I initially didn't want to give my money to this business on principle because they're one of the companies at the airport trying to bully and scam people into purchasing tours. I spent 15 minutes negotiating with one of their reps because you have to buy a shuttle ticket from them in order to leave.
After looking at their tours days later, I purchased tickets for the Luxury Snorkelng & Lunch Sail with round trip shuttle service on Trip Advisor, and they have a few locations where you can pay in person (San Jose & San Juan).
The sail itself was lovely! One of my favorite things I did during my stay. They played a great mix of Mexican, 2000's top 40, and classic rock (Billy Joel, Foo fighters, Charlie Daniels, Aerosmith). The boat first takes you to see the iconic arches by Lovers Beach before sailing along blue waters, desert mountains, and sunny skies to a beach where you're given snorkeling or paddle boarding gear. I desperately hope they clean their gear after each outing...my mouth piece was stained red and a few didn't seem so clean :(
The tour description said there would be beach access- there was not. You're roped into a very small area by buoys and have to be mindful of the 5 or 6 other boats also docked there crowding the place. We were specifically told not to go onto the beach with no explanation. You only have 45 minutes in the water, by the time you wait your turn to get your gear and put it on it's more like 30. The tour description also said there would be "pristine reefs" to observe- we asked our leader where they were and he said there were none, but to swim along the buoys. They also did not have enough paddle boards for everyone and encouraged people to share. Not luxurious, and not stated in the description.
I think I saw some reefs? The water was VERY murky, far from pristine, with a few fish here and there. A leader from another companies boat have me fish crackers and this changed my whole experience! The fish came right up to me, swimming right into my face, along my body. I got to pet their slimy bodies and even had my fingers nibbled a little! There were some beautiful fish down there, lots of blues and yellows, and some were surprisingly large. It was my first time snorkeling so I was ecstatic. That being said, I had that experience because ANOTHER company provided me with the food.
On our way to the beach we were quickly given our first course: 3 grilled shrimp and guacamole with chips and it was delicious. After the snorkeling we were given a massive, high quality lunch. Its the best food I've ever been served on a boat and I think this is where most of the money went to and what qualified the use of the word "luxury". Fresh ceviche with mango and pico de gallo, tuna salad in a hollowed out tomato, pasta salad, chicken salad, fruit salad, a bread basket with chips, rolls, and candies. I couldn't even finish everything, this was excellent.
While on the boat everyone was told to remain seated. This isn't always the case on catamarans; the one I rode the night before had drunk people dancing even on choppy seas. Here, the crew let the sails out and we gained a nice amount of speed, throwing our hands up and cheering as water splashed through the front netting while we sat. Unfortunately one woman must have stood up to adjust herself and when we hit a wave she went down hard, screaming in pain, and stayed down for the rest of the 30 minute sail back, where paramedics were waiting for her. The crew seemed to handle it well and everyone else pretty much went about there business- what can you do? If they tell you to stay seated, just do it.
Arriving back at the dolphin house at 4pm where the tours start and end, you're repeatedly encouraged to stop by their photo booth to pay for the pictures their on-board professional photographer took off you. I went straight to the dolphin house, used the bathroom, and inquired about my return shuttle. The next one wasn't for another 2 hours, but I needed to be back in San Jose for something, which I explained. The guy behind the counter repeatedly said there shuttle times are posted, pointing to a small random sign, and I repeatedly told him the time to point that out is BEFORE the start of the tour, or even in the description online. Why on Earth would you schedule the shuttle to leave just as a tour was coming back especially if you're encouraging people to waste time looking at photos we all took for free with our phones?! He said I could arrange transportation back myself and I laughed in his face, noting I paid $119 for a tour that included shuttle service- if they wanted to pay for my Uber they were more than welcome. In the end I only waited 1 hour. Their WiFi also requires your email to use - over an unsecured connection, so I didn't use it.
I had a great time, but it had more to do with the beauty of Cabo and my excitement to do something new. The company can be deceptive and has room for improvement. read more