When to go
The season runs from about mid-May through July, with the biggest aggregations usually in late May and June. That is the gap between whale season, which ends in April, and the hottest months, so it is a good reason to visit in early summer. Like any wildlife trip, sightings are likely rather than guaranteed; the schools move, and the crew spends part of the trip looking for them. See our best time to visit guide for what else is happening in May and June.
How the tour works
Cabo Trek runs a three-hour small-group trip daily at 9 AM from the Cabo San Lucas marina, with a maximum of eight guests on a boat licensed for 16. A PADI professional guide briefs you, the captain searches for a school, and when you find one you slip in quietly and float as the rays pass beneath. Snorkel gear, water, juice, snacks and marine park fees are included; there is also an option to upgrade to a scuba dive.
Prices when we checked in September 2026 were USD 149 per adult (12 and over) and USD 99 per child, or USD 599 for a private boat for up to four. The tour needs at least two people to run. Meet at the Cabo Trek office 15 minutes before departure; transport from the villa can be arranged, but the marina is also a 20-minute walk from Médano Beach.
Who it suits
Any confident snorkeler can do this, kids included. The rays are harmless: they have no stinging barb like stingrays and they feed on plankton. The water in early summer is warming but still refreshing, so a thin wetsuit or rash guard helps. The tour is not recommended during pregnancy. If anyone in your group gets seasick, take something before you board, since the boat spends time drifting in open water.
For calmer, more predictable snorkeling on a reef, try Santa María and Chileno bays. For the bigger picture of what lives under the water here, see our diving and snorkeling page.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a light layer for the ride back and cash for the crew's tip. An underwater camera or GoPro is worth bringing: the jumping rays are easier to film from the boat, and the schools below are best from the water.
