Reviewed · SNORKELING

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas

★ 5.0 · 40 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $1,190 Operated by Cabo Sails · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best Cabo views come from offshore. This private yacht charter gives you about three hours on the water, with a route past El Arco, Land’s End, Lover’s Beach, and the rocky Finisterra Point. You can mix sightseeing with snorkeling at Pelican Rock, then relax with Mexican snacks, drinks, a paddle board, and a large floating mat.

I like the private setup for up to six people, since you are not sharing the boat with a large crowd or following someone else’s pace. I also like the thoughtful extras: beef burritos, quesadillas, guacamole, fresh fruit, a premium open bar for adults, and Bluetooth music. The main consideration is the short duration. Three hours gives you a good taste of Cabo from the sea, but not a leisurely full-day cruise.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

  • El Arco is the visual centerpiece: The boat passes Cabo’s famous stone arch and the rocky tip of Land’s End.
  • Pelican Rock adds an active stop: Snorkeling gear is included for ages 7 and older, with life vests available for children 3 and older.
  • The boat is private: Your group of up to six has the yacht to itself.
  • Food is more substantial than basic snacks: Expect burritos, quesadillas, chicken salad dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, and fresh produce.
  • Water toys are included: One paddle board and a large floating mat give you options after snorkeling.
  • The price works best for a small group: At $1,190 total, six people pay about $198 each before any other costs, while two people pay about $595 each.

Starting at the Cabo San Lucas Marina

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - Starting at the Cabo San Lucas Marina

Your outing begins at Cabo Sails, at Calle Marina s/n, number L40, Plaza Gali, in the Cabo San Lucas Marina. The experience ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return ride after the boat comes in.

Private transportation is not included. You will need to get yourself to the marina, which matters if you are staying outside central Cabo San Lucas. The meeting point is specific, so check your confirmation carefully and allow enough time to reach the marina without rushing.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. The activity is offered in English. Since this is a private charter, your group can spend the short cruise together without strangers taking up seats or shaping the mood.

The yacht can carry up to six people. Children 12 and under ride free, with a maximum of five children. That rule can make a major difference for a family, especially if you are comparing the total group price with several individual tickets on a shared boat.

Cruising Past Land’s End and El Arco

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - Cruising Past Land’s End and El Arco

The cruise’s main sightseeing stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the pale stone arch at the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. It is Cabo’s signature view, and seeing it from the water gives you the proper scale. From shore, you see an impressive rock formation. From a yacht, you see the arch as part of a larger wall of cliffs and sea-worn rock.

You will also pass the Finisterra rocky point of Land’s End and Lover’s Beach. The route gives you a look at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the coastline becomes rougher and more dramatic.

The timing of this cruise works well for people who want Cabo’s classic sights without giving up an entire day. You should expect sightseeing to be part of the trip rather than a quick photo stop tacked onto a snorkeling outing. The exact time spent at each place can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

A camera or phone with a secure case is useful here. The important views are all around the boat, and you will want to take pictures without holding your device over open water. Bring a towel, since towels are not supplied.

Snorkeling at Pelican Rock

The active part of the outing takes place at Pelican Rock in the Cabo San Lucas Bay National Marine Park. Snorkeling equipment is included for people 7 and older, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins for most older children and adults.

Children from age 3 can use a life vest. The supplied information does not promise snorkeling access for children under 7, so families should plan on those younger children enjoying the boat, swimming support, or floating equipment rather than assuming they can use the snorkeling gear.

Pelican Rock gives you a chance to break up the cruise with time in the water. It is a practical choice for a mixed group because the yacht offers more than one way to enjoy the stop. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can use the floating mat or paddle board.

Bring your own towels and wear clothing that dries reasonably quickly. The experience includes the equipment, but not personal beach supplies. You should also remember that snorkeling depends on sea conditions. The company requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

A Paddle Board, Floating Mat, and Bluetooth Music

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - A Paddle Board, Floating Mat, and Bluetooth Music

One paddle board and a large floating water mat are included. These are useful additions because not everyone wants to spend the whole stop looking through a mask. A couple can take turns on the paddle board, children can use the mat with proper supervision, and snorkelers can return to the boat for a quieter break.

The boat also has a Bluetooth speaker. You can bring music for your group, although the best use of the speaker will depend on your own taste and the mood of the cruise. The setup gives you control over the sound instead of forcing everyone to listen to a fixed playlist.

The water toys are especially valuable on a private boat. On a shared outing, equipment can be limited or awkward to access. Here, your small group can decide how to divide the time among snorkeling, paddling, floating, eating, and sightseeing.

Mexican Appetizers That Make Lunch Unnecessary

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - Mexican Appetizers That Make Lunch Unnecessary

The included food is a real part of the value. You get beef burritos, cheese quesadillas, chicken salad dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, fresh fruit, and a vegetable platter. That is enough variety for people who want something filling, something light, or something easy to eat between activities.

The menu also suits a group with different tastes. Burritos and quesadillas are familiar choices for children, while guacamole, fresh produce, and salsa add lighter options. Since the charter lasts only about three hours, this spread should cover the outing for most people without requiring you to pack a separate meal.

A premium open bar is included for people 21 and older. That makes the experience feel more like a relaxed yacht outing than a simple boat transfer. Remember that the bar is limited to adults, so families should plan drinks for younger children separately.

Past Cabo Sails outings have been praised for generous food and steady drink service. Captains and first mates named in strong reports include Heron, Luis, Tony, Charlie, Eduardo, Oliver, Pepe, Lupe, Efren, and Lalo. Crew assignments can change, but the repeated praise points to attentive hosting as one of the company’s strongest features.

