Review · LUXURY YACHT CRUISES

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

★ 4.5 · 5 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Papillon Yachts · Bookable on Viator
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Cabo looks best from the water. This private Ferretti 88ft yacht charter gives your group three hours for El Arco, the Pacific Coast, and a swim stop near Medano Beach. I like the roomy private format and the generous food and drink plan. The main catch is price: $5,600 is a serious spend unless you fill the boat with a group.

I also like the simple route. You get Cabo’s famous rock formations first, then time to stop, swim, snorkel, and eat. The one guest rating provided gives special praise to the views, staff, and food, though five reviews are not enough to predict every detail of the day.

Quick take: five things to know

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - Quick take: five things to know

  • El Arco comes first: You get about 30 minutes near Cabo’s famous arch for photos and views of the large sea lion colony.
  • The Pacific Coast gets the longest sightseeing stretch: Plan on roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes among rock formations, beaches, and marine life.
  • Medano Beach is the active stop: The yacht anchors in the bay for swimming, snorkeling, and use of the supplied water toys.
  • Food is a major part of the value: Snacks, fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, charcuterie, and a three-course dinner are included.
  • The boat is private for up to 15 people: You are not sharing the activity with another group, which makes the cost easier to assess for families or celebrations.
  • Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations inside 24 hours are not refundable.

Starting at Hotel Tesoro in Cabo San Lucas

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - Starting at Hotel Tesoro in Cabo San Lucas

The meeting point is Hotel Tesoro, at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10 in the Centro Marina area of Cabo San Lucas. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location after the boat ride.

The experience is offered in English and includes private transportation. The listing also notes an air-conditioned vehicle, though the most important transport detail for this experience is the yacht itself. You should confirm the exact meeting instructions after booking, since confirmation is sent within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

This is a private activity, with only your own group participating. That matters more than it may first seem. A private boat lets you keep the pace within the planned route, enjoy your own food and drinks, and spend the water time with people you know rather than a mixed crowd.

The total group limit is 15. For two people, the $5,600 cost works out to $2,800 each, which is a luxury splurge. With 10 people, it comes to $560 per person. At the full 15-person capacity, the figure is about $373 per person. That is still not cheap, but it makes far more sense for a birthday, family gathering, wedding event, or small corporate outing.

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Thirty minutes beside El Arco and the sea lions

The first stop is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the rock arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. You get about 30 minutes here, with time to take photos and view the large sea lion colony.

This is a smart opening stop because El Arco is Cabo’s signature sight. From the yacht, you can take in the scale of the rock formations without treating the visit as a land excursion. The sea lions add movement and sound to an otherwise dramatic rock scene, making this more than a quick photo backdrop.

I would keep your camera ready before reaching the arch. Thirty minutes is enough for photos and viewing, but it is not an open-ended stop. The boat route gives you a clear Cabo highlight early, then moves into a longer coastal cruise.

There is no separate admission ticket for this stop. That does not mean the overall trip is inexpensive, but it does mean you are paying for the yacht, crew, food, drinks, equipment, and private setting rather than adding entrance fees along the way.

One hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - One hour and 15 minutes along the Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast portion takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it the longest sightseeing segment. You will see rock formations, beaches, and marine life around Cabo.

This is where the trip becomes less about one famous landmark and more about the coast as a whole. I like that the route allows time for the changing views rather than rushing from El Arco directly to the swimming stop. You can settle into the yacht, take photos, and watch the shore shift from rock to beach.

The description does not promise a particular species of marine life, so keep expectations sensible. You may see marine life from the boat, but the exact sightings can change. The same is true of the coastal views: weather and sea conditions will shape how clear and enjoyable the route feels.

The Pacific Coast segment also gives you a chance to enjoy the boat itself. An 88-foot Ferretti is the main attraction here, not just a taxi between stops. If you are paying for a private yacht, this slower middle section is important because it gives you time to appreciate the space, service, and open-water setting.

Medano Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and water toys

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - Medano Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and water toys

The final stop is in the bay near Medano Beach, where the yacht anchors for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is the most hands-on part of the experience. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and try the water toys provided by the crew.

The longer anchor stop is a strong feature for anyone who wants more than a sightseeing cruise. You are not limited to taking pictures from the deck. You can get into the water, then return to the yacht for food and drinks.

The listing does not specify the type or number of water toys, so I would not plan around one particular activity. The safe expectation is access to supplied water equipment, snorkeling gear, and time for swimming. If a specific toy matters to your group, ask before departure.

Medano Beach is also where the meal service fits naturally. After the active part of the stop, you can eat and have drinks while anchored in the bay. The timing gives you flexibility, but the total charter lasts only about three hours, so the sightseeing, water time, and meal service all share a fairly tight schedule.

