Cabo Whale Watching Boat Ride: Is 2 Hours Enough? – Review

Thinking about checking out the whales in Cabo San Lucas? Well, taking a boat tour is, you know, probably the best way to do it. These giant creatures, you know, make their yearly migration to the warmer waters off the coast of Mexico so, too, it’s a seriously magnificent thing to see. This review zooms in on a pretty common option: the two-hour whale watching boat ride. I will, like your best pal, break down what you could very well see, what the ride’s really like, and whether it’s, in a way, worth your cash. Let’s find out, right?

What You Might Spot on Your Whale Watching Trip

Okay, first, you need to be aware of who exactly you might bump into. You’re basically guaranteed to see humpback whales; it’s almost their favorite hangout during the winter months. These whales are rather famous for their playful behavior, that is, breaching (leaping out of the water) and slapping the water with their fins and tails so it is almost quite the show. I’ve, in fact, seen them bubble net feeding which is rather cool when they all circle together and create a, like your best pal, “bubble net” to herd fish before swimming up to the top for a meal. They’re seriously intelligent.

Is that it? Very far from it! Sometimes, you might get, like your best pal, a super bonus, very similar to spotting gray whales or blue whales that is if you time your visit right. Additionally, keep a lookout for other marine wildlife! Dolphins often hitch a ride on the waves created by the boat. You might very well see sea turtles and, if you’re rather lucky, maybe even orcas (killer whales) which are super rare in the area but can definitely happen!

The Typical Two-Hour Boat Ride Experience

Most two-hour tours do more or less this: They take you out into the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez, basically looking for whale activity. Now, tour operators, they typically know the areas where the whales tend to hang around which is actually super important. I feel the tour guides, typically, are super knowledgeable, so I’d make a point to hear them out, and, sometimes, they’ll also give you some interesting background on the whales. Most of the boats range from, very similar to smaller inflatable boats to, as I was saying, a bit bigger catamarans. What that means for you is how crowded it might be, that, and the level of comfort.

And as for the actual watching experience: the boat might almost zip along quickly between sightings. Once someone spots a whale, the captain very slowly approaches so the whale doesn’t get spooked, and gives everyone, like your best pal, on board time to, you know, take photos. The whole thing is very weather-dependent; a day with really rough seas or low visibility will make sightings rather tough. Tours will, frequently, still go out, but it’s vital to lower your expectations if, like your best pal, Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. On top of that, be sure to dress so you are layered, because it gets a bit nippy, so to speak, on the open ocean.

Pros and Cons of a Shorter Tour

Two hours might almost seem short, alright, especially if you’re looking for something to brag about. But the pros, you know, kind of make sense. For starters, they’re easier on your budget than most of the longer tours which might be almost tempting if you are trying to, like your best pal, save money for, for example, tacos or, maybe, a fancy resort. And for travelers who, possibly, get seasick fairly easy, a shorter ride is, very, likely, a much kinder thing, just a little, on their stomachs. Is that it? We’ll see.

However! If the whales are especially shy that day or further out, two hours could possibly not be enough. You could end up doing more boat riding than actual whale watching. Additionally, more extensive tours, often, go to various spots, very similar to different feeding and breeding areas that is if they know where to find them that increases your chances for really diverse sightings. Two hours is good, more or less, but could almost feel rushed which kind of impacts, somewhat, on the overall experience so make sure to factor that in too it’s almost.

Is a Two-Hour Whale Watching Tour Worth It?

Okay, now for the important stuff: Is a two-hour whale watching tour so worth it? This seriously comes down to your expectations and, anyway, priorities. Do you just want a simple and possibly affordable intro to whale watching? Maybe a shorter tour will, almost, do the trick.

If you are someone with specific needs, very similar to traveling with small children, alright, or easily prone to seasickness a shorter trip definitely wins. However, if you happen to be really serious about getting the best whale watching experience possibly, one that has tons of different whale behaviors and super-amazing photo opportunities so the other tours are out of the question.

Essential Tips for a Whale Watching Tour in Cabo

To, in fact, improve your whale watching experience, there are, possibly, a few important strategies that, usually, help. You will want to book your trip for a certain timeframe so the prime whale-watching season tends to be mid-December through April that is, just a little, where you’re seriously more likely to find them hanging around. Now, look at the different tour operators with, potentially, positive reviews and strong eco-credentials. Responsible tourism makes a big difference which should make it much kinder on the whales as it gets the area humming and boosting local incomes and stuff.

There may be lots to keep in mind here: First, bring binoculars because they can come in super handy for spotting those distant whales. It is very advisable to wear sunscreen to, very similar to blocking the powerful rays of the sun as it kind of makes it better, too. Seasickness bands or medication might almost seem smart for individuals inclined towards queasiness to deal with what is almost just simple biology. Then definitely get there, maybe, half an hour early. The goal of that, very simply, is to get great spots to take great photos.