Cabo San Lucas Clear Boat Tour: An Honest Review

Thinking about checking out a clear boat tour when you’re down in Cabo San Lucas? I get it, it looks awesome, and so it promises a totally different experience compared to, say, the regular glass-bottom boat thing. But very before you, like, jump to book one, it’s really good to kinda know what you’re in for, you know? Like, is it actually worth the cash? Is it as amazing as all those Insta pics suggest? In this article, I’m walking through my experience with one of these tours, very like laying out all the details so that you have everything you need to decide if it’s something you would be in to.

What is a Clear Boat Tour, Anyway?

Okay, so just think about it, a regular boat, but its bottom, is actually see-through – often made from, maybe, super strong glass or acrylic, you know? Rather than just peering through, maybe, a small glass window, pretty much like on old-school glass-bottom boats, on a clear boat, so you’re getting, very much, an unobstructed view of everything happening below, that, well, the waterline. I mean, that’s the plan. The appeal is obvious: like, you’re hoping to check out marine life and rock formations clearly without needing to get all wet, and that can be really awesome, especially for, you know, very small kids or anyone not too sure about snorkeling.

Booking Your Trip: Stuff to Keep in Mind

If this sounds like your thing, well then, here’s what you’ve really got to look into when you go to book a tour in Cabo. Okay, the boat tour length can differ. So too, you could find some only lasting an hour, or maybe even some that run closer to three hours. Clearly, the tour length might very much affect, not just, you know, how deep of an ocean view you get, but just, frankly, also what kind of tan you wind up with.

See what’s covered. Is it just the cruise, or so too does that tour ticket come with snorkeling gear, drinks, and, you know, even snacks? Some will roll in things such as access to, say, a private beach afterward, too. You will probably just want to figure out what your total bottom-dollar cost looks like, specifically if you decide on anything that is a package deal. And look into the departure times. Do some depart early AM, which would very much get you better light for pictures? Does taking a sunset cruise fit your schedule better?

Oh, but so too read those reviews. Jump onto sites such as TripAdvisor or even Yelp and look through just what recent travelers said about their experiences. Very look out for recurring themes — good or, probably, not. If loads of people happen to be moaning about the same thing, well then, there’s probably something going on. Then scope out those locations. Certain tour operators may well run closer to the marina area while many others potentially travel further out to the Arch, or possibly Lovers Beach, you know? In truth, what is accessible really depends on how rough the waves get and what that boat’s size is, as it is.

The Experience: My Time on the Water

I recently had my turn on a clear boat trip there in Cabo, and so I went in just expecting something amazing. The reality? Well, that’s more nuanced. Okay, let’s start right from when I arrived; the departure dock spot wasn’t actually too hard to spot, very like smack-dab in the core of the marina district, you know? After you checked in and walked along that dock to our ride, that clear boat certainly stood out.

Once aboard, so too were we greeted by this upbeat crew handing everyone water and, too, soda. I will admit, as we all motored away from shore, you, well, did sense anticipation bubbling. Okay, that glass bottom definitely delivered when we cleared the harbor’s waters. Everyone onboard was able to peep down at all sorts of sea critters and cool, naturally forming rock formations. That perspective did change how I usually experience these oceanic tours. Still, something kind of surprised me; sometimes I had a little bit of trouble with, you know, too much glare on that see-through floor. Depending on the light outdoors, some underwater visibility simply varied during parts of that ride.

At times, frankly, I found myself fighting glare so much that so I couldn’t spot nearly as many tropical fishes or rocks just because the sun happened to be at such an angle at that moment, which happened to get frustrating a bit. A couple of other passengers would shift and, maybe, block your view, so too, especially on a fully loaded tour, I very needed to time just when and where to grab those nice peekaboo viewpoints. Then those photo ops over by El Arco? Worth it all.

I would suggest getting seated somewhere which offers pretty easy access to both sides, but in all seriousness, though; even with those small view limitations I pointed out earlier, well, the novelty on its own here actually makes checking it all out worth it. I have never had ocean vistas somewhat such as what I was getting peering into that crystalline bottom down there, and that experience by itself is hard not to enjoy.

