Snorkeling Open Ocean Wildlife Safari in Los Cabos with Photos Included

Cabo’s open-ocean snorkeling safari is built around the thrill of not knowing what may appear next. From a fast boat, you look for dolphins, mobula rays, turtles, whales, sharks, or other migratory animals where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. I like the small group, limited to 10 people, and the included photo and video service. The main catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and some outings may feel more like whale watching than snorkeling.

I also like the mix of a landmark boat ride and time in the water. You pass the Arch, Lands’ End, Lovers Beach, and the sea lion colony before heading farther out. The outing suits a confident swimmer who wants a more active search than a standard reef trip, but it may disappoint you if your first goal is guaranteed reef fish or close animal encounters.

Key points to know before you book

• Open-ocean wildlife comes first: The crew searches for pelagic animals rather than visiting only a fixed snorkeling cove.
• A maximum of 10 people: The small group should make it easier to hear the guides and get help with equipment.
• Photos and videos are included: The crew uses a GoPro during the outing, so you can focus on the water instead of holding a camera.
• The Arch is part of the boat ride: You see Cabo’s famous rock formations, Lovers Beach, Lands’ End, and the sea lion colony.
• You need moderate fitness: This is a fast, active trip designed for more advanced snorkelers.
• Wildlife sightings vary: One outing may bring dolphins or rays, while another may offer distant whales and little visible underwater action.

Why this Cabo safari feels different from a normal snorkeling trip

Many Cabo boat trips take you to a known bay, hand you a mask, and point toward a reef. This experience takes a different approach. The crew goes looking for pelagic life, meaning animals that spend time in the open ocean rather than staying close to the seafloor or shore.

That distinction matters. You are not simply arriving at one snorkeling site and expecting a set display of fish. You are moving through the water in search of animals that travel through the region. The Sea of Cortez is famous for its wide range of marine life, and Cabo sits at a useful meeting point between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.

The possible sightings include mobula rays, whales, turtles, dolphins, orcas, and sharks. You may also find smaller ocean life, but the focus is on larger animals and the excitement of an unexpected encounter. This is best for you if the search itself sounds appealing.

The trip is not a sure thing. One outing described getting into the water twice near a whale, but the animal was too far away to see clearly. That is an important warning. A boat can reach open water, but it cannot make a whale, dolphin, or ray come close.

The 8 a.m. start at the Cabo marina

The tour begins at 8 a.m. at Baja Vikings Ecoventures, located on Boulevard Marina in the Marina area of Cabo San Lucas. The experience lasts about four hours and returns to the same meeting point.

An early start makes sense here. You get cooler morning conditions and several hours for the crew to search before the outing ends. The timing also leaves much of your afternoon free for lunch, a pool break, or another Cabo activity.

The boat carries no more than 10 people. I consider that a real advantage for this type of outing. A small group gives you more room to move, makes it easier to hear safety instructions, and reduces the chance that the water entry feels crowded.

You receive confirmation when you book. The activity is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not state that transportation to the marina is included. Plan to arrive at the marina meeting point on your own.

Cabo’s Arch, Lands’ End, and the sea lion colony

The first listed stop is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, but the boat ride also takes in the surrounding landmarks at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. You can expect views of the Arch, Lands’ End, Lovers Beach, and the sea lion colony.

These sights give the outing a useful sense of place. Before you head into open water, you see the rock formations that define Cabo’s waterfront. The sea lion colony adds a dose of wildlife before the main search begins, though the available details do not promise a specific length of time at each landmark.

The speedboat is part of the appeal. You are not spending the morning slowly motoring from one stop to another. The faster ride helps the crew cover more water, which matters when the goal is to find animals that may be moving through a broad area.

It also makes the ride more active. You should be comfortable with a brisk boat trip and changing conditions. If you prefer a calm, slow cruise, this may not be your ideal water outing.

Searching the open Pacific for wildlife

After the landmark portion, the crew heads farther out to search for animals in the ocean blue. The guide team explains the local ecosystem and watches for signs of wildlife from the boat.

This part can be thrilling. A pod of dolphins may suddenly appear beside the boat. Mobula rays may pass below or leap from the water. Whales may surface at a distance. A turtle may give you a short look before disappearing again.

The experience can also be unpredictable. Conditions, animal movement, and visibility all affect what you see. The crew’s goal is to enter the water safely and respectfully when conditions allow, not to chase animals or force an encounter.

That approach is worth keeping in mind when you compare this with a less expensive whale-watching trip. The open-ocean safari costs $145 per person, but the price covers more than a boat ride. You receive snorkeling equipment, snacks, drinkable water in reusable cups, juice boxes, and photos and videos.

Still, the higher price does not guarantee better wildlife sightings. If your main goal is to see whales from a boat, a simpler whale-watching excursion may offer better value. If you want the possibility of getting in the water near dolphins, rays, or another animal, this experience offers something more active.

