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

The best part of this Cabo outing is the boat itself: a private Ferretti 88-foot yacht gives your group room to enjoy El Arco, sea lions, rocky Pacific shores, and a swim stop without sharing the experience with strangers. The setting is classic Cabo, but the private format makes the day feel far more relaxed.

I like the generous food and drink plan, especially the combination of fresh fruit, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, chips, charcuterie, a three-course dinner, and an unlimited premium open bar. I also like the simple route: famous rock formations first, then time to swim and use the provided water equipment at Medano Beach.

The main consideration is price. At $5,600 per group of up to 15, this works best when a large family or group shares the cost. The cruise lasts about three hours, so you get a polished yacht outing, but not a full-day charter.

Key points to know before booking

• El Arco is the opening highlight: You get about 30 minutes for photos and views of the large sea lion colony.
• The Pacific Coast portion lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes: Expect rock formations, beaches, and chances to look for marine life from the yacht.
• Medano Beach is the active stop: The yacht anchors in the bay for swimming, snorkeling, and use of the supplied water toys.
• Food is unusually substantial for a three-hour cruise: Snacks, a charcuterie board, a three-course dinner, and drinks are included.
• The charter is private for up to 15 people: You can share the yacht only with your own group.
• The price rewards a full group: Divided among 15 people, the listed cost comes to about $373 per person before gratuity.

Setting out from Cabo San Lucas Marina

The experience begins at Hotel Tesoro, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas. The end point is the same meeting point, which keeps the plan tidy if you are staying near the marina or arranging your day around downtown Cabo.

You receive a mobile ticket, and the experience is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so I would not leave this until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

The tour is operated by Papillon Yachts and is private. That detail matters more than it may seem. You are not adjusting your plans around a large shared group, and the boat is reserved for your party alone, up to 15 people. That makes the charter a natural fit for a family celebration, a group of friends, or a special occasion where privacy matters.

The listed duration is about three hours. The three main parts add up to that time: 30 minutes at El Arco, 1 hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast, and 1 hour and 15 minutes anchored near Medano Beach. The timing is well balanced, with enough time for sightseeing and a proper stop in the water.

El Arco and Cabo’s sea lion colony

The first stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the famous rock arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. You have about 30 minutes here for photographs and views of the large sea lion colony.

This is the part of Cabo most people picture before arriving. The pale rock formations, open water, and sea lions create an immediate sense of place. A private yacht also gives your group a comfortable viewing platform, rather than making the arch just another quick sight from shore.

Bring a camera, but protect it from spray. The time here is not meant for a long beach visit or a detailed coastal walk. It is a scenic stop, and the value comes from seeing the arch from the water, taking photographs, and watching the sea lions.

I would also treat the 30-minute stop as a useful reminder to keep your expectations realistic. El Arco is famous, but the tour does not spend hours lingering in one spot. The boat soon moves on to a longer cruise along the Pacific side.

One hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast segment is the longest sightseeing portion of the trip. For 1 hour and 15 minutes, you cruise past rock formations, beaches, and the marine life around Cabo.

This is where the yacht experience earns its keep. Instead of rushing directly to the swimming stop, you get time to appreciate the coast from the water. The shoreline changes as you travel, and the boat gives you a broad view of the rocks and beaches that can be hard to appreciate from land.

Marine life is part of the promise, but it is best approached as a possibility rather than a guarantee. You may spot wildlife from the yacht, and the coast itself is the main attraction. Sea lions are specifically connected with the El Arco stop, while the Pacific Coast portion offers a wider look at the area’s natural setting.

The itinerary does not list a shore landing during this section. That makes the cruise especially appealing if you want scenery without adding a hike, beach transfer, or complicated change of plans. On the other hand, if your main goal is extended time on land, this charter is not designed for that.

Anchoring near Medano Beach

The final 1 hour and 15 minutes are spent anchored in the bay near Medano Beach. This is the most active part of the outing, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and the water toys supplied by the yacht.

The longer stop gives you room to choose your own pace. You can get into the water, try the snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the activity around you. Since the charter is private, your group does not have to follow a stranger’s idea of the perfect afternoon.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but the available information does not specify the exact type of water toys or how many pieces of equipment are provided. If your group has several people eager to use the gear at once, it is sensible to ask Papillon Yachts what is available before booking.

