Our pick · Villa groups
Experiences · Los Cabos · Cabo San Lucas
Whale watching in Los Cabos, December to mid-April.
Each winter humpback whales come to the warm waters of Baja California Sur to breed and give birth. Go out with whale experts on a private boat for your party, or join a small group from the Cabo San Lucas marina.
2 – 2½ hoursDuration
Cabo San LucasMarina departures
Ages 5 +On every boat
Dec – mid-AprBest in January and February
Private & sharedFour ways to go
The season
Humpbacks off Los Cabos, every winter.
Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas runs from early December to mid-April, when humpback whales travel south to Baja California Sur to breed and give birth. January and February give the best chance of a sighting. Gray whales and orcas are possible too, and Bryde’s and minke whales appear now and then.
Whales are most often found along the coastline between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and the boats sometimes go round to the Pacific side. All four trips leave from the Cabo San Lucas marina; the two private trips include round-trip transport, which our concierge confirms for your villa when we book.
On every boat a hydrophone lets you listen for the whales, when conditions allow.
Choose your boat
Four boats, two of them private.
A catamaran or a fast inflatable speedboat, each private for your party or shared with a small group. All four are run by Cabo Adventures and booked through us.
Our pick · Villa groups
Our concierge confirms availability and books it for you.
Each private boat carries your party alone. For a group too large for one boat, our concierge asks Cabo Adventures for a second.
The film
Humpbacks off Cabo San Lucas
A winter day on the water: humpbacks breaching and tail-slapping, watched from the deck. Filmed by Cabo Adventures, who run every trip on this page.
Film · Cabo Adventures
Private luxury whale watching
Two and a half hours, in order.
i.
Transfer to the marina
Round-trip transport included
ii.
Past Land’s End
The Arch on the way to the whales
iii.
Find the whales
The crew follows the day’s activity
iv.
Hear the song
Through the boat’s hydrophones
v.
Back at the marina
About two and a half hours later
The order of the day as the operator runs it; exact times are confirmed when you book.
The gallery
See it for yourself.
When to go
Through the year.
Jan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Season
Apr
Season
May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
Season
Whale season, early December to mid-April
Best chance of sightings, January and February
Good to know
Before you go.
Season
Early December to mid-April; the shared speedboat runs 15 December to 15 April. Sightings are likely in January and February, but no trip can guarantee them.
Who can join
From age 5 on every boat, with a 120 kg (265 lb) weight limit on the speedboats. Not suitable during pregnancy.
What to bring
A hat, biodegradable sunscreen and a light sweater. Shoes come off on the catamarans.
On the day
A dock fee is paid at check-in. For the shared trips, villa guests meet at the Cabo Adventures office in the marina.
Our take
Founder, Villa Experience
“I would book the private catamaran: the boat is yours, round-trip transport is included, and the canapés and bar come with it. If your dates are flexible, plan it for January or February, when sightings are most likely.”
Founder, Villa Experience
After the boat, a meal at the villa by a private chef (at additional cost), arranged by our concierge.
Questions
Before you ask.
When is whale season in Cabo San Lucas?
From early December to mid-April, with January and February the most reliable months, though no trip can promise a sighting.
What is the best time of day to go?
Departure times are set for each trip and confirmed when you book; our concierge fits the trip around your day.
Private boat or shared catamaran: what is the difference?
A private boat carries only your party, with whale experts or a marine specialist and round-trip transport. The shared catamaran puts you in a small group with appetizers and an open bar, and villa guests meet it at the marina. The speedboats are built to cover distance quickly and have no facilities on board; the catamarans serve food and drinks.
What should we wear?
Light layers with a sweater, a hat and biodegradable sunscreen, and a phone or camera ready. Shoes stay off on the catamarans.
How close do the boats get to the whales?
Usually to within a few hundred feet. The crews keep a respectful distance and let the whales set the pace.
Can we go whale watching from San José del Cabo?
All four trips leave from the Cabo San Lucas marina, and the whales are often along the coast between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The private trips include round-trip transport; for the shared trips, our concierge arranges your transfer to the marina.
Villa Experience Concierge
Let us arrange the day.
Tell us your dates and your group. We book the right option and the transfer, plan the rest of the day at the villa, and send you one confirmation.
Pairs well with
More for the same week.
Whale watchingOperated by Cabo Adventures
Reserve
