REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
2 Tank Dive – Certified Divers (Santa Maria Bay & Chileno Bay)
Book on Viator →Operated by Dive Cabo · Bookable on Viator
Two tanks, two bays, one great morning. This Cabo San Lucas outing takes you to Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay, where the reefs and open-water spots can deliver big animal sightings. The setup is simple: you’ll start early, ride out together, and spend your time underwater with a guide watching conditions.
I especially like how flexible the plan can be. On a day when visibility or conditions don’t cooperate at one site, the operator may switch to a better-performing option in the same overall area so the experience stays good. I also like that the trip includes snacks and beverages, plus free photo downloads if you bring a USB.
One consideration: this is not a hotel pickup-and-drop-off tour. And while the itinerary clearly includes the guided underwater sessions, it doesn’t spell out scuba equipment rental in the inclusions, so you’ll want to confirm what you need for gear.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Cabo Scuba Trip Worth a Look
- Santa Maria & Chileno Bay: What You’re Actually Going For
- The Morning Plan: A 5-Hour Window That Doesn’t Waste Your Time
- Boat Ride Out of Cabo San Lucas: Where Conditions Can Change the Story
- Inside the Underwater Sites: Whale’s Head, Gavilanes, and Blow Hole
- Guided Scuba Sessions: What the Pros Make Easier
- Photos Included: The USB Tip That Saves You Stress
- Price and Value: Is $140 a Good Deal Here?
- Who This Cabo Two-Tank Plan Fits Best
- Practical Packing: What to Bring for a Smooth Morning
- Quick FAQ
- FAQ
- How many underwater sessions are included?
- How long is the trip?
- Where do I meet, and when does it start?
- Do I need scuba certification?
- Is scuba equipment included?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Should You Book This Two-Tank Certified Scuba Trip?
Key Things That Make This Cabo Scuba Trip Worth a Look

- Two different bays in one outing: Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay, both reachable on a shared boat ride
- Real chances at wildlife: eagle rays are common around Whale’s Head, while schools of jacks and tunas are typical in Chileno Bay
- Multiple underwater features named for a reason: reef tops at Gavilanes and underwater pinnacles at Blow Hole
- Free photo downloads: bring a USB so you can take the memories home
- Small-group feel: capped at 18 participants, which helps keep the day organized
Santa Maria & Chileno Bay: What You’re Actually Going For

This is a classic Cabo combo: you get two guided underwater sessions at two different sites, and the operator uses the local “corridor” style of diving to match fish activity and water conditions. Santa Maria Bay is often paired with options like Whale’s Head (a spot with a reputation for eagle rays), while Chileno Bay is known for schools of jacks and tunas.
Why that matters for you: it’s not just about seeing coral. It’s about getting a balanced morning that can include both larger animals and reef structure. If you like variety—open-water schooling fish one moment, a calmer reef-top glance the next—this itinerary fits that mood.
You may also see the day expand beyond a single single scenery type. The plan references reef top terrain around Gavilanes (including color-covered reef tops) and underwater pinnacles at Blow Hole. When a trip lists specific features like that, it usually means the operator isn’t winging it at the last second.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cabo San Lucas.
The Morning Plan: A 5-Hour Window That Doesn’t Waste Your Time

The tour runs about 5 hours and starts at 8:00 am. You’ll meet at the Two for the Road Cabo JAZZ Spot, at Hotel Tesoro Blvd, Paseo de la Marina 15-Local A, Centro, Marina (23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico). It ends back at the same meeting point.
Timing is one of the best parts of this kind of trip. A morning start usually means better odds of calm seas for the boat ride and less waiting around once you’re kitted up. The route is also structured: Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay are each about a 40-minute boat ride from the Marina, so the schedule is built around travel time and two separate underwater sessions.
A quick practical note: since you’re returning to the meeting spot, plan your day around that. Don’t stack a long drive or late lunch right after unless you give yourself buffer time.
Boat Ride Out of Cabo San Lucas: Where Conditions Can Change the Story
Your time on the water starts with the 40-minute boat ride away from Cabo San Lucas Marina. That means you’re not fighting traffic or searching for a parking spot—you just show up, check in, and go.
But here’s the real-world part: conditions can affect where you go. One important detail in the tour info is how site selection works. Even if you request a specific bay or name, the operator can adjust based on daily conditions and visibility. In recent weeks, one of the cited site options (Santa Maria) has seen poorer conditions, so the team has chosen an alternative with better results—still within the broader corridor area.
For you, that should be seen as a feature, not a failure. If the goal is to have a good day underwater, chasing a name even when the water isn’t cooperating can backfire. The better approach is to choose the best conditions while staying within the same overall program.
Inside the Underwater Sites: Whale’s Head, Gavilanes, and Blow Hole

