Cabo San Lucas Marina
Rating
Family of 4
$80-$120 for a glass-bottom boat tour for 4 ($20-30/person).
Duration
2-4 hours
Best Ages
All ages
About
The Cabo San Lucas Marina is the pulsing heart of tourist activity in Cabo, and it's one of the most naturally entertaining spots for families with kids. The marina boardwalk stretches along the waterfront, lined with restaurants, shops, tour operator kiosks, and a constant parade of boats — from humble fishing pangas to massive luxury yachts.
The star attraction for families is the glass-bottom boat tour. Multiple operators run 45-60 minute cruises that depart from the marina docks, gliding out into the bay with a transparent hull that lets everyone peer down at the underwater world below. You'll see tropical fish, sea fans, rocky formations, and the occasional ray gliding past.
The boats cruise past the famous Arch (El Arco), the sea lion colony at Land's End, and Lover's Beach, giving you a comprehensive greatest-hits tour of Cabo's coastline. For families with babies, toddlers, or kids who aren't confident swimmers, glass-bottom boats are the ideal way to experience Cabo's marine life without anyone getting wet.
Pricing is reasonable by Cabo standards — expect $20-30 per person, with kids under 3 riding free on most boats. Prices are negotiable, especially during off-peak hours. Walk the dock and compare quotes from 2-3 operators before committing. Roger's Glass Bottom Boat Tours is a well-reviewed, reliable operator with a kiosk inside Puerto Paraíso Mall.
Beyond the glass-bottom boats, the marina itself is free entertainment. Kids are fascinated watching boats come and go, spotting sea lions that haul out on the dock pylons, and observing pelicans hunting. In the afternoon (around 3-4 PM), the sport-fishing fleet returns to port and you can watch crews weigh enormous marlin, tuna, and dorado at the dock — it's like a live nature show and kids are riveted.
The marina area has plenty of dining options from waterfront restaurants to the Puerto Paraíso Mall food court, and it's walkable from most downtown Cabo hotels. It's the natural starting point for many Cabo family activities — whale watching tours, snorkeling trips, sunset cruises, and water taxis to Lover's Beach all depart from here.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Morning glass-bottom boat tours (9-10 AM) offer the calmest water and best visibility. The marina boardwalk is pleasant any time but especially nice at sunset. Avoid the dock area during midday heat.
Wait Times
Glass-bottom boats depart frequently — 10-20 minute waits typical
Nearby Food
The marina is ringed with restaurants. Solomon's Landing has waterfront seafood dining. Baja Brewing Company serves great burgers and craft beer. Puerto Paraíso Mall food court is steps away for quick bites. For budget eats, walk two blocks to Lázaro Cárdenas for street tacos at $1-2 each.
Why Kids Love It
The Cabo San Lucas Marina is where all the action starts, and kids are mesmerized from the moment they walk along the boardwalk. Huge sport-fishing boats, gleaming yachts, water taxis, pirate ships, and glass-bottom tour boats line the docks, and there's constant activity — boats coming and going, sea lions barking on the dock pylons, pelicans dive-bombing for fish. The glass-bottom boat tours are the ultimate kid-pleaser here.
You board a boat with a transparent hull, cruise out past the marina into the bay, and kids can see tropical fish, sea fans, and rocky underwater formations scrolling beneath their feet like a living aquarium. The boats pass the famous Arch, the sea lion colony, and Lover's Beach, packing a ton of sightseeing into a 45-60 minute trip. For toddlers and babies who are too young for actual water activities, this is the perfect Cabo experience — they can see fish and sea lions without getting wet or needing to swim.
Back on the boardwalk, kids love spotting the enormous marlin being weighed at the sport-fishing docks in the afternoon.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Glass-bottom boat prices are negotiable — walk the dock, compare quotes from 2-3 operators, and ask for a family discount
- Roger's Glass Bottom Boat Tours is one of the most reputable operators — their kiosk is in Puerto Paraíso mall near the dock entrance
- Morning tours (9-10 AM) have calmer water and better underwater visibility than afternoon trips
- Kids under 3 ride free on most glass-bottom boats — confirm before booking
- Walk to the sport-fishing docks around 3-4 PM to watch boats come in with their catch — kids are fascinated by the giant marlin
What to Bring
- Sunscreen and hats — there's minimal shade on glass-bottom boats
- Camera for sea lion and Arch photos from the boat
- Light cash for boat tours, tips, and marina snacks
- Motion sickness remedy if your kids are prone — the boats stay in calm water but can rock slightly
- Comfortable walking shoes for the marina boardwalk
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$80-$120 for a glass-bottom boat tour for 4 ($20-30/person).
Kids 0-3 free on most boats.
Marina boardwalk and window shopping are free.
Budget $60-100 for lunch at a marina restaurant.
Tips to Save
- Glass-bottom boat prices are negotiable, especially for early morning or late afternoon departures — don't accept the first price quoted.
- Kids under 3 ride free on most boats.
- Walk the marina boardwalk and watch the boats for free entertainment.
- Eat at the taco stands on Lázaro Cárdenas street (2 blocks inland) instead of waterfront restaurants to cut meal costs in half.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 9AM-7PM
- Monday
- 9AM-7PM
- Sunday
- 9AM-7PM
- Tuesday
- 9AM-7PM
- Saturday
- 9AM-7PM
- Thursday
- 9AM-7PM
- Wednesday
- 9AM-7PM