Reviewed · DRINKING TOURS

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included!

5.0 · 314 reviews From $2,235 / group Operated by la Isla Tour · Bookable on Viator
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Spending time on a private catamaran in Cabo San Lucas Bay is interesting because you get the big sights, like El Arco, without the crowded feeling you get on bigger boats. I really like the open bar and how the day mixes cruising with active water time on the floating mat and with stand-up paddleboarding. My only caution is that snorkeling near Pelican Rock can be hit or miss if visibility is poor that day.

You board at G Dock in Centro, and I like that the boat is set up for comfort and sanity, including a restroom and an MP3/iPod music port. The crew has a real knack for hosting, and names like Max, Javier, Cecilia, Javi, and Lorena keep showing up in people’s stories for a reason: they run the day smoothly and help everyone feel comfortable using the water gear.

This is truly private, with the operator noting a maximum of 8 people on the boat, even though the marketing language can also describe seating for up to 12, so confirm your exact group size before you go. Plan on about 3.5 to 4 hours total, with passes by the key spots and one or two anchored stops built for swimming and photos.

Key highlights you will care about

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Key highlights you will care about

  • Private time on Cabo San Lucas Bay with a small group and a crew that stays close to you
  • Iconic photo stops including Playa de los Amantes, El Arco, Pelican Rock, and a cruise around Cabo Bay
  • Sea lions right in the mix with photo opportunities at the rock formations
  • Water time you can choose snorkeling gear, a paddle board, and a floating mat for easy fun
  • Open bar plus real snacks like chips, salsa, and Mexican burritos, with mixers ready to go
  • Comfort details that matter restroom on board and music setup for your own playlist mood

Cabo San Lucas Bay, on Your Schedule, From a Custom Catamaran

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Cabo San Lucas Bay, on Your Schedule, From a Custom Catamaran
This is the kind of Cabo outing that feels less like a checklist and more like a day with your own coastline in reach. You sail around Cabo San Lucas Bay, you stop for swimming and snorkeling, and you can spend your time taking photos, relaxing, or getting into the water with SUP and the floating mat.

The boat is a 32-foot, custom-made catamaran with practical upgrades. There is a restroom on board, which is genuinely useful on a half-day plan, and there is also an MP3/iPod port so you can control the music vibe instead of listening to someone else’s playlist. Add in coolers with ice, water, soft drinks, bottled water, and mixers, and the day feels set up for hanging out.

One thing I’d emphasize: the experience runs best when your group likes flexibility. The crew tends to steer you toward calmer water when needed, and multiple families have described the staff adjusting for comfort if someone gets sea sick or if a plan needs to change on the fly.

More Food Tours in Cabo San Lucas

Price and Value: What You Are Actually Paying For

The price is $2,235 per group, listed for up to 15 people. That sounds high until you remember it is per boat time, not per person time. If your group is 8 to 12 people, the cost per head can start to feel reasonable for a private tour with gear, snacks, and open bar included.

This is also a day where the value is not just the sailing. You are paying for the combination of:

  • A private boat experience in a tight bay area with famous landmarks
  • Included snorkeling gear and a paddle board
  • A floating mat and time to play
  • Alcoholic beverages plus mixers, chips and salsas, and Mexican burritos

The tradeoff is you are choosing a premium format, not a budget one. If you’re traveling as two people, the same dollar amount can feel steep compared to shared boat tours. But if you’re a family group, a group of close friends, or multi-generational travelers who want everyone to be comfortable, this is the kind of cost that buys you space, attention, and less hassle.

Where You Meet and How the Day Starts

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Where You Meet and How the Day Starts
You start at G Dock in Centro (23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico). There is no hotel pickup, so plan to get yourself to the dock on time. If you are coming from a cruise ship, the dock is about a 10-minute walk from the port, or you can grab a taxi.

The upside is straightforward. You skip the long hotel pickup route, you meet at the dock, and the day begins with the crew already in motion. The mobile ticket format helps too, since you do not need to hunt for printed passes.

What the Boat Feels Like: Comfort, Restroom, Music, and Space

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - What the Boat Feels Like: Comfort, Restroom, Music, and Space
This kind of private boat day lives or dies on comfort, and the details here are solid. The catamaran gives you room to move without feeling cramped. There is a restroom on board, which can make the experience feel much less rushed, especially when you’re on a half-day timeline.

