Cabo San Lucas Private 38 ft Sailing Tour with Snorkeling

Cabo’s famous rock formations look best from the water, and this private 38-foot sailing trip gives you time to enjoy them without sharing the boat with strangers. You can cruise past El Arco, swim near Lovers Beach, snorkel at Pelican Rock, and set sail when the wind is right. The crew, including captains and mates such as Gabriel, Angel, Alexis, David, and Caesar, adjusts the outing to your group.

I like two things here. First, the private boat lets you set the rhythm instead of following a fixed crowd schedule. Second, the open bar, snacks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboard are included in the group price. The main caution is that sailing depends on wind, and rough water can make some people seasick. One party also reported that the boat cruised rather than sailed, so keep your expectations flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 38-foot sailboat: The $750 price covers your entire group of up to four people, not each person separately.
• Flexible three-hour plan: You can spend more time sailing, swimming, snorkeling, or viewing El Arco, depending on conditions and your wishes.
• Pelican Rock snorkeling: The site is about 15 minutes from the marina, with clear water about 20 to 25 feet deep and tropical fish.
• Food and drinks included: Expect bottled water, snacks, and an open bar with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Simple marina meeting point: Meet at F Dock in Cabo San Lucas Marina, then return to the same place.
• Strong service record: The crew has been praised for patience with children, help with first-time swimmers, and thoughtful care when personal items went overboard.

Why a private sail makes Cabo easier

A shared boat excursion can be fun, but it usually comes with a set route and a mixed group. Here, you book the boat for up to four people, so the crew can ask what matters most to you before shaping the afternoon.

That flexibility is especially useful for families. One group with children ages seven and nine arranged the order of activities around the younger child’s needs. A person with autism was treated with patience and respect, which made the outing feel manageable rather than rushed. Another first-time swimmer received patient help in the water.

You can also choose your pace. If you want to spend most of the time under sail, say so. If the water is comfortable and you prefer swimming, the crew can give you more time near the beaches or snorkeling areas. If your group has no firm plan, the captain can suggest an order that fits the weather and sea conditions.

The boat holds only your party, but it is still important to remember that this is a three-hour outing. You cannot fit every possible activity into that window at a leisurely pace. El Arco, a swim, snorkeling, and a good stretch under sail are realistic goals, but you may need to choose your priorities.

From F Dock to Cabo’s famous Arch

The tour begins at F Dock in Cabo San Lucas Marina. You are responsible for getting to the marina because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it simple to continue your day in town or return to your hotel afterward.

The first major sight is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the giant stone arch at the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The boat also passes the nearby rock formations and Lovers Beach. The stop is listed as about 15 minutes, so think of this as a focused photo and sightseeing pause rather than a long beach visit.

This is one of the best reasons to book a private boat. You can ask the crew to slow down for photographs or spend a little time taking in the formations from the water. Some outings have included a swim toward Lovers Beach, though the exact plan depends on sea conditions and the group’s wishes.

Lovers Beach and the rock formations are photogenic, but the area can feel busy around popular times. From the sailboat, you get a better view of the setting without having to organize a separate water taxi trip. You also avoid turning the beach stop into the whole day.

The Pacific side and the Sea of Cortez can feel quite different on the same outing. Your captain may point out the change in water and the major rock formations along the coast. Crew members have also pointed out sea lions, turtles, manta rays, and other marine life on some trips, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Pelican Rock for a short, practical snorkel

Pelican Rock is about 15 minutes from the Cabo San Lucas Marina. The water here is described as clear and about 20 to 25 feet deep, with tropical fish close enough to make the stop worthwhile for both new and experienced snorkelers.

The tour provides masks, snorkels, and other needed gear. You can also use the paddleboard, giving your group another way to enjoy the water after snorkeling. The crew can help with the equipment and provide guidance, but you should still be comfortable following basic water instructions and getting into the sea.

The planned snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to get settled, look for fish, and enjoy a swim without making the whole trip about snorkeling. It is also a reasonable length for a mixed group where some people want to snorkel and others would rather stay aboard.

If you are new to snorkeling, Pelican Rock is a useful place to start because the water is described as clear and full of friendly tropical fish. Still, water conditions can affect visibility, comfort, and safety. One party had a seasick member, and the tour’s only less-than-perfect rating came from that problem rather than from the crew or food.

Families should pay close attention to the sea state. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you should tell the crew if a child is nervous in the water or needs extra support. The crew has helped first-time swimmers, but the boat is not a substitute for close adult supervision.

Sailing time depends on wind and your priorities

The experience is sold as a sailing tour, and many outings include a satisfying stretch under the main sail. Several parties described sailing around the bay and out toward the Pacific as the highlight of the trip. The boat can feel wonderfully quiet when the engine is off and the wind is doing the work.

But wind is not guaranteed. One outing became more of a cruise because the boat did not raise the sails, while another group sailed for about an hour. A whale sighting also changed one trip’s route and meant that actual sailing time was limited.

