Cabo San Lucas Yacht Charter FAQ

A private charter means the boat is reserved for your group alone for an agreed number of hours, with a captain and crew who operate it. You choose the yacht, the timing and the type of day, and the captain plans a route around your wishes and the sea conditions.

Yacht Charter Cabo (YachtCharterCabo.com) arranges private yacht, catamaran, sailing and sportfishing charters in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. We help you compare boats, check availability and plan the details of your day on the water.

The town sits at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Within minutes of the marina you reach El Arco and Land's End, and the coast toward San José del Cabo has sheltered bays for swimming.

No. Your captain and crew handle navigation, anchoring and safety, so you only need to relax and enjoy the day. The crew will explain how to move around the boat and get in and out of the water.

A motor yacht has a single hull, typically more interior space and a faster cruising speed. A catamaran has two hulls and a wide beam, which makes it very stable at anchor and gives lots of open deck space. See our motor yachts and catamarans.

A flybridge is an upper deck with a second helm and seating. It gives guests panoramic views, extra sun or shade and a quieter place to relax away from the main deck.

Not necessarily. Bigger yachts add space, cabins and amenities, but a smaller yacht can feel more intimate and reach shallow coves easily. The best yacht is the one that fits your group comfortably and matches the kind of day you have in mind.

Yes. Tell us your group size, occasion, preferred time of day and any must-haves such as water toys, a chef or air conditioning, and we will suggest two or three suitable options.

Rates depend mainly on the yacht and the number of hours, and can vary with the season, the day of the week and holidays. Catering, decorations, a photographer or other extras add to the total. Your quote lists everything clearly.

Common extras include special catering, decorations, cakes, live music or a DJ, a photographer, and gratuities for the crew. Some charters include drinks, snacks or lunch; others do not. We spell out what is and isn't included before you book.

As soon as your dates are set. Popular periods such as holidays and weekends, and larger yachts in general, are reserved earlier, and early booking gives you the widest choice of boats.

Changes depend on the yacht's availability and the booking terms for your charter. Ask about the change and cancellation terms before you confirm, so you know your options.

Gratuities are customary for charter crews in Cabo and are usually not included unless your quote says otherwise. Many guests tip at the end of the charter based on the service they received.

Minimums depend on the yacht and the date. Two- to three-hour charters are common for sunset cruises, while some boats require longer bookings at busy times or for activities such as fishing.

Two to three hours is enough to cruise past Land's End and El Arco with a short stop. Around four hours adds a relaxed swim or snorkel in a bay, and a full day leaves time for a longer cruise along the coast and lunch at anchor.

Start times are flexible and agreed when you book. Morning charters often enjoy calmer water, midday charters are best for swimming, and late-afternoon charters are timed to finish around sunset.

Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your departure time so the crew can welcome everyone, stow bags and get the group settled before leaving the dock. Your confirmation will include the exact meeting point.

The boarding point depends on the yacht and is confirmed with your booking. Many charters in Cabo San Lucas board in the marina area near downtown, and your confirmation tells you exactly where to meet the crew.

No. Every charter is planned individually, and routes depend on the length of the charter, your interests and the conditions. Most include a cruise past Land's End and El Arco, and longer charters often continue along the coast to a bay for swimming.

Longer charters can cruise along the coast toward San José del Cabo, which passes bays such as Santa María and Chileno. How far you go depends on the charter length and the sea conditions. Ask us when planning your route.

Yachts usually anchor offshore rather than docking at beaches. Whether guests can swim ashore depends on the location and the day's conditions, and some beaches, particularly on the Pacific side, have strong surf where swimming is unsafe. Your captain will advise.

El Arco, the famous rock arch, along with Lover's Beach, Pelican Rock and the rocks where sea lions often rest. It is the classic Cabo photo stop and is included on most coastal itineraries.

Many of our boats list snorkel gear, and some also carry paddleboards, kayaks or a floating mat. We confirm the equipment on your yacht in the quote. You are welcome to bring your own mask if you prefer.

Humpback whales visit Los Cabos roughly from mid-December to mid-April. Many winter charters include time to look for whales, though sightings are never guaranteed.

On some boats, yes. The 40' Tiara, for example, offers fishing as well as snorkeling and paddleboarding. Dedicated anglers will prefer one of our sportfishing boats.

Yes. Sunset times change through the year, from roughly 5:30 pm in late November and December to just after 7 pm in June and July, so we time your charter to your date.

There is no general minimum age, but each yacht sets its own rules. Tell us the ages of all children so we can recommend a suitable boat and confirm child-size life jackets.

Yes, with a little planning. Boarding usually involves steps or a gangway, so let us know about mobility needs and we will suggest a boat and boarding arrangement that makes it easier.

For large groups we can suggest a single event boat or, subject to availability, more than one yacht on the same day. Event boats on our catamaran page host up to 200 guests.

Pet policies vary from yacht to yacht, so please ask before booking. If a pet is allowed, plan for shade, fresh water and a life jacket sized for them.

No problem. Soft drinks, juices and bottled water are listed on many of our boats, and non-alcoholic options can be added to catering. Let us know your group's preferences when you request a quote.

Where a yacht includes a chef or catering, vegetarian, allergy and other dietary needs can often be accommodated with advance notice. Tell us about any requirements in your quote request.

Most yachts and catamarans have at least one bathroom, and larger yachts have several. If this matters for your group, ask us to confirm the facilities on your chosen boat.

Most boats offer shaded areas on deck. Air conditioning is available on some yachts, typically in the interior salon and cabins, such as the 74' Blue Water and 98' Avante. We confirm amenities in the quote.

Yes, boats carry life jackets for guests. If you are bringing young children, tell us their ages so we can confirm child-size life jackets are on board.

Safety comes first. If the port captain closes the harbor or conditions are unsafe, the charter will not go out as planned. Rescheduling and cancellation options depend on your booking terms, so ask about them before you confirm.

The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from mid-May to the end of November. Storms are not constant, but if a system approaches, the port may close and charters can be rescheduled.

Swimming takes place only when the boat is anchored in a suitable spot and the captain judges conditions to be safe. Always follow the crew's instructions, and wear a life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer.

Tell the crew, who can suggest the most comfortable spot on board. To reduce the chance of seasickness, choose a larger or more stable boat, eat lightly, stay hydrated and take a remedy beforehand if you are prone to it.

Swimwear, a towel if one is not provided, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light layer for the evening, a phone or camera, any medication you need, and some cash for the crew's gratuity.

Comfortable, casual clothing. Many yachts ask guests to go barefoot or wear soft, non-marking shoes on deck, so leave heels and hard soles behind or bring them for later.

We recommend a mineral, reef-friendly sunscreen to protect the marine life you will be swimming near, and applying it before you board so the deck stays clean.

Most boats have a sound system you can connect to. Removable decorations are usually fine, but confetti and glitter are not allowed on many yachts. Ask us before bringing anything that needs to be attached to the boat.

When your booking is confirmed, make sure you have the meeting point and an on-the-day contact number, and ask us for them if they are missing. If anything changes on your side, let us know as early as possible.