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

Cabo’s famous Arch is only the opening act on this private catamaran cruise. You sail past Lover’s Beach and Pelican Rock, then stop for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and time on a quiet beach. The boat has a restroom, music connection, shaded and open seating, and room for a relaxed family outing.

I especially like the private format, since your group controls the mood and can ask the crew to adjust the plan. I also like the useful mix of food, drinks, water gear, and a floating mat, so you are not nickel-and-dimed every time someone wants a swim.

One important point needs checking before you pay: the details list a boat capacity of up to 15 in one place, up to 12 in another, and a maximum of 8 elsewhere. The boat is also described as both 32 and 35 feet. Confirm the exact capacity, boat, duration, and alcohol arrangement with La Isla Tour.

Key points at a glance

• Private Cabo sailing: Your booking is reserved for your own group rather than mixed with strangers.
• The Arch and Pelican Rock: The route includes Cabo’s classic photo stops and a long water stop near Pelican Rock.
• Swim gear included: Snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and a floating mat are provided.
• Food and drinks: Expect Mexican burritos, chips, salsa, ice, soft drinks, water, mixers, and listed alcoholic beverages.
• Flexible crew service: Captains and crew have adjusted plans for children, seasickness, whale watching, and changing swimming preferences.
• Capacity needs confirmation: Conflicting capacity details make it essential to verify how many people your boat will actually hold.

Why a private boat makes Cabo easier

Cabo San Lucas is built around the water. The resort zone can feel busy, but once you are aboard and looking back at the cliffs, beaches, and bright rock formations, the day becomes much simpler: sit down, listen to music, eat something, and decide when you want to get wet.

The private setup is the main reason to consider this trip. If you are arranging a birthday, family gathering, wedding outing, or reunion, you do not have to fit your day around a large shared boat. The crew can pay closer attention to children, older family members, or anyone who needs extra help moving between the boat and the water.

The boat includes a private restroom, which matters more than it sounds on a three-and-a-half to four-hour outing. You also get an MP3 or iPod connection, and one detailed account describes a Bluetooth-capable sound system. Bring a playlist if music is part of your plan, but ask the operator which connection the current boat uses.

This is not a quiet sailing lesson. It is a relaxed bay outing with food, drinks, swimming, and photo stops. Sailing conditions and the crew’s decisions shape the day, and the plan can change if the water is rough or someone feels seasick.

Leaving G Dock for Cabo San Lucas Bay

The meeting point is G Dock in central Cabo San Lucas, near shops, restaurants, and the marina. If you arrive by cruise ship, the dock is about a 10-minute walk from the port, or you can take a taxi. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the dock.

The advertised duration is roughly three hours and 30 minutes, while the main description calls it a four-hour cruise. That difference is small, but it matters if you are coordinating dinner, a flight, or a cruise departure. Ask for the expected return time before booking.

Once aboard, the crew usually gets the day moving with a cruise through the bay. The views change quickly: marina buildings and restaurants give way to open water, rocky points, beaches, and the tall silhouette of the Arch.

The boat is described as a comfortable custom catamaran between 32 and 35 feet. That size offers a good middle ground. It is more personal than a large excursion boat, but it should provide more stability and usable space than a small private skiff. Still, do not assume the vessel has room for 15 simply because the price is listed per group of up to 15. The separate maximum of 8 is a serious inconsistency to settle in advance.

The Arch, Lover’s Beach, and Pelican Rock

The first major sight is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the famous stone arch at the point where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The boat pauses here for photographs, with about five minutes specifically assigned to the Arch. That is enough for the classic selfie and a quick look, but it is not a long sightseeing stop.

Lover’s Beach sits beside the Arch and is one of Cabo’s best-known stretches of sand. You pass by rather than spending a long period ashore. The beach is striking from the water, and viewing it by boat helps you understand how tightly packed the rock formations are around the southern tip of Baja California.

Pelican Rock is the working center of the outing. The stop lasts about an hour and 30 minutes, giving you time to use the snorkel equipment, paddleboard, and floating mat without rushing from one activity to the next.

The water conditions can make a big difference. On a clear, calm day, you might see colorful marine life around the rock. After rough weather or high swell, visibility can be poor. Several accounts describe snorkeling as the weaker part of the trip, while others had a good time swimming and exploring. I would book this for the boat day and water access first, and treat snorkeling as a bonus rather than the sole reason to go.

Swimming, paddleboarding, and the floating mat

You are not required to choose one activity and stick with it. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can remain on the boat with a drink and a plate of food. That flexibility is a major advantage for families and mixed-age groups.

The paddleboard is useful for people who want a little activity without committing to a long swim. The floating mat creates an easy lounging spot, especially for children and adults who prefer to stay close to the boat. The crew has also helped younger children reach shore by paddleboard when they were uncertain about swimming.

The beach portion is intended as a quiet break rather than a formal shore excursion. The boat can stop near a semi-private beach, allowing you to swim, relax, or sunbathe. Beach conditions and access can change with weather and water movement, so think of this as flexible beach time, not a guaranteed private beach reserved only for your group.

