The Arch Boat Tour & Water Taxi
Rating
Family of 4
$40-$100 for a family of 4.
Duration
1-3 hours
Best Ages
All ages
About
Getting out on the water to see El Arco (The Arch) is a non-negotiable part of any Cabo family trip, and the water taxi is the most affordable, flexible way to do it. Multiple options exist — from budget water taxis that run $10-15 per person to glass-bottom boat tours at $20-30 per person to private boat charters — but they all deliver the same spectacular payoff: a close-up view of Cabo's iconic natural stone arch, the sea lion colony, and the dramatic coastline at Land's End.
Water taxis are the simplest option for families. Small, open boats depart from both the Cabo San Lucas Marina docks and directly from the sand at Medano Beach, running continuously throughout the day. The ride to the Arch takes about 10-15 minutes, during which the captain typically narrates key landmarks — Pelican Rock, the sea lion colony, Lover's Beach, Divorce Beach, and finally El Arco itself.
Most water taxis offer a round-trip that either returns you to your departure point or drops you at Lover's Beach for a few hours of swimming and snorkeling before picking you up at an agreed time.
Glass-bottom boats add another dimension. Available from multiple operators at the marina (Roger's Glass Bottom Boat Tours is a well-known one), these 45-60 minute tours cover the same route but include the bonus of watching tropical fish and rocky underwater formations through the transparent hull. For families with babies or toddlers who can't snorkel, this is the best way to give them an underwater experience without getting wet.
Pricing is one of the best deals in Cabo. Water taxis run $10-15 per person round trip, and prices are negotiable — walk the dock or beach, compare a few quotes, and don't accept the first offer. Early morning and late afternoon departures tend to be cheaper.
Kids under 3 often ride free. Glass-bottom boats run $20-30 per person. For the splurge option, private boat charters cost $150-300 for 1-2 hours and let your family set the pace.
The morning offers the best conditions: calm water, good photo light (the Arch faces east), and fewer boats crowding around Land's End. During whale season (December-April), morning boats sometimes spot humpback or gray whales in the distance — an unexpected bonus that turns a good boat ride into a great one.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
No
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Take the first boats out at 8-9 AM for the calmest water, best light for photos, and fewest boats near the Arch. Sunset rides are beautiful but book ahead.
Wait Times
5-15 minutes — boats depart frequently from the marina and Medano Beach
Nearby Food
Water taxis depart from Medano Beach, which has dozens of beachfront restaurants. The Office on the Beach serves great tacos with your feet in the sand. The marina area has Baja Brewing Company, Solomon's Landing, and the Puerto Paraíso Mall food court.
Why Kids Love It
The boat ride to El Arco is the quintessential Cabo experience for families, and the water taxi makes it accessible and affordable. Kids get genuinely excited on the boat ride — watching the coastline slide past, feeling the spray on their faces, and then suddenly seeing the massive stone arch looming ahead. The captain usually swings past the sea lion colony at Land's End, where dozens of sea lions bark and sun themselves on the rocks just feet from the boat, which kids find hilarious and fascinating in equal measure.
Water taxis offer the option of being dropped at Lover's Beach, turning a simple boat ride into a beach adventure. The whole trip from Medano Beach to the Arch and back takes only 30-45 minutes, which is the perfect attention span for younger kids. Older kids love the option of taking a glass-bottom boat instead, where they can peer through the transparent hull at tropical fish and underwater rock formations the entire ride.
On a good day, you might spot dolphins, rays, or (in winter) whales during the cruise. This is the kind of experience that costs very little but creates lasting memories.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Water taxis depart from both the marina docks and directly from Medano Beach — the beach departures are usually cheaper and more negotiable
- Negotiate price BEFORE boarding — standard is $10-15/person round trip but you can often bargain down, especially early or late in the day
- Arrange your pickup time if being dropped at Lover's Beach — there's no cell service on the beach to call a taxi later
- Morning rides (8-9 AM) have the calmest water and best photo lighting — the Arch faces east, so morning light is ideal
- Ask the captain to swing close to the sea lion colony — most will do it without extra charge
What to Bring
- Waterproof phone case or camera — you'll want photos of the Arch and sea lions
- Sunscreen and hat — minimal shade on the boats
- Cash for boat fare and tips (pesos or small USD bills)
- Light jacket — mornings on the water can be breezy
- Motion sickness remedy for kids who get queasy on boats
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$40-$100 for a family of 4.
Water taxi: ~$10-15/person round trip ($40-60 for four).
Can also negotiate shared boats at $5-11/person.
Glass-bottom boat to Arch: ~$20-30/person.
Private boat charter: $150-300 for 1-2 hours.
Tips to Save
- Water taxis from Medano Beach are the cheapest option — negotiate the price before boarding and you can often get $10-12/person round trip.
- Shared boats are cheaper than private.
- Walk the marina dock and compare prices from 2-3 operators before committing.
- Kids under 3 often ride free — ask.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 8AM-5PM
- Monday
- 8AM-5PM
- Sunday
- 8AM-5PM
- Tuesday
- 8AM-5PM
- Saturday
- 8AM-5PM
- Thursday
- 8AM-5PM
- Wednesday
- 8AM-5PM