Cabo San Lucas Private 38 ft Sailing Tour with Snorkeling

Cabo’s famous Arch is best seen from the water, and this private 38-foot sailing trip gives you more than a quick photo stop. You can cruise past El Arco, swim near Lovers Beach, snorkel at Pelican Rock, or simply settle in with a drink while the crew handles the boat.

I like the flexible schedule and the unusually personal service. Captains and mates such as Gabriel, Alexis, Angel, and Caesar have adjusted the order of stops for families, helped first-time swimmers, and even searched for lost items in the water. I also like that the $750 price covers up to four people, not four separate tickets.

The main thing to consider is the three-hour limit. With sailing, snorkeling, swimming, beaches, and the Arch all competing for time, you may need to choose your priorities. Wind, sea conditions, and motion sickness can also affect how much sailing or swimming you want to do.

Key things to know before booking

• Private boat for up to four: The $750 rate is for the boat, making this a better value for a small group than for one or two people.
• El Arco and Lovers Beach: You get a close view of Cabo’s signature rock formations, with time for photos and a possible swim near the beach.
• Pelican Rock snorkeling: The site is about 15 minutes from the marina, with clear water roughly 20 to 25 feet deep and tropical fish.
• Open bar and food included: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, sandwiches or other light food, fruit, chips, salsa, guacamole, and snacks.
• Your crew can shape the outing: You can spend more time sailing, snorkeling, swimming, or cruising, though the short duration requires trade-offs.
• No hotel transport included: Meet at F Dock in Cabo San Lucas Marina and return there after the trip.

A private sailing day from Cabo San Lucas Marina

This outing begins at F Dock in Cabo San Lucas Marina. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price. Some families have arranged round-trip transport separately, but that is an extra matter to handle before you arrive.

The boat is a 38-foot sailboat reserved for your group of up to four. That small capacity changes the feel of the trip. You are not following a fixed crowd schedule or waiting for strangers to finish swimming. The captain can ask what matters most to you, then arrange the three hours around those choices.

That flexibility is especially useful for mixed groups. A couple might want an hour of sailing and a short swim. A family with children might prefer the Arch first, then a calm snorkeling stop. A group celebrating a birthday could spend less time in the water and more time cruising with drinks and views.

The crew may vary. Names associated with this boat experience include captains Gabriel and David, and crew members Angel, Alexis, Caesar, Jorge, Manuel, Ivan, Javier, Israel, and Oswaldo. Do not assume a particular person will be assigned to your departure, but the repeated pattern is clear: the crew’s role is active, attentive, and practical rather than simply steering from the front of the boat.

El Arco, Lovers Beach, and Cabo’s two coasts

The first major sight is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the huge natural arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. The rock formations here are Cabo’s calling card, and the boat gives you the right angle for photographs that are difficult to get from land.

The listed stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for a close look and photos, but not a long visit. You should think of this as a scenic pass and photo stop rather than a full beach outing.

Lovers Beach sits beside the Arch, and the crew may give you the chance to swim toward it if conditions and timing allow. One couple swam to the beach during the trip, while the crew stayed alert and helped search for a lost Apple Watch in the water. That story also points to a useful fact: the crew does more than provide a route. They keep an eye on the practical details of a small private outing.

The nearby Pacific side can be more exposed than the protected bay. You may see a different feel in the water as the boat moves between the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. If you are prone to seasickness, tell the crew early and pay attention to how you feel before committing to a longer swim or open-water sail.

Pelican Rock is the main snorkeling stop

Pelican Rock is about 15 minutes from the Cabo San Lucas Marina. The water here is described as clear and roughly 20 to 25 feet deep, with friendly tropical fish. Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

For a confident swimmer, this is the point where the trip becomes more than a sightseeing cruise. You can get in the water, look down through the clear surface, and spend about 45 minutes exploring. The depth gives the site a more open-water feel, so less confident swimmers should use the gear carefully and follow the crew’s directions.

The stop can work for beginners, too. One crew member named Israel helped a first-time swimmer with patience and support. That does not turn the activity into a formal lesson, but it does suggest that you can ask for help rather than pretending to be comfortable.

You might also see sea lions, turtles, manta rays, or other sea life. A sea lion appeared during one private outing, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The same applies to whale sightings. A late-season trip had an unexpected close encounter with whales, though the crew had already explained that sightings were uncertain. Treat wildlife as a bonus, not the reason to book this particular trip.

The boat also carries a paddleboard. Its use depends on conditions and how much time you want to spend away from the boat. Since the whole outing lasts about three hours, a long paddleboard session will reduce time for sailing or snorkeling.

Sailing is the real reason to choose this boat

Many Cabo boat trips cruise under power from one stop to the next. This experience can include actual sailing, with the main sail raised when wind and conditions allow. Several outings made sailing the highlight, while another spent the time cruising without setting the sails.

That variation matters. If sailing itself is your top priority, ask about the day’s wind and the likely plan when you arrive. A private charter gives the captain room to adjust, but it cannot create wind or safely sail through unsuitable conditions.

When the wind cooperates, the boat can move quietly around Cabo Bay, out toward the Pacific, or across the Sea of Cortez. You get a better sense of the coast from the water, and the pace is calmer than a fast motorboat. I like this part because the trip does not have to feel like a race between attractions.