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A full food and drink plan, not just light refreshments

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - A full food and drink plan, not just light refreshments

The food package is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. It includes fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, and a charcuterie board, followed by a three-course dinner with three choices.

That is a substantial spread for a three-hour yacht outing. You are not left to arrange lunch or dinner separately, and the snacks give your group something to eat during the cruise or while anchored. The three-course menu also makes the experience feel more like a private occasion than a basic boat rental.

The exact dishes and the three menu choices are not provided, so you should request those details if anyone in your group has dietary restrictions or strong preferences. The included food sounds generous, but you should not assume that every special diet can be handled unless the operator confirms it.

Drinks are another major part of the package. You get an unlimited premium open bar, along with soda and other nonalcoholic beverages. This adds real value for a group, especially because buying premium drinks separately on a private charter could quickly raise the final cost.

One guest gave particular praise to the food, views, and staff, describing the excursion as very impressive overall. That is a useful sign because those are exactly the parts that determine whether a luxury charter feels worth the money. Still, the published rating of 4.4 from five reviews is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than conclusive.

What the $5,600 price really buys you

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - What the $5,600 price really buys you

At first glance, $5,600 for approximately three hours looks steep. It is a luxury purchase, and I would not recommend it to someone simply looking for the least expensive way to see Cabo from the water.

The value improves as your group grows. At 15 people, you are buying a private yacht day at roughly $373 per person, with a premium open bar, dinner, snacks, snorkeling equipment, water toys, private transportation, and the full route. At five people, the same experience costs $1,120 per person, which is much harder to justify.

You are also paying for privacy. A shared cruise may offer a lower price, but it will not give your group exclusive use of the boat. Here, you can celebrate, talk, eat, and use the water stop without sharing the activity with strangers.

The cost makes the most sense when the outing is part of a larger occasion. For a birthday, reunion, wedding-related event, or family milestone, the private setting and all-inclusive food and drink can be worth more than a simple per-hour comparison.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want to see El Arco and take a few photos. In that case, much of what you pay for is the yacht, meal service, drinks, and private setting. You should book this only if those extras are central to the plan.

Who will enjoy this charter most

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this experience to a group that wants comfort, privacy, and a full service outing rather than a basic boat ride. A group of friends can use the anchor stop for swimming and snorkeling, while families can enjoy the food, views, and flexible private setting.

It also suits people who want a celebration without planning every detail. The included meal, snacks, premium bar, transportation, and equipment take much of the organizing work off your plate.

The charter may be less suitable for a small group on a strict budget. A couple or trio will absorb the full group price, and the three-hour duration may feel brief if you want a full day on the water.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, but the provided meeting point remains Hotel Tesoro in the marina. If anyone in your group has mobility or medical concerns, ask the operator for practical details before booking, since the supplied information does not explain boarding arrangements or onboard accessibility.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Luxury Yacht Charter in Cabo San Lucas - Ferretti 88ft. - Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing the full price because of conditions outside your control.

For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off follows local Cabo time, so check the time carefully if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid booking this as a last-minute centerpiece for a large event until you have confirmation.

Bring the right mindset for a short luxury charter. The route is carefully packed: El Arco for 30 minutes, the Pacific Coast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and Medano Beach for another 1 hour and 15 minutes. You will get sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks, but not unlimited time for each.

Crew gratuity is not included. Plan for that additional cost, particularly if the staff handles the food service, drinks, equipment, and private cruising with care.

Should you book the Ferretti 88ft charter?

Book it if you have a large group and want a private Cabo experience built around good views, a premium bar, a real meal, and time in the water. I especially like the combination of El Arco, the longer Pacific Coast cruise, and the Medano Beach anchor stop. The food and staff also received the clearest praise in the available feedback.

Think twice if your group is small, your budget is limited, or you mainly want a quick look at El Arco. The $5,600 price becomes much more reasonable when divided among 10 to 15 people. For a special occasion, this is a polished and easygoing way to spend three hours on the water. For a casual sightseeing trip, it may be more luxury than you need.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht charter cost?

The price is $5,600 per group, with up to 15 people included.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the yacht charter start and end?

It starts at Hotel Tesoro, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina Lote 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What sights are included?

The route includes El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the Pacific Coast, and Medano Beach.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. At the Medano Beach stop, you can swim, snorkel, and use the supplied water toys. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is food and alcohol included?

Yes. The package includes snacks, fresh fruit, guacamole, salsas, pico de gallo, chips, a charcuterie board, a three-course dinner with three choices, soda, and an unlimited premium open bar.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

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