Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Where the Pacific crashes into the Sea of Cortez beneath a famous stone arch. Cabo delivers dramatic scenery, lively beaches, and Baja adventure — all within reach of a short tender ride.
Where the Pacific crashes into the Sea of Cortez beneath a famous stone arch. Cabo delivers dramatic scenery, lively beaches, and Baja adventure — all within reach of a short tender ride.
Cabo San Lucas is a tender port — no cruise ships dock at a pier. Ships anchor in Cabo Bay and run tenders to Marina Cabo San Lucas.
💡 Pro move: In rough conditions tenders can be suspended or the port call cancelled. Check ship's daily bulletin for status.
All cruise ships anchor in Cabo Bay and tender passengers to Marina Cabo San Lucas — there is no cruise pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| All cruise lines | Marina Cabo San Lucas tender pier, Blvd. Marina📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition / small ships | Same tender pier or water-taxi dock📍 | Tendered |
From a 45-minute glass-bottom boat spin around El Arco to a half-day of ATV bashing through Baja desert, Cabo packs serious variety into a single port day.
Glass-bottom boats and catamarans cruise to Cabo's signature stone arch where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, passing Pelican Rock and a loud sea-lion colony. The most classic Cabo experience.
Find El Arco boat tours →Water taxis from the marina drop you at Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) near El Arco for swimming and snorkeling, or at Medano Beach for a lively scene with beach bars, paddleboards, and parasailing.
Find beach & water taxi tours →These protected marine sanctuaries 20 minutes east of Cabo offer calm, clear water and abundant reef fish, rays, and sea turtles. Most tours include snorkel gear, lunch, and an open bar.
Find snorkeling tours →Ride quad bikes or side-by-side UTVs through the Baja desert and along coastal dirt tracks. Tours pick up at the marina and suit all experience levels. Some add a tequila tasting stop.
Find ATV & UTV tours →A 30-minute taxi ride leads to the quieter sister city with an 18th-century mission church, cobblestone art district, and a relaxed café scene — a welcome contrast to Cabo's bustle.
Find San José del Cabo tours →Cabo Bay sits on the annual migration route of gray and humpback whales. Seasonal catamaran tours offer close-up sightings; some combine whale watching with snorkeling.
Find whale watching tours →Most of Cabo's highlights are accessed by water taxi or tour, but the marina boardwalk and downtown are easy on foot.
From the tender pier, walk the length of Blvd. Marina past sport-fishing boats, open-air restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour-operator booths. Pick up a glass of fresh juice at a street cart and watch the pelicans work the docks.
Head inland from the marina along Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas to reach Cabo's small downtown core, the large souvenir market, and taqueria stands serving grilled fish and shrimp tacos.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 63°F / 17°C | 1 | 7:02 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Feb | 79°F / 26°C | 63°F / 17°C | 1 | 6:51 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Mar | 81°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 0 | 6:28 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 0 | 5:59 AM | 6:40 PM |
| May | 85°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 0 | 5:38 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Jun | 87°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 1 | 5:34 AM | 7:06 PM |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 80°F / 27°C | 4 | 5:43 AM | 7:07 PM |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 80°F / 27°C | 8 | 5:56 AM | 6:51 PM |
| Sep | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 9 | 6:06 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 3 | 6:16 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 2 | 6:33 AM | 5:35 PM |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 1 | 6:53 AM | 5:37 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The primary way to get from the tender pier (cruise ships anchor offshore) to Medano Beach, Lovers Beach, and El Arco. Fast, fun, and very affordable — a must for most visitors.
No meters — always agree on the fare before you get in. Short rides from the marina to town or a nearby beach run ~$10–$15 USD. Drivers near the pier tend to quote higher; paying in pesos saves money.
Uber is legal and active in Cabo San Lucas and is usually significantly cheaper than street taxis. Use it for rides within town; note Uber cannot pick up at the airport.
Inexpensive public buses run between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Useful for budget travelers, but routes and schedules can be tricky — not a common choice for cruise day visits.
The most popular structured option for cruise passengers — combines a glass-bottom boat ride past El Arco with a city bus tour. Book through the pier, your cruise line, or third-party operators like Viator or GetYourGuide.
Upcoming cruises that call at Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.