Cabo San Lucas’ most distinctive landmark, El Arco (The Arch), is a rugged rock formation in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. This is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. El Arco, located at Land’s End, is a tourist attraction that’s been the focal point of many vacation photos.
A Popular Attraction
Undoubtedly, The Arch is one of Cabo San Lucas’ most popular attractions for tourists and celebrities alike. And it’s easy to get there by boat ride. You can view the famous golden arch from your boat or be dropped off and picked up by your captain. You’ll even get to see lazy sea lions resting on the rocks along the way.
Due to its beauty and recognizability, this area is used extensively in hotel advertisements in the Los Cabos Corridor. It’s also a popular spot for tourists taking selfies to post on social media. El Arco stands three stories high and was created from natural erosion millions of years ago.
The Location of El Arco
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is located at the tip of the Baja California peninsula. It’s adjacent to two popular Cabo beaches: Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor) and Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio). These two beaches are located on the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean, respectively.
How The Arch was Formed
The Baja California Peninsula once belonged to the North American Plate around 12-15 million years ago. Through plate tectonics the peninsula was formed. That means that El Arco and other nearby rock formations are millions of years old. Erosion over the last several million years is what formed the iconic arch that is now recognized all over the world.
How to Get to El Arco
A common way to get to The Arch is a boat ride from a Marina Cabo San Lucas water taxi. You can also rent a kayak from Cabo to paddle to El Arco if you are feeling fit.
The facilities at El Arco are very limited which contributes to its natural, quiet feel. However, on busy days, beach vendors will rent sun umbrellas or sell snacks. Of course, you can also bring your own supplies.
The currents on the Pacific Ocean side of Land’s End are often very strong. For this reason, swimming to The Arch of Cabo isn’t recommended.
A Top Social Media Post Spot
A trip to Cabo San Lucas wouldn’t be complete without a selfie in front of the iconic Arch. El Arco is unique, beautiful, and surrounded by amazing clear ocean water.
So, naturally, the area has become the “go-to” for Instagram photos and other social media posts. A simple hashtag search of #CaboSanLucas or #ElArco will return an endless number of photos of the Arch of Cabo.
Here are some recent ones:
Whale watching near the Cabo Arch
The Pacific Ocean mingles with the Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos, harboring a variety of marine life. Humpbacks, Gray Whales, and Whale Sharks are just some of the species that flourish beneath the surface.
It’s likely that you’ll spot one or more of these magnificent creatures between November and April. However, January through March offers the best time to improve your odds.
Head to the Cabo San Lucas Marina to select the right whale watching tour for you. Your hotel or resort can also help arrange a whale watching tour that fits your needs. There are a variety of tours to choose from. These include group and private tours, zodiac boats and catamarans, and times throughout the day that work with any schedule.
The 5 Best Arch of Cabo San Lucas Activities
The abundance of available activities is a reason that Cabo San Lucas is considered one of the best places to buy property in Mexico. And there’s no lack of options when deciding how to visit the Land’s End.
There are many amazing ways to enjoy El Arco. Each activity will have its own benefits and will highlight the experience in a unique way.
Here are the 5 best ways to enjoy The Arch:
1. Luxury Yacht Tour of Los Cabos
You can enjoy a relaxing ride on a luxury sailing yacht, complete with hors-d’oeuvres. Enjoy a close-up view of the Cabo Arch, the sea lion colony and Lover’s Beach. You might spot dolphins, rays or whales as you sail. Before heading back to the boat, you can stop at a quiet cove for a swim or snorkel.
2. Cabo Snorkel Adventure
Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular places to snorkel. The clear water is home to many marine species, including corals and tropical fish.
Enjoy a cruise along the coast to see the Cabo Arch, sea-lions, and Lover’s Beach. Then dive in for the snorkeling experience of your dreams. If you wish, you can even rent a paddleboard or kayak.
3. Flyboarding
One of the most thrilling activities that you can do in Cabo is to fly over the water on a Flyboard. After celebrities and other influencers began to do it, Flyboarding became a popular social media trend.
Although anyone can flyboard, it takes practice to master the skills. Having the Arch of Cabo as your backdrop will make the adventure that much more memorable.
4. Scuba Diving at Land’s End & The Arch
There are many local experts that can take you scuba diving in one of the most beautiful scuba diving spots. Neptune’s Finger is accessible from both the surface and the underwater. You can also swim through the Arch and explore an underwater canyon that is thousands of feet deep.
There will be plenty of tropical fish to join you on your adventure, and you may even encounter dolphins or sea turtles if you are lucky. It is best to visit between June and December, when the water temperature is higher, the weather is more calm, and the visibility is better.
5. Los Cabos Luxury Sunset Sailing
Mexico is home to some of the most stunning sunsets anywhere in the world. Taking a luxurious sunset cruise will help you enjoy the best views. You will also be able to view some of the most beautiful sights along the Cabo coastline.
Some cruises are for adults only, if you’d like to avoid noise kids on the boat. You will have the opportunity to take beautiful photos with your loved one in front of stunning sunset backgrounds.
Bottom Line
So, whether you are staying in one of Cabo’s many luxurious hotels or you have access to one of the exclusive condos in Cabo San Lucas, make sure that the famous Arch of Cabo is high on your list of things to see and do during your stay in Los Cabos.
