Cabo epic private surf and video photography adventure

The best part of this Cabo outing is that you do not have to choose between learning to surf and recording the day. Martin and his team combine private instruction with professional water photography, so you can work on your technique and come home with sharp action shots of the attempt. That is a useful pairing, especially for beginners who want more than a blurry phone photo from shore.

I like the small private format and the serious camera setup. Only your group of up to four joins the session, while Canon 7D and 7D Mark II cameras, long lenses, fisheye lenses, and water housings let the photographers work close to the waves and from the beach. The main consideration is simple: two hours can pass quickly, particularly if your group includes several surfers who all want coaching and photos.

Key points to know before booking

• Private session for up to four: You share the guide and photographer only with your own group, not a large surf-school crowd.
• Photos from water and sand: Expect close action frames, wider wave shots, and natural moments between rides.
• Professional camera gear: Canon 7D and 7D Mark II bodies use L series lenses, including 100 to 400 millimeter, 8 to 15 millimeter fisheye, and 17 to 40 millimeter wide angle lenses.
• Good for beginners and improving surfers: Martin and Emiliano provide beach instruction and in-water feedback when the session includes lessons.
• Useful extras reported with the service: Pickup and drop-off, boards, food, snacks, and drinks have been part of the experience described by past customers.
• $200 per group, not per person: For four people, the effective cost is $50 each, making the private format especially attractive for a family or group of friends.

A surf session built around both coaching and photos

Cabo San Lucas is an easy place to book a beach activity, but this one has a clearer purpose than a standard lesson. You get time in the water, guidance on your surfing, and a dedicated photographer working to capture the session. I like that combination because photos can show you things that are hard to feel while balancing on a board: your stance, your expression, where your hands are, and how you look at the start of a ride.

The session lasts about two hours. That is enough time for a focused outing, but it is not a full-day beach expedition. The exact rhythm depends on your group. A beginner may spend part of the time on beach instruction and repeated attempts in the water, while experienced surfers may want to spend more of the session catching waves and getting different angles on camera.

The activity begins and ends at the meeting point in Cabo San Lucas. Pickup and drop-off have also been provided by the company in past sessions, along with boards, snacks, food, and drinks. Confirm those details when you book, since the core description focuses on the private surf photo session rather than listing a full transfer or meal program.

What the first part of the session feels like

If you are new to surfing, expect the lesson to start with basic instruction on the beach. Martin and Emiliano have worked with first-time surfers, including one-on-one help in the water and repeated advice about what to change. That matters more than a long speech before you paddle out. You need simple corrections you can use on the next wave.

The instruction is also useful for a couple or family with mixed ability. One person may be standing and turning with ease while another is still learning how to position the board. A private group gives the guide room to adjust the pace instead of forcing everyone through the same lesson.

For a returning surfer, the value shifts. You may not need a full introduction, but you can use the session to get feedback on form or to study the images later. The photos act as a visual record of your surfing rather than just a souvenir.

The company has also taken groups to a more remote surf spot with good beginner waves. The specific beach is not given, and surf conditions change, so you should not book this expecting one guaranteed location. The guide’s ability to choose an appropriate spot may be more important than having a famous beach name on the schedule.

How the photography works in the water

The photography is the heart of this experience. The team shoots from both the water and the sand, giving you two very different kinds of images. Water shots can place the camera near the action, with the wave, board, and surfer filling the frame. Beach shots usually give a wider view of the ride and the surrounding setting.

The equipment is stronger than a casual waterproof camera. The stated setup includes Canon 7D and 7D Mark II cameras with L series lenses. The lens selection covers several jobs:

• The 100 to 400 millimeter lens can frame a surfer from shore while keeping the subject large in the image.
• The 8 to 15 millimeter fisheye lens can create very close, dramatic water shots.
• The 17 to 40 millimeter wide angle lens can include more of the wave and the people around you.

The cameras sit in Nimar water housings, which allow the photographer to shoot from inside the lineup. For you, that means the photographer can capture more than a distant figure standing on a board. You may get facial expressions, spray, and the moment just before or after a ride.

This is particularly useful for beginners. You may remember only the waves you missed, while the photos reveal the rides you did catch. Looking at the images later can help you see why one attempt worked better than another. It is not a replacement for coaching, but it is a helpful learning tool.

Why the private group size matters

The price is $200 per group of up to four people. That is a major difference from a per-person lesson. A couple pays $100 each if they split the cost evenly, while four friends pay $50 each. The private setup becomes even more appealing when you want the photographer and guide focused on your own group.

A group of four is still large enough to include family or friends, but it does require some patience. Everyone may want a turn at the best wave, a personal correction, and a close photo. If all four people are beginners, the two-hour session could feel busy. If your group has different skill levels, tell the company in advance so the time can be used well.

