Best Whale Watching Tours in Cabo San Lucas: 9 We Love!
Whales are the largest – and easily some of the most awe-inspiring – creatures you’ll ever see, and Los Cabos is a prime spot to watch them.
After many years visiting Cabo (and many boat rides!), we’ve been whale watching more times than we can count – and we’ve seen humpback whales on every tour except one.
So what are the best whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas?
Whether you’re after an adrenaline-charged Zodiac ride, a laid-back luxury catamaran, a brunch cruise, an outing that includes snorkeling and sailing – or even a pirate-style adventure – these are the tours we recommend most.
🐋 Our 3 favorite whale watching tours!
Want a quick answer?
Pick a small boat for excitement and close-up viewing. If your stomach disagrees (and prefers a smooth ride), opt for a larger catamaran. (For details, read how to choose the right tour below.)
Educational small-boat adventure
Marine biologist-led trip (small boat) to spot whales! (Details: See #2)
Whale watching by luxury catamaran
Top-rated deluxe catamaran cruise – we love the mimosas! (Details: See #4)
Large comfy cruise with brunch
Whale watching brunch cruise on a large stable boat (Details: See #9)
Contents: Cabo’s top whale watching tours
9 Awesome whale watching tours
Types of whales in Cabo San Lucas
Best time of day to go whale watching
9 Best Cabo San Lucas whale watching tours
Whale watching tour boats leave from the Cabo San Lucas Marina and head out into Cabo San Lucas Bay.
They typically slow down for photos by Cabo’s famous rock Arch (El Arco en Espanol!) and Lover’s Beach at Land’s End. Some travel around the tip of the Baja California Peninsula into Pacific waters too in their search for whales.
1) Exciting Zodiac tour
Cabo Expeditions is one of the top-rated tour companies in the area, offering fantastic 2½-hour whale watching excursions on a Zodiac boat.
With expert guides and a skilled captain, you’ll be taken to the prime spots for whale sightings.
The smaller Zodiac (holding up to a maximum of 15 people) allows for access to areas that larger boats can’t reach, giving you the chance to get up close and personal with these 40-ton giants, while still keeping a safe distance.
We’ve done this tour ourselves, and it’s one we highly recommend!
2) Educational whale tour (free photos too!)
Whale Watch Cabo is another great option for educational, marine biologist-led trips on small shade-covered boats.
After hearing so many good things about them, we recently joined their 8:30 am tour. (Tours also leave at 12 noon and 3:00 pm.) Boats carry no more than 12 people per boat, last 2½ hours long, and – always appreciated – there’s an emergency restroom onboard.
Their focus? Responsible non-invasive whale watching, with full commentary from the onboard biologist.
And bonus – all the photos your guide takes during your tour are yours to download for free.
We lucked out with a really passionate, fluent English-speaking guide (who also happens to be a veterinarian).
She shared all kinds of fascinating whale facts… Like how baby whales drink 100 gallons of milk a day… And how whales don’t eat at all in Cabo, surviving entirely on their blubber. When they arrive, that blubber layer can be 5 to 7 inches thick, but by the time they migrate back toward Alaska in spring, it may only be just an inch.
Interestingly, this tour sped off to the Pacific Ocean side. Our previous whale watching trips stayed in the Sea of Cortez. The ride was definitely bumpier, with more swell action.
But we got some close-up viewing. We visited early in the season, so activity was a bit quieter, but we still caught one humpback doing a full breach. You can’t beat that!
Whale Watch Cabo also offers:
- Fast Zodiac-style boats (up to 10 people) that zip straight to where the whales hang out. (Kids have to be 8 or older.)
- Private tours, perfect if traveling with several family members or a group of friends.
3) Small boat tour
When you book with Cabo Trek, you’re choosing the first company in Mexico to receive the prestigious “Responsible Whale Watching Operator” certification from the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA).
Their small group whale watching tours – with a maximum of 12 guests on an 18-person boat – offer an immersive experience. You can see whales above water, view them on an underwater camera and even hear them through hydrophones.
Plus, there’s a marine biologist on every tour to explain the whales’ behaviors and teach you more about these special creatures.
