Exclusive Phantom II Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

The best part of this Cabo outing comes early: you cruise through the Arch of Cabo San Lucas before reaching the fishing grounds in about 20 to 30 minutes. Then the sightseeing gives way to lines in the water, with marlin, sailfish, and other species possible.

I like the private boat setup, which lets your group of up to eight fish together without strangers aboard. I also like the crew’s determined approach. Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier worked hard to chase marlin and give everyone a turn at the action. The main consideration is that the fishing license for one person and crew gratuities cost extra, and hotel transportation is not clearly part of the package.

Key points to know before booking

• Cabo’s Arch comes first: You pass this famous rock formation on the way out, giving the trip a strong sightseeing start.
• A private group of up to eight: The $1,015 price is per group, so the value improves when you fill most of the available spots.
• Fishing begins quickly: The grounds are about 20 to 30 minutes from the marina, leaving most of the roughly five-hour outing for fishing.
• Marlin and sailfish are normally released: You can request one as a trophy, but the standard approach is catch and release.
• The crew is named and bilingual: Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier are part of the operating crew, with English and Spanish support available.
• Arrive early for the marina start: The listed start time is 7 a.m., and arriving before 6 a.m. was specifically advised for getting an early start.

Leaving the marina and passing Cabo’s Arch

The Phantom II departs from the East Dock E Dock at the Cabo San Lucas marina. The trip begins with a short coastal cruise toward the Arch, the dramatic rock formation at the tip of the Baja California peninsula where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez.

This is more than a quick photo stop. The Arch gives you a clear sense of place before the fishing begins. Cabo is famous for its sportfishing, but it is also famous for this rocky meeting point, and seeing it from the water puts the whole outing in context.

You should have your camera ready during this opening stretch. The boat passes the Arch as part of the route, so the timing may be brief rather than a long sightseeing session. If your group includes someone who is not eager to fish every minute, this first portion gives that person an enjoyable reason to come along.

The marina meeting point matters. You are responsible for getting to East Dock E Dock in Cabo San Lucas, and the experience ends back there. The information about transportation can cause confusion, so I would not assume hotel pickup. Confirm your own ride to the marina before booking, especially if you are staying outside central Cabo San Lucas.

Reaching the fishing grounds in 20 to 30 minutes

Once you pass the Arch, the Phantom II heads toward the fishing area. The stated travel time is only 20 to 30 minutes, which is useful for a five-hour trip. You are not spending half the morning simply getting offshore.

That short run also gives the crew time to prepare the professional equipment. Outriggers are included, along with lifejackets and the fishing gear you need on the boat. You do not have to arrange a separate equipment rental.

The trip is designed for active fishing, not just a scenic boat ride. Still, conditions at sea can affect what happens. The experience allows you to target a variety of species, but no fishing trip can promise a particular catch. The strongest documented result from a longer outing included six bonito kept for eating and four marlin, with everyone who wanted to catch a fish getting a turn. Treat that as an example of a productive day, not a guarantee.

The crew’s role becomes especially important once lines are out. Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier were specifically praised for chasing marlin and working to create more action. That suggests a hands-on style rather than simply parking the boat and waiting.

Fishing for marlin, sailfish, and other species

The central attraction is the chance to fish Cabo’s offshore waters for several species. Marlin and sailfish receive special treatment under a catch-and-release policy unless you would like to keep one as a trophy.

That policy gives the trip a useful balance. You can enjoy the excitement of targeting large game fish without treating every catch as something that must come back to the dock. If you have a particular preference, discuss it with the crew before the action starts so everyone understands what you want.

Other fish may be available to keep, depending on the catch and the rules that apply. The information supplied for this trip specifically mentions bonito as fish caught for eating on one outing. It does not provide a full species list, so I would avoid booking with one exact fish in mind.

The fishing can be fast-paced. One reported eight-hour outing produced repeated action and went by quickly. The regular experience lasts about five hours, so you get a shorter, more manageable day while still having time to reach the grounds, fish, and return to the marina.

A five-hour private charter works well for mixed groups. An experienced angler can focus on the fishing, while a first-timer can watch the crew, enjoy the boat ride, and take a turn when the opportunity comes. The trip is not limited to experts. The supplied details say most people can participate, and the crew provides the gear and lifejackets.

What the private format means for your group

The Phantom II is reserved for your party, with space for up to eight people. That changes the feel of the outing. You do not have to coordinate with a boatload of unrelated passengers, and your group can decide how much attention to give fishing, scenery, and conversation.

The private format also changes the price calculation. At $1,015 per group, the cost is significant for one or two people. Split among eight, it works out to about $127 per person before the fishing license and gratuity. With four people, the base cost is about $254 per person. Those figures do not include any hotel transport or other personal expenses.

I see the price as reasonable for a full private boat if you have enough people to share it. It is less attractive if only one or two of you plan to fish. In that case, compare it with a shared charter before paying the private-group rate.

The boat can also make the day more comfortable for a group with different interests. A couple of people can focus on the rod while others enjoy the coastal views and marine life. That flexibility is harder to find on a tightly scheduled shared excursion.

