Small-Group Whale Watching Zodiac Boat Cruise in Cabo San Lucas
Description
Join us on a thrilling, intimate adventure aboard our Zodiac boat for the ultimate whale-watching experience. Guided by an expert captain, we’ll take you to Cabo’s prime spots for unforgettable whale sightings—be sure to bring your camera! With a small group, you’ll enjoy a personalized day of excitement. Our fast, stable Zodiac boats, favored by Jacques Cousteau, let us get closer to the action than larger vessels. When we spot a spout, splash, or fluke, we’ll zoom right over. Get up close to majestic whales while respecting their space and conservation laws. Humpback whales steal the show, but you might see gray whales or even the mighty blue whale. With 32 whale and dolphin species in the area, prepare to witness awe-inspiring behaviors like breaching, tail lobbing, and spy-hopping.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A captivating granite formation and one of the most recognizable symbols of Los Cabos, the Arch towers three stories above the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes. Known locally as "El Arco" or "Land's End," this natural wonder is a testament to the forces of tidal and wind erosion shaping the Baja Peninsula over millennia. We stop by boat to take pictures of the famous Arch of Cabo.
Board your boat and head out on your educational Cabo adventure. Your captain will show you why Cabo is the place for humpback whale watching as you travel on a small and speedy boat carrying a maximum of 15 people. On your way out to the Sea of Cortez or Pacific side of Cabo, stop at the famous Land's End or Cabo Arch. A marine biologist will be on board to tell you about the area, the Baja geography, the Sea of Cortez sea life, and answer any questions you might have. The Sea of Cortez hosts numerous whale species each season, from gray whales and sperm whales to the elusive blue whales, dolphins, and even orcas. Be sure to bring your camera as there will be plenty of photo opportunities. After a few hours out on the water, you will be dropped off back at your hotel. Upgrade your experience for a private tour with just you and the members of your group.
Whether planning a Cabo holiday vacation or just a quick day trip, Cabo Expeditions remains the top operator of choice with a variety of tours both sea and land-based. If you are looking for a Cabo adventure, then we are the ones to see. With over 20 years’ experience, we are the leader in the tour business here, catering to both visitors and locals alike.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Reviews(155)
It was very personal, only myself, my husband and crew members. The last day for whale watching and Jose was able to locate one last humpback for us to see! It was awesome!
Thank you very much for choosing us on the last day of the season! It truly means a lot to us to have closed the season with your visit, and even more so knowing that José was part of your experience. He has been a key member of our team for the past 28 years, and this has been a particularly challenging year for him, so comments like yours are especially meaningful and make his work all the more rewarding. We look forward to welcoming you again next season!
We went on a zodiac small group whale watching trip in Cabo with Xo as our guide and José as the captain. We were four adults and were in a boat with a total of 8 people. The trip was wonderful, and uniquely so because of this exceptional crew. They were passionate about their work, highly knowledgeable and interested in encouraging understanding, appreciation and respect for these gentle giants and for nature in general. We saw the beautiful Whales, sea lions, sea birds and the gorgeous environment from The sea. We learned so much, and saw the whales up so closely. Awe-inspiring experience- NOT TO BE MISSED! Ask for xo and José!
The guide is excellent. The view is great. The ride is very enjoyable.
Had a great time out on the water with JJ (captain) and So (guide)! We saw around 15 whales with a partial breach! Ride took around 2.5 hours total
This was such a great experience for my family and I. We’ve never gotten so close to whales in our life! I wasn’t sure how the kids would do (9 and 7), but they loved it! It was a small group so it was intimate, we got to ask a lot of questions. Our guide Xochi was incredible and very knowledgeable which made it even more memorable.
We've gone on whale watching with Cabo Expeditions several times. As usual we had up close whale experiences - breaching, fin slapping, fluke tail sightings. We also were surrounded by a pod of dolphins. The guide was very knowledgeable and answered our many questions. We also enjoy riding in the Zodiac; fewer people on board and fun bouncing through the waves. The only thing that would have made the experience better was less time spent trying to hear the whales' songs. I would have preferred more actual whale sighting time and not so much time doing photographs, etc. at the Arch.
The activity was shorter than promised in the description. We were in fact not offered bottled water. It was nearly 80° and there was no water offered at all. Barely saw any whale action. I saw the whales from my condo for over an hour on 2/14 yet these guides couldn’t seem to find the whales for more than a minute or two. Had to wait 40+ minutes for transportation back to the hotel which was $10 per person. Absolutely not worth the money paid, highly recommend going with a different company if you want to actually see whales or enjoy your excursion.
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. Our whale watching tour operates for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, and according to our records, your tour completed within the scheduled timeframe. Bottled water is always available on board as part of our standard service. We would also like to note that whale sightings take place in the animals’ natural habitat. Their movement and behavior vary daily, and no operator can guarantee specific levels of activity. That said, this season has been remarkable, with consistently exceptional sightings reported across our departures. Regarding transportation, the return service is a scheduled shuttle with established departure times, which may result in a waiting period depending on timing. We remain committed to providing a professional and high-quality experience to all of our guests and truly appreciate the opportunity to clarify these points.
Book this excursion immediately! We saw many whales (and lots of dolphins, too) Our captain, JJ, was a master navigator. Clem, our guide, was such a delight. So knowledgeable and friendly. The small group size and zodiac boat made for an incredible afternoon. Highly recommend!
PROS: 5 star is partially due to the many humpback whale sightings and good weather. The guide was easy to understand and informative; the captain steady and competent. Small size group and nimble boat gave us lots of opportunities to see the breaching whales. A plus was a large pod of dolphins that followed us for a while doing water acrobatics! CONS: boat was really too small to accommodate a “boat photographer”, a young man seemingly suffering from a hangover. When whales were sighted he would jump up to take photos and blocked many otherwise good views. The guide requested the guests stay seated to keep the viewlines open - sadly, there are always seems to be couple of people who don’t think the rules apply to them. Constantly waving, continually extended selfie sticks used by standers also blocked good views. Wish selfie sticks were not allowed. TIP: If you are coming in by cruise ship tender, it is a .8 mile walk around the entire marina to get to Cabo Experience dock (50 feet from the tender dock but across the main channel out of marina). There is no bridge there so if you are pressed for time, take a water taxi. Get a morning time cruise if possible. Better chance for activity.
The crew was very attentive. We had enough time to observe the whales up close. Fortunately our captain left the great mass of other tour operators, after that it was really excellent. There were humpback whales, sea lions, a turtle and a huge dolphin school. Anytime again!