You also get a music setup with an MP3/iPod port. It might sound minor, but music is what turns a scenic sail into a real group moment. If you have kids, this can be the difference between them feeling bored and them feeling included.

As for group size, again, confirm before you go. The operator notes a maximum of 8 people on the boat. Some descriptions talk about seating up to 12, so you want the crew to confirm what your group number will look like in real space.

More Cabo San Lucas options side by side

Stop 1: Playa de los Amantes, Passed By for the Famous View

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Stop 1: Playa de los Amantes, Passed By for the Famous View
Your first landmark stop is Playa de los Amantes. It is one of the best-known beaches in the Cabo area, and you will pass by rather than do a long beach landing here.

Passing by makes sense. You get the classic coastline photos without losing time. If your group is into pictures, this is a good moment to grab a few shots on deck before the day turns into water gear mode.

The only drawback is that it is not a dedicated swim stop. If you want to get in the water immediately, you will likely prefer the later stop near Pelican Rock and the quiet beach dock.

Stop 2: El Arco (The Arch), Fast Photo Time Done Right

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Stop 2: El Arco (The Arch), Fast Photo Time Done Right
Then comes El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the iconic sea-sculpture landmark that looks like it was designed for selfies. You spend about 5 minutes here, and admission for the photo-viewing area is included.

In a private setup, this quick stop is exactly what you want. In most shared tours, the crowd waits, people block angles, and you spend more time juggling bodies than taking photos. Here, you can line up your group, get your shots, and keep moving.

Tip that helps: coordinate who wants what angles before you step off or shift positions. On a small boat day, one slow decision can eat up the very short window that makes this stop work.

Stop 3: Pelican Rock, Snorkeling Gear, SUP, Sea Lions, and a Real Water Stop

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Stop 3: Pelican Rock, Snorkeling Gear, SUP, Sea Lions, and a Real Water Stop
Pelican Rock is where the day becomes active. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes there, and it is built for the clearest payoff: views, snorkeling, and water play.

This stop is also tied to wildlife viewing. You are in the zone for sea lions, and you’ll likely see them lounging near the rocks. Even if you are not a hardcore wildlife watcher, it is exciting to spot them because they look surprisingly close from the water.

Snorkeling near Pelican Rock is included, and you also have snorkeling gear provided. You will likely find the water and conditions vary. Some groups have had great luck, and others found snorkeling less impressive when visibility dropped. That is the reality of Cabo, so I recommend treating snorkeling as a bonus, not as a guarantee.

SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is also included. This is one of the best parts of the day for mixed groups because it has a low barrier to fun. You can take it slow, float and get the hang of balance, and still feel like you did something memorable.

If you want a more chill water moment, the floating mat gives you a way to relax without committing to swimming effort. It is especially nice for kids and adults who want ocean time without the full snorkeling and swim plan.

Stop 4: Marina Cabo San Lucas, Another Quick Pass

Private Cabo 35ft cat experience Food and open bar included! - Stop 4: Marina Cabo San Lucas, Another Quick Pass
You cruise past Marina Cabo San Lucas. This is a pass-by moment rather than a stop for browsing shops or restaurants, so consider it a view stop.

It still matters, because it helps you understand where you are in Cabo. You are moving from the landmark scenery into the more developed marina zone, and it gives your day a sense of place.

If your group wants to shop or grab a specific snack on land, you’ll want to plan that separately. The private boat day is more about the water than the mall.

Stop 5: Cabo San Lucas Bay Cruise, Then Back to G Dock

The final cruising time is around Cabo San Lucas Beach and the bay area. This is where the day slows a bit. You can sunbathe, take more photos, and let the group settle after the more active snorkeling and SUP.

A cruise around the bay is also the moment where you can notice how the coastline frames the water. Cabo has those dramatic rock-and-bay views, and seeing them from the catamaran makes them feel bigger.

Then you head back to the same meeting point at G Dock. It’s a simple loop. No confusing transfers. No changing vehicles.

Wildlife Moments Like Sea Lions, and Sometimes More

One of the reasons people love this day is wildlife is part of the story. You are specifically set up for sea lions around the rock formations.

On top of that, some groups have described the crew steering toward whales during whale migration season, and also spotting seals. The operator cannot promise wildlife every single time, but I like that the crew tries to make it happen when conditions line up.

