Reviewed · SAILING

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental

★ 5.0 · 60 reviews 3 hours to 1 day (approx.) Operated by Cabo Yacht Charters · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of Steel Aweigh is the sense of having your own floating base in Cabo. This 65-foot Sea Ray carries up to 10 people, with three staterooms, a dedicated crew, open bar, paddleboards, and water toys. On the right day, you may spot whales, snorkel, or simply watch the coast slide by with a drink in hand.

I like the custom seafood menu and the fact that the crew plans it with you before departure. I also like the attentive team: captain Fernando, bartender Fernando, Brian, and chef Omar are repeatedly singled out for warm service, strong sea-life knowledge, and thoughtful birthday and sunset touches.

The main consideration is price. At $3,250 per group, this is a luxury charter, not a casual boat ride. It makes much better financial sense for a full group of 10 than for a couple, and weather can affect the outing or require a date change.

Key points to know before booking

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Key points to know before booking

  • A private 65-foot Sea Ray: Your group has the yacht to itself, with room for up to 10 people and three staterooms.
  • A real food-and-drink setup: The price includes an open bar, personal bartender, and a menu built around local seafood and other quality ingredients.
  • A flexible Cabo outing: Book for about three hours or arrange a longer outing lasting up to a full day, depending on availability.
  • Water time beyond sightseeing: Paddleboards and onboard water toys are included, and some outings include snorkeling.
  • Whale sightings can be spectacular: One birthday cruise saw more than 20 whales, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
  • A crew with distinct roles: Fernando, Fernando, Brian, and chef Omar handle the boat, drinks, service, and food as a coordinated team.

What a private Steel Aweigh charter feels like

Steel Aweigh is best understood as a private day on the water rather than a fixed sightseeing tour. You meet at the Cabo San Lucas marina in Centro, board the yacht, and spend your reserved time with your own group and crew. The exact rhythm depends on the length you book and what you want from the day.

For a three-hour charter, you can shape the outing around a quick cruise, a swim and water-toy session, a sunset meal, or a little of each. With more time, you have room for a slower meal, wildlife watching, and longer stretches at sea. The information provided does not promise a fixed list of stops, so I would treat the route as flexible and confirm your preferred plan when arranging the menu and booking.

That flexibility matters in Cabo. A private yacht lets you avoid being tied to a large group’s schedule. You can spend more time doing what suits your party, within the captain’s safety decisions and the conditions on the day.

More sailing days out of Cabo San Lucas:

Boarding at the Cabo San Lucas marina

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Boarding at the Cabo San Lucas marina

The starting point is in Cabo San Lucas Centro at the marina, with the activity ending back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, so confirm the exact pickup details after booking rather than assuming it applies to every hotel or location.

Arrive ready for a boat outing, not a formal restaurant meal. Wear clothing that can handle spray, bring sun protection, and use footwear that is practical on a yacht. Since the charter includes food, drinks, and water equipment, you can keep your packing fairly light, but you should still ask what personal items the crew recommends bringing for your chosen plan.

The marina setting also makes this a practical choice if you are already staying in central Cabo. Public transportation is nearby, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, although the crew should know in advance about any mobility concern, medical issue, or food restriction.

A crew built around service

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - A crew built around service

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Fernando, bartender Fernando, and Brian are the names most often associated with the yacht, while chef Omar appears on several food-focused outings. Their roles give the trip a more polished feel than a basic boat rental where you handle everything yourself.

Captain Fernando is also praised for explaining sea life, which adds something useful during whale watching or other wildlife encounters. You are not simply looking at the horizon. You have someone who can help you understand what you are seeing, when conditions allow.

The two Fernandos and Brian are also described as attentive, friendly, and willing to adjust the day around celebrations. That matters for a birthday or anniversary, where small timing and service details can shape the whole outing. Still, staffing can vary, so I would confirm the crew setup if a particular person is important to you.

Planning the local seafood menu

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Planning the local seafood menu

The food is one of Steel Aweigh’s strongest features. The menu uses local seafood and other selected ingredients, and it is planned with you after booking. You can discuss the available choices and flag allergies or dietary restrictions before the cruise.

This is more valuable than it may sound. A yacht day can feel disjointed when everyone brings separate snacks and drinks. Here, the meal becomes part of the outing, with the bartender and chef supporting the experience while you stay focused on the coast and the company.

The available information does not provide a complete sample menu, so do not book expecting a specific dish. Ask what is available for your date, how the meal is timed, and how dietary needs will be handled. One practical point is worth noting: one party felt that four portions were not enough for their group, so discuss quantity clearly if you have a large appetite or are booking a long outing.

Chef Omar is connected with several particularly well-received meals, including sunset cruises and full days on the water. If food is central to your plans, mention that when you make arrangements.

Open bar and the personal bartender

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Open bar and the personal bartender

The charter includes an open bar and a personal bartender. That changes the pace of the day. You are not stopping to buy drinks or assigning someone in your group to keep track of supplies. Fernando can handle the bar while you sit back, eat, watch for whales, or use the water equipment.

An open bar is useful for a celebration, but it also calls for common sense. The boat, sun, and movement can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. Pace yourself, drink water, and let the crew guide you on safe behavior around the swim area and equipment.

Because this is a private charter, you can also make the mood fit your group. A family outing can remain relaxed, while a birthday or sunset cruise can feel more festive. The service is designed to be attentive without forcing everyone into the same activity.

