El Arco is at Land's End, the tip of the peninsula, and you reach it and Lover's Beach only by boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina or Médano Beach. Early morning is the best time: calmer water, softer light and fewer boats. The Sea of Cortez side of Lover's Beach is calm; the Pacific side is dangerous for swimming. The area is protected, so we follow the boat operator's and the park's rules. Sessions start at 245 USD; the boat is booked separately.
El Arco is the one frame that could only be Los Cabos. Getting it right is mostly logistics: the boat, the swell, the time of day and the rules of a protected area. Here is how we plan it.
How You Get There
There is no road to El Arco. Water taxis and private boats leave from the marina of Cabo San Lucas and from Médano Beach, and the ride is short. Most boats pass close to the arch and the sea lion rocks, then land on Lover's Beach when the sea allows it. A private boat gives you control of the timing, which is what a photo session needs.
The Best Time of Day
Early morning is our favorite: the water is usually calmer, the light is soft and warm, and there are fewer boats around the arch. Late afternoon also works, with warmer light and the arch in side light, but the sea and the crowds can be busier. In winter the sun sets toward Land's End, so a sunset cruise puts the sky behind the rocks.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:02 am | 5:23 pm | 5:56 pm |
| March | 6:28 am | 5:59 pm | 6:29 pm |
| May | 5:39 am | 6:22 pm | 6:53 pm |
| June | 5:34 am | 6:34 pm | 7:06 pm |
| July | 5:43 am | 6:36 pm | 7:08 pm |
| September | 6:06 am | 5:53 pm | 6:23 pm |
| November | 6:33 am | 5:03 pm | 5:35 pm |
| December | 6:52 am | 5:04 pm | 5:37 pm |
Two Sides of Lover's Beach
Lover's Beach sits on a narrow strip of sand between two seas. The side facing the Sea of Cortez is calm and protected; the side facing the Pacific, often called Divorce Beach, has heavy surf and strong currents and is not safe for swimming. We photograph on both, but nobody goes in the water on the Pacific side.
A Protected Area
Land's End is a protected natural area, and its rules and the boat operator's instructions come first: where boats can land, how long you can stay and how to treat the wildlife. We plan the session within those limits and confirm the current rules before the day.
How the Session Works
We meet at the marina or at Médano Beach, board a private boat, photograph the approach to the arch from the water, and land on Lover's Beach if the sea allows it. We keep a backup on the mainland, such as a beach with the arch in the distance, in case the swell closes the landing. For a proposal at the arch, see our guide to the best proposal spots in Los Cabos.
What It Costs
Sessions use our regular collections; the private boat is booked and paid separately with the operator, and travel from Cancún is quoted with your date.
| Collection | Time | Photos | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 35 min | 15 | 245 USD |
| Glow Hour | 45 min | 25 | 325 USD |
| Essential Flow | 60 min | 35 | 395 USD |
| Creative Runway | 75 min | 50 | 475 USD |
| Visual Story | 90 min | 70 | 575 USD |
| Full Experience | 90 min | Full gallery | 725 USD |
Creative Runway at 75 minutes or Visual Story at 90 minutes leaves time for the boat ride and the beach.