How much is whale watching in Cabo?

A seat on a tour, or a boat of your own

Per head, the shared tour is the lower price, and a private boat gives your group the whole boat.

Say you are six. On the Cabo Whale Watching tour, that is 6 people at $108, or $648 before IVA. The private Sailboat 42ft is $850 for the whole boat for 3 hours, and that rate covers 6 guests, so about $141.67 each.

For a big group, the Catamaran 47ft is $2,050 and covers 14 guests, about $146.43 each, against $1,512 for 14 seats on the shared tour. Extra guests are $80 each, up to 40.

Private boat prices are for the whole boat, plus 16% IVA. See every whale trip on our whale watching page.

What each whale tour includes

Every whale tour we book lists a hydrophone on board, so you can listen for the whale songs.

The tours run in whale season, mid-December to mid-April, as our tour listing puts it. Our whale season guide has more on timing.

Tours leave at 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM, and you pick the time when you book.

• Cabo Whale Watching: $108 per person, 2 hours, ages 5 and up. Includes: custom whale-watching speedboat; visit to the Arch and Land's End; onboard hydrophone; marine specialist guidance.
• Luxury Whale Watching in Cabo: $138 per person, 2.5 hours, ages 5 and up. Includes: catamaran voyage; appetizers onboard; open bar; hydrophone, weather permitting.

What you pay on top of the ticket

Checkout adds 16% IVA, so the $108 tour is $125.28 per person.

Both tours have a $4 dock fee. You pay it in cash on the day, at the dock, and it is not in the price you see.

Tips are not included. The tours suggest 15 to 20% for the crew, in cash on the day.

On a private boat, the 16% IVA is added to the boat rate, and the crew tip is not included. 15 to 20% of the rate is standard, in cash.

If you need to cancel

Shared tours and private boats each have their own rule.

Shared whale tours follow our tour rule. More than 72 hours before your trip: 75% refund. From 48 to 72 hours before: 50% refund. Under 48 hours, a no-show, arriving late, seasickness or heading back early: no refund. If the port is closed, or the captain or tour team cancels for weather or safety, we move you to a new date. If no new date works for you, you get a full refund. Light rain or choppy water that the captain calls safe is not a cancellation.

Private boats follow our yacht rule. 7 or more days before: 100% refund. 72 hours to 7 days before: 50% refund. Less than 72 hours before: No refund. If we or the captain cancel for weather or safety reasons, you receive a full refund or a free reschedule, no matter the timing. Both rules are on our cancellation policy page.