Medano Beach is also where the food service becomes a major part of the experience. The crew serves the meal while the yacht is anchored, allowing you to combine swimming, lounging, and lunch or dinner instead of treating food as a quick snack between stops.

A menu that goes beyond standard boat snacks

The included food plan is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this charter. You receive fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, and a charcuterie board. You also receive a full three-course dinner with three options to choose from.

That is a generous spread for a cruise of about three hours. It means you do not need to plan a separate meal immediately before or after the outing, although the exact service timing is not stated. If someone in your group has dietary restrictions, ask about the three menu choices before the date of the charter.

The unlimited premium open bar includes alcoholic beverages, along with soda. This suits a celebration, but it also gives non-drinkers a clear option. I would still remember that the price does not include crew gratuity, so you should budget separately for a tip.

The quality of the food and the crew’s service have been singled out as major strengths, with an overall rating of 4.4 from five ratings. One especially positive account praised the views, staff, and excellent food, describing the excursion as impressive. That matches the design of the charter: it is not only a boat ride, but also a catered private outing.

What the $5,600 group price really means

The listed price is $5,600 per group, with up to 15 people included. If you fill every available place, the cost works out to about $373 per person before gratuity. With a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

For 15 people, the price can make sense as a private event with a large boat, premium drinks, dinner, snorkeling equipment, and a three-hour route. You are paying for exclusivity as much as for transportation. A couple or small group may find the total harder to justify, even if the yacht and menu are appealing.

The included services also reduce the need to arrange separate pieces. You have private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a return to the original meeting point. The information does not explain the exact role of the air-conditioned vehicle, so I would confirm whether it applies to transfers connected with the yacht.

A useful way to judge the price is to ask what matters most to your group. If privacy, a private yacht, and a catered celebration are the point, the package has strong value when shared among many people. If you mainly want a quick look at El Arco or a low-cost swim, you can probably find simpler options.

Who will enjoy this private yacht charter

I would recommend this experience most strongly to groups that want a polished, social outing rather than an intense activity day. Families, birthday groups, wedding parties, and friends sharing a holiday can make good use of the private format and full menu.

It also suits mixed groups. Some people can swim or snorkel near Medano Beach, while others stay on board with the food and drinks. The sightseeing sections work for people who want photos and scenery, while the water stop gives more active members of the group something to do.

The experience is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. Those details make the meeting point fairly practical, though the booking information does not give specific notes about boarding assistance or yacht accessibility. If anyone in your party has mobility needs, ask the operator before paying.

The charter may be less suitable if you want a full-day sailing trip, a detailed wildlife expedition, or long stretches of snorkeling. You get a clear three-hour schedule, and the active water time is concentrated in one stop.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows Cabo San Lucas local time.

That policy makes weather and scheduling worth checking early. I would avoid placing this charter immediately before an important flight or event, since a weather change could affect your plans even if the operator offers a new date or refund.

The final call on Papillon Yachts

I would book this yacht charter if you have a group large enough to share the $5,600 cost and you want a private Cabo celebration with scenery, swimming, a full meal, and premium drinks. The strong points are clear: excellent views, attentive crew service, a well-paced route, and food that goes far beyond the usual fruit-and-chips boat package.

I would pause if your party is small or if you want more than three hours on the water. The itinerary is focused and enjoyable, but it is not a full-day charter. Ask about the exact water toys, menu choices, transfer details, and accessibility needs before confirming.

For the right group, this is a comfortable way to see El Arco, cruise the Pacific Coast, and spend a relaxed hour anchored near Medano Beach, all without sharing the yacht with anyone outside your party.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht charter cost?

The price is $5,600 per group of up to 15 people. Crew gratuity is not included.

How long does the yacht experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. The schedule includes 30 minutes at El Arco, 1 hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast, and 1 hour and 15 minutes near Medano Beach.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hotel Tesoro, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is food included?

Yes. Included food includes fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, and a charcuterie board. A three-course dinner with three choices is also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an unlimited premium open bar, as well as soda.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations may be moved to another date or fully refunded.