Private whale watching · San José del Cabo · Los Cabos
Private Whale Watching in Los Cabos
An exclusive humpback and gray whale experience, 100% private for your group. $450 USD for 2 people, $95 USD per additional guest.
Overview
$450 USD · 2 people · 2 hours
Open Water Expeditions invites you to an unforgettable whale watching experience in Los Cabos. On the private tour, that experience comes with the most exclusive setup we run.
From December to April, humpback and gray whales fill the Sea of Cortez after their long migration from the north. Your private group has complete freedom to follow the whales wherever the action is best, and to use the on-board hydrophone to listen to the hypnotic song of the males. The boat is 100% yours — no strangers, no fixed group schedule — with a dedicated marine biologist whose full attention is on your group.
What to expect: a two-hour private whale watching charter departing from Marina San José del Cabo, with full route flexibility so we can stay with a breaching whale as long as the action lasts. You may witness full breaches, tail slaps, spy hops and mother-and-calf pairs traveling together, all from a respectful, regulated distance. The marine biologist on board explains every behavior and the story of the whale migration to the warm waters of Baja California Sur.
The best time for whale watching in Los Cabos is December through April, with peak activity in January and February. The difficulty level is easy and the tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages, making it an unforgettable educational experience for children and wildlife lovers. For your comfort and safety we provide a shaded private boat with a restroom, life jackets, water, soft drinks and light snacks. Bring a light layer for breezy mornings, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Prefer a shared departure? Our public whale watching tour is $95 USD per person.
$450 USD · 2 people · 2 hours
- Duration
- Approximately 2 hours
- Departure
- Marina San José del Cabo
- Group size
- Private — 2 people base, additional guests $95 USD
- Included
- Gear, guide & refreshments
- Price
- $450 USD · 2 people · 2 hours
- Availability
- Limited spots — book ahead
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE WHALE WATCHING?
Choose your San Jose del Cabo whale watching experience
Choose a shared whale watching experience or reserve a private boat exclusively for your group.
Public Whale Watching
San Jose del Cabo
Adults
$95 USD per person
Children
$80 USD per person
Departure
Puerto Los Cabos Marina, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur
Available departure times
- 6:00 AM— Sunrise Whale Watching
- 8:00 AM
- 10:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 4:30 PM— Sunset Whale Watching
Departure times may be adjusted seasonally or operationally according to daylight, weather, ocean conditions and availability. Guests should confirm the exact departure time shown on their reservation.
Public tour includes
- Respectful, regulated whale observation distances
- Marine biologist guide
- On-board hydrophone
- Water, soft drinks and light snacks
- Safety briefing and life jackets
- Small-group boat with shade and restroom
Private Whale Watching
Your Boat. Your Group. Your Whale Watching Experience.
Price
$450 USD for 1–2 guests
Additional guests
$95 USD per person
Maximum
10 guests
Departure
Puerto Los Cabos Marina, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur
Private tour includes
- Exclusive boat for your group
- Respectful, regulated whale observation distances
- Marine biologist guide
- On-board hydrophone
- Water, soft drinks and light snacks
- Safety briefing and life jackets
EXPLORE RELATED EXPERIENCES
More ways to get on the water in San Jose del Cabo
Pair your whale watching tour with other experiences departing from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, or read our seasonal whale watching guide.
Why choose this tour
Small groups, local expertise, unforgettable days at sea
On the private tour your group has the boat exclusively, with full route flexibility and the marine biologist’s undivided attention. The price is $450 USD for 2 people, plus $95 USD for each additional guest.
- 100% private tour — the boat is only for your group
- Price: $450 USD for 2 people · $95 USD per additional guest
- Dedicated marine biologist for your group
- Marine biologist and on-board hydrophone
Tour highlights
What makes it special
- Exclusive private whale watching — only your group
- Humpback and gray whales in the Sea of Cortez
- $450 USD (2 people) + $95 USD per additional guest
- On-board hydrophone to hear the whale song
- Full route flexibility with your marine biologist
- Respectful, regulated observation distances
- Season: December to April
What's included
Everything you need
- Respectful, regulated whale observation distances
- Exclusive boat for your group
- Marine biologist guide
- On-board hydrophone
- Water, soft drinks and light snacks
- Safety briefing and life jackets
- Ground transport at an additional cost depending on the area
Tour information
Good to know
- Duration
- Approximately 2 hours
- Group size
- Private — 2 people base, additional guests $95 USD
- Price
- $450 USD (2 people) · $95 USD per additional guest
- Best for
- Couples, families and private groups
- Season
- December to April
- Departure
- Morning departures for the best sea state
Meeting point
Where we set sail
Puerto Los Cabos Marina (behind Hotel El Ganzo, next to La Marina Inn), San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Private whale watching tours depart from Marina San José del Cabo. We offer ground transport from most hotels in San José del Cabo and the Corridor at an additional cost depending on the area. Add your hotel when booking and we will confirm the rate. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and the safety briefing.
Hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM · +52 624 243 1007
Photo gallery
See it for yourself
Frequently asked questions
Private Whale Watching FAQs
Customer reviews
What guests say
“A fantastic snorkeling experience with Jonathan and Captain Ishmael of Openwater Expeditions. Jonathan was an excellent and knowledgeable guide about the area as well as the sea life. He never rushed us and kept trying to find more fish and sea creatures during the snorkeling. After about an hour in the water, we had lunch and cocktails before heading back to shore. Highly recommend!”
Sasha K
San José del Cabo, Mexico · Snorkeling Adventure
“We were taken to a secluded cove where there were no other boats so had the place to ourselves. The guide made sure we were in a place where we saw lots of fish. It was like swimming in an aquarium.”
Lisa C
San José del Cabo, Mexico · Snorkeling Adventure
“Jonathan, Ishmael and Simone were great hosts!! small group of 8, very relaxed couple hour boat ride with amazing views of whales! well worth the price!! One of the highlights of our trip!!”
dunkin4
Saint Paul, Minnesota · Whale Watching
Why book direct
Skip the middlemen. Book direct and save.
Booking straight with Open Water Expeditions means a better price, a real person on the other end and a family business that reinvests in this coastline.
Book Direct, No Middlemen
No third-party markups or platform commissions — you always deal straight with our local crew.
Fast requests
Reserve in under two minutes and hear back straight from the crew who runs your tour.
Talk to real locals
Questions? You reach our San José del Cabo team directly — not an overseas call center.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations 72 hours or more in advance: 90% refund. Cancellations less than 72 hours in advance: non-refundable.
Related tours
More ways to explore Los Cabos
WHALE WATCHING · SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO · LOS CABOS
Witness whale season in Los Cabos
Experience whale watching from Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San Jose del Cabo during the seasonal migration. Choose a public whale watching tour or reserve a private boat exclusively for your group.