A vow renewal on a yacht in Cabo: the ceremony at the Arch, who fits on board and what it costs

A vow renewal on a yacht in Cabo San Lucas is a symbolic ceremony on the water. A private yacht leaves Marina Cabo San Lucas about 90 minutes before sunset, the captain holds position at the Arch while you say your vows in the golden light, and then the boat anchors on the calm side, off Lover's Beach, for the toast. For the two of you, the Bayliner 30 is USD 549 (MXN 10,499) for two hours, boarding at Dock 1-A (Zaidas), by Captain Tony's. With the kids and parents along, the Sea Ray 40 takes up to 12 for USD 1,199 (MXN 22,799) for three hours. Prices are per boat with the 16% tax included, and the 15% crew tip is extra.

A vow renewal has no legal paperwork, so there's nothing to file or register, and that makes it easy to hold on a boat with only the people you want there. The couples experience page has the other trips we set up for two.

How the ceremony works on the water

The whole route stays within about a mile and a half of the marina. A typical three-hour vow renewal goes like this:

1. Board at your yacht's dock in Marina Cabo San Lucas (it's on your boarding pass) about 90 minutes before sunset. Family and the officiant board with you and count toward the guest limit.
2. Head out past Pelican Rock and the sea lion colony, where the captain slows down.
3. At the Arch, the captain holds position for the vows and the photos. The best view of the Arch is from the water, which is why every route passes it, and late in the day the low sun lights the granite.
4. Anchor off Lover's Beach, on the calm bay side, for the toast and the cake. The deck is steadier at anchor, which helps anyone in heels or over seventy.
5. Come back along Médano Beach as the town lights come on. Yachts from the marina may stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM if you'd like more time.

The trip guide has the sunset time for your anniversary date. Cabo stays on Mountain Standard Time all year, with no daylight saving.

Which yacht, by how many are coming

Guest limits are firm, and the officiant and any photographer you bring count toward them. The prices below are for three hours, which leaves time for the ceremony, the toast and the sunset.

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

What it costs per person

Guests:

8

Hours2 h3 h4 h6 h

1. Loading

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

If the renewal turns into dinner, look at the two 70-footers, where the crew hosts. The McKinna 70 has a chef and a multi-course menu, and the Azimut 70 has a set menu and complimentary cocktails. Our McKinna 70 vs Azimut 70 guide compares them, and the luxury yachts page has the rest of the top of the fleet. For 19 or more guests, you need two yachts on the same route; our wedding on a yacht guide has the pairings and prices.

Decorations, flowers, cake and the toast

Since October 2026 the Port Captain no longer allows balloons on board. Decorations are cardstock and a sign, with no loose confetti or glitter. Flowers (a bouquet or petals on deck) and a celebration cake are extras we quote separately when you book.

The yachts don't sell alcohol, but guests 18 and over can bring their own, so the champagne for the toast goes in the cooler at the dock, with plastic cups. On the Azimut 70 and the McKinna 70, the crew serves complimentary drinks as a courtesy.

For food, order in the planner: a small cheese board for two (MXN 780), or a Mexican feast for 6 to 8 (MXN 2,600) or for 14 to 16 (MXN 4,550). Those are cash prices; card adds 16%.

The photographer on board

A professional photographer can join for USD 180, with all the photos from your charter, paid directly to the photographer. Add it in the planner and the ceremony is covered. When you book, tell us which moment you care about most, and agree on a signal with the captain so the boat is still and facing the light when you start. Your own photographer is welcome too and counts toward the guest limit. Our couple photoshoot on a yacht guide goes through the light hour by hour.

The officiant and the words

We don't provide an officiant. Most couples ask a friend or one of their kids to lead the ceremony, and some arrange a celebrant through their resort or planner. That person counts toward the yacht's guest limit. Keep the script short, because on deck the breeze carries voices away.

If you want the legal weight of a marriage as well, that goes through the civil registry, separately from the boat. Our wedding guide explains where a yacht fits in a wedding weekend.

Timing it with the anniversary and the weather

Book the boat on the anniversary date if it falls early in your trip. If it falls on your last days, book a day or two earlier, so there's room to reschedule if the harbor closes. The Port Captain closes the harbor only under a hurricane or storm threat, mostly between September and mid-October. If that happens, you get a new date or a full refund.

For dinner afterward, our anniversary dinner on a yacht guide covers the menu and where to anchor. If you'd like to look back at the first time, there's how to propose on a boat in Cabo.

Booking a vow renewal on a yacht

Open the planner, pick the yacht by headcount, your date and three hours, and write "vow renewal" in the notes with who's coming and what you're bringing aboard. You can also write on WhatsApp at +52 624 300 8029. We reply in writing within two hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time, confirm the details with the operator and send a secure Stripe link once the date is set. For two, book the Bayliner 30; for the family, the Sea Ray 40.

Yachts in this guide

Bayliner 30Cabin cruiser · up to 6 guestsfrom $549 / 2 hSea Ray 40Flybridge yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $879 / 2 hAzimut 45 FlybridgeFlybridge yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $1,249 / 2 hSea Ray 55Flybridge motor yacht · up to 15 guestsfrom $2,129 / 3 h

Questions people ask

Can you renew your vows on a yacht in Cabo?

Yes, as a symbolic ceremony. A private yacht holds position at the Arch at golden hour while you say your vows, then anchors off Lover's Beach for the toast. A vow renewal has no legal paperwork, so there's nothing to file; tell us when you book and we confirm the details with the operator.

How much does a vow renewal on a yacht in Cabo cost?

For the two of you, the Bayliner 30 is USD 549 (MXN 10,499) for two hours. With family on board, the Sea Ray 40 for up to 12 is USD 1,199 (MXN 22,799) for three hours, and the McKinna 70 with a chef and complimentary drinks is USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499) for three hours. Prices are per boat with tax included; the 15% tip is extra.

Who performs a vow renewal on a yacht in Cabo?

Whoever you bring: a friend, a family member or an officiant you arrange. We provide the yacht, the captain and crew; a professional photographer can join for USD 180, paid directly to the photographer. The officiant counts toward the guest limit.

Can we decorate the yacht for a vow renewal?

Yes, with cardstock decorations and a sign. The Port Captain no longer allows balloons on board, and loose confetti and glitter aren't allowed either. Flowers and a cake are extras quoted separately.

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