Private Sea Ray time beats the usual Cabo churn. This all-inclusive charter with Papillon Yachts puts you on a Sea Ray for about three hours, with hotel transfers and enough time on the water to make Cabo feel personal.
Two things I really like here are the open bar (tequila, vodka, rum, and beer) and the built-in water time with snorkeling equipment plus paddleboards and a large floating mat. The crew I’m seeing named in past trips (like Juan and Captain Raul) comes across as confident and attentive, which matters when the sea changes mood.
One drawback to plan for: Cabo can get choppy, and the experience can run a little shorter if conditions are rough. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring a plan for that up front.
In This Review
- Key Highlights Worth Your Time
- Private Sea Ray in Cabo: what the charter feels like
- The price math: $1,650 for up to 8, and what makes it feel worth it
- Getting to the marina: C Dock 15 and hotel transfers
- Stop 1 at El Arco: the arch, sea lions, and short-but-satisfying viewing
- Medano Beach for a real break: snacks, open bar, and easy downtime
- Pacific Coast hour: whale season odds and how to plan for wildlife
- Water time on board: snorkeling, paddleboards, and that floating-mat comfort
- Crew service that handles real-life moments
- What’s included (and what costs extra): plan your budget like a pro
- Weather and timing: why the sea can change the schedule
- Who this Cabo private yacht is best for
- Should you book this private Sea Ray charter in Cabo?
Key Highlights Worth Your Time

- Private Sea Ray for up to 8: your group sets the pace, not a schedule built around strangers.
- All-inclusive snacks and drinks: tequila, vodka, rum, beer, plus a snack spread to keep you comfortable.
- Real water time: snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and a floating mat mean you’re not just looking from the rail.
- El Arco + sea lions: the iconic arch is paired with wildlife you can often spot close by.
- Medano Beach stop: a straightforward beach break with snacks and an open bar.
- Pacific Coast hour with whale season potential: you’ll look for whales either from the boat or while you’re in the water.
Private Sea Ray in Cabo: what the charter feels like

If your Cabo plan includes the usual bus-and-board approach, this is a different vibe. You’re on a private Sea Ray (up to 8 people), and the day is built around three practical pieces: wildlife viewing, a beach break, and a longer stretch on the Pacific side for whale season chances.
The “private” part isn’t just marketing. It means you spend less time waiting, more time actually doing things, and you can take advantage of options like snorkeling and paddleboarding when the crew finds a good patch of water.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Cabo San Lucas
The price math: $1,650 for up to 8, and what makes it feel worth it

The total price is $1,650 per group (up to 8), for about 3 hours. That sounds like a lot until you break down what’s included. You’re not only paying for a boat; you’re paying for a whole package: open bar, snacks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and a floating mat.
Here’s the simple way to think about value:
- If you fill closer to 8 people, you’re effectively paying around $206 per person for the full experience (before tips).
- Even if you’re a smaller group, the “worth it” comes from avoiding add-ons—drinks and snorkeling gear are already covered, and you’re not stuck choosing between “activity” and “comfort.”
Two things that can quietly make this type of charter expensive elsewhere are food and gear. Here, you get both built in, plus the crew handles the workflow so you’re not multitasking on a rocking boat.
Getting to the marina: C Dock 15 and hotel transfers

You’ll meet at C Dock 15, Marina, in Cabo San Lucas (23450). The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stuck navigating the whole city after you get off the boat.
One reason people like this setup is the hassle-free transfers from your Cabo San Lucas hotel. Past experience also points to the crew handling pickup/drop-off smoothly, so if you prefer not to think about taxis or timing, this style of charter is a good match.
The day uses a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.
Stop 1 at El Arco: the arch, sea lions, and short-but-satisfying viewing

You start with El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, where the point is twofold: the photo-worthy arch and the sea lion colony nearby. You get about 30 minutes here, and that’s the right length for this stop because the value is in seeing wildlife and architecture without letting the day drag.
What makes this stop work for most people is that it doesn’t require you to be “on” for long. You can watch from the boat, get your bearings quickly, and take in the vibe. If the sea is moving, that shorter window helps keep the whole experience comfortable.
Admission is free for this stop, which is a nice touch.
Medano Beach for a real break: snacks, open bar, and easy downtime

