Cabo San Lucas Private 38 ft Sailing Tour with Snorkeling

A private sail in Cabo keeps the day in your control. You get a 38-ft charter, two snorkel stops, and an open bar, all for about three hours.

One big reason I like this: you are not sharing your schedule with strangers. You can ask to spend more time around the Arch, Lovers Beach, or in the water at Pelican Rock, and the crew runs the trip to match your group.

I also love the practical value of what is included. Expect snorkel gear, snacks, and unlimited drinks, plus a paddleboard if conditions and your crew feel like it. The one real downside to consider is motion, because a couple of riders noted seasickness, so if you are sensitive, bring your favorite remedy and take it easy on the water.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Private boat, up to 4 people: your timing is flexible, and your questions are not competing with a crowd.
• Two free-entry scenic stops: El Arco area first, then Pelican Rock for clear-water snorkeling.
• Open bar plus snacks: drinks and food are part of the sailing rhythm, not an afterthought.
• Lots of marine life sightings: turtles, sea lions, and manta rays were reported on past trips.
• Crew-led pace beats a fixed script: captains and mates like Caesar, Gabriel, David, Angel, and Alexis are praised for attention and safety.

Why a private 38-ft sail feels different in Cabo

Cabo San Lucas is built for cruise crowds and quick tours. This is the opposite. A private 38-ft sailing tour means your day runs on your pace, not on a herd timetable.

You are paying for that control. At $750 per boat for up to four people, you are not just buying a view. You are buying time to decide what matters most: photos at El Arco, a longer snorkel, or more relaxed sailing out over the Pacific and around the Sea of Cortez side.

The boat itself is big enough to feel like a real outing. It is also intimate enough that you are not constantly bumping shoulders or fighting for shade.

The 3-hour window: how to get your money’s worth

Three hours sounds short until you are actually on the water. On this tour, that time is structured, but not locked.

You start at the marina, then you move through two set stops, and after that you settle into sailing and cruising time around the bay and the ocean. The key for value is how your crew uses that structure. In multiple past experiences, captains and first mates asked what you wanted to do in what order, then built the schedule around you.

For you, that means two things:

• If snorkeling is the priority, you can lean into Pelican Rock.
• If you want photos first, the Arch and Lovers Beach viewpoints get their moment before the water time ramps up.

Also, the tour length matters for logistics. There is no hotel pickup included, so having a short, tight plan that starts and ends at the marina can be easier to manage than half-day add-ons that sprawl into a full afternoon.

Getting started at F Dock Marina, Cabo San Lucas

Meet at F Dock, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out what happens after you dock.

What I like about this setup is clarity. You know where the day begins and ends, and you can plan your food and transport accordingly. If you are staying nearby, you can keep it simple.

Language is listed as English, and the operator notes it may be run by a multi-lingual guide. In past trips, the crew names that came up included Captain Caesar, Captain David, Captain Gabriel, and Captain Javier, with first mates such as Angel, Alexis, Israel, and Oswaldo. Different personalities, same theme: attentive and safety-minded.

Stop 1: El Arco de Cabo San Lucas and Lovers Beach photos

The first stop is the El Arco de Cabo San Lucas area, where the famous rock arch sits above dramatic water. This is one of Cabo’s instant-recognition landmarks, and it also gives you a feel for why the region draws sailors.

Timing is short, about 15 minutes, but it is enough to:

• Take photos around the Arch and the surrounding rock formations
• Enjoy the view toward Lovers Beach and out over the Pacific Ocean
• Get your bearings before you switch from sightseeing mode to water mode

A realistic heads-up: 15 minutes flies by. If you care about getting clean photos, arrive mentally ready, not scrolling around with your phone for the first half of the stop.

Drawback to watch for: if you are prone to seasickness, this is still open water, even though you are not in the water yet. The earlier you know how your body responds, the easier it is to decide when to snorkel later.

Stop 2: Pelican Rock snorkeling in clear water

Pelican Rock is the snorkeling highlight, about 15 minutes from the marina. The water is described as clear, around 20 to 25 ft, and it is known for friendly tropical fish.

Your time here is about 45 minutes. That is a good length because it lets you actually do more than one quick pass. You can get comfortable, put on gear, check buoyancy, and still have time to swim a bit and look around.

What makes Pelican Rock especially appealing is that it can work for different comfort levels. The tour notes it can reward both experienced and new snorkelers, and past experiences mention guided help and patience. One review highlighted a first-time swimmer being taught in a supportive way, which is exactly what you want from a crew at a snorkeling stop.

What you might see depends on the day, but past trips reported turtles, sea lions, and manta rays. Even if you do not see manta rays every time, the point is that this is not a dead-water float. It is a spot where snorkeling feels like an activity, not a chore.

Gear is included: snorkel gear. That means you are not lugging your own mask and snorkel on vacation.

If you are considering a paddleboard, note that the tour includes use of paddleboard. Whether you get time for it can depend on conditions and your crew’s plan during the sailing and stop time, so think of it as a bonus.

Sailing the bay, Sea of Cortez, and Pacific Ocean

After Pelican Rock, you settle into sailing and cruising time around Cabo San Lucas Bay and into both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean areas.

