Open Ocean Safari and Whale Watching

Seeing a humpback breach beside a small boat, then watching dolphins and sea lions work the same stretch of water, is the main draw here. This is not a fixed wildlife show. The crew searches open water for whatever the Pacific and Sea of Cortez choose to reveal.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the crew room to adapt and gives you a better chance at clear views. I also like the strong care for marine life, plus the included photos and videos that let you enjoy the moment instead of keeping one hand on your phone. The tradeoff is simple: nature may give you whales but no rays, or a few minutes in the water instead of a long snorkeling session.

Key points to know before booking

• Wildlife comes first: You may see whales, Mobula rays, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, marlin, and reef fish, but no species is promised.
• Four hours on open water: The trip covers El Arco, Pelican Rock, and areas of the Sea of Cortez before returning to the marina.
• Small-group format: The boat takes no more than 10 people, a useful advantage when animals appear suddenly.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment, water, snacks, a guide, and photos and videos are part of the package.
• Budget for a possible wetsuit charge: One person paid an extra $15 for a wetsuit, even though that cost was not clear in the published details.
• Book with schedule flexibility: Wildlife conditions can change the plan, and one outing returned early after limited activity in the water.

Why this Cabo safari feels different from a standard boat trip

At $215 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Cabo San Lucas. You are paying for a more focused wildlife search, a small group, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, a guide, and recorded photos and videos.

That price can make sense if your main goal is marine life rather than a quick cruise past the Arch. A standard sightseeing boat may give you a fine view of Cabo’s rock formations, but this experience spends much of its four hours looking for animals and choosing its next move around sea conditions.

The small group matters here. With up to 10 people, the guide can explain what you are seeing without shouting across a crowded deck. It also makes getting into the water, moving between sites, and watching a whale surface less chaotic.

The experience is run by Apex Ocean Divers, with a team that has included guides named Nick, Rafa, Alex, and Kyla. The strongest praise has gone to the crew’s patience, good humor, effort, and care around animals. One guide, Alex, was singled out for doing everything possible to find wildlife while keeping the mood calm and positive. Kyla has handled photographs at El Arco.

Leaving Dock C at 9 a.m.

You meet at Dock C in the Cabo San Lucas marina, along Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in Centro. The start time is 9 a.m., and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

That central location is handy if you are staying near the marina or can reach it by local transport. The boat portion lasts about four hours, so allow extra time around the edges for arriving, checking in, and changing if needed. The operator provides mobile ticketing, and confirmation is sent when you book.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You should have a moderate level of fitness, since the day can include boat movement, snorkeling, and getting in and out of the water.

Bring patience along with your swimsuit. A wildlife safari cannot run like a museum visit with a guaranteed sequence of rooms. The crew may spend more time searching when conditions look promising, or change the plan if the ocean is quiet.

El Arco, Cabo’s signature opening

El Arco is the visual highlight early in the outing. This famous rock formation marks the meeting of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, and it gives you the classic Cabo photo backdrop.

The stop is useful even if wildlife is slow. It anchors the day in one of the area’s best-known sights and gives the crew a chance to take photographs of you. The photo coverage is a real perk here, especially when a member of the team can focus on framing the shot instead of handing you a camera and asking you to manage it yourself.

Do not mistake El Arco for the full purpose of the tour. The stop is scenic, but the heart of the experience is the open-water search. If your priority is a relaxed sightseeing cruise with plenty of time at landmarks, a dedicated Arch cruise may suit you better.

Pelican Rock and the first chance to snorkel

Pelican Rock is the likely transition from sightseeing to getting wet. This area is associated with clear water, fish, and boat-based snorkeling, though the exact conditions can change on the day.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and snacks. That keeps the packing list simple, but I would still ask about wetsuit costs before departure. One person paid $15 for a wetsuit, and that fee was not clearly included in the published price. At this rate, unexpected add-ons matter.

