How to choose the right yacht in Cabo for your group and your day

Choose a Cabo yacht charter by group size first, because for bigger groups it rules out most of the fleet on its own. Up to 6 people fit on any of our thirteen yachts, 13 to 15 people fit only on the Sea Ray 55 or the Pontoon 38, and 16 to 18 people need the Pontoon 38. After that, the choice comes down to how long you want to be out and what you want on board: a cabin with air conditioning, a water slide, or a chef and complimentary drinks.

Every price below is per boat, with the 16% tax included and the 15% crew tip not included.

Step 1: match your group size to the yacht

Count everyone, kids included, since the guest limit is per person on board. If you're right at a boat's limit for a long day, it's worth looking at the next size up so people have room to spread out.

Set your group size and hours to see what each yacht costs per person.

What it costs per person

Guests:

10

Hours2 h3 h4 h6 h

1. Loading

Per boat, 16% tax included, tip not included. Pick a yacht to see its page.

Groups bigger than 18 don't fit on any single yacht in our fleet, so you'd need to book more than one.

Step 2: decide how long you want to be out

The hours you book decide the route more than the boat does.

All yachts have a two-hour minimum except the Sea Ray 55, the Sea Ray 65, the Azimut 70 and the McKinna 70, which start at three. Every yacht can be booked for up to six hours, and the Sea Ray 40, Sea Ray 65 and McKinna 70 also for eight.

If the plan is mostly photos at the Arch and a swim stop, two or three hours is enough. If snorkeling is the main event, book four hours or more so you can reach Santa María Bay, a sheltered horseshoe cove with reef along both points.

Step 3: cabin, air conditioning and a bathroom

On a hot afternoon, or with kids and older guests along, a cabin and a bathroom make a real difference.

The Sea Ray 55 is the one to pick if you want air conditioning and cabins. It's a 55-foot flybridge motor yacht for up to 15 guests, with cabins and heads, a captain and deckhand, bottled water, sodas and ice, plus a floating pool, a paddle board, a lily pad and a floating platform. It starts at USD 2,129 (MXN 40,399) for three hours and USD 2,709 (MXN 51,499) for four.

The Pontoon 38 has an enclosed head with a freshwater shower, which is useful after a swim.

The Bayliner 30 is a cabin cruiser, so it has an inside cabin on a smaller boat. It takes up to 6 guests and starts at USD 549 (MXN 10,499) for two hours.

If a bathroom or shade is a must for someone in your group, tell us in the planner and we'll confirm it for the yacht you choose. The family day page has more on planning around kids.

Step 4: the fun stuff on board

What comes on each yacht is listed on its page. A few that stand out:

• Water slide: the Pontoon 38, from its upper deck.
• Paddle board: the Azimut 45, the Sea Ray 55, the Sea Ray 65 and the Azimut 70.
• Floating mat: every yacht has one, and the Chaparral 28, the Sea Ray 55 and the Sea Ray 65 have a lily pad mat.
• Floating pool and floating platform: the Sea Ray 55.
• Sound system: the Chaparral 28 has a Bluetooth sound system.
• Snorkel gear: included on every yacht.

The Pontoon 38 is the obvious pick for a party. It's a double-deck party pontoon for up to 18, it starts at USD 869 (MXN 16,599) for two hours, and it comes with a captain, a deckhand and a cooler with ice.

Step 5: flybridge or sport yacht?

A flybridge yacht has an upper deck above the main deck, where the helm is. It's a second place to sit and gives you a higher view of the Arch. In our fleet that's the Sea Ray 40, the Azimut 45 and the Sea Ray 55.

The Azimut 45 Flybridge takes up to 12 guests and starts at USD 1,249 (MXN 23,799) for two hours. It includes a captain and deckhand, a cooler with ice, water and sodas, towels, snorkel gear and a paddle board. The Sea Ray 40 is the lower-priced flybridge for 12, from USD 879 (MXN 16,799).

