REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Luxury Sailing catamaran charter in Cabo San Lucas all inclusive
Book on Viator →Operated by Papillon Yachts · Bookable on Viator
3 hours, and Cabo feels yours. I love the all-private catamaran setup that keeps things relaxed and uncrowded, plus the included lunch and drinks that make this feel like a real charter, not a snack cruise. One consideration: the outing depends on good weather, so you should be ready to shift plans if conditions aren’t right.
I also like that you can pick a morning or afternoon start, which helps you match the trip to your Cabo schedule. From the moment you’re met at C Dock at Marina, you’re guided into a smooth flow on and off the boat, with snorkeling gear plus paddle boards and floating mats ready for water time.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Luxury on the Water: Your Private Cabo Catamaran in About 3 Hours
- Getting to the Boat: Roundtrip Pickup from Cabo San Lucas
- First Stop at the Arch: Where the Cabo Photos Happen
- Pelican Rock and Balconcito Bay Views: The Slower, Scenic Part
- Food and Drinks That Actually Make It Feel All-Inclusive
- Snorkeling Gear, Paddle Boards, and Floating Mats
- Crew Service and the Personal Touch (Yes, They Learn Your Names)
- Boat Style and Group Size: What Up to 10 Really Changes
- Price and Value for a Group Charter (Not Per Person)
- Practical Notes: Photos, Upgrades, and Weather
- Who This Cabo Catamaran Charter Is Best For
- Should You Book This Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the catamaran charter?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Is this tour private?
- What food and drinks are included?
- What water activities are included?
- Are professional photos included?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Private, all-group-only time (up to 10 people): No sharing the boat with strangers.
- Famous Arch photo stop: You’ll angle the ride for the Cabo postcard moment.
- Scenic bay route: Pelican Rock and Balconcito Beach are part of the viewing plan.
- All-inclusive lunch and open bar: Quesadillas, ceviche, fruit, chips, plus beer, tequila, rum, and vodka.
- On-water extras included: Snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and floating mats.
- Roundtrip transportation from Cabo San Lucas: Air-conditioned vehicle to and from the marina.
Luxury on the Water: Your Private Cabo Catamaran in About 3 Hours

This charter is designed for one thing: you want Cabo scenery without the “wait, merge, and shuffle” feeling. With a private catamaran experience for your group (up to 10), the trip stays flexible and personal, and the crew’s attention doesn’t get diluted by a crowd.
The timing is also smart. You’re out for about 3 hours, which means you still have room in your day for dinner, a beach walk, or whatever else you planned on land. And since you can choose a morning or afternoon start, you’re not stuck with one rigid schedule.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Cabo San Lucas
Getting to the Boat: Roundtrip Pickup from Cabo San Lucas

The ride matters on a sailing day, and this one covers it. You get private roundtrip transportation from Cabo San Lucas in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you’re brought to the marina with enough guidance to feel calm about the logistics.
Your meeting point is C Dock, Marina, 23453 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. When the crew takes over, the staff helps you transition safely from the vehicle to the boat. You’re not left figuring out where to stand, where to park, or who’s who in the marina chaos.
Also, you’ll receive a mobile ticket, which keeps things easy at check-in. That’s a small detail, but it matters when you’re trying to keep the day on schedule.
First Stop at the Arch: Where the Cabo Photos Happen

The charter’s first real “wow” moment is the ride to the famous Arch for photos. If you’ve seen Cabo postcards, this is where they’re pointing you—rock formation, dramatic coastline, and that classic framing.
What I like about having a dedicated Arch stop is that it turns the photo moment into something you can actually enjoy. You’re not sprinting to catch a quick glimpse while the boat is already moving. You’ll have time for shots, plus the chance to just watch the coast slide by.
On a water day, lighting changes fast. If you’re booking an afternoon option, you may catch that softer evening glow that one group described as part of an unforgettable sunset vibe. Either way, the Arch stop is the part that most people remember most clearly.
Pelican Rock and Balconcito Bay Views: The Slower, Scenic Part
After the Arch, you shift into a more relaxed sightseeing section. You’ll see the bay of Cabo San Lucas, including Pelican Rock and Balconcito Beach. These aren’t just filler stops; they’re the scenery that gives the trip its local feel.
Pelican Rock is a strong landmark on the route, and it’s the kind of spot where you can get both wide coastline views and closer look moments as the boat passes. Balconcito Beach brings a different texture—more of that sheltered, beachy feel compared with the rockier, dramatic edges.
This stretch is also a good time to slow down. If you want to chat with your group, plan a quick snorkeling moment, or just float and watch the water, this is when it usually fits best.
Food and Drinks That Actually Make It Feel All-Inclusive
The all-inclusive part here isn’t vague. It’s a specific lunch menu and a real open bar setup.
For lunch, you’re served chicken and steak quesadillas, plus ceviche, fruit, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chips. It’s the sort of meal that works whether you’re hungry at the start or you build an appetite as you go.
And then there are the drinks. Included alcohol includes rum, tequila, vodka, and beer, along with mixers. You also get soda/pop, natural juices, and bottled water.
A practical takeaway: this kind of inclusion is ideal if you’re traveling with people who don’t want to think about ordering or pricing once you’re out on the water. You can focus on the ride and the fun instead of calculating what’s worth the cost.
A few more Cabo San Lucas tours and experiences worth a look
Snorkeling Gear, Paddle Boards, and Floating Mats