Practical takeaway: if wildlife spotting matters to your group, bring extra patience for a little repositioning. A good crew wants the viewing angles to be right, and that can mean small shifts instead of rushing straight to the next landmark.

Open Bar and Snacks: What’s Included, What You Can Add, and How to Plan Your Day

Food and drink are where this tour feels like a true private upgrade. Included items include ice coolers with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, and mixers. You also get chips and salsas, and Mexican burritos.

Alcoholic beverages are included too. If your group likes mixed drinks, this is the setup you want. If you have a specific taste, you can also bring your own alcohol, and the FAQ confirms you can bring your own food and drinks as well.

A couple of smart planning tips:

  • Bring a light appetite expectation. Burritos plus snacks are provided, and groups have described chips and salsa as a highlight.
  • If your group has kids or picky eaters, you might still want a backup snack from home, since you are not doing a land stop.
  • If you are sensitive to sun, pace the drinks. Staying hydrated is easier when water is within reach on the boat.

The Water Mat, Paddleboarding, and Why This Mix Works for Groups

The combination here is what makes the day work for different energy levels.

  • The snorkeling gear gives you a structured option.
  • SUP adds an active challenge without needing swim confidence.
  • The floating mat is the easy, low-pressure fun zone.
  • And because you’re on a private boat, you can spend longer where your group feels happiest.

This is also helpful for multi-generation groups. In real-world terms, older adults might want to sit and enjoy the cruise, while teens jump on the mat, and kids can test SUP in a safer, guided environment. You are not stuck waiting for the fastest swimmers or the most adventurous members.

If someone in your group needs calmer water, the crew can adjust. That matters because it keeps the day from turning into a stressful experience for anyone prone to motion sickness.

What to Bring for a Smooth Cabo Catamaran Day

You’re already covered with snorkeling gear, a paddle board, and the floating mat. So your packing list is mostly about comfort and sun.

Bring:

  • Sunscreen
  • Towels
  • Bathing suits
  • Sunglasses
  • Any extra food or drinks you want

If you tend to get chilly on open water near sunset or when the breeze picks up, a light layer can help. Even in Cabo, the wind off the water changes how warm you feel.

Also consider timing your bathroom needs with the fact that there is a restroom on board, which is a big plus for comfort.

Cancellation, Weather, and Real-Life Timing

This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you should be offered a different date or a full refund.

As for timing, the tour duration is listed at about 3 hours 30 minutes, and it is also described as a half-day sailing cruise around 4 hours. Either way, it’s short enough to feel doable even if you have other plans that day.

Who Should Book This Private Cabo Cat Experience

You should seriously consider booking if:

  • You want private time with your family or friends, not crowded boat politics
  • Your group wants a mix of iconic sights and water play
  • You care about comfort details like a restroom and onboard music
  • Your group will actually use the included snorkeling and SUP options

It also makes sense for groups with mixed abilities. The floating mat and SUP time give different levels of participation without turning the day into a single-speed activity.

If you are a solo traveler or a couple looking to spend as little as possible, you might find better value on shared tours. But if your main goal is control, comfort, and a smoother group day, this format fits.

Should You Book It?

For most groups, I think you should book. The best part is that the day does not feel like rushed sightseeing with a quick photo stop and then nothing else. You get real time on the water, plus snorkeling and paddleboarding gear, plus food and drinks that make it feel like a proper outing.

My one caution is simple: snorkeling quality depends on conditions. If your group’s top priority is underwater visibility, build in flexibility and focus on enjoying the bay even if the water is not crystal clear.

If you want a private Cabo experience that mixes iconic landmarks like El Arco with a water-first day, and you’re traveling with people who will actually use the fun gear, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Is this a private tour or shared activity?

This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.

What does the tour include for food and drinks?

Ice coolers with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, mixers, chips and salsas, alcoholic beverages, and snacks including Mexican burritos are included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks on board?

Yes. You may bring your own food and drinks, and the tour already includes water, sodas, ice coolers with ice, and disposable biodegradable dishes.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Yes, you can bring your own alcohol. The tour also includes alcoholic beverages.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, there is a private restroom on board.

Where do we meet, and is hotel pickup included?

You meet at G Dock in Centro, Cabo San Lucas, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

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