The itinerary doesn’t rely on vague promises. It names a set of underwater targets that Cabo divers talk about for a reason.
Whale’s Head / Cabeza Ballena (eagle ray territory)
Whale’s Head is where eagle rays are commonly reported. The “Cabeza Ballena” name shows up too, and it’s essentially how the same area may be referenced depending on the day and the guide’s site labeling. If you’re hoping for large, graceful animals, this is the section of the plan you’ll want to be ready for.
Chileno Bay (jacks and tunas, plus schooling action)
Chileno Bay is described as a spot where schools of jacks and tunas are typical. If your favorite underwater moments are when fish move as a group—fast, coordinated, and exciting—that’s the part of the day you’re planning around.
Gavilanes (reef tops with color)
Gavilanes is referenced as an area where you can see over a color-covered reef top. Reef-top terrain can be great for photography and for getting a sense of the seafloor without having to hunt around blindly.
Blow Hole (underwater pinnacles)
Blow Hole is described as having underwater pinnacles. Pinnacles add vertical structure, which often changes how the water moves and what kinds of life you spot around it. Even if you’re not a “hardcore” equipment geek, structure is what keeps a second site from feeling like a repeat.
The trade-off with structured site names is that you need to be ready to be flexible. Your day may land on the best-performing option among the listed choices. If you’re traveling with a must-see only mindset, that flexibility can feel like uncertainty. If you want a great overall experience, it’s a smart way to run a morning.
Guided Scuba Sessions: What the Pros Make Easier
This is for certified scuba divers, and evidence of certification is required for anyone participating in a certified dive. That’s not there to be annoying—it’s there to keep everyone safe and on the same page about skills and gear handling.
The guide layer is a big part of why this trip earns high marks. One standout review points out that the operator ran a private tour even when only one person registered that day—something many operations would cancel because of economics. That tells me the team’s focus is on giving you the experience you paid for, not just meeting minimum numbers.
The day is also capped at a maximum of 18 travelers. Smaller groups reduce the bottlenecks around check-in, tank handling, and getting everyone back on track. It also tends to make guides more attentive in the water because they aren’t trying to manage a huge roster.
Language-wise, the tour is offered in English, and it may be operated by a multi-lingual guide. If you prefer clear communication about currents and what to expect underwater, that’s a helpful baseline.
Photos Included: The USB Tip That Saves You Stress

A nice, practical inclusion: you get free pictures (you’ll need to bring a USB with you). This is one of those add-ons that matters more than it sounds. Underwater memories can be hard to recreate later, especially when you’re doing two sites in one morning and everything blends together.
Bring a USB that you can safely keep dry, and label it if you’re traveling with others using similar devices. Also, make sure you know how to plug it in and access files once you get home.
Price and Value: Is $140 a Good Deal Here?

At $140 per person, you’re paying for a two-session, guided program that includes the basic boat time, taxes/fees/handling charges, snacks, beverages, and the photo offer.
Where the value shows up:
- You’re not paying extra for the guided component for each stop
- The trip covers the day’s minor costs (taxes and handling), so the price feels more “all-in” than some barebones operations
- You get physical-day support: snacks and beverages on board
What’s not included (and why you should check):
- Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included
- Scuba equipment use isn’t listed in the inclusions
That last point is the one you can’t ignore. If you need rental gear, confirm what you’ll be charged and what’s available. If you already own your gear, you’ll still want to make sure the operator accepts personal tanks and gear handling the way you expect.
Also, bring this mindset: you’re paying for a structured morning that aims to maximize conditions and sightings. If you show up prepared and flexible, the value usually lands.
Who This Cabo Two-Tank Plan Fits Best

This is best for:
- Certified scuba divers who want two different underwater sessions in one morning
- People who enjoy structured sites with a chance at specific marine sightings (eagle rays, jacks, tunas)
- Travelers who like a small-group feel (18 max) and a guide who keeps the day organized
It may be less ideal if:
- You need hotel pickup (you’ll need to handle your own transport to the meeting point)
- You only care about one exact named site and would feel upset if conditions force a swap to a better option
Practical Packing: What to Bring for a Smooth Morning
Since the tour starts at 8:00 am and involves boat travel and underwater work, pack like you’re going to be out for a few hours in a sun-and-salt environment.
Bring:
- Your USB for the included photo download
- Evidence of scuba certification (required for participation)
- Any personal items you need to stay comfortable between gear checks and boarding
Confirm ahead:
- Whether you plan to rent equipment and what that costs
- What the operator expects you to bring versus what they provide, since equipment use isn’t listed as included
Quick FAQ
FAQ
How many underwater sessions are included?
The package includes 2 boat-based guided underwater sessions at two different sites.
How long is the trip?
The total duration is about 5 hours.
Where do I meet, and when does it start?
Meet at Two for the Road Cabo JAZZ Spot at Hotel Tesoro Blvd, Paseo de la Marina 15-Local A, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. The start time is 8:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.
Do I need scuba certification?
Yes. Evidence of dive certification is required for all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive.
Is scuba equipment included?
Scuba equipment use is not listed as included in the provided details, so you should confirm what’s available and any rental costs.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid won’t be refunded.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Should You Book This Two-Tank Certified Scuba Trip?
I think you should book it if you want a well-run Cabo morning with two different underwater stops and a real chance at major marine life sightings—especially eagle rays around Whale’s Head and schooling fish action around Chileno Bay. The free photo download and the small-group cap add real “value per minute,” not just marketing.
Skip it (or at least double-check details) if hotel pickup is important to you or if you’re relying on equipment rental being included. And if you’re the type who only wants one exact site name, go in with flexibility: conditions can change, and the operator may shift to what’s working best that day while staying within the same overall program plan.