Snorkeling time may also be shorter than you hope. One outing spent only about three minutes in the water while the crew searched for rays. That was disappointing for someone expecting a longer swim, even though the same outing produced many whales and two breaches.

This is the key distinction: the safari is not sold as a long reef-snorkeling session. Water time depends on animal activity, safety, and conditions. If you want guaranteed time in the water, choose a trip built around snorkeling rather than wildlife searching.

Searching the Sea of Cortez for wildlife

The Sea of Cortez is where the day earns its safari name. The crew looks for movement at the surface and signs of animals below. You might see humpback or grey whales, Mobula rays, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, marlin, or smaller reef fish.

Past outings have produced an impressive mix in four hours: a large group of cownose rays, dolphins playing near sea lions, a humpback whale, a marlin, and colorful fish around the reef. Another day brought many humpback and grey whales, including two breaches, but little else.

That contrast tells you how to judge the experience. The upside is a chance at several species in one morning. The downside is that you could pay the same price and receive a narrower wildlife day. Even an excellent crew cannot summon rays or dolphins when they are not nearby.

The guides’ role is important. They provide information about local marine life and try to place the boat where sightings are most likely, while avoiding pressure on the animals. The best moments may last only seconds, so listen closely and keep your eyes moving.

You also need to accept a little waiting. The boat may pause, reposition, or cover open water before anything appears. That is part of the real experience, not wasted time, but it can test anyone expecting constant action.

What the photo and video package is worth

Photos and videos are included, which adds real value to a wildlife trip. You may receive footage of whales, rays, dolphins, or sea lions, and the crew may also capture you in the water or beside El Arco.

The quality has been described as professional, including drone and underwater images. That can be especially useful for families and casual photographers who want to watch the animals instead of trying to record every splash.

Check exactly what is included before you go. One outing included 10 free photos, while additional images required payment. The package is still helpful, but do not assume every image or every piece of footage is part of the base price.

Who will get the most from this $215 experience

I would choose this for someone who values wildlife encounters, small groups, and a crew that treats animals with care. It is a good fit for people who are comfortable with uncertainty and would rather spend four hours searching for a memorable sighting than follow a rigid sightseeing route.

It also suits couples, families with an active schedule, and photographers who want better odds of getting usable images. The included media means you can stay present during the outing.

Strong swimmers and people with moderate fitness should feel more at ease with the physical side. That said, no special skill level is listed, and snorkeling equipment is supplied.

I would hesitate if you have only one free morning and need a specific result. You might see an unforgettable breach, but you might also spend most of the trip looking and have very little time in the water.

Timing, weather, and the practical fine print

The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can take another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum group size is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since conditions and schedules can shift, leave room in your Cabo plans and confirm the departure directly with Apex Ocean Divers.

The advertised group limit is 10, but the boat’s exact comfort level is not described. Small does not mean private, so ask if you need an exclusive charter.

Is Apex Ocean Divers worth booking?

Book it if your priority is a respectful, small-group search for whales and other marine life, with snorkeling and photo coverage included. The strongest reasons are the crew’s clear enthusiasm, the effort put into finding animals, the ethical approach, and the chance of seeing several species in a single morning.

Skip it if you need guaranteed snorkeling time, a guaranteed whale encounter, or a tightly timed sightseeing trip. At $215, the price is justified only if you accept that the ocean decides what you see.

For the best chance of enjoying it, keep your schedule flexible, ask about the wetsuit fee and photo package, and treat every sighting as a bonus rather than a promise. That mindset matches the experience. You may get a quiet morning with a few whales, or a remarkable mix of rays, dolphins, sea lions, fish, and a breaching humpback.

FAQ

Where does the open ocean safari start?

It starts at Dock C in the Cabo San Lucas marina, at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The ocean safari lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the original meeting point in the marina.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include Mobula rays, cownose rays, humpback whales, grey whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, marlin, and reef fish. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A wetsuit may cost extra, with one reported charge of $15.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Bottled water and snacks are included.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.