The usual way to get to Pelican Rock is by water taxi, glass-bottom boat or guided excursion from Cabo San Lucas Marina or Medano Beach. Guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard outings are another option when conditions and experience allow. There is no road to the offshore rock.
Our Pelican Rock overview explains the setting and activities. This guide focuses on choosing transport, finding your departure point and agreeing on the return journey.
Choose transport for the visit you want
- Sightseeing: a water taxi or glass-bottom boat can pass the rock as part of a bay trip. Confirm the route and whether it stops.
- Snorkeling: choose a trip that explicitly includes time in the water, supervision and a way to reboard.
- Scuba diving: arrange a dive program that fits your certification or introductory-training needs.
- Paddling: choose an appropriately guided kayak or SUP outing if you are unfamiliar with the bay. Boat traffic, wind and the return paddle need planning.
Leaving from the marina or Medano Beach
Obtain an exact meeting point from the operator, including the dock, office or beach boarding location. Cabo’s marina has multiple departure points, so “meet at the marina” is not a complete instruction. Allow time to find the boat and complete check-in.
Beach boarding can involve stepping through water and moving with the boat. Tell the operator about mobility needs or difficulty using a ladder before paying. Ask whether a dock departure or a different boat would suit you better.
For a water taxi, agree on the destination, price, currency, passenger count and return arrangement. Specify whether you want a sightseeing pass or time to snorkel. A transport fare does not automatically include snorkeling equipment, in-water guidance or someone remaining with you.
If you want to snorkel
Our Pelican Rock snorkeling-tour guide compares the trip types and the questions to ask before booking. Check that Pelican Rock is an intended swim stop, rather than only a landmark passed on the way to another bay.
Ask where you will enter and exit, how the group is supervised and what happens if conditions require a change. Buoys can help define an activity area, but they do not eliminate boat traffic or changing sea conditions.
Can you walk or swim there?
Walking to the marina or a departure beach is different from reaching the rock itself. Do not treat the nearby Lovers Beach coastline as a marked pedestrian route to Pelican Rock. Swimming between landmarks can put you into boat routes and changing currents; arrange appropriate water transport instead.
Combining the trip with the Arch or Lovers Beach
Pelican Rock, the Arch and Lovers Beach are close enough to appear on the same bay itinerary, but stops and landings depend on the trip and conditions. Agree on what is included before leaving. If a beach drop-off is planned, confirm pickup time, place and what to do if the landing becomes unavailable.
If you arrive by cruise ship, allow for tendering, check-in and the journey back before your all-aboard time. Do not build the schedule around the boat ride alone.
What to bring and confirm
Bring sun protection, water and a towel, plus your own mask if you prefer its fit. Secure valuables against splashes. Before departure, confirm any dock or equipment charges, weather-change arrangements and the return journey. Afterward, the marina is a convenient place to continue your day with a meal or a walk.