Best Attractions near the Cruise Port in Cabo San Lucas

Ready to set sail aboard a 98' replica pirate ship that looks (from a distance) as if it could have sailed the Spanish Main? Ready to walk the plank, or rope swing into a vacation adventure? Midday excursions aboard this Jolley Roger flying pirate vessel feature up-close looks at Land's End and Lover's Beach, as well as snorkeling forays into the fish-rich waters of Chileno Bay. Kids will love the sword fights and other scurvy entertainment staged by the salty costumed crew. Parents will appreciate the Mexican specialty food and open bar. Sunset sails and seasonal whale watching trips are also available.

This 60' yellow semi-submersible takes guests on short but memorable 75-minute tours of Cabo San Lucas Bay, with abundant views of the local marine life from their climate-controlled underwater viewing cabin, and the occasional Beatles song (you guess which one) as mood music. Helpful guides allow you to identify up to 70 types of fish (everything from dolphins and whales to colorful puffer fish), and if it isn't on the chart, the crew are readily available to answer questions. On the return trip, the submarine hugs the coast near Land's End, offering up-close looks at The Arch, and other notable rock formations like Pelican Rock and Neptune's Finger.

Enjoy incredible aerial views of Médano Beach, Pedregal, Land's End, The Arch, and Bahía San Lucas from a motorized ultralight. Pilot Ernesto Magaña has close to 30 years of flying experience, and offers some of Cabo San Lucas' most exhilarating tours. Depending on your fear factor, there are basically two settings: smooth and extreme. Extreme is recommended. Either way, this is a sightseeing dream, with stunning views of all the local landmarks from a thousand feet in the air. Tour durations range from 10 minutes (Land's End Tour) to one hour (King Sky Tour), with the latter including a jaunt to San José del Cabo.

Surf lessons at beginner-friendly breaks at Playas Costa Azul and Los Cerritos may be the most sought-after water-based activities option from High Tide – at least with kids – but the company's most iconic offering is a tandem kayak paddle out to Land's End and the Arch, with a stop at Lover's Beach for sun, sand, snorkeling, snacks and superb photo opportunities. Stand up paddle boards are also available on this tour, which is a great option for visiting couples. "Two Bay" snorkel tours are also offered by High Tide, as are hiking excursions in picturesque Fox Canyon. Less active pursuits include private off-road jeep explorations of Todos Santos and East Cape sites like Cabo Pulmo.

One of the most popular new water-based activities in Cabo San Lucas, flyboarding has only been around since 2011, when it was invented by a French jet ski champion named Franky Zapata. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a pair of boots are attached to a board, which is linked by a long hose to a wave runner or jet ski. Revving the jet ski sends water pressure through the hose and allows the flyboarder to propel him or herself up to 35 feet out of the water. Steering is controlled by heel-to-toe pressure in the feet, and tricks and turns are possible once one is out of the water and flying above Cabo San Lucas Bay like some sort of superhero.

Few local adventure companies can match Cabo Expeditions' variety of eco-themed activities, which include whale watching and swimming with whale sharks (seasonal), parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and day trips to Isla Espíritu Santo off the coast of La Paz. Perhaps the best thing about the company's collection of land and water-based activities is that they cover a good portion of Baja California Sur, and thus provide visitors with wide-ranging introductions to the area's incredible biodiversity. The Land's End snorkel tour is a great introduction to local flora and fauna, both above and below the surface. Adults and kids ages 5 and up will enjoy the snorkeling at Pelican Rock, where an upwelling effect contributes to the profusion of colorful marine life. Sightseeing stops at the sea lion colony and iconic Arch, meanwhile, offer abundant photo opportunities.

Lover's and Divorce Beaches are as close as you can get to Land's End without a boat. However, you will need a boat or other water-based transportation to access them. Lover's Beach is on the Sea of Cortés side, and generally has safe swimming and good snorkeling conditions. It also features spectacular views of the bay, and all the luxury hotels on Médano Beach. Walk through a gap in the rocks and you're on Divorce Beach, looking out at the Pacific Ocean (avoid swimming on the Pacific side due to strong rip currents). Locals like to joke about the fact that Divorce Beach is five times the size of Lover's Beach. There are no vendors or services on either beach, so make sure you bring what you need for the day. Water taxis are readily available from the Marina or Médano Beach, and are happy to provide round-trip transportation.

The 144' luxury catamaran Caborey is the premier cruise ship in Los Cabos, best known for its popular margarita and dinner cruises. The premier sunset dinner and show cruise is one of the great local dining experiences, particularly for those who are in town for a short time and want to get a feel for the local landscape, culture and cuisine. Enjoy romantic sunset views of Cabo San Lucas Bay, Médano and Lovers' Beaches, and the unique rock formations such as El Arco that stretch out towards Land's End. There are two below-deck areas for dinner, depending upon your ticket preference. There is a buffet on the middle deck, and a sit-down dinner on the lower deck with a choice of entrées, including chateaubriand and lobster. After the sit-down dinner, there is a rousing Las Vegas-style floor show featuring Mexican and Latin American singing and folk dances, headlined by a passionately romantic Argentine style tango.

Cabo Adventures is one of the area's top tour companies, with friendly professional staff, and an impressive roster of exciting outdoor activities that includes sailing, zip lining, outback camel safaris, ATV desert adventures, and swimming with whale sharks. Dive excursions are also a specialty, as Cabo Adventures offers dive trips to Land's End, as well as Cabo Pulmo National Park, the region's premier dive site, and the most densely populated marine environment in the Sea of Cortés. Cabo Adventures is an excellent option for scuba diving beginners, with shallow water introductions courtesy of their PADI Discover tours. PADI open water and advanced open water diver certifications may be earned through Cabo Adventures' PADI Five Star Dive Center.

Playa El Médano is ground zero for the Spring Break madness in March, and remains busy throughout the year. In many ways, it's the center of social life in Cabo San Lucas. The beach is huge, about two miles long, and filled with restaurants, bars, souvenirs vendors, and water-based activities rentals. Visitors can rent jet skis, kayaks or stand up paddle boards; go flyboarding or parasailing; have a water taxi take them out to Land's End or Lover's Beach, or drop them off back at the marina. Or simply relax and soak up the sunshine and muy tranquilo vibes. The water is extremely calm here, and although there aren't any lifeguards in Cabo San Lucas, areas have been roped off for swimming.