Getting into the water near wild animals

When the crew finds a suitable opportunity, you put on your snorkeling gear and enter the water. The point is to observe the animals up close while respecting their space and the surrounding environment.

This is where your comfort level matters most. The safari is intended for more advanced snorkelers, and the information calls for moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable wearing a mask and snorkel, swimming in open water, and following the guides’ instructions without panic.

The water entry is not described as a simple, shallow beach swim. You are heading out by speedboat to look for pelagic animals, so you need to be ready for a more active experience. If you have not snorkeled in a long time, tell the guide before entering the water. One guide, D, helped a participant feel comfortable after a long break from snorkeling, which suggests that the crew can offer personal support when needed.

The most memorable possibility is an encounter with mobula rays. These animals are often called flying rays because they can leap above the surface. Seeing several rays moving through the water can be remarkable, but you should treat this as a possibility, not a promise.

Dolphins may provide an equally strong experience. One outing included time in the water with several kinds of wild dolphins, followed by reef snorkeling at Chileno Bay. That particular combination sounds excellent, but Chileno Bay is not identified as a guaranteed stop in the provided itinerary. Consider it an example of what the crew may add when conditions and wildlife make it sensible, not a fixed promise.

Reef snorkeling may be part of the day

The core idea is open-ocean wildlife, but some outings may include a second snorkeling setting. Chileno Bay appeared in one especially strong account, with reef snorkeling, many kinds of fish, and a turtle.

A reef stop can balance the uncertainty of the open ocean. Instead of waiting for a large animal to appear, you get a chance to look at smaller fish and more settled marine life. It also gives you a different type of snorkeling experience, with a defined area rather than a moving search.

Because Chileno Bay is not listed as a formal itinerary stop, do not book this trip expecting it. Ask the operator if the route commonly includes the bay during your travel dates. The confirmed itinerary information names the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, while the wildlife search is described more broadly.

What the included gear, snacks, and media are worth

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting a mask, snorkel, and related gear separately. You also receive snacks, water served in reusable cups, juice boxes, and photos and videos.

The media service adds meaningful value. The crew may take the GoPro into the water, leaving you free to watch the animals instead of managing a camera. That is especially useful during a quick encounter, when adjusting a phone or camera can mean missing the moment.

There is one practical point to clarify before you leave the marina: how and when the photos and videos will be sent. One account reported that promised photos never arrived, while another described the footage as excellent. Since media delivery appears to be part of the product, ask the crew for the exact delivery method and timing.

Bring your own sunscreen and towel. Neither is included. The supplied information does not specify a food menu, so treat the snacks as a light provision rather than a full meal. Four hours is long enough that you may want to eat breakfast before meeting the boat.

The $145 price and the real value

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Cabo. The value depends on what you want from the morning.

I think the price is reasonable for you if you care about a small group, a speedboat, open-ocean searching, snorkeling gear, refreshments, and included media. The chance to enter the water near wild dolphins or rays gives the outing a different purpose than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a guaranteed snorkeling reef. A less expensive trip to a known bay may give you more predictable time in the water. The safari’s extra cost pays for the search and the possibility of a rare encounter, not certainty.

The 4.8 rating from 24 reviews and the 92 percent recommendation rate point to strong overall satisfaction, but the range of experiences matters more than the headline number. Some outings deliver dolphins, rays, reef fish, turtles, and good footage. Another felt like a distant whale-watching trip with limited visibility in the water.

That difference is normal for wild-animal tourism, but you should make your booking with realistic expectations.

Who should book this experience

This is a good match for an active snorkeler who wants something less predictable than a standard bay tour. You will likely appreciate the outing if you enjoy fast boat rides, open water, wildlife searching, and the chance to see animals in their natural setting.

It can also work for families with mixed ages if everyone is comfortable with the boat and water. One outing suited a group ranging from a person in their 70s to teenagers aged 12 and 15. Fitness and water confidence matter more than age alone.

You may want another tour if you are a first-time snorkeler, dislike choppy or open water, or need a guaranteed reef stop. You should also think twice if a distant whale sighting would feel like a poor result.

For the best chance of enjoying the experience, treat each sighting as a bonus. Listen closely to the crew, ask about conditions before entering the water, and confirm how the photos will be delivered.

Should you book the Cabo open-ocean safari?

Book it if your ideal Cabo morning includes a small boat, famous rock formations, a search for wild marine life, and the possibility of snorkeling near dolphins or mobula rays. The included equipment, snacks, drinks, and photos help support the $145 price.

Skip it if you want a calm, predictable reef excursion or guaranteed close animal contact. This is a wildlife search, not an aquarium visit. Its greatest strength is also its risk: the ocean decides what you see.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling safari begin?

It begins at Baja Vikings Ecoventures on Boulevard Marina, Edificio Plaza API Modulo B-20, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 8 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Baja Vikings Ecoventures.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, drinkable water in reusable cups, and juice boxes are included.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are included, though you should ask the crew how and when the files will be delivered.

What should you bring?

Bring sunscreen and a towel because neither is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.