteed whale show or full-day reef expedition, and the $420 price makes much more sense.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

It starts at The Office on the Beach at Playa El Médano, near Dock 1 in Cabo San Lucas. Look for a circle of standing surfboards and the swimming-with-dolphins attraction at the corner.

What time does the tour begin?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the original meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and soda.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.