The Maxum 45 and Regal 45 are sport yachts for 12, priced the same as each other, from USD 999 (MXN 18,999) for two hours. Both come with a cooler with ice, snorkel gear and a floating mat.

Step 6: the luxury end, with a chef and complimentary drinks

For a Cabo luxury yacht charter where food and drinks are handled for you, the McKinna 70 is the only yacht in our fleet with a chef on board, and the Azimut 70 is the other all-inclusive, with food and complimentary drinks served by its crew of three. The McKinna 70 has a bilingual crew of five, including the captain, deckhands and a chef, a multi-course menu cooked on board, welcome snacks and fresh guacamole, and complimentary drinks served by the crew. It takes up to 12 guests, with a three-hour minimum from USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499).

The Sea Ray 65 is the other big yacht, a 65-foot express motor yacht for 12. It starts at USD 2,509 (MXN 47,699) for three hours and meets you at Fisherman's Landing restaurant, by the Cabo Escape terminal. It has to be back by 8 PM, when the Cabo Escape terminal closes.

Our all-inclusive yacht charter guide compares the McKinna 70 with booking a boat-only yacht and adding food from the menu.

Quick picks by situation

The Sea Ray 36 is the lowest-priced yacht for 12. It's a 36-foot express cruiser for up to 12 with a captain and deckhand, bottled water and ice, a cooler, towels and snorkel gear, from USD 659 for two hours. For 12 people that's about USD 47 each before the tip.

For the full list of prices by hour, see how much a yacht rental in Cabo costs. If you're bringing kids, read Cabo with kids on a boat day.

A few things that apply to every yacht

Twelve of the thirteen yachts board at Marina Cabo San Lucas, downtown, each at its own dock; your exact dock and a map link come on your boarding pass.

Alcohol isn't sold or served on board, so guests 18 and over bring their own, except on the Azimut 70 and the McKinna 70. None of the yachts are set up for fishing.

If the Port Captain closes the harbor for a storm threat (most closures fall between September and mid-October), you choose a new date or get a full refund.

Ready to pick?

Open the fleet comparison to see all thirteen yachts side by side, then use the planner to choose your yacht, hours and any food. It shows the exact price in USD and MXN. Once we confirm your date in writing, we send a secure Stripe link to pay. We reply within two hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Once the boat is picked, the hours are the next decision: our yacht day itinerary guide shows what two, three and four hours each cover. By exact headcount, the series starts at the best yacht for 2 and runs through 4, 6, 8 and 10 to 12.

Yachts in this guide

Sea Ray 55Flybridge motor yacht · up to 15 guestsfrom $2,129 / 3 hPontoon 38Double-deck party pontoon · up to 18 guestsfrom $869 / 2 hBayliner 30Cabin cruiser · up to 6 guestsfrom $549 / 2 hAzimut 45 FlybridgeFlybridge yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $1,249 / 2 h

Questions people ask

What size yacht do I need for 15 people in Cabo?

Two yachts take 15 guests, the Sea Ray 55 (up to 15, with air conditioning and cabins) and the Pontoon 38 (up to 18, with a water slide). The Sea Ray 55 starts at USD 2,129 for three hours and the Pontoon 38 at USD 869 for two.

Which Cabo yacht has air conditioning and a cabin?

The Sea Ray 55 lists air conditioning, cabins and heads among what's included. It takes up to 15 guests and starts at USD 2,129 (MXN 40,399) for three hours.

Is there a luxury yacht charter in Cabo with a chef?

Yes, the McKinna 70 has a chef on board, a multi-course menu cooked on board and complimentary drinks served by its crew. It takes up to 12 guests, with a three-hour minimum from USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499).

What is the best small yacht in Cabo for a couple?

The Bayliner 30 is a 30-foot cabin cruiser for up to 6 guests, from USD 549 (MXN 10,499) for two hours. A captain, a cooler with ice, bottled water, sodas and snorkel gear are included.

Plan your day on the water

Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Check availabilitySee the fleet