Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas – Ferretti 88ft.

Cabo’s famous Arch is only the opening act on this private three-hour yacht charter. You’ll cruise along the Pacific shoreline, then anchor near Medano Beach for a swim, snorkeling, and time with the boat’s water toys.

I like two things here: the route pairs Cabo’s landmark rock formations with a proper stop in the bay, and the package includes a three-course dinner, snacks, and an unlimited premium bar. One consideration is the price: $5,600 is for the whole group, so the per-person cost depends heavily on how many of you go.

Key points

• The yacht is an 88-foot Ferretti: Your charter is private for your group, up to 15 people.
• El Arco gets a 30-minute stop: Take photos and look for the large sea lion colony.
• The Pacific Coast cruise lasts 1 hour 15 minutes: Expect rock formations, marine life, and beaches along the way.
• Medano Bay is the active stop: The 1 hour 15 minutes at anchor is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and water toys.
• Food and drinks are part of the price: The package includes snacks, a three-course meal, and an unlimited premium open bar.
• The price is $5,600 per group: At the full 15-person capacity, that works out to about $373 per person before crew gratuity.

A Cabo charter built around the coast

This trip makes sense if you want Cabo’s big coastal sights without sharing your boat with another booking group. The charter is private, with room for up to 15, and runs for about three hours. That gives you time for a photo stop at El Arco, a longer cruise along the Pacific Coast, and a final stretch anchored in the bay.

The boat is described as a Ferretti measuring 88 feet. That size is a major part of the appeal: you’re booking a yacht outing rather than a short ride to one viewpoint. The experience also folds food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and private transportation into one package, so you don’t have to arrange those separately.

The trip has a 4.4 out of 5 rating based on five ratings. The praise centers on the views, the staff, and the food. That’s useful context, though five ratings are a small sample, so I’d treat the score as a helpful sign rather than a guarantee.

El Arco and the sea lion colony

The first stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the landmark rock formation at the meeting of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. The yacht pauses here for about 30 minutes, giving you time to take photos and look toward the large sea lion colony.

This stop is short and focused. You’re here to see the Arch from the water, take in the surrounding rock, and watch for sea lions. It’s a classic Cabo view, and seeing it from a yacht gives you a different vantage point than a photo taken from shore.

Keep your camera handy, but don’t expect this to be a long wildlife-watching session. The schedule allows half an hour at the Arch, then moves on. If sea lions are high on your wish list, use this stop to watch carefully rather than assuming you’ll have time to linger.

The Pacific Coast, rock by rock

After the Arch, the yacht spends about 1 hour 15 minutes touring the Pacific Coast. The route is described as a chance to see rock formations, marine life, and beaches around Cabo. This is the longest stretch of cruising, and it gives the outing room to be more than a quick landmark transfer.

The coast is a good reason to choose a boat charter over a land-based sightseeing stop. From the water, you can look back at the formations and beaches as the shoreline changes around you. Marine life is part of what you may see, but sightings aren’t specified or guaranteed, so think of it as a chance to watch rather than a promise of particular animals.

This portion is also where the trip’s pace may suit you best if you prefer scenery to a tightly packed activity schedule. You’ll have time aboard the yacht between the Arch and the bay, rather than rushing from one stop to another. If you’re prone to motion sickness, the open-water cruise is worth considering before booking; the details provided don’t specify sea conditions or a route adjustment policy.

Medano Beach and time at anchor

The final stop is in the bay near Medano Beach, where the yacht anchors for about 1 hour 15 minutes. This is the hands-on part of the trip: you can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and try the water toys offered aboard.

The stop gives you a useful balance after the scenic cruise. Rather than spending all three hours moving, you get time in the water and a chance to relax on board. Food and more drinks are served at this point, according to the schedule, making the anchor stop the natural place to enjoy the included meal and bar.