The boats are spacious and have a roof canopy for shade – ideal if you’re on a mid-day cruise. Tours run three times a day and last 2½ hours.
We haven’t personally tried Cabo Trek yet, but they consistently get rave reviews, so we feel confident giving them a shout-out here!
4) Luxury catamaran cruise
If you want something more comfortable, Cabo Adventures offers deluxe catamaran whale watching cruises.
One of the largest and most popular tour operators in Los Cabos, Cabo Adventures is known for delivering top-notch experiences. We’ve enjoyed many tours with them (including this one) – all excellent!
They use double-deck vessels (with bathrooms), accommodating about 25 guests.
The main deck has tiered seating up front, giving everyone a great view. Up top, there’s a small shaded deck with cushioned seats for about six people.
Their French-made power cats offer smooth sailing, even in choppier waters – so they’re perfect for families or anyone who’s prone to motion sickness. They also boast hydrophones, so you can hear the whales when they’re underwater.
When boarding, we were all welcomed with mimosas. Then after we set off, we were offered drinks of our choice.
Snacks followed, cleverly served in lacquered Japanese-style trays (one for each couple or small group), with compartments for guacamole and chips, toasted ham and cheese sandwiches (ours was an 8:00 am tour) and delicious chocolate truffles.
Meanwhile, our guide entertained us with all sorts of facts about whales and whale behavior.
And yes, we saw humpback whales on our tour – but mainly tails. No OMG breaching action (unlike people we’d met who were treated to an amazing whale show the day before).
No matter. With an open bar and plenty of snacks, this luxury 2½-hour tour is still a definite must-do in Cabo for one of the classiest whale watching experiences.
The downside is that our vessel didn’t get as close to the whales as other smaller boats, which could maneuver more easily and quickly.
5) Private yacht cruise
Vacationing with family or a group of friends? How about going whale watching in full private yacht mode?
With Cabo Boat Adventures, you’ll spot whales from the comfort of your own luxury power yacht. And when the whales take a breather – or you want to switch things up – you can snorkel at Pelican Beach, paddleboard, chill out on a floating mat, cruise the coastline or just lounge on deck with a cold drink in hand.
You’ll have a crew catering personally to you, and you can opt to upgrade with gourmet Mexican catering and an open bar. (Yes, please!)
6) Pirate-themed whale watching cruise
We bet the kids would love their breakfast on a pirate ship! Wild Cabo offers a whale watching breakfast tour aboard a pirate boat.
How’s that for one of the coolest things to do in Cabo?
7) Whale watching with free photos
Some tours charge extra for their photos. Cabo Nature’s 2-hour whale tours include them – so you can take home some amazing whale shots, at no extra cost!
Their 24-foot boat is kitted out with an underwater microphone so you can hear the mesmerizing whale songs. The group size is capped at 10 people, ensuring an intimate experience.
The guides are all passionate, university-educated marine biologists, eager to share their knowledge of whale migration patterns, how whales are tracked via tail identification and more.
8) Inflatable speedboat tour
Along with their deluxe whale watching tours (see #4), Cabo Adventures offers a variety of other whale watching tours for different tastes.
One is a thrilling whale watching adventure on an inflatable speedboat, guided by experts in marine mammals.
9) Big boat brunch tour
And then there’s Sunrider Tours.
Hop aboard a really large power catamaran. It can hold up to 250 passengers.
These highly-rated tours on the SunRider 100 are 2½ hours long. They’re kid-friendly and combine whale watching with a delicious brunch buffet and an open bar.
If you’re looking for a smooth, stable ride (especially if you have a sensitive stomach), this is an excellent option.
Choosing the right tour
With so many whale watching options, picking the right one comes down to what kind of adventure you’re after – and how cooperative your tummy tends to be.
A few things to think about before you book:
- How early you’re willing to get up
- Whether you want an adrenalin-fueled ride (or a more relaxed cruise)
- How prone you are to sea-sickness
- Whether having a bathroom on the boat is important
- Whether food and/or drinks are included
Our recommendation, based on personal experience
From first-hand experience, we can tell you that the difference between boats – and where they go – really matters.
Our most recent small-boat tour with Whale Watch Cabo (see #2 above) headed out into the Pacific Ocean. That meant there were fewer whale watching boats around, so the experience felt less crowded and “zoo-like.”
