What time is sunset in Cabo San Lucas?
Sunset in Cabo runs from about 5:35 PM in November to 7:08 PM in July. January sits near 5:56 PM, April near 6:40 PM and October near 5:54 PM. A sunset cruise leaves about an hour and a half before, so the light is still warm when you reach the Arch and the sky is changing color on the way back. Cabo stays on Mountain Standard Time all year, with no daylight saving. The planner picks the departure for your date, and our sunset cruise guide lists times and routes month by month.
The sunset route: around Land's End to the Pacific
Cabo faces south, so the sun sets over open water beside Land's End. The two-hour route leaves Marina Cabo San Lucas, passes the Arch and the sea lion colony on the rocks beside it, rounds the point past Divorce Beach and faces the sun as it drops toward Cabo Falso. It is 12 miles (19 km) round trip. On the way home the captain comes back through the bay with the Arch in silhouette and the lights of Médano Beach coming on.
Example prices for a sunset cruise in Cabo
Two hours is the usual length. Three or four hours lets you anchor and swim before the light changes.
| Yacht | 2 h | 3 h | 4 h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral 28 up to 10 guests | $519 $52 per person | $709 $71 per person | $909 $91 per person |
| Sea Ray 40 up to 12 guests | $879 $73 per person | $1,199 $100 per person | $1,499 $125 per person |
| Sea Ray 55 up to 15 guests | min 3 h | $2,129 $142 per person | $2,709 $181 per person |
Prices per boat with 16% tax included; the 15% crew tip is not included. The per-person figure is the boat price divided by its full capacity, rounded.
The Pontoon 38 takes eighteen from USD 869, the Bayliner 33 takes eight from USD 599 with a bow sunpad for two, and the McKinna 70 turns the sunset into dinner, with a chef and complimentary drinks served by the crew, from USD 4,499 for three hours.
How to choose a yacht for the sunset
For photos, the bow of the Sea Ray 55 and the flybridge of the Sea Ray 40 give the clearest angles on the Arch. The Azimut 45 has a flybridge sundeck as well, plus an air-conditioned salon for the ride back. For a couple or a group of friends on a budget, the Chaparral 28 gets you to the same sunset for the lowest price, with a Bluetooth speaker and a cooler; it has no head on board, which matters less on a two-hour cruise.
Winter evenings on the water are cooler than the beach, so bring a layer. Order a cheese board or a Mexican feast in the planner if you want food on board; on every yacht except the Azimut 70 and the McKinna 70 you bring your own drinks.
When the sunset is best
Winter and spring skies are the clearest, which is why the page marks November to March and June as the best months. August and September bring more clouds and the occasional storm, and the Port Captain closes the harbor only under a real storm threat; if that happens, your charter moves to another date or your payment comes back in full. From November to April the same route doubles as a whale route, with the watching done on the Pacific side outside the zone around the Arch.