The listing describes a three-course dinner with three options to choose from, as well as snacks such as fresh fruit, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, chips, and a charcuterie board. It doesn’t specify the menu, serving times, or whether you choose your meal before boarding. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the listed choices will cover them.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but there’s no detail on what the water toys are. If a particular toy or activity matters to your group, check with Papillon Yachts in advance. The broad promise is clear: you’ll have a chance to get in the water, but the exact gear isn’t named.

What the food and open bar add

A yacht charter can become an expensive ride if you still have to pay separately for meals and drinks. Here, snacks, a full three-course meal, soft drinks, and an unlimited premium open bar are included. That makes the price easier to assess, especially for a group planning to spend much of the outing eating and socializing aboard.

The food is one of the trip’s strongest selling points. The available feedback specifically praises it, and the package has more than a token snack: you get fresh fruit and dips, chips, a charcuterie board, and a three-course dinner with three options. That range suits a celebration or a relaxed group outing better than a simple sightseeing cruise.

The bar is listed as unlimited and premium, but no brands or drink menu are specified. If you’re booking for a group with particular tastes, don’t assume a favorite label will be available. Soda and other nonalcoholic drinks are included too, so the package isn’t only useful for people drinking alcohol.

Crew gratuity is not included. Plan for that extra cost when working out your group budget. The service is one of the aspects singled out for praise, but there’s no set tip amount provided, so decide what feels appropriate based on the service you receive.

Does $5,600 make sense for your group?

The price is $5,600 per group, with a maximum of 15 people. If you fill every place, the base cost is about $373 per person. With fewer people, the individual share rises: for 10 people, it’s $560 each; for a smaller group, it can become a substantial splurge.

To judge the value, count what’s bundled: a private charter on an 88-foot yacht, about three hours on the water, three distinct parts of the route, snorkeling equipment, water toys, snacks, dinner, an unlimited premium bar, and private transportation. Those inclusions can make the price more reasonable for a full group than it first appears. Gratuity remains extra, and the package does not make a small party inexpensive.

I’d see this as a special-occasion outing, not a low-cost way to get a photo of El Arco. It makes the strongest financial sense for a group near capacity that wants private time together and will use the meal and bar. If you’re traveling as a couple or a small family, compare the cost with shorter shared cruises before committing.

Meeting point, timing, and useful checks

The meeting point is Hotel Tesoro at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle are listed as included, but the details don’t explain exactly how those fit with the stated marina meeting point. Confirm the transport arrangement before you go.

The activity is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available. Booking confirmation is expected within 48 hours and is subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people, though that doesn’t answer every individual mobility or health question.

Weather matters for a boat trip. If poor weather cancels the experience, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Local time sets the cutoff.

Who should book this Cabo yacht trip?

I’d shortlist this charter for a group that values privacy, scenic cruising, and a meal-and-drinks package more than a bargain price. It fits a celebration, a family gathering, or a group of friends who want a shared outing with both sightseeing and time in the water.

It’s less compelling if you mainly want a quick look at El Arco, don’t plan to eat or drink aboard, or have a small group that would split the full cost among only a few people. The itinerary gives you 30 minutes at the Arch and reserves most of the outing for the coastline and bay, so book for the whole experience rather than the landmark alone.

If your group can make good use of the private boat, food, bar, and water stop, this is a polished way to spend a few hours in Cabo. If you’re unsure, first ask about the meal choices, specific water toys, and transportation details. Those answers will help you decide whether the package matches your group’s priorities.

FAQ

How long is the yacht charter?

The experience lasts about three hours.

How much does the charter cost?

The price is $5,600 per group.

How many people can join?

The private charter accommodates up to 15 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Hotel Tesoro, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas.

Does the yacht stop at El Arco?

Yes. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at El Arco for photos and views of the sea lion colony.

How long is the Pacific Coast cruise?

The Pacific Coast portion lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. At the bay near Medano Beach, you can swim, snorkel, and use the provided water toys. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes snacks, a three-course dinner with three choices, soda, and an unlimited premium open bar.

Is crew gratuity included?

No. Crew gratuity is not included in the price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.