Private Fishing Trip “All Inclusive” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo’s best fishing days can be thrilling: a striped marlin may hit early, a dorado can turn the cockpit lively, and whales or dolphins may appear beside the boat. I like the private boat for up to four and the fact that rods, live bait, licenses, food, and drinks are covered. You can fish with a first mate who helps beginners and changes tactics when conditions call for it.

The main drawback is that the experience depends heavily on the assigned captain and the day’s bite. Some outings produce marlin, tuna, wahoo, or roosterfish, while others bring only a few bonito or no fish at all. I would also confirm the trip length, catch arrangements, tip expectations, and any trophy-mounting price before leaving the dock.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for four: You do not share the fishing space with another group.
• Eight hours on paper: Confirm the departure time and return time, since a few past outings ended early.
• All-inclusive basics: Rods, tackle, live bait, fishing licenses, lunch, snacks, water, sodas, and beer are included.
• Cabo’s best-known sights: The route includes El Arco, Chileno Bay, Playa el Chileno, and Lovers Beach.
• Fish handling needs a clear conversation: Fish cleaning is not included, and catch ownership or trophy services should be discussed before you keep a fish.
• No hotel pickup: You must reach the Cabo Sportfishing Crew meeting point at IGY Marina, Dock E.

A full day chasing Cabo’s big fish

This private fishing trip gives your group a boat and crew for about eight hours at a flat price of $625. For four people, that works out to about $156 per person before any tip. For two people, the cost per person is much higher, so the value improves when you fill all four places.

The target list includes marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, barracuda, bonita, skipjack, and other local species. Cabo’s Pacific side and Sea of Cortez waters can produce very different fishing, so your captain may adjust the plan based on weather, water temperature, bait, and what is biting.

I like the private setup because you can shape the day around your group. If one person is new to fishing, the first mate can help with the rod and technique. If everyone already knows what they are doing, you can spend more time working lines and less time on instruction.

Still, private does not mean guaranteed fish. One outing produced three striped marlin, while another produced wahoo and roosterfish. Other trips came back with only bonito or no meaningful catch. That is normal for ocean fishing, but it matters when you are paying for a full-day charter.

Meeting the crew at IGY Marina Dock E

The meeting point is Cabo Sportfishing Crew at IGY Marina, E Dock, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18 in central Cabo San Lucas. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the marina and find the correct dock.

The boat assigned may be Blue Tail, Blue Tail II, El Pargo, Reel Tequila, Robalo, or another available vessel. That means the boat name can vary. You may also be told one captain’s name and meet another, so confirm the actual boat and crew when you arrive.

The listed crew includes a captain and first mate. Names connected with particularly strong outings include Andres, Luis, Jorge, Gustavo, Joel, Jose, Freddie, Ruben, Alex, Juan, Tito, Ivan, and Felipe. These names do not guarantee who will operate your trip, but they show that the company uses several crews rather than one fixed team.

The best crews described their plan clearly, changed baits when needed, and stayed involved in the fishing. That detail matters. On a long day, a first mate who keeps lines working and helps you handle a fish can make the difference between an active outing and hours of waiting.

From the harbor to El Arco

The boat leaves Marina Cabo San Lucas and heads toward the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. Early views include the famous rock formation of El Arco, where the two bodies of water meet.

El Arco is an important sightseeing bonus, especially if this is your first visit to Cabo. You may have a chance to photograph the arch from the water, although the fishing plan and sea conditions control how much time the boat spends there.

The route can also include Playa de los Amantes, commonly called Lovers Beach. From a boat, you get a different view than from shore, and the contrast between Cabo’s rock formations and open water makes a good early photo stop.

Do not think of these locations as guaranteed, timed sightseeing stops in the style of a city tour. They are part of the listed route, but the captain’s main job is fishing. If seeing El Arco is important to you, ask when booking or at the dock how the day will be organized.

Fishing Chileno Bay and the Sea of Cortez

The route lists Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno, along with Cabo San Lucas. These locations bring variety to the day, but the actual fishing ground can change with conditions.

You may fish near the coast for smaller species or head farther out in search of marlin and other big game. One crew asked the group to choose between pursuing large fish and catching smaller fish more often. That is exactly the conversation I would want before the lines go in.

Some groups hooked a marlin within minutes of reaching the fishing area. One striped marlin measured close to nine feet, and another was described as an eight to nine foot blue marlin. Other outings produced multiple tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, barracuda, dorado, and sea bass.

A good first mate may rotate live bait, artificial lures, and tackle as the day develops. That effort is more valuable than simply sitting over one spot. If you have no luck with the original target, ask directly about switching species or trying a different area.

This point deserves emphasis because one poor outing focused almost entirely on marlin even after the group asked to try smaller fish. If your main goal is action rather than a trophy, say so before departure. A clear request can help the captain set the right plan.

Whale watching, dolphins, and the bonus scenery

Fishing is the reason to book, but Cabo can add a fine wildlife show. Several outings included humpback whales, dolphins, and even sharks. In winter, whales may be seen in the area, and one boat circled carefully to give the group better photo opportunities.

You might see whales breaching near the fishing grounds, dolphins jumping, or sharks moving through the water. None of this is promised, but these sightings can turn a slow fishing day into a memorable day at sea.

The scenery also gives you something to enjoy during quiet periods. Cabo’s arch, Lovers Beach, Chileno Bay, and the meeting point of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez help break up the wait between bites.

