Cabo San Lucas Adventures: Exploring the Arch, Lovers Beach & Snorkelling at Pelican Rock
Cabo San Lucas is a lively resort town at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, known for its beautiful beaches, bustling marina, and iconic rock formations. With a population of around 85,000 people, it’s a hub for tourists seeking sun, adventure, and vibrant local culture.
We visited Cabo San Lucas in December, and it was sunny and bright, around 32°C, about 5°C warmer than San Jose del Cabo, making it perfect for a day of adventure and exploring.
From San Jose del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas
We took a taxi from our resort in San Jose del Cabo, a short 25-minute ride that didn’t cost much, and headed straight to the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, a must-see when visiting Los Cabos.
The Arch is a granite rock formation and an icon of Los Cabos. Cabo San Lucas is where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet. The Arch is accessible only by boat from Medano Beach or the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Our taxi dropped us at the Marina, located on the Sea of Cortez, which was surprisingly crowded with boats, some private and others offering tours.
Boat Ride to the Arch
We boarded a glass-bottom boat, and the waters were rougher than we expected, making for an exciting ride.
Soon after leaving the Marina, we passed by Pelican Rock, one of the most iconic snorkeling spots, and a natural window formed in the rocks that frames a view of the Pacific Ocean on the other side, a glimpse of the vast ocean beyond.
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Boats on Sea of Cortez heading to the Arch
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At the Arc of Cabo San Lucas
Birds were everywhere they circled overhead, some were resting on the rocks, some jumped onto our boats, some were catching fish. The birds, and the waves, the dramatic rock formations that the waves had carved, all created a breathtaking scene.
A few minutes later, we reached the Arch from the Sea of Cortez side and stopped to take photos, capturing the view of the Pacific Ocean through the Arch.
Entering the Pacific Ocean
From here, our boat moved farther out and briefly entered the Pacific Ocean. The waves were extremely rough, giving the ride an even more thrilling edge. In the Pacific, we saw Pirates Cave, a sea cave carved by the relentless waves. Off in the distance, several whale-watching boats were gathering, and to our surprise, a massive whale briefly
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Window – a view from Sea of Cortez with the Pacific Ocean to the other side
came out of the water. It was a quick, unexpected moment, and we didn’t manage to capture it in a photo.
From this side of the Pacific, we also got a different view of the Arch and the natural rock window (mirror image from the other side), and we could now see the Sea of Cortez through both the Arch and the window, a truly striking view.
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Getting off at Lovers beach
Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)
After a few minutes, we turned back and returned to the Sea of Cortez again, where the boat dropped us at Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor). Lovers Beach was swimmable and popular with visitors. Across from Lover’s Beach, separated by rocks, is Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio), which faces the Pacific Ocean. You can reach it by walking and climbing
over the rocks from Lover’s Beach, but the water is never safe for swimming due to the strong rip currents and rough waves.
We chose to spend about one hour there, and the boat returned after that time to pick us up.
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Pelican Rock – Sea of Cortez
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Sea Lion on the Pelican Rock
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Snorkeling at Pelican Rock in the Sea of Cortez
Snorkelling at Pelican Rock
Finally, the boat took us back to Pelican Rock for snorkelling (about a minute ride), one of the most popular snorkelling and scuba diving spots in Cabo San Lucas. To ensure safety, ropes were conveniently placed around the region between Pelican Rock and the nearby rock hill, forming a clearly marked circular
area designated for snorkelling. We jumped straight off the boat cautiously into the clear and warm water to begin snorkelling.
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Schools of fish while snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez
The allocated snorkeling area is about 5 to 10 metres deep, making it suitable even for beginners, while Pelican Rock itself plunges much deeper into the water, some 40 metres below the surface. Schools of colorful fish swam all around, darting through coral formations. Pelican Rock and nearby areas were filled with marine life. We also saw some sea lions, including one relaxing on Pelican Rock. It was magical, a perfect example of why the Sea of Cortez is called the Aquarium of the World.
Returning to the Marina
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Cabo San Lucas Marina
After about an hour of snorkelling, we got back on the boat for a short ride back to the Marina. Including the taxi from San Jose del Cabo, the entire trip took about 4.5 hours.
Once back at the Marina, we spent some time walking around. The harbor has several restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops, making it a great place to take a stroll, pick up some souvenirs, or relax with a drink after a busy day on the water.
Essential Tips for Your Cabo San Lucas Water Experiences
Time at Lover’s Beach is flexible.
When booking your tour, you can choose how long you want to stay, one hour, two hours, or even four hours depending on your preference. Make sure your booking reflects the time you want.
Confirm your drop-off at Lover’s Beach
Some boats are designed with a different type of ladder, which may make it difficult for them to stop and allow passengers to disembark at Lover’s Beach. To avoid any inconvenience, it’s a good idea to double-check in advance that the boat can stop and that you’ll be able to get off using the ladder at the beach.
Glass-bottom boats may not show much
Most standard glass-bottom boats are worn out and faded, so you often cannot see fish or marine life clearly. You’ll see much more marine life while snorkelling. Alternatively, you can book fully transparent glass boats, where you can view the marine life clearly through the entire boat.
Snorkelling equipment is available to rent.
If you don’t have your own snorkel gear, you can rent equipment for about $10 when buying your tour ticket. This ensures you’re ready to explore the waters at Pelican Rock.
Other activities are available at the Marina.
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Walking along the marina
The tour companies at the Marina offer a variety of other experiences, such as camel rides along the shore, ATV rides along the beach, and whale-watching trips on the Pacific Ocean. You’ll see several companies offering these tours, so it’s easy to plan more adventures while in Cabo San Lucas.
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