The five-hour timing and the early start

The listed duration is approximately five hours. A 7 a.m. start means you should plan around an early morning at the marina. One useful tip from the operating experience is to arrive before 6 a.m. if you want the best chance of getting an early start.

That advice is practical, but you should confirm the exact meeting instructions when you book. Your ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking, so keep those details available on your phone.

The early start is also part of the fishing strategy. The trip is built around getting out to the grounds with enough morning time left for actual fishing. You should allow extra time to find East Dock E Dock, get settled, and handle any required license arrangements.

The package does not include the fishing license for one person. The wording is specific but not fully detailed about how the fee is handled, so ask the provider how the license is purchased or collected before departure. A small amount of planning here can prevent a delay at the dock.

The trip returns to the same marina meeting point. That makes it easy to plan the rest of your day in Cabo, but leave a buffer after the stated five hours. Boat trips can vary with sea conditions, fishing activity, and the timing of the return.

Crew, equipment, and the hands-on side of the trip

Professional fishing gear is included, as are outriggers and lifejackets. That is a practical advantage because you can book the outing without assembling a large kit of equipment yourself.

Outriggers spread lines away from the boat and help present bait or lures across a wider area. You do not need to operate them yourself, but their presence signals that the boat is set up for serious sportfishing rather than casual sightseeing.

The bilingual crew can assist in English and Spanish. Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier are named as the working crew, and their efforts with marlin were a major part of the positive experience described. A fishing crew needs to manage rods, lines, and the boat at the same time, so active help matters when a fish is on.

You should still expect to participate. This is not a show where the crew does everything while you watch. The point is to hold the rod, follow instructions, and share the work of bringing in a fish. That makes it a good fit for someone who wants a real fishing activity rather than a simple coastal cruise.

The supplied details say most people can participate, but they do not provide specific information about boat access, mobility equipment, or medical conditions. If anyone in your party has a physical concern, contact Phantom Fishing Cabo before booking.

What can make the day memorable, and what can disappoint

The high point is likely to be the mix of scenery and action. You see the Arch, travel along the Los Cabos coast, and then spend most of the outing focused on the water and the rods. If marlin appear, the crew’s willingness to chase them can turn a routine morning into a very active one.

The possibility of multiple species also keeps the outing from depending entirely on one target. You might catch bonito or another fish while waiting for a larger game fish. That matters because even a day without a marlin can still offer fishing, views, and time on the water.

The main risk is expectation. A strong catch is possible, but it is not promised. Sea conditions and fish behavior are outside the crew’s control. Book this because you want the chance to fish Cabo waters with a private crew, not because you expect a trophy fish on a fixed schedule.

The other issue is the transportation wording. Since the meeting point is at the marina and the included features do not list hotel pickup, arrange your own route unless the operator confirms otherwise. This is one detail worth settling before you commit.

The outing has a 5 out of 5 rating from 25 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is an encouraging record, though a small sample cannot remove the normal uncertainty of weather and fishing. I would treat the strong feedback as evidence of good crew service and a satisfying format, not a promise of a particular catch.

Who should book the Phantom II

I would recommend this charter to a group of friends or family members who can share the cost and genuinely want time on the water. Eight people make the base price far more attractive, and the private arrangement gives everyone room to take part at their own pace.

It also suits a mixed group. Someone who loves fishing can focus on marlin and other species, while a less committed angler can enjoy the Arch, the coast, and the boat ride. The trip is not just for someone who already knows how to fish.

I would be more cautious if you have only one or two people, want guaranteed catches, or need hotel transportation included. In those cases, the price and logistics may not fit as well.

The five-hour length is a good middle ground. It is long enough to reach the fishing grounds and allow real time with the lines, but shorter than a full-day charter. If your group wants a longer outing, one group chose an eight-hour option, but that appears to be an extended arrangement rather than the standard experience described here.

Booking details and cancellation terms

The price is $1,015 per group of up to eight. The activity is offered in English, includes a mobile ticket, and is operated by Phantom Fishing Cabo.

The start point is East Dock E Dock at the Cabo San Lucas marina, and you return there at the end. Public transportation is nearby, and confirmation arrives at booking.

Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Canceling within 24 hours means no refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. I would check the weather forecast and confirm the meeting instructions early, but do not wait until the last day if you know your plans have changed.

Should you book this private Cabo fishing trip?

Book it if you can fill several seats, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining Cabo’s Arch with genuine sportfishing. The short ride to the grounds, bilingual crew, included equipment, and active approach to marlin all add real value.

Skip it if you are looking for a cheap sightseeing cruise, need guaranteed fish, or expect hotel pickup to be included. For the right group, though, the Phantom II offers a focused half-day on the water, with enough scenery to please non-anglers and enough fishing time to keep serious fishers interested.

FAQ

Where does the Phantom II fishing trip begin?

It begins at East Dock E Dock in the Cabo San Lucas marina.

Where does the activity end?

The trip ends back at the same meeting point at East Dock E Dock.

How long does the fishing experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is available for a group of up to eight people.

Is the fishing license included?

No. The fishing license for one person is not included in the listed price.

Are marlin and sailfish kept?

Marlin and sailfish are handled under a catch-and-release policy unless you would like to keep one as a trophy.

What happens if I cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.