Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included!

Cabo’s famous Arch is only the opening act on this private boat trip. You cruise past the landmark and sea lion colony, then get time near Pelican Rock to snorkel, paddleboard, swim, or simply take in the bay from the boat.

I like the freedom to set your own pace and the practical comforts: snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a floating mat, food, drinks, and an onboard restroom. One thing to settle before you pay is the group limit. The details give different boat capacities, so ask the operator to confirm in writing how many people your booking covers.

What to know before you book

• The Arch is a quick photo stop. Plan on about five minutes there, then more time at Pelican Rock and around the bay.
• Water time is a choice, not a requirement. Snorkel, use the paddleboard or mat, swim, or stay aboard.
• Food and drinks are included. The stated provisions include Mexican burritos, chips and salsa, soft drinks, water, mixers, and alcoholic beverages. Confirm exactly what alcohol is provided.
• The group-size details conflict. The tour is priced for groups of up to 15, but other information lists a maximum of 8, while the overview describes seating for 12.
• The advertised time varies. The summary says about 3 hours 30 minutes; the overview calls it a four-hour cruise.
• It leaves from G Dock. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

From G Dock into Cabo San Lucas Bay

Meet at G Dock in central Cabo San Lucas. The dock is about a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, so this can work for a shore excursion if you allow time to get there. A taxi is another option. Hotel transportation is not included, so plan your own ride to the marina.

The boat is described in different places as a 35-foot catamaran and a 32-foot custom-made catamaran. You’ll also find conflicting passenger limits. This matters more than it might seem: a boat that feels roomy for eight may feel quite different with a larger party, especially once people are moving around in swim gear. Before booking, confirm the vessel, maximum number of passengers, and whether children count toward that limit.

The cruise is private, so you’ll be with your own group rather than sharing the trip with strangers. That makes it a good fit for families, friends, or a small celebration. The crew can adjust the outing to your group’s preferences when conditions allow. For example, they have turned back toward calmer water when someone felt seasick, and helped a child reach shore by paddleboard.

The time is also listed in two ways: roughly three and a half hours and approximately four hours. Treat it as a half-day outing, but confirm the expected start and finish times when you book. You’ll want to leave room in your schedule for the return to the dock.

The Arch and Lover’s Beach: big views, brief stop

The first landmark is El Arco, the rock formation at the meeting point of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. The boat stops here for about five minutes, enough to take photos and get a close look. It’s a short pause, not a long shore visit.

Lover’s Beach is passed along the way. It’s one of Cabo’s best-known beaches, and seeing it from the water gives you a useful view of the coastline. The beach is described as a pass-by stop, so don’t count on getting off here.

The boat also passes the marina, with its shops, restaurants, and bars. This is a glimpse of Cabo’s busy waterfront rather than a marina tour. The appeal is the contrast: the town’s boats and shoreline behind you, open water and rock formations ahead.

Sea lions are another possible highlight. The route includes a sea lion colony, and the crew may point out wildlife along the way. Sightings depend on what is around that day, so treat them as a welcome bonus rather than a guaranteed encounter.

Pelican Rock: the main stop for swimming and snorkeling

The longest scheduled stop is at Pelican Rock, where you have about an hour and a half. The rock formation and clear water make this the main place to get in and explore. Snorkeling gear is supplied, and the area is known for colorful marine life.

Water clarity and conditions can change. Some outings offer good snorkeling; on others, the water may be cloudy or less rewarding. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep expectations flexible. You can still enjoy the view, swim, or use the paddleboard and floating mat when visibility is poor.

You don’t have to be a keen swimmer to make good use of the stop. The mat gives your group a place to lounge on the water, while the paddleboard offers another way to get around. If you prefer to stay dry, you can relax aboard and enjoy the scenery. Ask the crew about water conditions and the safest way to use the gear before getting in.

The itinerary also includes time cruising around Cabo San Lucas Bay. That gives you a chance to enjoy the coastline without needing to turn every moment into an activity. I like that balance: this is not just a quick ride to the Arch and back, but it also doesn’t require you to spend the whole trip in the water.

Food, drinks, and comfort aboard

The included food is simple and suited to a boat day: Mexican burritos, chips and salsa, plus soft drinks and bottled water. Ice coolers, ice, and mixers are listed as part of the setup. You can bring your own snacks and drinks as well, which is useful if your group has particular tastes or needs more food than the included portions.

