Review · CABO SAN LUCAS

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos

★ 5.0 · 125 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Cabo Sailing Ocean Adventures · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Cabo outing is the private 42-foot sailboat. You get the whole boat for your group of up to four, so the crew can shape the day around snorkeling, sailing, or a little of both. The route brings you to Pelican Rock, El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and Cabo’s sea lion colony.

I like the flexible plan and the generous onboard food and drinks. I also like the thoughtful service described by guests, including birthday cakes and hands-on help for a young child and older family members. The main consideration is the price: $990 is reasonable for four people, but costly for a smaller party.

Key things to know before you book

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - Key things to know before you book

  • The $990 price covers the boat, not one person: Up to four people can share the private cruise.
  • Pelican Rock is the water stop: Snorkeling gear is included, along with time to swim in Cabo’s warm water.
  • El Arco and Lover’s Beach are built into the route: You get Cabo’s signature coastal sights from the water.
  • The sailing portion depends on your timing: After the sightseeing and snorkeling, the crew hoists the sails for a smooth run toward the Pacific.
  • Food and drinks are included: Expect lunch, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.
  • The cruise returns to the marina: You meet at F Dock and make your own way there, since hotel transportation is not included.

A private sailboat instead of a crowded group cruise

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - A private sailboat instead of a crowded group cruise

This is a strong choice if you want Cabo’s famous sights without sharing the boat with strangers. The vessel is a 42-foot sailboat, and the private booking covers up to four people. That setup matters more than it may seem. You can settle into your own pace, ask for extra snorkeling time, or request more sailing instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The standard outing lasts about three hours. It begins by heading toward Pelican Rock, then moves along the Cabo coast to El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony. The crew’s suggested plan is sensible because it combines water time, sightseeing, lunch, and sailing without trying to pack in too much.

You can also contact the operator after booking with special requests, including a different route or longer cruise time. A longer trip may cost more, so ask about that before making plans around it. The flexibility is useful for a birthday, an anniversary, or a family outing where not everyone wants the same amount of time in the water.

More Sailing and Snorkeling Trips in Cabo San Lucas

Pelican Rock brings the first real activity

Pelican Rock is the main snorkeling stop. You receive the necessary snorkeling equipment, then have a chance to get into the warm Cabo water and look for tropical fish around the rocks. This is the active part of the cruise, so it gives the day more substance than a simple scenic boat ride.

The stop also lets you choose how much you want to participate. Strong swimmers may prefer more time in the water, while others can enjoy the boat, lunch, and views. Since this is a private trip, you can ask the crew to adjust the balance, although the exact amount of snorkeling time depends on the conditions and the schedule.

You should keep your expectations practical. The experience includes snorkeling at Pelican Rock, but it does not promise a specific number of fish or a particular level of visibility. Cabo’s warm water makes the stop appealing, and the included gear saves you from arranging a separate rental.

El Arco and Lover’s Beach from the water

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - El Arco and Lover’s Beach from the water

After Pelican Rock, the boat continues toward two of Cabo San Lucas’s best-known sights: El Arco and Playa de los Amantes, commonly called Lover’s Beach. Seeing them from a sailboat gives you a different angle than viewing them from the marina or shore. You can take in the rock formations, the meeting point of the two coastlines, and the busy water around Cabo without having to arrange another excursion.

El Arco is the visual centerpiece. The boat passes close enough for photos and a good look at the unusual rock shapes. Lover’s Beach adds the sandy counterpoint to the stone arch and cliffs. The nearby sea lion colony is another reason to keep your camera ready, though the animals may be active or quiet depending on the moment.

This part of the outing is scenic rather than structured. You are not signing up for a guided land visit or beach time. The boat provides the viewpoint, and the crew handles the route while you enjoy the coast.

The sailing leg gives the trip its character

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - The sailing leg gives the trip its character

The crew hoists the sails after the snorkeling and sightseeing, then heads toward the Pacific before returning to the marina. That is the part that separates this outing from a standard motorboat tour. Under sail, the ride can feel calmer and more connected to the sea, with less engine noise and more time to simply watch Cabo pass by.

The sailing time is not the entire three-hour outing. Snorkeling, lunch, and visits past the major sights all share the schedule. If sailing is your top priority, tell the operator in advance and ask how much time can be devoted to it. The plan can be changed, but the cruise remains approximately three hours unless you arrange a longer option.

