Why go
The Cabo San Lucas marina isn't only sportfishing boats — a whole separate fleet of catamarans and private yachts runs sunset cruises, snorkeling trips, and whale-watching outings past El Arco. A shared catamaran seat runs about $99 a person; a private yacht for the whole group costs more but comes with the boat to yourselves.
Choosing a boat day in Cabo San Lucas that isn't about fishing
Sportfishing gets most of the attention in Cabo San Lucas, but a separate fleet of catamarans and private yachts runs the marina too — built around sunset cruises, snorkeling stops, and whale watching rather than a rod and reel. A shared catamaran seat is the budget-friendly way in, with fixed departure times and a set itinerary alongside other guests. A private yacht charter costs more, but the boat, the route, and the schedule are entirely yours.
Whichever you book, don't assume every "sunset cruise" is the same trip. Ask about the route, whether it passes El Arco, and whether the price is per person or for the whole boat before you compare two operators side by side.
Cabo Escape Tours – Best for a Budget Shared Cruise
Place
Cabo Escape Tours
Cabo Escape runs open-air double-deck catamaran tours from Dock 0 at the Cabo San Lucas marina, including snorkeling excursions and a sunset party cruise with food and drinks.
Cabo Escape runs an open-air, double-deck catamaran out of Dock 0 with three set trips, each around $99 per person: a 2-hour Whale Watching Breakfast cruise departing 9am, a 2-hour Sunset Fajitas Cruise at 6pm with fajitas, an open bar and entertainment, and a 3.5-hour Snorkel Fun Lunch Cruise at 12:30pm with guided snorkeling at Chileno Bay and lunch service.
Cabo Yacht Life – Best for a Private All-Inclusive Charter
Place
Cabo Yacht Life
Cabo Yacht Life offers private, all-inclusive luxury yacht charters from the Cabo San Lucas marina, including sunset cruises, snorkeling excursions and whale-watching tours with food, drinks and crew included.
A family-operated fleet of five yachts from 36 to 100 feet, booked as private, all-inclusive charters — food, drinks, captain, chef, fuel and a sound system are all included, with water toys and paddleboards on request. Options range from sunset cruises past El Arco and Lover's Beach to snorkeling trips and whale watching, plus multi-day live-aboard charters for a bigger group.
More Boat Days Worth Comparing
A mix of shared catamaran tours and private charter options, all running out of the Cabo San Lucas marina.
Luxury Yacht Charter
Papillon Yachts
A luxury yacht charter based in the Cabo San Lucas marina, built for private, special-occasion outings on the water.
Place
Sunrider Tours
Sunrider Tours operates boat tours from Cabo San Lucas including snorkeling and sailing trips, sunset dinner cruises, and whale watching, with 30 years of local experience in the Sea of Cortez.
Place
Pez Gato Amazing Adventures
Pez Gato operates catamaran boat tours from the Cabo San Lucas marina, including snorkeling trips, dinner cruises, a jazz-and-wine sunset sail, and seasonal whale watching.
Place
Cabo Expeditions
Cabo Expeditions runs marine tours from the Cabo San Lucas marina, including a zodiac whale-watching excursion and snorkeling trips to Land's End, alongside parasailing and other water activities.
Catamaran & Boat Tours
Wild Cabo Tours
A catamaran and boat tour operator based in the Cabo San Lucas marina, with sunset cruises among its offerings.
Planning Notes
- Shared vs. private
- A shared seat is cheaper per head; a private charter gives the group the whole boat
- Route
- Not every cruise passes El Arco — confirm the route if that view matters to you
- Party vs. quiet
- Sunset cruises range from an open-bar party boat to a quiet private sail — check which one you're booking
- Departure point
- Most operators leave from docks along the Cabo San Lucas marina
Heads Up
Keep exploring
Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas: How to Pick a Boat
Marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo run right off the marina — here's how boat size, fleet history and pricing actually differ between operators.
Cabo San Lucas has been called the marlin capital of the world for a reason — striped marlin run practically year-round right off the marina, and a working fleet of charter operators has grown up around it. Picking the right one comes down to boat size, what's actually included, and whether you're booking direct or through a markup.
Best Snorkeling, Sport Fishing & Whale Watching in Los Cabos
From El Arco snorkeling trips to sport fishing charters and seasonal whale watching, the water-adventures worth booking.
The Sea of Cortez off Los Cabos is one of the richest marine environments in North America — Jacques Cousteau called it "the aquarium of the world." Snorkeling tours around El Arco, sport fishing charters, and (in season) whale watching are the highest-intent bookings a Los Cabos trip can include, and they're easy to get wrong without a good operator.
Nearby alternatives
Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas: How to Pick a Boat
Marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo run right off the marina — here's how boat size, fleet history and pricing actually differ between operators.
Cabo San Lucas has been called the marlin capital of the world for a reason — striped marlin run practically year-round right off the marina, and a working fleet of charter operators has grown up around it. Picking the right one comes down to boat size, what's actually included, and whether you're booking direct or through a markup.
Best Beach Clubs in Cabo San Lucas
Day passes, swim-up bars, and full-service beach days ranked for every budget and vibe.
Cabo beach clubs are the best way to access Medano Beach and the resorts without booking a room. A day pass gets you oceanfront chairs, F&B credits, pool access, and the full Cabo experience for a fraction of the nightly rate.