But it was far bumpier than our luxury whale watching cruise on a mid-size power catamaran with Cabo Adventures (see #4). That tour stayed on the Sea of Cortez side, and it felt noticeably smoother and more comfortable.
In general, the Pacific Ocean side has bigger swells and rougher water than the Sea of Cortez. And on a small boat, it can be hard to see over the swell, even if a whale is surfacing close by.
That said, you can’t choose which side a tour will go – boats follow the whales. But smaller, faster boats can venture into the Pacific more easily, while larger boats tend to stick to the Sea of Cortez. We’ve rarely (if ever) seen big boats head out into the Pacific.
➡️ Bottom line? If you’re prone to seasickness, skip the Zodiacs and small boats and opt for a larger, more stable vessel instead.
Types of whales in Cabo San Lucas
The most common species of whales in the seas around Cabo are California gray whales and humpback whales.
They both make the epic 6,000-mile-long migration from Alaska down to Cabo in the cooler winter months.
In fact, around 10% of humpback whales are born in Mexico!
However, there are plenty of other whales in the biodiverse waters around Cabo. Keep your eyes peeled for blue whales (the largest mammal in the sea), sperm whales, minke whales, orcas (also known as killer whales), fin whales and pilot whales (which are like large dolphins).
And it’s not just whales you’ll encounter – we’ve seen lots of other marine life too, like playful bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.
Cabo San Lucas whale watching season
So you want to know: When can you see whales in Cabo? Generally in the winter, but let’s break it down a bit more.
Cabo’s whale watching season runs from around mid-December to mid-April, although it’s possible to see whales outside of this time frame.
The “official” season is set by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Mexico’s environment ministry) every year. It usually kicks off on December 15.
As for the best time in winter, that depends on which whale species you’re hoping to see.
Humpback whales in Cabo
The peak humpback season is between late December and the end of January.
January in Cabo is thus an ideal time for a post-Christmas trip if you want to see humpbacks. However, baby humpbacks – so adorable – start appearing in the seas in February.
The humpbacks disappear around late March and early April, when they make the journey back north to Alaska.
Gray whales
Between early January and March, you’ve also got a good chance of seeing gray whales, which normally come much closer to the shore than their humpback cousins.
Best time of day to go whale watching in Cabo San Lucas
In the peak whale watching season, tours are usually offered three times a day – early morning, mid-day and late afternoon. Is one time better than another?
Early morning tours
The early morning is our preferred whale watching time.
We find that the sea is calmer and the boat ride is less choppy this time of day. Plus, we like reserving our afternoons for enjoying the beach and reading a good book!
The downside is that the tours leave pretty early – about 8:00 am.
Mid-day tours
Mid-day tours can get pretty toasty if the boat lacks shade. (Don’t forget your sunhat!)
On the upside, by this time, the captains usually have a good idea of where the whales are hanging out, so your chances of spotting them are higher.
But hey, it’s Cabo! During whale season, you’re almost guaranteed to see whales no matter what time you head out.
Late afternoon tours
Many visitors report they’ve seen the most playful whale activity in the late afternoon.
The breeze picks up in Cabo around mid-morning and usually lasts until late afternoon. And apparently, whales like a little wind and some waves!
If you’re prone to seasickness, though, you might want to steer clear of these later tours. That said, larger boats tend to be more stable, so you should be fine on an afternoon trip if you’re on a bigger vessel.
Bottom line: Which is the best time to see whales in Cabo?
Of course, these are all just observations. Whales don’t follow our 24-hour Circadian rhythm.
Sometimes they’re more active in the morning and other times the afternoons offer better sightings.
So we’d recommend simply picking the time that suits you – and enjoy the adventure!
How close can you get to the whales?
Whale watching is highly regulated in Baja California Sur, with the safety and preservation of these mammals and their ecosystems always taking priority.
Guides must be officially licensed to lead whale watching trips. Many are led by marine biologists and local whale experts who are familiar with all the various species and conservation efforts.
Boats can’t get closer than between 65 and 130 yards, depending on the whale species.
Sometimes, though, whales swim by close to your boat, even though your captain will try to move away.