Next is Médano Beach, again with about 30 minutes. This is your decompression stop. You’re not trapped doing a long land activity; you’re still on a water-based timeline, with the benefit of being close to the action.
The practical reason this stop is popular is that it pairs water time with basics: you can chill at the beach while drinks and snacks keep coming. You’ll have an open bar and you’ll also get snack options like guacamole and pico de gallo, plus items such as cheese quesadillas and fruit platter.
It’s a good break if:
- you want a pause from sun and wind on the water,
- someone in your group isn’t into extended snorkeling, or
- you’re simply craving a change of scenery.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Cabo San Lucas
Pacific Coast hour: whale season odds and how to plan for wildlife

The last stop is the Pacific Coast, with about 1 hour dedicated to this side of the peninsula. This is where whale watching comes in. The day is set up for whale-season viewing, and the idea is that you’ll have opportunities to spot whales either from the boat or while you’re in the water.
A reality check that helps you enjoy this more: whale sightings are never guaranteed. What you can control is your mindset. Treat this as “maximum chances,” not a promise. The upside is that the longer Pacific stretch gives the crew time to look around and find good viewing conditions.
If you’re the type who likes learning on the spot, a good crew makes a difference here. In past trips, the captain and crew have shared Cabo history and helped the day stay fun even while you’re waiting for wildlife to show.
Water time on board: snorkeling, paddleboards, and that floating-mat comfort

The highlight for a lot of people isn’t the arch or the beach. It’s the chance to actually get in the water.
You’ll have:
- complete snorkeling equipment
- snorkeling time supported by the crew
- paddle boards
- a large floating mat for hanging out
- options like kayak listed as part of what you can do on the water
That floating mat might sound boring until you’re actually out there. On a moving boat, it’s a comfort tool. It gives you a stable place to rest, take breaks from snorkeling, and keep everyone included—even people who don’t want to stay in the water the whole time.
One practical tip: if you’re snorkeling, keep an eye on who’s sharing your group pace. Private charters work best when the group follows the crew’s safety rhythm, especially when the sea gets busy.
Crew service that handles real-life moments

The best thing about this charter style is that it treats comfort as part of the experience, not an afterthought.
In particular, the crew has shown they can respond when conditions shift or when someone isn’t feeling great. There’s at least one clear example of the crew adjusting course to calm the ride when a passenger began feeling seasick. That kind of flexibility is exactly what you want on a private yacht: someone watching the sea and the group, not just ticking boxes.
You’ll also get food and drinks handled as part of the flow, not as a random snack moment that happens while you’re figuring out where to sit.
Names that have come up in prior sailing experiences include Juan, Captain Raul, and crew members like Luis and Rupi—people you’ll remember because their job is to keep your day smooth.
What’s included (and what costs extra): plan your budget like a pro
Here’s what’s included:
- Snorkeling equipment
- Open bar with tequila, vodka, rum, and beer
- Snacks: guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese quesadillas, and a fruit platter
- Paddle boards
- A large floating mat
What’s not included:
- gratuity for the crew and drivers
- professional photos
If you like photos, plan that cost in advance. If you don’t, you can keep things simple and focus on the water time and the wildlife moments.
Also, since gratuity isn’t included, you’ll want to budget for that. Private charters run on crew effort, and tipping is part of making the system work.
Weather and timing: why the sea can change the schedule
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Even with good weather, the sea can still be unpredictable. One past trip note mentioned choppy water, which led to spending a bit less time out than planned. This doesn’t mean the charter is unreliable—it means the crew is making decisions based on safety and ride comfort.
If you want to feel confident on booking day, assume:
- you’ll be out for around 3 hours, but
- conditions might affect how stretched the schedule feels.
Who this Cabo private yacht is best for
This charter fits best when you want a Cabo day that’s active but not exhausting.
I’d especially recommend it if you:
- want a private experience for a group of up to 8
- like snorkeling and paddleboarding enough to spend real time in the water
- care about having drinks and snacks handled for you
- would rather avoid coordinating multiple activities across town
It may not be the best fit if you want lots of long beach time or if you hate any chance of sea movement. But if your group is flexible and you plan for comfort, it’s a strong match.
Should you book this private Sea Ray charter in Cabo?
Yes, if you want a value-heavy private day that combines iconic Cabo scenery with genuine water activities. You’re getting the things that usually cost extra—drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear—plus the freedom of a small private group.
Before you say yes, ask yourself two quick questions:
- Do you have at least a couple of people who will actually use the water gear (snorkel/paddle/float)?
- Are you okay with whales being season-dependent, and with the crew possibly adjusting timing if the water gets rough?
If you answer yes to both, this is the kind of Cabo experience that feels worth planning around.
































