Cabo San Lucas is a tender port of call on Mexican Riviera itineraries nearly year-round, with Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess among the ships anchoring offshore most months except summer.
Cabo San Lucas sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the open Pacific at the iconic El Arco rock formation. Once a quiet fishing village, the town has grown into a lively resort destination known for its marina, beach clubs, and sport-fishing fleet chasing marlin and dorado offshore. Desert hills rise behind the bay, framing a coastline prized for both its scenery and its calm, swimmable coves.
Ships typically anchor offshore, with tenders ferrying travelers to the marina, which places restaurants, shops, and beach access within easy walking distance. From there, glass-bottom boats run short trips out to the arch and nearby Lover's Beach, while the desert landscape beyond town invites excursions into a starkly beautiful terrain of cacti and rugged hills.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Cabo San Lucas.
Cruise Out to El Arco
Hop a water taxi or glass-bottom boat from the marina for the short ride to the famous arch, where sea lions bask on the rocks and the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Round trip runs about 30-45 minutes.
Relax at Lover's Beach
Only reachable by boat, this sheltered cove backs onto Divorce Beach on the Pacific side, making it easy to compare calm and rough water in one stop. Arrange a water taxi at the marina for a half-day outing.
Book a Sport-Fishing Charter
Cabo's offshore waters are famous for marlin and dorado, and half-day charters depart right from the marina. Reserve ahead, since boats fill quickly and the ride out to prime grounds takes time.