So if a whale swims fairly close by your boat – which isn’t unusual – then you’re in luck!
Whale behaviors
If you’re heading out on a humpback whale watching tour in Cabo, it helps to know what to keep an eye out for!
Some fascinating whale moves
- Head, tail or flipper slap: This occurs when a whale moves a part of their body out of the water and then slaps it down on the water’s surface.
- Spyhop: It sounds like a James Bond movie. But this is when a whale lifts and turns its head before crashing back under the water. It’s generally done when a whale is watching out for predators.
- Breaching: When you see epic photos of whales, they’re usually doing a full body breach – jumping out of the water then turning and re-entering!
- Peduncle throw: This is a turning motion when a whale moves its tail and peduncle (where the tail fluke connects to the body) out of the water and smashes it back down. When you see a whale doing this, they’re mating.
- Blow: Whales blow water from their blowhole, so this is how whales breathe out. They can go for 15 minutes without breathing, although they generally breathe every 3 to 5 minutes when traveling.
- Logging: This is how whales sleep. They rest with their head and back exposed so they can breathe and move slowly on the surface.
Whale watching in Los Cabos: FAQs
Is Cabo San Lucas the best place to go whale watching in Mexico?
It’s one of the best places.
Thanks to its unique location, where the Sea of Cortez (one of the most biodiverse marine areas on Earth) meets the Pacific Ocean, your chances of seeing whales are about 90 to 95% during the season.
Other Mexican beach destinations like Puerto Vallarta are great too. We’ve also gone whale watching in PV’s Bay of Banderas – and we had a fabulous time viewing humpback whales there as well.
Why do whales migrate to Cabo?
Whales migrate from Alaska and along the west coast of the USA, down to Mexico, mainly for warmer water temperatures.
In the winter months, they leave the frigid Arctic seas and swim south to mate, socialize and give birth in the warm waters around Cabo.
These waters have lots of excellent nutrient-rich shallows and lagoons that make for great nurseries for baby whales.
In fact, on many whale watching tours, you’ll see mama whales teaching their calves how to survive in the wild or simply playing with them. It’s a humbling sight.
Spring signals the end of Cabo’s whale season, and the whales head back north to spend their summers in Alaska.
Some species, such as killer whales (orcas) also travel to the Sea of Cortez for its rich array of marine life, which offers a buffet of whale food.
How much does whale watching cost in Cabo?
Most tours cost between $90 to $120 USD p.p.
Ones that include an open bar and a meal will be at the higher end of this spectrum. Likewise, if you opt for experiences with a marine biologist, you’ll be paying for their knowledge.
Can you swim with whales in Cabo?
No, it’s illegal. Plus, they’re huge mammals and they’re unpredictable. They could accidentally hurt you when they move.
However, you can take a day tour to swim with whale sharks in La Paz from Cabo.
They’re not actually whales, which are warm-blooded. Whale sharks are fish, which are cold-blooded. But they’re just as big as whales – and they’re very gentle.
A final thought before you go…
Seeing whales in the wild – sometimes surfacing just feet away, sometimes launching into a full breach – never gets old. No matter how many tours we’ve taken over the years, they still find ways to surprise us every single time.
If you’re planning a trip to Cabo, this is a bucket list experience we’d absolutely encourage you to make time for.
We hope your whale watching trip leave you with wonderful memories that you’ll be talking about for months to come!
Discover more of Cabo
- 12 Sunset Cruises You’ll Want to Book ASAP
- 5 Super Fun Snorkeling Tours (That Aren’t Party Boats)
- We Loved Our Baja Charters’ Whale Shark Tours!
- 11 Fun Beach Clubs in Cabo
- 10 Crazy Fun Water Activities in Cabo!
Our favorite resources for planning a trip to Cabo
Resorts: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel in Cabo – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!) Expedia is also worth checking for discounted hotel rates in Cabo.
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local guided tours in Cabo, see Viator and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car in Los Cabos is one of the best ways to explore. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation and travel security.
Need more help?
- See our Start here page. It lists everything we’ve written on Cabo.
- Also check our ultimate Cabo travel guide and our article on Planning your Cabo vacation: What you should know.
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