Whales, sea life, and the Cabo coast

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Whales, sea life, and the Cabo coast

Wildlife is not guaranteed, but it can be the highlight. One birthday outing saw more than 20 whales, and another cruise included whale watching along with snorkeling. Those sightings sound extraordinary, but you should treat them as a bonus rather than the product’s promise.

The best attitude is to enjoy the whole day even if the animals stay out of sight. You still have the yacht, the food, the drinks, and the open water. When whales do appear, Captain Fernando’s ability to explain sea life gives the moment more meaning than a quick glance followed by a camera scramble.

The exact season and route are not provided here, so ask about current whale activity if that is your main reason for booking. Conditions, animal movement, and local operating rules can affect what you see and how close the boat can safely go.

Paddleboards, snorkeling, and water toys

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Paddleboards, snorkeling, and water toys

Steel Aweigh includes paddleboards and onboard water toys. Some outings also include snorkeling, as shown by a group that combined whale watching with time in the water. These features give the charter an active side, so you are not limited to sitting on deck.

The equipment is especially useful for mixed groups. One person can relax with a drink, another can paddle, and others can watch the coast or help with lunch. That freedom is a strong reason to choose a private boat over a tightly scheduled shared cruise.

Do not assume every water activity will suit every sea condition. The captain decides what is safe, and wind or waves may affect the plan. Ask which equipment is available on your date and what gear you should bring. The available information confirms paddleboards and water toys, but it does not specify every item or guarantee snorkeling at a particular site.

Sunset cruises and special occasions

Steel Aweigh 65ft Sea Ray Yacht Rental - Sunset cruises and special occasions

A sunset cruise fits Steel Aweigh particularly well. The combination of open bar, chef-prepared food, and a private group gives the outing a natural celebration feel without requiring a full day on the water.

The crew has handled birthdays, couples’ dinners, and family outings. That range tells you something useful: this is not only a party boat. You can make the trip romantic, social, active, or calm, depending on the people you bring and the time you reserve.

For couples, the full $3,250 cost is a serious splurge. For a birthday group or family reunion of 10, the price becomes easier to justify because the yacht, crew, food, drinks, and equipment are shared across the party. If the occasion matters, tell the crew early so they can discuss menu and service details.

Is $3,250 good value for up to 10 people?

The listed price is $3,250 per group of up to 10 people. At full capacity, that works out to $325 per person. With five people, it becomes $650 each, and with only two, it becomes $1,625 each.

That simple math explains who gets the best value. A full group receives a private 65-foot yacht, three staterooms, designated staff, a bartender, open bar, food planning, and water equipment for a cost that can compare favorably with several separate luxury activities. A small group pays a steep premium for privacy and service.

The price also includes more than transport. You are paying for the crew’s attention, the yacht itself, meal preparation, drinks, and the ability to set the pace. If you want a low-cost way to see Cabo from the water, this is not it. If you want a polished private celebration and can fill most of the available spaces, the value is much stronger.

Duration affects the calculation too. A three-hour cruise may suit a sunset or dinner plan, while a longer booking gives you more time to use the water toys and settle into the yacht. Ask how the price changes with the duration you want, since the advertised range runs from about three hours to a full day.

Who should book Steel Aweigh?

I would recommend this charter for a group that values privacy, food, and service as much as sightseeing. It suits:

  • Families or friends who can use most of the 10 available places
  • Birthday, anniversary, and reunion groups
  • Couples willing to pay for a high-end private outing
  • People who want a choice between relaxing and active water time
  • Anyone who prefers a planned meal and open bar over bringing supplies
  • Groups interested in whales but happy to enjoy the yacht even if sightings do not happen

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple on a strict budget, or mainly looking for a short, inexpensive boat ride. The yacht format is generous, but you pay for the whole group rather than an individual seat.

Booking, weather, and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. This experience is often reserved about 22 days ahead, so I would not leave a preferred date until the last minute, especially for a birthday or sunset outing.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Cutoff times use local Cabo time.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is fair for a boat outing, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule if the cruise is a major part of your vacation.

The tour is offered in English, mobile tickets are available, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but specific physical access details are not supplied. Ask before booking if anyone in your group needs special assistance boarding or moving around the yacht.

Should you book Steel Aweigh?

Book it if you can fill the yacht and want a private Cabo day where the crew, food, and open bar are already handled. The whale sightings, sea-life explanations, paddleboards, and sunset setting add variety, but the core value is having a well-serviced yacht for your own group.

I would reserve it for a milestone, a family day, or a friends’ outing rather than an ordinary afternoon. Confirm the menu, crew, duration, pickup, and water activities before paying. If your group reaches close to 10 people, Steel Aweigh offers a much stronger value than it does for a small party.

FAQ

Where does the Steel Aweigh charter start?

It starts at the Cabo San Lucas marina in Centro, at 23453 Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private yacht charter?

The yacht accommodates a group of up to 10 people.

How long does the charter last?

The available duration ranges from about three hours to one full day, depending on the booking.

What is included on Steel Aweigh?

The charter includes designated staff, a personal bartender, an open bar, paddleboards, onboard water toys, three staterooms, and a food menu planned with local seafood and other ingredients.

Can the menu handle allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes. Menu options are available for food allergies and dietary restrictions. Discuss your needs while planning the menu after booking.

Is whale watching guaranteed?

No guarantee is stated. Whales have been seen during some outings, including one trip with more than 20 sightings, but wildlife sightings depend on conditions and animal movement.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

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