Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas – Ferretti 88ft.

The best part of this Cabo outing is having a private 88ft Ferretti yacht for your own group, rather than sharing a boat with a crowd. You spend the first half looking at El Arco and the Pacific Coast, then settle in near Medano Beach for swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks.

I like the generous setup: up to 15 people can share the $5,600 price, and the package includes a premium open bar, snacks, snorkeling gear, and a three-course dinner. I also like the route, which gives you both Cabo’s famous rock formations and time in the water. The main drawback is the short three-hour schedule. With so much included, the outing may feel rushed if you want long swim time and a relaxed meal.

Key points to know before you book

• Private Ferretti 88ft yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with space for up to 15 people.
• El Arco photo stop: Allow about 30 minutes to see Cabo’s famous arch and its sea lion colony.
• Pacific Coast cruise: About 1 hour and 15 minutes is set aside for rock formations, beaches, and marine life.
• Medano Beach water stop: Swim, snorkel, and use the provided water toys while the yacht is anchored in the bay.
• Food and drinks included: Expect fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, charcuterie, a three-course dinner, and unlimited premium drinks.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable.

A private yacht day for a small group

This is a polished private charter built around Cabo’s best-known sea views. The yacht is an 88ft Ferretti, and your group can include as many as 15 people. That makes the price easier to assess as a group purchase rather than a per-person excursion.

At $5,600, the charter is a serious splurge. Split among 15 people, the base cost works out to about $373 per person before crew gratuity. A smaller group will pay much more per person, but you are also paying for privacy, a large yacht, a private itinerary, food, drinks, and water equipment.

I like this format for a birthday, family gathering, wedding-related event, or friends’ trip where keeping everyone together matters. You are not working around strangers’ schedules or trying to find seats on a crowded shared boat. The tradeoff is simple: if your group has only a few people, a shared cruise may cost less.

The experience is offered in English. The supplied details do not name the crew or guides, so you should not book this expecting a personally identified captain or host. The focus is the boat, the route, the meal, and time on the water.

Leaving the marina at Hotel Tesoro

The meeting point is Hotel Tesoro, at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10 in Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying nearby or arranging your own transportation to the marina.

Private transportation is included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle. Since the information does not specify the exact vehicle route or pickup range, confirm the meeting details with Papillon Yachts after booking. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The mobile ticket is useful for a marina departure. Keep your booking details easy to access on your phone, and allow enough time to reach the meeting point. A private charter has a fixed departure, and a late arrival can take time away from the three-hour sailing schedule.

El Arco and Cabo’s sea lion colony

The first stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the stone arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. You have about 30 minutes here for photographs and views of the large sea lion colony.

This is the classic Cabo moment, and the short stop makes sense. El Arco is best appreciated from the water, where the rock formations frame the boat and the sea lions add movement and sound. It is a strong opening because you get the famous sight early, before settling into the longer cruise.

Do not expect a long land visit at the arch. Admission is free, and this is a boat-based viewing stop rather than a shore excursion. Your time is mainly for photos and looking around from the yacht.

The sea lions are one of the memorable details of this part of Cabo. They gather on the rocks and nearby outcroppings, but wildlife is unpredictable, so exact viewing conditions can vary. The boat’s position and the ocean conditions also affect how close and clear your views will be.

I would bring a phone or camera with enough battery for the full outing. The arch is an obvious photo stop, but the Pacific Coast and Medano Beach can also produce good images, especially when you are not rushing between activities.

One hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast

After El Arco, the yacht spends about 1 hour and 15 minutes touring the Pacific Coast. This is the longest sightseeing section of the trip, with views of rock formations, beaches, and marine life around Cabo.

The value here is the pace. You are not simply going from the marina to a swimming spot. A private yacht gives your group time to sit, talk, and look out at the coast without treating every minute as a scheduled photo stop.

The route is scenic, but it is worth keeping expectations realistic. The description does not promise a specific beach landing, guaranteed wildlife sightings, or a guided natural history talk. You will see the coast from the water, and marine life is possible rather than guaranteed.

This portion will suit you if you enjoy scenery more than constant activity. It is also a useful break between the busy arch stop and the water session at Medano Beach. I would use this time to enjoy the yacht, take photographs, and have a snack rather than expect a formal sightseeing lecture.

The Pacific side can also feel different from the calmer bay. Ocean conditions can change, and the charter requires good weather. If your group includes people who are sensitive to motion, ask the operator about conditions before departure and take that into account when planning the day.

Anchoring at Medano Beach for water time

The final stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes at Medano Beach, where the yacht anchors in the bay. This is the active part of the day. You can swim, snorkel, and use the water toys supplied by the yacht.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately. The information does not list the exact water toys or describe the snorkeling conditions, so ask Papillon Yachts for the current equipment list if that matters to your group.

