Private Fishing Trip “All Inclusive” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo’s big appeal is simple: you can be chasing a striped marlin in the Pacific one moment, then passing El Arco and watching whales or dolphins the next. This is a private boat for up to four people, with the captain and first mate handling the gear, bait, and fishing licenses.

I like the all-in-one setup, since you do not need to rent rods or sort out permits. I also like the flexibility of a private trip. You can fish as a family or small group, ask for help, and decide if you want to focus on large game or smaller, more active species. The main caution is that service can vary by boat and crew, and a full eight hours is not always guaranteed in practice.

Key points to know

• Marlin is a real possibility: Boats have landed striped marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, tuna, wahoo, barracuda, roosterfish, and bonito.
• The boat is private: Only your own group participates, with a captain and first mate assigned to your boat.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect lunch, snacks, bottled water, sodas, and beer.
• You get more than fishing: The route can include El Arco, Lover’s Beach, Chileno Bay, and Playa el Chileno.
• Bring clear expectations: Fish are never guaranteed, bait can run short, and the crew’s attention may differ from one boat to another.
• Ask about fish and trophy costs before leaving: Cleaning is not included, and mounting or shipping a fish costs extra.

Eight hours on the water from IGY Marina

You meet the crew at Cabo Sportfishing Crew, IGY Marina E Dock, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18 in central Cabo San Lucas. The tour returns to this same point, and you must arrange your own ride to and from the marina because hotel pickup is not included.

The listed price is $625 per group of up to four people. For four anglers, that works out to about $156 per person for an approximately eight-hour private outing. That is a fair value if you want your own boat and plan to make real use of the day. For one or two people, the per-person cost is much higher, though the privacy and personal help still have appeal.

The boat may be one of several in the operator’s fleet, including Blue Tail, Blue Tail II, El Pargo, Reel Tequila, or Robalo. You should not assume you will receive a particular boat or captain unless that is confirmed in writing.

The package includes a captain, first mate, fishing equipment, live bait, fishing licenses, lunch, snacks, water, sodas, and beer. Fish cleaning is not included, and gratuities are separate. Ask about tipping before the lines go out so there is no awkward surprise at the dock.

From Marina Cabo San Lucas to El Arco

The first part of the trip takes you out from the marina and toward El Arco, Cabo’s famous rock formation at the tip of the peninsula. This is one of the best built-in sightseeing moments of the day, especially if someone in your group likes scenery as much as fishing.

The boat may pass the arch and the nearby beaches before moving toward open water. Lover’s Beach and Playa de los Amantes offer striking views from the sea, but they are not separate beach stops where you should expect to get off and spend time ashore. Think of them as scenic points along the route.

This section is useful even if the fish are slow. You can take photos, enjoy the coastline, and get settled with the rod and reel before the serious fishing begins.

Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno

The route also lists Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno. These are popular coastal areas east of Cabo San Lucas, and the boat may use them as scenic reference points or fishing areas depending on the captain’s plan and conditions.

The exact order matters less than the changing water. Cabo sits where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, giving the area a mix of fishing grounds and marine life. The crew may work different depths and switch bait as conditions change.

Some outings have produced roosterfish, bonito, tuna, wahoo, and barracuda closer to shore. Other trips focus on marlin farther out. Before leaving the dock, tell the captain what matters most to you. If your group would rather catch several smaller fish than spend hours waiting for one large fish, say so plainly.

Fishing for marlin, dorado, and more

The main target list includes marlin and dorado, but the fishing can be broader. Successful outings have included striped marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, sea bass, bonito, barracuda, and skipjack.

Marlin can create the kind of moment you remember for years. One family landed a blue marlin reported at eight to nine feet, while another group brought in a striped marlin just under nine feet. Other groups caught several striped marlin, including one outing with three fish.

The crew’s work matters here. Captains and first mates such as Andres, Luis, Jorge, Gustavo, Joel, Jose, Freddie, Ruben, Alex, Juan, Tito, and Ivan have received strong praise for changing bait, managing the lines, and helping people handle large fish. A good first mate can make the difference between staring at a rod and actually learning how to fight a fish.

Still, no captain can promise a catch. Some boats have returned with only bonito or no meaningful catch at all. One group spent several hours waiting for marlin while asking to try smaller fish, and felt the crew did not adapt. That is why you should agree on a fishing plan early rather than silently hope the crew guesses what you want.

What the crew can add to your day

This is not a self-guided boat rental. The crew supplies the rods, bait, licenses, and instruction, then helps you use the tackle. First-time anglers can get direct help with technique, while experienced anglers can let the crew manage the practical work.

The strongest outings have included active bait changes, steady communication, and support for children. One seven-year-old was helped by a first mate while reeling in fish with a parent. A family with teenage boys landed a striped marlin and described the catch as a lasting memory.

That said, crew involvement is not consistent every time. Some groups had quiet captains and little explanation. One party did not realize that lunch and drinks were available because nobody clearly pointed them out. When you board, ask where the food is stored, what is included, and how the crew plans to fish.