This is the part that makes the day feel like a real sail instead of a checklist tour. Past experiences praised:

• smooth sailing time
• chances to relax on deck
• time for swimming even beyond the main snorkeling window

One couple noted they were sailing-focused and got an hour of sailing, not just drifting. Another review mentioned a trip that ended up cruising rather than actively hoisting sails in the end. That variation is worth knowing: wind matters, and even on private charters, your captain works with conditions.

So here is the practical expectation: you are buying the sailing setting and the ocean time. Active sailing under sail is more likely when conditions support it, but you can still come away with great scenery and a calmer pace even if you are not flying along under full sail.

Food, snacks, and the open bar part of the plan

This tour includes snacks, bottled water, and an open bar with unlimited drinks. In practice, that usually means you are not waiting for a meal break somewhere else. You are eating and sipping while the boat moves between viewpoints and water time.

What you will likely taste can vary, but reviews mention a range:

• simple lunch items like sandwiches and chips
• guacamole and fresh snack trays
• cocktails and beers on board
• tequila and soft drinks, depending on what you order

One small comfort detail that showed up in a family review: after swimming and snorkeling, the crew provided warm water to rinse off and towels. That is the kind of practical touch that makes you feel human again instead of salty and sticky until you reach land.

If you have dietary needs, there is a vegetarian option available if you advise during booking. That matters, because it lets you plan your food without hunting for a restaurant mid-day.

The crew you will remember: Captain and mate attention

Private sailing works or fails on the crew. This one has a strong track record.

Across the reviews, names that came up often include Captain Gabriel, Captain David, Captain Caesar, Captain Angel (noted as a crew member as well), Captain Javier, and Captain Manuel, with first mates like Alexis, Angel, Israel, Oswaldo, Jorge, and Ivan. The shared praise pattern is consistent:

• crews were attentive and responsive
• safety was taken seriously
• they explained the rock formations and pointed out sea life

One review also had a story that tells you how invested they are. An Apple Watch slipped off during the Lovers Beach swim. The crew supplied snorkel gear to help search, and later they found it after searching on and off the water. That is not something you can count on, but it does reflect the crew attitude.

Practical tip for you: if you bring valuables, consider a waterproof phone pouch or a wrist strap that actually grips. Water days love to take things, even when you are careful.

Seasickness and other real-world considerations

If you get motion sick easily, this is the only part where you should take extra care. A review called out that two travelers had seasickness, even though the crew still delivered a great trip overall.

So my advice is simple:

• start with something light before boarding
• sit where the motion feels least for you
• bring your preferred seasickness medication

Also, keep expectations flexible on sail time. One reviewer said they did not end up with as much actual sailing as expected and instead cruised around the bay. That is not a scam, it is weather and wind. Private does not mean wind obeys you.

Price and value: $750 per boat, when it makes sense

Let’s do the math the way it matters on a vacation.

This tour is $750 per group up to four. If you fill all four spots, you are effectively paying about $187.50 per person. If you only have two people, it is closer to $375 per person.

So the value is best when:

• you have a group of 3 or 4
• you want to snorkel without sharing deck space with a long tour lineup
• you care about drinks and snacks being built into the trip

What you get helps justify that price:

• private 38-ft charter
• snorkeling gear included
• open bar with unlimited drinks
• snacks and bottled water
• paddleboard use included
• free admission tickets at the two named stop areas

What can reduce the value: hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. So you need to get yourself to the marina. If you can handle that easily, the price feels more like a clear purchase. If you need taxis and extra transfers, you should factor that in.

Who should book this Cabo sail with snorkeling

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• a private outing instead of a crowded group boat
• both sightseeing and water time, with an easy snorkeling stop
• a crew that will adjust the order of your day based on what you ask for

It also reads as friendly to families. One family with two kids, ages 9 and 7, got exactly the right vibe: respectful help, flexibility in how they spent the 3 hours, and snacks and drinks that kept everyone happy.

It is also listed as suitable for most travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you are looking for pure hardcore snorkeling with no photos and no sailing, you might decide you want a different type of tour. But if you want variety in a short time, this hits the sweet spot.

Should you book it?

If your main goal is a relaxed, flexible private 38-ft sailing day in Cabo with snorkeling built in, I would book it. You are paying for time on the water, an open bar and snacks that keep the mood easy, and a crew that is repeatedly praised by name for attention and safety.

I would pause before booking if:

• you know you get seasick fast and the ocean motion worries you
• you are not comfortable handling marina logistics since no hotel pickup is included
• you are traveling as a solo or couple and cannot share the cost with others, because the per-person price climbs when the boat is not filled

If you can handle those two practical points, this is the kind of outing that turns into a story you tell later, the kind where you remember the rock shapes, the fish at Pelican Rock, and how the day stayed tailored to your group.

FAQ

Is this a private tour?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What is the group size for this 38-ft sailing tour?

The price is listed per boat for up to four people.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 3 hours.

Where do we meet and where does the tour end?

The tour starts at F Dock, Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the tour?

Included are beverages, bottled water, snacks, unlimited drinks (open bar), snorkel gear, and use of paddleboard.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.