That variation is not necessarily a flaw. The crew has to balance safety, wind, wildlife, snorkeling, and the wishes of your group. If sailing is your top reason for booking, tell the captain before departure and ask what conditions look like that day. If your group mainly wants photos, drinks, and a swim, a motor-assisted cruise may suit you just fine.

I like the fact that the crew does not force every group into the same script. You can spend the three hours sailing, or combine sailing with snorkeling and swimming. The best plan is usually to choose one main goal and treat the other activities as welcome additions.

Snacks, lunch-style food, and the open bar

Food and drinks are included, which makes the $750 group rate easier to assess. You receive bottled water, snacks, and unlimited drinks from the open bar. Past menus have included sandwiches, fruit, chips with salsa or guacamole, fresh vegetables with dip, and on one outing, sushi.

This is not a full restaurant meal, but it is more useful than a token snack basket. A simple lunch can save you from cutting the boat trip short because someone is hungry, especially with children. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

The drink service has included beer, tequila, rum punch, cocktails, soft drinks, and water. You can ask for what you prefer, but pace yourself. Alcohol, sun, wind, and moving water can catch up with you quickly. Keep drinking water even if you are spending much of the trip with a cocktail in hand.

The menu may vary, so do not book this as a gourmet food tour. Think of the food as well-chosen fuel for a half-day on the water. The real value is having drinks and a light meal ready while the crew handles the boat.

Crew service is a major part of the value

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this private charter. Names connected with the experience include Gabriel, Angel, Alexis, David, Caesar, Jorge, Manuel, Ivan, Javier, Israel, and Oswaldo. You may not have any particular captain on your departure, but the consistent theme is attentive service.

The best examples are practical rather than flashy. A crew helped search for an Apple Watch that slipped into the water and eventually found it. Another group thought a camera had been lost and received prompt help when they called later. That kind of care matters on a small private boat, where little problems can otherwise spoil the afternoon.

The crew also pays attention to different comfort levels. They have helped first-time swimmers, worked patiently with children, and handled a family with a child on the autism spectrum with care. You should still explain your group’s needs before leaving the dock, since the private format gives the crew a chance to plan around them.

The crew may be multilingual, and English is offered for the experience. You can expect explanations about the rock formations and help with the snorkeling gear. Wildlife sightings, such as sea lions, turtles, manta rays, or whales, remain matters of timing and luck.

What $750 means for four people

The listed price is $750 per boat for up to four people. At full capacity, that works out to $187.50 per person before any separate transportation costs. For a private boat with a crew, three hours on the water, an open bar, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboard use, that is a reasonable value for a small group that wants privacy.

The price looks less attractive for one or two people, since you are paying for the boat rather than buying individual seats. For a couple celebrating a birthday or anniversary, the privacy may still justify the cost. For four friends or a family of four, the per-person figure is easier to defend.

There is no hotel transfer included. That adds a bit of planning, but the boat returns to F Dock, so you have a clear starting and ending point. The marina is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

The experience is usually booked about 21 days ahead. If your Cabo visit falls during a busy period, reserving early is sensible, especially since there are several departure times but only one boat for your group.

Who will get the most from this Cabo outing

I would choose this tour for a group of up to four that wants control over the day. It works particularly well for:

• Couples looking for a private outing with drinks and time to talk.
• Families who need to set their own pace.
• Friends who want a mix of snorkeling, swimming, photos, and sailing.
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and crew support.
• Small celebrations, including birthdays and anniversaries.
• People who value attentive service more than a packed activity schedule.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed sail, a long snorkeling session, or a full meal. Wind can change the plan, and three hours passes quickly. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, bring that concern up before boarding and prepare for moving water.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book the private 38-foot sailing tour?

I would book it if your priority is a relaxed private boat day with flexible plans, good views, snorkeling, drinks, and a helpful crew. The strongest value comes when four people share the $750 cost, but couples may find the privacy worth the higher per-person price.

Go in knowing that sailing time depends on wind and that sea conditions can affect snorkeling and comfort. Tell the captain what matters most, ask about the wind before departure, and treat the route as a flexible plan rather than a guarantee.

For a small group that wants El Arco, Pelican Rock, Lovers Beach views, a light meal, and a calm way to enjoy Cabo’s coast, this is a well-balanced three-hour outing.

FAQ

How much does the private Cabo sailing tour cost?

The price is $750 per group of up to four people. The price is for the boat, not for each individual passenger.

How long does the sailing experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet at F Dock in Marina 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.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes beverages, bottled water, snacks, unlimited drinks from an open bar, snorkeling gear, and use of a paddleboard.

Does the tour visit El Arco?

Yes. The route includes El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the nearby rock formations, Lovers Beach, and the Pacific Ocean. The planned stop at El Arco is about 15 minutes.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Pelican Rock, about 15 minutes from the Cabo San Lucas Marina. The stop is planned for about 45 minutes.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.