El Arco by boat from the Cabo San Lucas cruise port

Attractionabout 10 minutes by water taxi1-1.5 hours (longer with a Lover's Beach stop)Fits a typical call

The granite arch at the tip of the Baja peninsula, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, is Cabo's signature sight. California sea lions haul out on the rocks all year, most from November to April. Boats usually pass Pelican Rock, a sheltered reef at the harbour entrance popular for snorkelling.

Getting there from the ship

From
Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier
Travel time
About 10 minutes by water taxi
Allow 45 minutes to tender ashore first. Cabo San Lucas taxi fares.
Cost
Water taxi or glass-bottom boat about US$20 per person round trip (2026). Shared 3-hour arch-and-snorkel boat tours listed from about US$69.
Time to allow
1-1.5 hours (longer with a Lover's Beach stop)

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Cabo San Lucas call you have up to 4 h 55 min at El Arco by boat, enough for a visit (allow 1-1.5 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship anchors
    Tenders usually start running within the first hour; tour groups go first.
  2. 2
    8:55 am · At El Arco by boat
    About 10 minutes by water taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier.
  3. 3
    1:50 pm · Leave El Arco by boat by
    That gets you back to the tender dock an hour before all aboard, with time for the tender queue.
  4. 4
    3:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Cabo San Lucas; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Boats and people may not pass through the arch. Agree the price and return time before boarding, and go in the morning before the wind and crowds build. Whale-watching boats must keep 2 km from the arch.

Cabo San Lucas cruise port: El Arco by boat FAQ

How far is El Arco by boat from the Cabo San Lucas cruise port?

From Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier it is about 10 minutes by water taxi. Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, so add 30 to 45 minutes to get ashore first.

How much does it cost to visit El Arco by boat?

Water taxi or glass-bottom boat about US$20 per person round trip (2026). Shared 3-hour arch-and-snorkel boat tours listed from about US$69.

How much time do you need at El Arco by boat?

Allow 1-1.5 hours (longer with a Lover's Beach stop). Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Cabo San Lucas call you have up to 4 h 55 min at El Arco by boat, enough for a visit (allow 1-1.5 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit El Arco by boat on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is about 10 minutes by water taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina tender pier. Boats and people may not pass through the arch. Agree the price and return time before boarding, and go in the morning before the wind and crowds build. Whale-watching boats must keep 2 km from the arch.

Tours that go to El Arco by boat

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near El Arco by boat

All 11 places
  • Lover's Beach · Beach · about 10 minutes by water taxi from the pier
  • Whale watching · Nature · boats leave from the marina from the pier · 1.5 km from El Arco by boat
  • Medano Beach · Beach · a walk (the beach starts at the marina entrance) or a short water taxi from the pier · 2.1 km from El Arco by boat
  • Cabo San Lucas Marina · Town & walking · a 0-15 minute walk from the pier · 2.6 km from El Arco by boat