What the Crew Adds to the Experience

The crew can make or break a short charter. You have only three hours, so friendly service and good timing matter. Reports about Captain Heron and first mate Luis describe a crew that made a private sailing day feel special, while Captain Tony and his first mate received praise for attentive service on a sunset cruise.

Captain Heron and mate Charlie were also credited with keeping food and drinks moving, sharing stories about the area, and letting people help sail the boat. That last detail may appeal to you if you want more than a passive ride. The supplied information does not promise hands-on sailing on every departure, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed activity.

Families have also had good results with the service. An outing hosted by Efren and captained by Lalo included snacks, snorkeling, a clean boat, and a comfortable day for a group with different ages. The combination matters. Cabo excursions can be less enjoyable when the children have nothing to do or older family members cannot relax, but this charter offers several ways to use the time.

The company’s overall score is 5 out of 5 from 40 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but it is still a strong signal. The most praised points are consistent: crew attitude, clean boats, food, drinks, whale sightings on some departures, and the private format.

How the $1,190 Group Price Works

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - How the $1,190 Group Price Works

The price is $1,190 per group of up to six people. You are paying for the yacht, crew, snorkeling equipment, food, adult drinks, paddle board, and floating mat, not just a seat on a scheduled boat.

For a full group of six, the cost works out to about $198 per person. That is a reasonable value if everyone will eat, use the water equipment, and spend time on the boat. The private nature is the biggest part of the value. You are buying space, control, and privacy as much as you are buying the route.

For two people, the same price becomes about $595 each. At that point, you need to care a lot about having a private yacht, or the cost may feel high compared with a shared cruise. Couples who want a special outing may still find it worthwhile, especially for a sunset departure if that timing is available, but the strongest financial case is for a family or friend group of four to six.

Children 12 and under ride free, up to five children. Families should calculate the price by group rather than by adult head count. A group of two adults and four children may get considerably better value than a couple booking alone.

Small dogs are welcome for an additional $50. Service animals are allowed. You should confirm pet details when booking, especially if your dog needs a life vest or has trouble around moving water.

Who Will Enjoy This Yacht Charter Most?

I would recommend this experience to a small family, a group of friends, or a couple that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It suits people who want Cabo’s major coastal sights but also want time to eat, listen to music, and use the water toys.

It is a good fit for mixed-age groups because the activities are flexible. Older children and adults can snorkel, younger children can use life vests and enjoy the boat, and anyone who prefers not to swim can stay with the food and views.

It may not suit you if you want a long snorkeling session, a full sailing day, or a large number of water toys. There is one paddle board and one floating mat, and the total cruise lasts about three hours. You should also consider the weather requirement. Poor conditions can cancel the trip or force a date change.

Whale sightings have been a major bonus on some Cabo Sails departures, with reports of whales seen close to the boat and even breaching. Whale watching is not listed as a guaranteed feature, so book this for the yacht cruise, arch, snorkeling, and food. Treat whales as luck, not a promise.

Booking and Cancellation Details

Private yacht charter for cruising & snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas - Booking and Cancellation Details

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

The cut-off uses Cabo’s local time. This is worth noting if you are booking from another time zone. If bad weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The activity is private, and most people can participate. The supplied details do not identify a wheelchair-accessible setup, so anyone with specific mobility needs should ask Cabo Sails before paying.

Should You Book Cabo Sails?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing way to see El Arco and Land’s End while adding snorkeling, food, drinks, and simple water toys. The charter offers enough variety to keep a family busy and enough comfort to make the cruise pleasant for adults.

The best value comes with four to six people. Couples should book only if the private yacht, attentive crew, and flexible pace justify the higher per-person cost. Bring towels, arrive at the Cabo Sails marina meeting point, and remember that snorkeling gear starts at age 7 while life vests are available from age 3.

For a short Cabo outing with strong food and service, this is a sound choice. Just keep your expectations focused on a polished three-hour cruise, not a full-day marine adventure.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht is private for your group, with space for up to six people.

Are children allowed on the yacht?

Yes. Children 12 and under ride free, with a maximum of five children. Snorkeling equipment is included for ages 7 and older, and life vests are available for children from age 3.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for guests age 7 and older. The snorkeling stop takes place at Pelican Rock in the Cabo San Lucas Bay National Marine Park.

What food and drinks are included?

The food includes beef burritos, cheese quesadillas, chicken salad dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, fresh fruit, and a vegetable platter. The open bar is included for people age 21 and older.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.

More like this

Snorkeling, compared.

The full Snorkeling list →
Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 4,242 reviews· from $129

Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves

Read our review →
Los Cabos Luxury Sailing, Snorkel and Lunch Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,515 reviews· from $149

Los Cabos Luxury Sailing, Snorkel and Lunch Cruise

Read our review →
Catamaran with Open Bar, Snorkeling and Lunch
★★★★★★★★★★4.1· 2,848 reviews· from $59

Catamaran with Open Bar, Snorkeling and Lunch

Read our review →
Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,515 reviews· from $117

Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

Read our review →
Isla Mujeres Cruise with Beach Club, Snorkel, Lunch and Open Bar
★★★★★★★★★★4.0· 2,383 reviews· from $53

Isla Mujeres Cruise with Beach Club, Snorkel, Lunch and Open Bar

Read our review →
Reef Snorkeling & Jungle Speedboat Adventure with Mayan Ceremony
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,208 reviews· from $59

Reef Snorkeling & Jungle Speedboat Adventure with Mayan Ceremony

Read our review →
Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,888 reviews· from $169

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Mexico

Pick a coast, a ruin or a kitchen.