Port guides / Mexican Riviera
Cabo San Lucas
The dramatic tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean at Land's End, celebrated for whale watching, sportfishing, and golden beaches.
Cabo San Lucas is one of the most visually dramatic anchorages in the Americas. As your ship drops anchor in the bay, you look directly upon the iconic granite rock formations of Land's End rising steeply from the sparkling sea.
The tender boat operation
Because Cabo lacks a deep-water pier for cruise ships, this is an authentic tender port:
- Tender process: High-capacity tender boats run continuously between your ship and the Cabo San Lucas Marina terminal, a 10-to-15-minute scenic ride across the bay.
- Tender tickets: Most cruise lines require guests without ship-sponsored excursions to pick up a numbered tender boarding ticket on the morning of arrival. Suite guests and top-tier loyalty members generally receive priority boarding.
- Last tender: Always check the daily program for the "last tender back to ship" deadline. It is strictly enforced and is earlier than the ship's actual departure time.
Top things to do in Cabo
- El Arco & Land's End Boat Tours: Water taxis and catamarans depart right from the marina dock where your tender arrives. Circle the granite Arch of Cabo, Lover's Beach, Pelican Rock, and the bustling sea lion colony basking on the rocks.
- Whale Watching in the Sea of Cortez: Between December and April, thousands of humpback and California gray whales migrate to Cabo's sheltered waters to mate and nurse calves. Zodiac and catamaran whale tours offer awe-inspiring close encounters.
- Medano Beach: Cabo's main swimmable beach, lined with lively beachfront restaurants, cantinas, volleyball nets, and paddleboard rentals. It is a 15-minute walk around the marina boardwalk or a 5-minute water taxi ride.
- Chileno Bay & Santa Maria Cove: Fifteen miles northeast along the tourist corridor, these protected coves offer Cabo's best snorkeling, protected from open Pacific surf and teeming with colorful reef fish.
- Historic San José del Cabo: A 25-minute taxi north takes you to Cabo's quieter sister city, known for its colonial church, traditional town square, and Thursday evening Art Walk.
Ocean swimming precautions
Be aware that beaches facing the open Pacific Ocean (such as Divorce Beach) have treacherous rip currents and heavy shorebreak where swimming is strictly prohibited. Only swim at designated safe beaches such as Medano Beach, Chileno Bay, or Santa Maria Cove.