Scuba Diving

Cabo Trek’s four-hour scuba outing combines two underwater sites with a boat ride past Cabo’s famous Arch and sea lion colony. Certified guests may visit Pelican Rock and Land’s End, including the area around the Lundenberg shipwreck, while beginners can make their first underwater excursion with a PADI professional.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives your guide more room to watch the group in the water. I also like the early 7:30 am start, since one small boat got out ahead of larger commercial boats and found excellent wildlife conditions.

The main point to check before paying is equipment. The tour details say necessary gear is provided, yet the included list also says scuba equipment is not included, and one customer paid $35 to rent it. Confirm the rental cost when booking, and ask for a clear receipt for any GoPro photos or extra charges.

Key points to know before booking

• Pelican Rock and Land’s End are the certified route: These sites can include the Lundenberg shipwreck and the underwater scenery around Cabo’s southern tip.
• Beginners are welcome: You do not need certification if you want a first guided introduction to scuba, but you should expect a moderate physical effort.
• The group is capped at eight people: A smaller boat can mean closer supervision and less waiting between parts of the outing.
• Wildlife can be the highlight: Sea lions, spotted rays, sea turtles, eagle rays, manta rays, moray eels, sea slugs, and many fish have all been seen on past outings.
• The boat also serves as a Cabo sightseeing ride: You stop at the Arch and local sea lion colony before heading to the underwater sites.
• Budget for possible extras: Hotel transport and GoPro rental are not included, and scuba equipment pricing needs confirmation.

Two underwater sites in Cabo San Lucas

This is not just a quick swim off the beach. You check in at the Cabo Trek office, board the boat, and receive an introduction to the local Marine Park before heading toward the Arch and sea lion colony.

That opening boat ride matters. It gives you a look at Cabo’s best-known coastal landmarks before the main activity begins, and the sea lion stop adds wildlife to the morning even if underwater visibility is not perfect. You should think of the trip as a compact combination of marine sightseeing and scuba, not only a technical underwater session.

The certified route may include Pelican Rock and Land’s End. These sites sit in the Marine Park near Cabo’s southern tip, where the meeting of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez creates changing conditions and a wide variety of marine life. The trip may also include the Lundenberg shipwreck, a detail that adds interest for certified guests who want more than a simple reef setting.

If conditions and site choice allow, the experience can be especially rewarding. Past outings have included eagle rays below the boat and whales seen at the surface, along with manta rays, moray eels, sea slugs, sea turtles, spotted rays, and schools of fish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but these sightings show the range of what you might find.

Certified guests need to bring proof of certification. That requirement is not a minor formality. It helps the operator place you on a route suitable for your training and experience. If you have not been underwater for some time, tell the operator and guide before departure so expectations are clear.

A first scuba experience for non-certified guests

You do not need certification to take part in the beginner option. Cabo Trek says it can introduce first-timers to the underwater world with a PADI professional, making this a possible choice if you want to try scuba without committing to a full certification course.

That said, first-time scuba is not a passive sightseeing ride. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be comfortable following instructions, handling the equipment, and remaining calm in the water. The guide’s communication matters greatly here.

Silvia received particular praise for explaining clearly and helping a first-time pair feel safe. Other guides named in the feedback include Ryan, Larue, Felipe, and Eduardo. Captain Freddy and Captain Adrian were also singled out for their work on the boat. The exact guide may vary, but the experience appears to depend heavily on the individual PADI professional leading your group.

For a beginner, a small group is a real advantage. With a maximum of eight people, the guide has fewer participants to monitor than on a large boat. That does not remove the need to listen carefully, but it can make the first attempt feel more manageable.

The Arch, sea lions, and the ride to the sites

After check-in, you head to the boat and receive a short explanation of the local Marine Park. The route includes a stop at the Arch and the nearby sea lion colony before the boat continues to the selected underwater locations.

This sightseeing portion helps break up the trip. You are not sitting at the office waiting for the main event, and companions who are less interested in scuba still get a look at Cabo’s famous coastal landmarks. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the water.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach the Cabo Trek office at Hotel Tesoro, on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina 20, Local A, in central Cabo San Lucas. The stated start time is 7:30 am. Morning and afternoon departures are available in general, but the supplied meeting details specifically list the 7:30 am start, so confirm your chosen departure time before setting your schedule.

An early departure can be useful for two reasons. It gives you more of the day afterward, and an early boat may reach the sites before some larger commercial boats. One small group had an especially quiet outing because it was low season and only two family members joined the boat.

What the two-tank format means for your day

The trip is built around two underwater sessions. Between them, the boat and crew provide a natural pause, and bottled water and snacks are included. The full outing lasts about four hours, including check-in, the boat ride, the Marine Park introduction, the sightseeing stop, and the two-tank program.

Two sessions offer more variety than a single short underwater visit. Your guide may take you to different settings, and the second session gives you another chance to see marine life if the first one is quiet. For certified participants, that can make the difference between a basic introduction and a satisfying half-day on the water.

The conditions are seasonal. Cabo Trek says sites can reach up to 60 feet, or 18 meters, of visibility in summer and fall. Visibility changes with weather and sea conditions, so you should not book expecting a guaranteed view at a particular distance. The operator can cancel for poor weather and offer another date or a full refund.