If your group wants equal parts fishing and sightseeing, say that clearly. If everyone wants nonstop pursuit of a marlin, the captain may spend less time on the coastal sights.

What all-inclusive covers, and what it does not

The package includes the main items you need to fish:

• Captain and first mate
• Fishing boat
• Rods and fishing equipment
• Live bait
• Fishing licenses
• Lunch and snacks
• Bottled water
• Sodas
• Beer

That is useful because you do not need to pack rods, bait, or drinks. It also makes the $625 group price easier to judge. A four-person group receives a private boat, crew, gear, food, and drinks at a per-person cost close to a standard shared excursion in some destinations.

The phrase all-inclusive has limits here. Hotel pickup is not included. Fish cleaning is not included. Tips are not included, and one poor experience involved confusion about whether gratuity had been covered. Treat the tip as a separate cost and ask the crew at the start how gratuities work.

The food description includes lunch, snacks, and drinks, but the crew may not automatically explain what is available. If you are hungry, ask where the food is stored and when lunch will be served. This is a small point, but it avoids the awkward situation of sitting all day without realizing that the meal is for your group.

Fish ownership, cleaning, and trophy costs

This is the most important practical warning. Fish cleaning is not included, and you should ask what happens to any fish you keep before you decide to retain one.

A few past outings involved confusion over marlin. In one case, a captain gave a lower estimate for a mounted trophy, while the taxidermy price shown at the marina was much higher. In another, the group believed most of its fish was taken for processing and received only a small portion.

I cannot tell you what the intended policy is for every boat, but I can tell you what to do: ask these questions before fishing begins.

• If we keep a fish, how much of it can we take?
• Is fish cleaning available, and what does it cost?
• Who handles the catch after we return?
• What is the exact price for a mounted replica or taxidermy service?
• Are there limits on keeping marlin or other species?

Get clear answers, and do not agree to a trophy service based only on a rough verbal estimate. If you do not want to keep a large fish, say so before it reaches the dock.

How the eight hours can feel

An eight-hour trip is a serious day on the water. The boat may leave early, run to fishing grounds, work several lines, pause for lunch, and return to the marina in the afternoon. Conditions can include choppy water and large swells, and one outing had three to four foot swells several miles offshore.

Some people love the motion and open sea. Others may find a full day tiring, especially when the bite is slow. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, discuss that before booking. The supplied information does not include medication or seasickness support, so you should plan that part yourself.

The trip is suitable for beginners because the crew provides equipment and instruction. It also suits experienced anglers who want a private boat and a chance at large local species. Families can have a great time, including children who want to reel in a fish, but keep in mind that the day can be physically demanding.

The strongest outings had crews who kept children involved, helped people take turns, and worked hard when several lines were active. A seven-year-old was able to help reel in fish with support from the mate. That is the sort of shared moment that makes a private charter worthwhile.

The value at $625 per group

The price is easiest to justify with four people. At full capacity, you are paying for eight hours of boat time, a captain, a first mate, equipment, bait, licenses, lunch, and drinks. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers.

For two people, the same $625 price becomes a large expense per person. You may still prefer the privacy, but the fishing result remains uncertain. You are paying for access to the boat and crew, not a guaranteed marlin.

I would compare the price with the goals of your group. If you want a private day, have four people, and value the chance at serious fish, the package can be fair. If you mainly want a short fishing session or a guaranteed catch, an eight-hour private charter may not be the best fit.

The 4.7 rating from 418 ratings and 93 percent recommendation show that the overall experience is strong, but the low ratings point to real risks: mismatched expectations, weak communication, confusion about start times, quiet crew members, and early returns. Those problems do not appear on every boat, but they are worth addressing at check-in.

My advice for making the day better

Before the boat leaves, confirm the following in plain language:

• Your exact departure and return times
• The name of the captain and first mate
• The boat assigned to your group
• Whether your group wants big game, smaller fish, or both
• What lunch and drinks are available
• How tips are handled
• What happens to fish you keep
• Any cost for cleaning, processing, or mounting

During the trip, speak up if you want a change. Ask to try another species if the marlin bite is slow. Ask the mate to explain the tackle. If you are a beginner, say so. The best crews can adapt, but they need to know what kind of day you want.

Also remember that the fish may not cooperate. A blank day does not automatically mean the crew failed. But poor communication, an unexplained early return, or unclear catch handling deserves attention.

The activity requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive another date or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so choose your date carefully.

Should you book this Cabo fishing trip?

I would book it if you have four people, want a private boat, and care as much about the day on the water as the final fish count. The chance of catching marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo, or roosterfish is real, and the views of El Arco, Chileno Bay, and Lovers Beach add value.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, your group expects a guaranteed catch, or you dislike rough water. I would also avoid booking without first asking about the assigned captain, the return time, the fishing plan, gratuity, and fish handling.

For the best chance of a good day, fill all four spaces, arrive ready for a long outing, and make your expectations clear at the dock. That small conversation can turn an ordinary charter into a memorable Cabo day.

FAQ

How long is the private fishing trip?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The trip includes the fishing boat, equipment, live bait, and fishing licenses.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, sodas, and beer are included.

Where does the trip start and end?

It starts and ends at Cabo Sportfishing Crew at IGY Marina, E Dock, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18, Centro, Cabo San Lucas.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you must make your own way to the marina.