Head to head
Sunset cruise or snorkel cruise: which should you book in Cabo?
Book the snorkel cruise if you want to do something and the sunset cruise if you want to look at something. The snorkel trip is longer at three to four hours, costs $60–$120 and gets you in the water at Santa María; the sunset cruise is two hours, costs $45–$110 and passes the Arch on the way to open water.
Published · Last updated
Key facts
- Snorkel cruise
- $60–$120 pp, 3–4 hours, morning
- Sunset cruise
- $45–$110 pp, 2 hours, evening
- Snorkel sites
- Santa María Cove, Chileno Bay
- Sunset route
- Land's End, the Arch, then west into the Pacific
- Wetsuit needed
- December–April, sea at 72°F
Snorkel cruise
More time, more content, and you actually get in the Sea of Cortez.
Pick this if
- You want an activity, not a view
- You are here between July and October when the sea is 81–84°F
- It is your only boat trip of the week
Sunset cruise
Two hours, one very good view, and a bar. The right choice as an evening, not as a day.
Pick this if
- You want an evening out on the water
- You have already been snorkelling
- You are travelling as a couple
| Snorkel cruise | Sunset cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $60–$120 pp | $45–$110 pp |
| Duration | 3–4 hours | 2 hours |
| Time of day | Morning | Late afternoon |
| Get in the water | Yes | No |
| Route | Land's End then the Corridor coves | Land's End then open Pacific |
| Typical group | 20–40 | 30–120 |
| Best months | July–October, warm sea | November–April, calm water |
The bottom line
Snorkel cruise for a first boat trip. Sunset cruise as a second one, or as an evening rather than a day. If the budget only stretches to one and you are here in the warm half of the year, the water wins.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better value, a snorkel or sunset cruise in Cabo?
The snorkel cruise, on a per-hour basis: three to four hours with an activity for $60–$120, against two hours and a view for $45–$110. The sunset cruise is better value as an evening out than as a day's activity.
Do sunset cruises in Cabo include the Arch?
Almost all of them pass the Arch and Lover's Beach on the way out of the marina, but they do not stop. Landing at Lover's Beach requires a water taxi or a dedicated Arch tour.
Read next
The Cabo brief
One email a month: what is worth booking right now, what has changed, and what to skip. No affiliate spam.
Double opt-in. We send a confirmation link before you are subscribed. Unsubscribe in one click.