The private format gives you a better chance to speak up. Use it. Tell the crew your experience level, ask for instruction, and say if anyone is nervous, seasick, or more interested in sightseeing.

Lunch, drinks, bait, and the meaning of all inclusive

Lunch, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and beer are included. That is helpful on an eight-hour trip, when returning to shore for food would waste fishing time.

The phrase all inclusive has limits. It covers the items listed above, not hotel transportation, fish cleaning, taxidermy, shipping, or tips. Pack any personal medication or preferred snack you need, since the exact food selection is not specified.

Live bait is included, but the supply is not unlimited. One group caught so many fish that it used all its bait by about the sixth hour. That is a pleasant problem, but it also shows why you should ask how the crew will handle bait if the action is unusually good.

If the water is rough, food may be less appealing than it sounds. Cabo trips can involve strong swells. One group dealt with seven to eight foot swells and still had a productive day, while another spent much of the trip fighting nausea. If you are prone to seasickness, plan ahead with advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Fish ownership, cleaning, and trophy costs

Ask direct questions about your catch before you leave the marina. Fish cleaning is not included, and the information provided does not promise that you will take home every fish you catch.

This matters most with marlin. Some groups were offered the chance to keep a marlin as a trophy, then encountered a much higher taxidermy price than they had expected. Prices discussed on the boat did not match the amount quoted by the taxidermist at the marina.

You can avoid much of this confusion by asking three questions before accepting a fish as a trophy:

• What part of the fish can I keep?
• What is the exact mounting price?
• Who pays for cleaning, shipping, and storage?

Get the answer in writing if possible. If you do not want a mounted fish, say so clearly. If you want to take edible fish home, ask how much you may keep and where it will be processed. Do not assume the boat’s advertised lunch package includes fish cleaning.

The biggest risk: inconsistent service

The overall score is strong, at 4.7 from 418 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. Many outings earned high marks for hard-working crews, clean boats, good communication, and memorable catches.

But the low scores point to practical concerns rather than just bad luck. Some people reported a different captain or boat than expected. Others had confusion about start times, missing fishing licenses, limited bait, poor communication, or a trip that ended early.

One particularly serious complaint involved an eight-hour booking that returned after roughly four hours following a marlin catch. The captain reportedly limited what the group could keep and arranged contact with a fish processing or mounting business. That is not a minor service wrinkle, so confirm the duration and fish arrangements before departure.

The provider offers several boats and crews, which may explain some variation. I would record the captain’s name, confirm the scheduled return time, and ask what happens if you catch a marlin. Those five minutes at the dock can protect an expensive day.

Who will enjoy this Cabo fishing trip

This outing suits a family or friend group that wants a private boat without buying or carrying its own equipment. It is also a good fit for first-time deep-sea anglers, since the crew provides instruction and handles the technical work.

Children can participate, but an adult should consider the long duration, boat movement, and chance of rough seas. The trip is not just eight hours of standing at a rail. It includes travel between fishing areas, waiting for fish, sightseeing, and the possibility of a quiet spell.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the private setup and the chance to tell the captain exactly what species they want to target. Still, you should not book this as a guaranteed marlin trip. It is a fishing day in a productive area, not a promise of a trophy.

The boat also suits people who want sightseeing folded into the outing. You can pass El Arco, the beaches near the tip, Chileno Bay, and marine life such as whales and dolphins without booking a separate sightseeing cruise.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity is private, so only your group participates.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since rough water can affect both comfort and safety, check the forecast and keep your schedule flexible around the trip.

The experience is often booked about 22 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue if your Cabo dates are fixed, especially if you need a particular morning or want to fish during a busy holiday period.

Should you book it?

I would book this trip if your group values privacy, wants equipment and licenses handled, and understands that fishing is unpredictable. The package can deliver a terrific day, with marlin, dorado, tuna, roosterfish, whales, dolphins, and Cabo’s best coastal views all possible within one outing.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed service details, want to keep a large fish, or dislike negotiating at the dock. Before you pay, confirm the captain, boat, start and end times, fish ownership, trophy pricing, cleaning arrangements, and tip expectations.

The best strategy is simple: agree on your goals early, speak up if you want smaller fish, and do not accept vague answers about your catch. With those safeguards, the private format and all-in-one price can make this a strong choice for a small group seeking a full day on Cabo’s water.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip begin?

You meet the crew at Cabo Sportfishing Crew, IGY Marina E Dock, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18, Centro, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.

How long is the experience?

The trip is advertised for approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people.

What does the price include?

The package includes the captain, first mate, fishing equipment, live bait, fishing licenses, lunch, snacks, bottled water, sodas, and beer.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to the marina.

Are fishing licenses provided?

Yes. Fishing licenses are included in the package.

Is fish cleaning included?

No. Fish cleaning is not included.

What fish might I catch?

Possible species include marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, skipjack, sailfish, and sea bass.

What happens if poor weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.