The one-hour-and-15-minute block is useful, but it is not a full beach day. Once you account for anchoring, getting into the water, changing activities, and returning aboard, your actual swim time may feel shorter than the headline duration. If everyone in your group wants to snorkel, swim, and use several water toys, agree on a loose plan before reaching the bay.

Medano Beach is also where the food and drinks are served. That combination works well: some people can swim while others eat, talk, or relax on board. It also means you do not need to choose between a meal and water time, although a group of 15 may need to take turns if everyone wants to use the equipment at once.

Food, snacks, and the premium open bar

The included food is more substantial than the usual basic boat snack. You receive fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, and a charcuterie board. A three-course dinner is also included, with three menu options to choose from.

The exact dishes are not specified, so check the menu and provide dietary requests before the trip. Do not assume that every allergy, vegetarian preference, or special diet can be handled unless the operator confirms it.

Unlimited premium alcoholic drinks are part of the package, along with soda and other soft drinks. This can add real value for a group that expects to spend much of the afternoon eating and drinking on board. It also explains why the total price is higher than a basic sightseeing cruise.

A meal on a private yacht changes the feel of the outing. You are not stopping at a restaurant or leaving the boat for lunch. Food is served during the water stop, letting you keep the coast and bay as your setting.

The only cost clearly excluded is gratuity for the crew. Set that money aside before you go. Since this is a private charter, the crew is looking after your group for the full experience, and a tip should be treated as a normal extra rather than an unexpected charge.

Is $5,600 good value?

The value depends almost entirely on group size. For 15 people, the starting price is about $373 per person. For 10 people, it is $560 per person, and a much smaller group will pay more.

That calculation includes several expensive elements: a private 88ft yacht, a three-hour charter, private transportation, a premium open bar, a three-course meal, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and water toys. For a large group that wants privacy and a special occasion setting, the package is easier to justify.

For two or four people, I would compare it carefully with other private charters and shared cruises. The yacht size and private format are attractive, but you may not use the full capacity. The price makes the most sense when everyone in your party is happy to pay for the whole boat.

The reported score is 4.4 out of 5 from five ratings, and the strongest positive themes are the view, the staff, and the food. That matches the design of the outing: the boat and setting carry much of the appeal, while the meal and service help make the three hours feel like a complete occasion.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend it most for groups that value privacy, food, and a polished setting more than a long list of separate activities. It fits families, groups of friends, couples traveling with companions, and special-event parties.

It is also a practical choice for mixed groups. Swimmers can use the water toys, while people who prefer to stay aboard can enjoy the food, drinks, air conditioning, and coastal views. The private format lets your group spend more time together instead of splitting up.

You should think twice if you want a full-day sailing trip, a long beach visit, or a detailed marine-life tour. Three hours goes quickly, and the route includes three distinct parts: El Arco, the Pacific Coast cruise, and Medano Beach.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and the experience ends back at the starting point. Exact accessibility details for the yacht and water activities are not provided, so ask Papillon Yachts specific questions before paying if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is useful protection for a boat outing, since ocean conditions can change the quality and safety of the day.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The cutoff uses local Cabo time.

I would avoid placing this charter on the last possible day of a trip unless your schedule allows for a weather change. A new date only helps if you still have time in Cabo. Booking earlier gives you more room to use the alternative-date option.

Should you book the Ferretti 88ft charter?

Book it if you have a large group, want a private yacht, and care about having the meal, drinks, snorkeling gear, and water toys handled in one package. The arch, sea lions, Pacific Coast, and Medano Beach give the three hours a good mix of sightseeing and activity.

Think carefully if your group is small or if you want a longer day. At $5,600, the charter rewards numbers. The strongest value comes when 10 to 15 people share the cost and everyone enjoys both the luxury setting and the water stop.

My practical verdict: this is a strong special-occasion charter, especially for a group that wants comfort, privacy, and excellent views without planning separate meals or rentals. Just keep your expectations tied to the three-hour clock, confirm the menu and water-toy details, and budget separately for the crew gratuity.

FAQ

How long is the yacht charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to 15 people.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Hotel Tesoro, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point.

Does the charter visit El Arco?

Yes. The yacht stops at El Arco de Cabo San Lucas for about 30 minutes so you can take photographs and view the sea lion colony.

How long is the Pacific Coast portion?

The Pacific Coast cruise lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. The yacht anchors near Medano Beach, where you can swim and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes snacks, a three-course dinner with three menu options, unlimited premium alcoholic drinks, and soda or other soft drinks.

Is crew gratuity included?

No. Gratuity for the crew is not included in the listed price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.