I would choose this trip for someone who wants variety. You get a water activity, recognizable Cabo scenery, a meal, drinks, and a sailing segment in one compact outing. If you want several hours of serious sailing with no stops, a dedicated sailing charter may suit you better.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks make the cost easier to judge

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - Lunch, snacks, and drinks make the cost easier to judge

The $990 price is per boat for up to four passengers. That works out to $247.50 per person if you fill all four spaces. For a couple, the same boat costs $495 per person, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

The package includes lunch, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, as well as taxes, fees, handling charges, snorkeling equipment, and the private crew. Those inclusions remove several common add-on costs. You are not paying separately for the boat, basic water gear, food, and drinks once aboard.

I would compare this price with the cost of four places on a shared sailing trip, but do not compare only the sticker prices. A shared outing may cost less, while this option gives your group privacy and a flexible route. For four people celebrating something special, the private format can make practical sense. For one or two people, the premium is much harder to justify unless privacy is your main goal.

The food also helps keep the outing easy. You can enjoy lunch after the water stop instead of returning hungry to the marina. The included drinks suit a relaxed afternoon, though you should still pace yourself on a moving boat, especially if you plan to snorkel.

A crew that pays attention to special occasions

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - A crew that pays attention to special occasions

The service is a major part of the appeal. The crew names connected with this experience include Ivan, Jesus, Captain Gary, First Mate Pedro, Jaisther, and Captain Edwin. Crew assignments can vary, so you should not expect one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

The strongest service details involve families. Ivan and Jesus helped a 2-and-a-half-year-old who became seasick and assisted older adults with getting into and out of the water. That does not guarantee the same support on every departure, but it shows the kind of practical attention you should ask for if your group includes young children or anyone with limited mobility.

Birthdays also receive thoughtful treatment. One family had a cake arranged for a 40th birthday, and another celebrated a 9-year-old’s birthday with a cake on board. If you are marking an occasion, contact the operator after booking rather than assuming a cake or decoration is automatic. The supplied experience specifically allows special requests, which makes advance notice worthwhile.

The published rating is 5 from 125 reviews, with 100 percent of travelers recommending the experience. That strong record matches the repeated praise for the crew, the boat, and the personal feel of the trip. Still, service can vary by crew and sea conditions, so I would treat the rating as a useful signal, not a promise that every detail will be identical.

What the three-hour route feels like

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - What the three-hour route feels like

The timing is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon in Cabo, but full enough to feel like a proper outing. You begin at F Dock in the Marina at Cabo San Lucas. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

From there, the boat heads toward Pelican Rock. This first section gives you time to settle in before the swimming stop. Once anchored or positioned for snorkeling, you can use the provided equipment and spend time in the water.

The cruise then turns toward the arch, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony. The route is not a series of long land stops. Think of it as a moving coastal tour, with the boat providing the best seat for photos and views.

Lunch and snacks fit into the cruise, followed by the sailing portion toward the Pacific. The boat then returns to the same marina meeting point. You do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Who will get the most from this cruise

Private Luxury 42ft Sailing with Snorkeling in Los Cabos - Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing for four friends or family members who want privacy and a mix of activities. It is also a good match for couples celebrating a birthday or special occasion, provided they are comfortable paying the higher per-person cost.

Families may appreciate the private setting because you do not have to worry about holding up a large group if a child needs a break. The crew has shown care with young children, seasickness, and older passengers, but you should share any needs before departure.

The cruise works for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. The information provided does not promise wheelchair access or a fully accessible boarding setup, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your party needs specific assistance.

This is less ideal if you want a long beach stay, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a full-day charter. The route offers a taste of each activity, not an extended session devoted to only one.

Booking details worth remembering

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour may operate with a multilingual guide. Select one adult at checkout for one boat holding up to four passengers. That point is easy to miss, and choosing four adults would not mean four separate boats.

The tour starts and ends at F Dock, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave enough time to reach the dock before departure.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Cabo time.

Should you book this private Cabo sailing trip?

Book it if you can fill the boat, want privacy, and like the idea of combining snorkeling, Cabo’s signature sights, lunch, drinks, and sailing in one outing. The price becomes much more attractive with four people, and the private format is especially useful for families and birthday groups.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or mainly want a long sailing session. You may pay for features you will not use. But if your priority is a relaxed, personal day with El Arco, Pelican Rock, attentive crew, and no strangers on board, this is one of the more polished ways to see the Cabo coast.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing experience?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $990 price covers one private boat for up to four passengers.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes, fees, handling charges, lunch, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the private tour.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

You meet at F Dock in the Marina at 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 the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

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