This is not a “sit on deck and watch” charter. You get snorkeling equipment, plus paddle boards and floating mats.
What that means for you is options. If you want to snorkel, gear is handled. If you’d rather play without the wetsuit routine, paddle boards and floating mats are there for an easier kind of water time. And if you’re traveling with mixed-experience friends—some confident, some not—having multiple options usually keeps everyone happy.
Tip: if you plan to use the snorkeling equipment, take a quick moment when you’re on board to check how everything fits before you step in. That prevents the usual “oops, straps feel wrong” problem after you’re already in the water.
Crew Service and the Personal Touch (Yes, They Learn Your Names)

One reason this charter has such high marks is the level of care from the crew. In multiple experiences, crew members named Goose, Pollo, Martin, Denise, and Jose stood out for being attentive, friendly, and on top of what the group needed.
And that personal feel is what you’re paying for. On a private boat, the crew can actually read the room—whether your group wants calm conversation, playful photo help, or extra time at the rail when something interesting catches your eye.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes to feel taken care of without being fussed over, this setup is a good match.
Boat Style and Group Size: What Up to 10 Really Changes

Capacities change the whole vibe. With room for up to 10 people, you get the energy of a group day without turning it into a party bus.
It also means better movement for water activities. Snorkeling gear use, paddle board handling, and floating mat time go smoother when the boat isn’t crowded. Plus, you’ll still feel like you have “your space” even while you’re taking turns with different activities.
Private also helps with pacing. If your group wants a slower moment around the Arch or you’d like more time enjoying the bay view, the trip doesn’t feel trapped by a tight schedule designed for mass departures.
Price and Value for a Group Charter (Not Per Person)
The cost is $2,350 per group for up to 10 people. That number is big on paper—until you compare what’s included and what you’re avoiding.
Here’s the value math in plain terms:
- You’re paying for a private catamaran, not a shared cruise.
- You’re also getting roundtrip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Included in the price is a full lunch spread and a full open bar with multiple alcohol options plus sodas and juices.
- You also get snorkeling gear plus paddle boards and floating mats.
If you’re traveling as a group of 6–10, this can start to look surprisingly reasonable compared with piecing together a boat rental plus food plus drinks plus rentals for water gear. And if you’re only 2–4 people, it may feel more like a splurge—but you’re buying the privacy and the service level.
So I’d frame it like this: it’s best value when your group size uses the boat’s capacity and when you’ll actually use the included water activities and drinks.
Practical Notes: Photos, Upgrades, and Weather
A couple of items to plan around.
First, professional photos aren’t included. If photos are important to you, you might want to factor that into your budget. Also, upgraded top-shelf bottles are available for purchase, but the included bar is rum, tequila, vodka, and beer, with mixers.
Second, the experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t good, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the right kind of risk management for a sailing day.
Finally, gratuity isn’t listed as included. If you do your usual tipping for crew and drivers, just plan for that so the day ends on a good note.
Who This Cabo Catamaran Charter Is Best For
This tour fits best when you want Cabo to feel curated and easy.
You’ll likely love it if:
- You’re traveling with friends or family who want privacy and a calmer feel on the water.
- You want snorkeling and paddle time without renting equipment separately.
- Your group includes people with different comfort levels in the water, since there are multiple activity options.
- You like a trip where food and drinks are handled and you can focus on the scenery and photos.
If you’re the solo traveler type, you might find the group price less appealing unless you’re okay treating it like a splurge day. If you’re a “just give me the quick photo and move on” traveler, the 3-hour pacing may feel perfect.
Should You Book This Tour?
I’d book it if you want a high-comfort, all-inclusive Cabo water experience that stays genuinely private for your group. The combination of private roundtrip transport, a real lunch and bar, and included water toys like snorkeling gear and paddle boards makes it feel like a complete package, not an add-on pile.
The main reason not to book is weather dependence. If your timing is strict and you can’t flex at all, consider booking with a backup mindset. Otherwise, this is exactly the kind of Cabo day that leaves you thinking less about logistics and more about that Arch view.
FAQ
How long is the catamaran charter?
The experience lasts about 3 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at C Dock, Marina, 23453 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico and ends back at the meeting point.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates (up to 10 people).
What food and drinks are included?
Lunch includes chicken and steak quesadillas, ceviche, fruit, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chips. Included drinks are rum, tequila, vodka, beer, mixers, soda/pop, natural juices, and bottled water.
What water activities are included?
Snorkeling equipment is included. You also get use of a paddle board and floating mat.
Are professional photos included?
No, professional photos are not included.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience requires good weather; if canceled for poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
