Alcohol deserves a quick check before departure. Alcoholic beverages are listed as included, and you’re also allowed to bring your own. However, the details don’t clearly say which drinks or quantities come with the tour, and one account describes buying beer during a stop rather than receiving it onboard. Confirm what the open bar means for your booking so you know whether to bring anything.

A private restroom is onboard, a welcome convenience on a boat trip of this length. There is also an MP3 or iPod port, and some trip details refer to Bluetooth sound, so you can ask about connecting your phone before you set off. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a towel. An extra snack may be worthwhile if your group tends to eat between meals.

A photographer has been present on some outings, taking polished group pictures. That could be a nice extra, especially for a family trip or celebration, but it is not listed among the standard inclusions. Ask whether a photographer will be aboard and whether photos cost extra.

What the crew can do for your group

The crew is central to this experience. Names associated with trips include Max, Javier, Cecilia, Lorena, Javi, Paul, and Balthazar, but the crew varies, so you should not expect a particular person. Their role goes beyond steering: they explain how to use the water gear, serve food and drinks, and help the group make choices about swimming or staying aboard.

That flexibility is useful for mixed-age groups. Families with children have used the mat and paddleboard, while older adults have appreciated having a private boat rather than navigating a crowded shared tour. If someone in your party has a mobility need, contact the operator in advance. The tour information says arrangements may be possible with advance notice, but you should explain the specific need before booking.

You can also ask the captain about changing the plan if someone feels unwell or if conditions shift. The route and time in the water depend on weather and sea conditions. A private tour gives you more room to discuss preferences, but it cannot guarantee calm water, clear snorkeling visibility, or wildlife sightings.

Is $2,235 good value?

At $2,235 per group, this is a premium outing. The value improves when you split the price across a full group, but first resolve the passenger-limit discrepancy. At the listed maximum of 15, the cost works out to $149 per person. At eight people, it is about $279 per person. Those are very different calculations, and the supplied information does not make clear which limit applies.

The price includes a private boat, crew, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and a floating mat. For a group that wants privacy and several hours together on the water, those inclusions can make the cost worthwhile. You are paying for control over the outing as much as for the equipment: your group can swim, relax, or ask to adjust the plan rather than follow a large shared tour’s fixed rhythm.

If your priority is the lowest-cost way to see the Arch, this is probably not the economical choice. A shared boat tour may suit you better. But if you value a private space, an onboard restroom, food and drinks, and activities for different ages, the higher price may make sense, once the capacity and included alcohol are clear.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I’d consider this tour for a family or group of friends who want a relaxed boat day with options. Confident swimmers can snorkel; others can enjoy the views, stretch out on the floating mat, or stay aboard. A private setup is especially useful when your group includes children, older relatives, or people who want to move at different speeds.

It is less suited to someone whose main goal is a long, guided snorkeling session. The scheduled time at Pelican Rock is generous, but visibility and sea conditions vary, and some trips may be more about swimming and enjoying the bay than seeing much underwater. It is also not a guaranteed whale-watching trip. Whales have been spotted on outings, particularly during migration season, but sightings are not promised.

For a special occasion, the combination of a private boat, bay views, and time together can work well. Just don’t assume a photographer, a particular crew member, or a certain boat size is included without confirmation.

Should you book the Cabo private catamaran?

Book it if you want a private, flexible outing and your group will make use of the swimming gear, food, and time on the water. The Arch, Pelican Rock, sea lions, and the chance to spot whales give the cruise plenty of visual interest, while the mat and paddleboard help keep non-snorkelers involved.

Before paying, get clear answers on the exact passenger limit, boat length, trip duration, and what alcoholic drinks are supplied. Those details change the value calculation. Once they’re settled, this is a strong choice for a group that wants a comfortable Cabo boat day without sharing the boat with strangers.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at G Dock, Centro, in Cabo San Lucas, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes, while the overview describes a four-hour cruise. Confirm the expected duration when booking.

How many people can join?

The information gives several different limits: up to 15 per group, a maximum of 8 on the boat, and seating for 12 in the overview. Confirm the exact limit with the operator before booking.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. Listed items include Mexican burritos, chips and salsa, bottled water, soft drinks, mixers, and alcoholic beverages. Ask the operator what alcohol is supplied.

Can I bring my own food, drinks, or alcohol?

Yes. You may bring your own food, drinks, and alcohol.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, a private restroom is available onboard.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

Yes. The dock is approximately a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, or you can take a taxi. Provide your cruise ship name and arrival time when booking.