Snorkeling: Yay or Nay?

Lots of the Cabo clear boat trip providers are linking that jaunt with snorkeling, so well, I figured I’d hop right in during our designated snorkeling stop! The crew was pretty helpful and, likely, professional about, you know, giving out gear and walking you through the basics, so that was really reassuring, you realize. But then again, the water here wasn’t pristine during my swim. Like, so too was visibility limited, that could be down to weather, but the sea still felt like a bit of a murky soup around me during some underwater sections. So very many boats in such proximity probably stir all sorts of particulate issues near dive sites together as time passes.

That left me really wishing I’d had a better viewing environment that way. Still, while our spot during my trip might not have delivered crystal clear visibility so, then I will stress; the chance to swim beside a range of sea life is typically wonderful enough itself to excuse most visibility gripes, as it is. Very so did I catch sight of schools involving all kinds of rainbow tinted tropical fishes right off nearby rocks? I wish, though, it would have been simpler just getting good video.

Who Should Try This Tour?

If you really appreciate getting views that your average tourist skips while traveling and you appreciate new twists with regular sightseeing experiences so that all means you could have such a fun time tooling all over coastal Cabo by this craft, actually! Anybody into photography very likely could have all kinds of fun test-driving such novel perspectives of those well known geological spots all around Land’s End. Too it’s almost a big win if maybe you need any relatively accessible way just to bring elderly family, and, possibly, small kids, near open waters because really, these tend to stay, usually, a totally stable cruise.

But still, keep in mind if any travelers in your party cannot stay onboard boats so that maybe motionsickness medications prove wise just before departure — it’s always wiser staying safe rather than bummed! If you love ocean exploration yet struggle, basically, with mobility constraints; a clear-bottom sightseeing boat probably means your ocean viewing dreams still are reachable.

Other Options for Seeing Marine Life

Let’s say a clear boat doesn’t grab you so much after I mention several possible quirks here. Really, don’t stress — a lot more awaits when visiting beautiful Cabo San Lucas so you get near ocean environments, as it is! Hop on some normal water taxi and view that world renowned El Arco up from sea level and maybe, get dropped somewhere for lunch on a secluded beach; you’re not missing anything skipping transparent bottom vessels, truthfully. Load onto boats specializing for whale spotting excursions (during seasons whenever such marine mammals migrate closest!) You’ll certainly love witnessing several full breaches on the open sea.

Rather consider just grabbing an actual scuba tank with instructors if really seeing a full panorama under seas sounds critical! Cabo has many dive shops featuring guidance from educated experts whom very regularly lead reef trips right around Los Cabos! If saving some bucks while still seeing tropical fishes proves paramount during trips; consider saving all snorkeling activity down along calm shoreline stretches such as Medano Beach rather than having any dedicated snorkeling charter. Okay, pack good waterproof cases to avoid destroyed phones, though.

Whatever path you select after touching down here into Baja California; you’ll certainly find dozens of stunning choices that promise making moments amazing while exploring just what incredible watery magic swirls all underneath southern Baja’s shorelines!

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

All said, after figuring pros right next to cons related with doing one clear boat styled exploration here throughout gorgeous Cabo — consider just who’s coming, plus when along your getaway might the voyage slot comfortably? Although certain compromises very exist viewing crystalline ocean vistas through boat bottoms such as lighting issues plus mild crowding while underway, I also firmly state what getting uncommon glimpses down beyond swells absolutely made our voyage awesome anyway! From families needing simple options just involving seeing sea vistas together near the frail traveler requiring accessible ocean adventures and, even committed picture takers seeking quirky, fresh vantage spots along common scenery down around El Arco’s rock face. You will find something valuable experiencing coastal splendor utilizing crystalline touring crafts while visiting Baja Sur!

So if any traveler gets even partly energized regarding the opportunities coming using ocean sightseeing aboard such uncommon vessels – do not hesitate very longer! Treat your group something innovative over usual activities then ready your gadgets designed towards snapping memory creating marine footage. Very few excursions truly replicate what unfolds viewing Baja’s treasures swimming far down from below throughout transparent galleons, I promise!