Cabo San Lucas Land's End Arch Sightseeing & Lover's Beach

Be clear on what this is before you book it: a sightseeing boat loop around Land's End, not a full snorkeling excursion. You get about 45 minutes on the water taking in the Arch and the rock formations, then a stop at a beach where the water is calm enough to wade in and look around. If you already have a mask and fins, or don't mind a light look at the fish rather than a real reef swim, it does the job for very little money.

What it's genuinely good for is the sightseeing itself. Land's End is the postcard shot of Cabo, and this is the least expensive way to get out on the water and see it up close, sea lions included, without booking anything elaborate. If snorkeling is actually the point of your day, it's worth looking at the dedicated snorkeling tours in Cabo San Lucas instead, most of which include gear and spend far more time in the water.

The loop runs close to the rocks the whole way, so you get a good look at:

• The Arch of Cabo San Lucas (El Arco), the landmark rock formation at the tip of the peninsula
• Pelican Rock, usually covered in seabirds and often ringed by snorkelers from other boats
• Neptune's Finger, a narrow spire of rock rising out of the water
• The Window to the Pacific, a natural opening where the Sea of Cortez meets the open ocean
• Scooby Doo Rock, a formation named for its cartoonish silhouette
• The resident sea lion colony hauled out on the rocks near the Arch

What's Included

• A 45-minute boat ride along the Sea of Cortez side of Land's End
• Views of the Arch, Pelican Rock, Neptune's Finger and the Pacific Window
• A pass by Scooby Doo Rock and the sea lion colony
• A stop at a beach (Playa del Amor, Playa Pelícano or Playa del Médano) where you can get off

Not Included

• Snorkel gear — mask, snorkel and fins aren't rented or provided, so bring your own
• A guide in the water or any instruction
• Food, though snacks and drinks (no glass) are allowed on board
• Gratuities for the crew

A short list before you book, since this trip has a few quirks.

• Bring your own snorkel mask and fins if you want to look underwater at the beach stop
• Drinks (no glass containers) and snacks are allowed on board
• Touching the rocks or getting too close to the sea lion colony isn't allowed
• The 3:00 PM departure skips the beach stop, so book an earlier time if Lover's Beach matters to you

One safety note that matters more than most people realize: never swim on the Pacific side of Land's End, sometimes called Divorce Beach. Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) faces the calm Sea of Cortez and is safe for wading and light snorkeling, but the sand strip just on the other side faces the open Pacific, where currents and surf have caused drownings. Stay on the Sea of Cortez side.

If real snorkeling is the goal, this loop is a preview at best. For an actual snorkel trip around the same landmarks, look at the Arch and Lover's Beach snorkel tour, or if you'd rather avoid the crowds entirely, the crowd-free morning snorkel excursion.

This works best for people who want to see Land's End cheaply and quickly, not spend the day in the water.

• Budget travelers who want the Arch view without paying for a full excursion
• Cruise passengers with just a few hours in port
• Sightseers who mainly want photos of the Arch, the rock formations and the sea lions
• Families wanting a short, inexpensive boat ride rather than a full-day activity

Not ideal for

• Anyone who mainly wants to snorkel — the in-water time is minimal and unguided
• Travelers who want gear provided rather than bringing their own
• Anyone hoping for a longer, structured time in the water rather than a quick loop and a beach stop