I would book this for a group that values shared time rather than a strict lesson plan. You can encourage one another, take turns, and enjoy the photos together later. For a solo surfer seeking nonstop instruction, a private session with fewer people could feel more focused, but the listed price is designed for a group.

The guides and the teaching style

Martin is identified as the owner, guide, and photographer, and Emiliano also teaches private lessons. Their roles matter here because the activity is not simply a photographer waiting on the beach. You are getting people who understand the practical side of helping a surfer catch a wave and the technical side of placing a camera where the ride can be recorded.

Past sessions with Martin have included hotel pickup, a trip to a quieter surf area, a beach lesson, and one-on-one support in the water. That suggests a hands-on approach rather than a quick safety talk followed by free time. You should still confirm what is included in your particular booking, especially if transportation or a longer lesson is important to you.

The teaching is a strong fit for a nervous beginner. Feeling comfortable matters on a surfboard, and calm instruction can prevent the session from becoming a string of failed attempts. At the same time, you should remember that the guide cannot control the waves. Good coaching improves your chances, but it cannot promise perfect rides.

What the extras add to the day

The company has provided boards, food, snacks, drinks, and door-to-door service on past outings. Those details may sound small, but they change the feel of a two-hour water activity. You do not have to sort out a board rental separately, and refreshments can be useful after time in the surf.

Pickup and drop-off are also valuable in Cabo, particularly if you do not know the local beaches. A guide who handles the route can save you time and reduce the chance of arriving at a poor surf location. Still, the published meeting point is Cabo San Lucas, so ask for the exact pickup arrangement rather than assuming every hotel transfer is included with every booking.

The photo delivery is another practical point. Images from the session can be downloaded after the outing, giving you something useful to take home rather than a memory that stays on your phone only if you remembered to shoot it. Confirm how and when the images will be delivered before you go, since the supplied details do not specify a download timeline or file count.

Is $200 a fair price?

I think the price is good value for a private group that wants both surfing and professional images. Four people sharing the $200 cost pay $50 each, and that covers the private format rather than placing you in a large class. You are also paying for a photographer with specialized water housings and several professional lenses, not just a guide holding a phone from shore.

For two people, the value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want a casual lesson, a cheaper group class may be enough. If you want personal coaching and high-quality photos of the two of you, the private rate makes more sense.

The two-hour length keeps the cost and commitment manageable. It is long enough for instruction, surfing, and photography, but you should not expect the pace of a half-day private lesson. If you want a longer outing, ask about a half-day option. Martin and Emiliano have also offered half-day private surf lessons, but that is a different length and should not be assumed to come with this exact booking.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would consider this a strong choice for:

• First-time surfers who want patient help and a record of their progress
• Couples who want photos of a shared activity
• Families with up to four people
• Small groups of friends who want to split the price
• Surfers who want images they can study later
• Experienced surfers who care about water-level action photography

It may be less suitable if you dislike being photographed, want a completely private beach day with no instruction, or need a guaranteed wave size. Surfing depends on conditions, and the activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The available information does not give detailed physical requirements, board sizes, or accessibility arrangements, so contact Cabo Surf Tours before booking if you have specific mobility or equipment needs.

Booking and cancellation details worth noting

You receive confirmation at booking unless you reserve within 12 hours of the start time. In that case, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. The ticket is mobile, so you can show it from your phone.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses Cabo’s local time, so check the clock carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

Because this is weather-dependent, a poor-weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy is fair for a water activity, but it is still wise not to schedule the surf session immediately before an important flight or event.

My call: book it if the photos matter

I would book this experience if you want a private Cabo surf session that gives you more than board time. The strongest reasons are the small group, the hands-on instruction from Martin and Emiliano, and the ability to get close water photos with professional gear.

The best value comes with four people sharing the $200 price. Beginners should tell the company their experience level, while stronger surfers should explain what kind of photos and feedback they want. If your priority is nonstop surfing for several hours, ask about a longer private lesson instead.

For a couple, family, or small crew that wants to learn, laugh, and bring home clear images of the day, this is a practical choice. Just keep your expectations tied to the two-hour format and changing surf conditions.

FAQ

Where does the surf and photography experience take place?

The activity starts in Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico, and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The session lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join?

Up to four people can participate in the same private session.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group participates.

What cameras and lenses are used?

The team uses Canon 7D and Canon 7D Mark II cameras with L series lenses, including 100 to 400 millimeter, 8 to 15 millimeter fisheye, and 17 to 40 millimeter wide angle lenses.

Are the cameras suitable for water photography?

Yes. The cameras are used in Nimar water housings, allowing photography from inside the surf area.

Are boards, food, and drinks included?

Boards, food, snacks, drinks, and pickup and drop-off have been provided with the company’s surf outings. Confirm the exact inclusions for your booking.

Can beginners participate?

Yes. Most people can participate, and the guides provide surf instruction and in-water assistance for beginners.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.