Cabo San Lucas Shore Excursion Guide

Los Cabos marina; © Scott S. Bateman

Cabo San Lucas shore excursions include the Cabo marina, a sea lion colony at Lands End and water recreation such as deep sea fishing.

Cabo San Lucas is packed with shore excursions for good reason: This cruise port on the west coast of Mexico has been blessed with beautiful natural attractions and some great man-made things to do as well.

Although excursion operators have a long list of options, cruise visitors will find one tour that is entirely free.

Visitors who disembark at the harbor will immediately find themselves walking along a lengthy shopping and dining strip that lines the Los Cabos marina in the shape of a giant letter C.

They also will find additional shopping at the far end of the marina, which is really a major retail hub for Cabo San Lucas. Plan on taking at least two hours to cover the entire strip.

Don’t mind the sailboats that line the marina. They add to the festive atmosphere.

Cabo San Lucas Bay

If plenty of time remains, the most popular shore excursion is taking a boat ride to Land’s End, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

Land’s End may be the most photographed location in Cabos San Lucas. The opportunities include Lovers Beach, a sea lion colony, The Arch and Pelican Rock. A typical excursion will last about 2.5 hours, often includes drinks and will cost about $30 to $50.

Sunset tours also are common. They offer the opportunity for visitors to tour Cabo San Lucas Bay when the sun sets over the western horizon. The two-hour tour will cost about $60 to $70.

The Cabo San Lucas Bay is known for visits from Gray Whales, Humpback Whales and other species. The typical trip will last about two hours and cost anywhere between $50 and $100 depending on the tour operator, services provided and length of trip. First timers should keep in mind that whale watching is hit or miss; sometimes they are easy to see and sometimes they are not.

More Water Sports

Another reason why Cabo San Lucas is popular is because it is world-renowned for marlin and other types of fishing. Five- and eight-hour fishing charters are common and will cost about $200 to $700 or more depending on the length of trip and number of passengers.

Water sports don’t end with fishing. Jet skis are a common site around the bay and at Land’s End among other places. A half hour rental will cost about $50 while a full hour will cost about $75.

Numerous tour operators offer snorkeling and scuba diving excursions. Expect to pay about $50 to $80 for a snorkeling trip and $80 to $150 for scuba diving.

Land Tours

The terrain around Los Cabos is unique for its arid and austere look, which is why some cruise visitors may choose a land-based shore excursion. Two of the most common are horseback riding—which will cost around $50 to $90 depending on the length of the ride—and especially rugged ATV tours—which will cost about the same.

A zipline facility about 20 minutes from Cabo San Lucas has seven ziplines, some of which are 300 feet in the air, according to the tour operator.

Some of the prices above vary widely depending on whether the services are purchased through the cruise line or directly from a tour operator. In most cases, buying from the tour operator will be less expensive. Buying through the cruise line has the advantage of convenience and trustworthiness.