The crew may also leave the order up to you. You might begin with the Arch, snorkel next, and sail afterward. Or you might sail first while the wind is good, then stop for swimming. With only three hours, the most useful question is not what is included. It is what you want to make the center of the trip.

Food, drinks, and the onboard comfort level

The $750 boat price includes an open bar, bottled water, other beverages, snacks, and snorkeling equipment. Food has included sandwiches, fruit, chips with salsa and guacamole, fresh vegetables with dip, and on one outing, sushi. The exact spread may vary, so treat it as a light meal rather than a formal lunch.

The drinks are more generous than the usual basic boat package. Beer, tequila, soft drinks, and mixed drinks such as rum punch have been available. You can ask for nonalcoholic drinks, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

The food matters because a three-hour water outing can feel long if you are hungry. Sandwiches and snacks let you stay aboard without arranging a separate meal during your limited time. Warm water for rinsing off, towels, and a clean boat have also been part of the practical comfort on past trips, though you should confirm what is supplied on your departure.

The open bar also creates a small safety point. Alcohol and swimming do not mix well, especially around a 20 to 25-foot snorkeling area. Enjoy the drinks after getting out of the water, and let the crew set the tone for safe use of the boat.

What the $750 price really means

At $750 per group of up to four, the effective price is $187.50 per person if you fill all four places. That is a reasonable value for a private boat with food, open bar, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and a crew focused only on your group.

For two people, the same boat costs $375 per person. That is still attractive if you value privacy, but it is not the cheapest way to get onto Cabo’s water. If you are traveling alone, the private rate makes little financial sense unless personal space is your main priority.

The value improves when you care about control. You can spend more time at the Arch, skip a long swim, choose sailing over snorkeling, or slow down for a birthday or family outing. A standard group cruise may cost less, but you are likely to have less say in the schedule.

You also avoid paying separate charges for the main extras. Drinks, snacks, bottled water, gear, and paddleboard use are included. Hotel transportation is not included, and any transport you arrange separately adds to the final cost.

Families, couples, and first-time snorkelers

This trip suits a family of four particularly well. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the crew has worked successfully with children ages seven and nine, including a child on the autism spectrum. That does not guarantee the same experience for every family, but a private boat gives you more room to manage breaks, noise, food, and the order of activities.

Couples also get good value if they want a quiet boat for a special occasion. Birthday groups have used the trip for a 30th birthday, and the small setting makes it easier to shape the day around photos, swimming, sailing, or a sunset drink.

First-time snorkelers can participate, but you should be honest about your swimming ability. Pelican Rock is not described as a shallow beach area. It has clear water and tropical fish, but the listed depth is 20 to 25 feet. Ask the crew for help, use the supplied equipment properly, and do not feel pressured to stay in the water.

Vegetarians should advise the operator at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but children need adult supervision. The activity may be operated by a multilingual guide, so the language available can vary.

Timing, weather, and seasickness

You can choose from several departure times during the day. That makes it easier to fit the trip around a morning arrival, a resort schedule, or an evening dinner. A late departure may offer sunset views, but you should confirm the exact time and plan rather than assume every sailing includes sunset.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Seasickness is the biggest practical concern raised by the experience itself. One group had two people who became ill even though the crew, food, drinks, and service were excellent. If you are sensitive, eat lightly, watch the horizon, and consider whether a private sailing is the right use of your Cabo day.

The boat can cruise without raising the sails, and the crew can adjust the plan, but neither choice removes all motion on the water. A private charter gives you privacy when you need a quiet moment, not a guarantee of flat seas.

Who should book this Cabo sailing trip?

I would choose this outing if you are four people who want a private boat and cannot agree on a standard group itinerary. It also makes sense for couples who care more about personal service and sailing time than the lowest possible price.

You should book it if these are your priorities:

• A private boat rather than a shared cruise
• Close views of El Arco and Lovers Beach
• Time for snorkeling at Pelican Rock
• An open bar and light food included
• A flexible plan shaped around your group
• The chance to sail when wind conditions permit

I would think twice if you want a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed whale sighting, a guaranteed sail, or a full-day outing. Three hours goes quickly, especially if you want to combine the Arch, beach swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sailing.

The strongest reason to book is the crew’s ability to make the boat feel personal. Named crew members such as Angel, Alexis, Gabriel, and Israel have helped families, first-time swimmers, and couples with the small problems that can make or break a day on the water. Add the Arch, clear snorkeling water, drinks, and a fair group price, and this is a strong choice for a small party that wants Cabo from the water without giving up control of the schedule.

FAQ

How much does the private Cabo sailing tour cost?

The price is $750 per boat for a group of up to four people. The displayed price is for the boat, not a separate charge for each person.

How long does the sailing and snorkeling tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at F Dock in Cabo San Lucas Marina.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at F Dock, Marina, in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the main snorkeling stop is Pelican Rock.

What is included with the open bar?

Included refreshments are alcoholic drinks, bottled water, other beverages, and snacks. Food has included sandwiches, fruit, chips, salsa, and guacamole. Request a vegetarian option when booking.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate.

Is the tour always under sail?

No. The boat may sail when wind and conditions allow, but some outings cruise without raising the sails. The captain can help shape the plan around conditions and your group’s preferences.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.