Should We Bring Our Own Snorkeling Gear — or Book a Tour? 🐠🔍

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We’ve got one of our port days in Cabo San Lucas that’s perfect for some water time — and it’s got us thinking: Should we buy our own snorkeling gear and pack it for the cruise… or just let someone else handle the logistics and join a snorkeling tour? Also — will the November weather even let us snorkel comfortably? Let’s dig into it. Found some good info on 12 Things to KNOW Before Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 

(Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) 

🎒 Own Gear vs. Tour Gear: Pros & Cons

✅ Bringing Our Own Gear

Pros:

  • We know the fit + comfort of our masks/fins — no rental surprises.

  • If we snorkel more than once or in different spots, it could pay off long-term.

  • We’re the type of travelers who like to do things ourselves, so owning gear is tempting.

Cons:

  • Packing space & weight: On a cruise, luggage space is often limited. Gotta carry the gear, and the gear has to stow safely.

  • Risk of damage/loss while travelling.

  • We might not end up using it as much as we imagine (what if weather or sea conditions aren’t great?).

  • Tours often include gear + guides + transport — fewer unknowns.

✅ Booking a Snorkeling Tour or Using Rental Gear

Pros:

  • All gear included. According to a detailed guide, tours are very safe and include equipment. 

  • A local guide means better spots, better visibility, and easier logistics (“Where do we go? Which boat? What’s safe?”). 

  • If conditions change (weather, sea state), a tour company can adapt.

  • Less to carry, less stress.

Cons:

  • Cost is higher than using gear we already have.

  • We’ll have less flexibility (time, location) compared to doing our own beach snorkel.

  • We might miss the “impromptu” feel of just grabbing mask & fins and plunging in ourselves.

🤔 What’s Our Verdict?

Given our style (travel bloggers who like a mix of planning + spontaneity), here’s where we lean:

  • We’ll probably bring a simple mask/snorkel set (something compact) in our “hand-luggage” side so we could decide to snorkel ourselves early in the port day, especially if we hit a calm beach.

  • But we’ll also book one snorkel tour (half-day) with gear and a guide, so we’re covered if sea/conditions shift or we want something more structured.

  • That way we get the best of both worlds: the freedom of self-explore + the assurance of a guided experience.

🌤️ Will November Weather in Cabo Allow Snorkeling?

Here’s the good part: YES — November is actually a great time to snorkel in Cabo. From the guide on snorkeling in Cabo:

  • The “dry” season runs November to June, meaning less rain and typically better visibility. 

  • Water temperatures in the dry season can be around 68 °F (20 °C) and up, which is cool but comfortable — if you plan to stay in the water for some time a rash guard or thin wetsuit might help. 

  • Visibility is highest around October/November, sometimes 40–80 ft (12–24 m)! 

  • The article also mentions snorkeling straight from shore is a realistic option for beginners, and safe as long as you stay within designated areas. 

So for our November cruise: conditions are looking very good. We’ll just want to aim for morning snorkel (calmer water) and maybe choose a beach or tour that’s known for good visibility.

📝 Final Thoughts & Our Action Plan

  • Bring a lightweight, quality mask + snorkel in our carry-on bag (so even if our checked luggage is delayed, we’re ready).

  • Skip full gear (fins, full wetsuit) unless we decide we definitely want multiple snorkel sessions.

  • Book one guided snorkeling tour ahead of time, making sure gear is included and pick-up from cruise dock is convenient.

  • Have a backup plan: pick a shore snorkel beach near the port (easy walk or short taxi) for the self-explore option.

  • Plan snorkel after we’ve done our walking/market/beach tour earlier in the day — maybe mid-morning, so the seas are calm.

  • Pack a thin rash guard or swim shirt (for comfort in 68–75 °F water), sunscreen, and maybe ear/fin straps (so gear won’t fly off in waves).

  • Be flexible: If sea state is choppy or visibility low, we’ll shift to another beach day and save snorkel for another port.

We’re stoked about this. Snorkeling in Cabo might just be one of those highlight moments of the trip — vibrant fish, crystal water, and that feeling of stepping into a different world beneath the waves.

Stay tuned: we’ll report back on whether self-gear or tour-gear ended up being the winner (and share photos of our underwater finds)!

— The Trekking Pawns

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