The trip requires a minimum of two people per booking. If the minimum is not met, the operator may offer another date or experience, or provide a full refund. That is worth noting if you are booking close to your holiday dates.

Gear, clothing, and the costs that need clarification

The listed price is $149 per person. For a four-hour boat trip with a captain, PADI professional, Marine Park fees, water, snacks, and two underwater sessions, that can be a fair price, particularly for a small group. The value is strongest if the quoted price truly includes all standard scuba gear.

Here is the catch: the information is inconsistent. The highlights say all necessary gear is provided, while the included and excluded sections say the use of scuba equipment is not included. One customer reported paying an additional $35 to rent equipment. I would not assume the $149 price covers your full cost until Cabo Trek confirms it in writing.

Hotel transportation is not included. GoPro rental is also extra. Underwater photos may sound appealing, especially when sea lions, rays, or turtles appear, but check the total price before agreeing. One customer reported being offered a $40 volunteer price for photos, then seeing a $50 charge plus 16 percent IVA tax on the credit card transaction. Cabo Trek acknowledged the billing mistake and explained that IVA is an automatic government tax.

The practical lesson is simple: ask what is included, what equipment rental costs, and whether tax is added to optional items. Keep receipts and check the card slip before leaving. You should not have to sort out surprise charges later in your vacation.

Cabo Trek asks for the T-shirt and shoe size of every participant. That request suggests the operator is preparing equipment or clothing in advance, so provide accurate sizes when booking. You may also want to bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a change of clothes, although those items are not specifically listed as included or required.

The guides and the value of close supervision

A scuba trip rises or falls with the guide. The most consistently praised part of this outing is the staff’s attitude and care in the water.

Silvia was praised for clear communication and for helping a first-time participant feel secure. Ryan was described as a strong dive lead who made a small-group outing memorable. Larue also received high marks for guiding, while Felipe was associated with sightings of manta rays, moray eels, sea slugs, and many fish. Eduardo guided a pair to Pelican Rock and Land’s End, and captains Freddy and Adrian were both mentioned positively.

You should not expect to choose a specific guide unless Cabo Trek confirms it. Still, these names are useful if you are returning or calling ahead with questions. Ask who will lead your group, especially if you are a beginner or have not used scuba equipment recently.

The small boat is another plus. A maximum of eight people feels more personal than a large open-water operation, and it can reduce the amount of time spent waiting for other groups. The tradeoff is that a smaller boat may offer less room and fewer onboard facilities than a large vessel, but no detailed boat amenities are provided, so you should keep expectations modest.

Who will get the most from this Cabo outing

I would recommend this trip most strongly to three kinds of people:

• Certified scuba users who want a compact two-tank outing near Cabo’s Marine Park.
• First-timers who want a guided introduction rather than a full certification program.
• Couples and small groups who value a quieter boat and direct contact with the guide.

It suits visitors who want several experiences in one morning: a coastal ride, the Arch, the sea lion colony, and underwater time. It is also a useful choice if you want to finish by late morning and keep the rest of the day open.

This may not be right for you if you want hotel pickup, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a fully transparent all-inclusive price without checking equipment charges. It also may not suit anyone who is uncomfortable with moderate physical activity or who needs a highly accessible, low-effort excursion. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so ask Cabo Trek directly if that matters for your booking.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The operator may also cancel because of poor weather or because the minimum group size is not met, in which case you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Cabo Trek scuba trip?

Book it if you want a small-group two-tank outing with a PADI professional, a Marine Park introduction, and a chance to see Cabo’s coastal wildlife above and below the water. The combination of Pelican Rock, Land’s End, the Arch, and the sea lion colony gives the half-day good variety.

I would make one phone call before booking or immediately afterward: confirm whether scuba equipment is included in the $149 price. Also confirm the price of optional GoPro photos and how tax will be handled. If Cabo Trek gives you a clear answer, the outing offers good value, especially for certified participants and first-timers who want close supervision.

If you prefer a no-surprises booking with hotel transport already arranged, this may require more planning than you want. For everyone else, the small boat, named PADI guides, and strong wildlife potential make it a sensible Cabo choice.

FAQ

How long does the scuba experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Cabo Trek office at Hotel Tesoro, Boulevard Paseo de la Marina 20, Local A, Centro, Cabo San Lucas.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:30 am. Morning and afternoon departure options are available, so confirm your selected time when booking.

Does the tour include two underwater sessions?

Yes. The experience is described as a two-tank scuba trip.

Do I need scuba certification?

Certification is required for participants taking part in a certified scuba outing. Non-certified participants can choose the beginner option with a PADI professional.

Do certified participants need proof of certification?

Yes. Evidence of certification is required from all participants joining a certified scuba outing.

What sites might certified participants visit?

Certified participants may visit Pelican Rock and Land’s End in the local Marine Park, or sites along the Corridor, including Santa Maria and Chileno bays. The Lundenberg shipwreck may also be part of the Land’s End outing.

Is scuba equipment included?

The supplied details are inconsistent. The highlights say necessary gear is provided, while the exclusions say scuba equipment is not included. Confirm the equipment rental cost with Cabo Trek before booking.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.