The crew’s attitude is valuable here. Max, Javier, Cecilia, Lorena, and Balthazar are among the crew members named in the supplied accounts, with different teams operating the boat. Their described strengths include helping with equipment, looking after children, preparing guacamole, and adjusting the route when conditions or comfort require it.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

The included food is practical rather than fancy. You receive chips and salsa, snacks, and Mexican burritos, along with bottled water, soft drinks, mixers, and ice coolers. Guacamole has also been prepared aboard on some outings, though I would not assume it is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it.

For a half-day on the water, the food should cover a light meal. If your group tends to eat early or has teenagers with serious appetites, bring extra snacks. The tour allows you to bring your own food and drinks, and several people have done so.

The alcohol details deserve a quick phone call. The package information lists alcoholic beverages, while the FAQ says you may bring your own alcohol, and one account describes buying beer during a quick stop because alcohol was not provided on that particular outing. Policies and boat supplies may vary, so ask exactly what is included on your departure date.

Pack sunscreen, a swimsuit, towels, sunglasses, and a light jacket. One afternoon departure was warm enough for swimming but cooler as the sun went down. Your phone should be protected from spray, and a waterproof pouch is sensible if you plan to photograph the Arch from the water.

Whale watching and flexible routing

The standard plan centers on the bay, Pelican Rock, and beach time. In whale season, the crew may be able to look for whales, especially if your group prefers that over swimming. The supplied accounts describe whale sightings and helpful explanations about whale behavior.

Do not treat whale watching as guaranteed. It depends on the season, weather, animal movement, and the captain’s judgment. Going farther toward the Pacific can also make the ride rougher. One group returned to calmer water when a person began feeling seasick, and the crew adjusted without making the problem a fuss.

That flexibility is one of the better features of a private trip. You can tell the crew that swimming matters most, that children need calmer water, or that you would rather spend time looking for whales. The final route still depends on safety and conditions, but your preferences have more weight than they would on a fixed shared excursion.

Service, comfort, and family appeal

The crew receives the strongest praise in the supplied material. People describe the hosts as friendly, professional, attentive, and willing to help. That includes practical service, such as explaining how to use the water equipment, taking photographs, helping children, and responding to seasickness.

Photography is an extra touch worth asking about. Some outings have included a professional photographer, and the resulting family and group pictures were a major part of the experience. The supplied information does not clearly state whether photography is included in every booking or carries an extra charge, so confirm that before counting on it.

The catamaran format works particularly well for a group with older parents or anyone who dislikes a crowded, slippery boat. There is seating, a restroom, and enough room to move around, subject to the actual passenger limit for your boat.

Children can enjoy the floating mat and shallow-water play, but the adults remain responsible for supervision. Snorkeling is not equally appealing to everyone, and water clarity can change. The crew can help, but no equipment turns rough water into calm water.

Is $2,235 good value for your group?

The listed price is $2,235 per group. If 15 people were accepted, that works out to about $149 each. If the actual limit is 8, the effective cost rises to about $279 per person. That is a large difference, which is why the capacity discrepancy is not a minor detail.

For a full private boat, the price can make sense when you are filling many seats. You are paying for privacy, crew service, food, drinks, water equipment, a restroom, and the ability to shape the day around your own group. A smaller party of four or five may find the cost harder to justify unless the privacy and celebration are central to the plan.

The value is strongest for families or friends who would otherwise book several separate activities. You get sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and a meal in one outing. It also avoids the social compromise of a crowded group cruise.

The value is weaker if your top priority is serious snorkeling. Pelican Rock can offer good marine life, but visibility is not guaranteed, and the snorkeling has been inconsistent. A dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better if underwater time matters more than food, music, beach access, and the private boat setting.

Booking details worth checking first

Confirmation is normally issued at booking, unless you book within eight hours of departure. In that case, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

The boat can accommodate people with accessibility needs when the operator receives advance notice. Put those needs in the special requirements field at checkout. The same field is useful for cruise ship details, arrival time, food requests, and questions about the passenger limit.

Who should book this Cabo cruise?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing water day with your own family or friends. It is especially suitable for celebrations, groups with children, mixed-age families, and people who want control over the music, pace, swimming, and food.

It is also a strong choice if the Arch and Cabo scenery matter as much as snorkeling. You will have classic photo stops, water toys, a meal, drinks, and a crew that can adjust the outing to suit the group.

Think twice if you are traveling with only two or three people and are mainly seeking the lowest price. Also look elsewhere if clear underwater visibility and a long snorkeling session are your main goals.

Before booking, ask La Isla Tour four direct questions: What is the exact boat size? How many people are allowed on this departure? Is the trip three and a half hours or four? What alcohol and photography are included? If the answers match your group, this private Cabo cruise offers a pleasant blend of scenery, swimming, food, and personal service without the usual large-boat routine.

FAQ

Where does the Cabo private boat tour start and end?

It starts at G Dock, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to G Dock.

Can cruise ship passengers join the tour?

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.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and a floating mat. Ice coolers, ice, soft drinks, bottled water, and mixers are also provided.

Can I bring my own food and alcohol?

Yes. You may bring your own food, drinks, and alcohol. The tour also lists snacks, Mexican burritos, soft drinks, water, mixers, and alcoholic beverages, but confirm the current alcohol arrangement before departure.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A private restroom is available on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.