Private Fishing Trip “All Inclusive” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Big fish, open water, and a long day outside. This private Cabo San Lucas charter gives your group a boat, captain, first mate, bait, licenses, lunch, snacks, beer, sodas, and water for one set price. I especially like the private boat for up to four people, since you are not sharing the day with strangers, and the chance to fish while passing El Arco, Chileno Bay, and Lover’s Beach. The main caution is that the experience can vary with the captain, boat assigned, weather, and fish available.

At $625 per group, the price works out to $156.25 each for four people before any tip. That is a fair deal if the boat stays out close to eight hours and your crew keeps changing bait and working the lines. You should also clarify tips, fish ownership, fish cleaning, and what happens if you catch a marlin before leaving the dock.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to four: Your group gets its own captain and first mate rather than joining a shared fishing boat.
• Eight hours on paper: A full-day outing gives you time to try different fishing grounds, but confirm the departure and return times.
• Equipment and permits included: Rods, tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses are supplied.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the package: Expect food, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and beer.
• Scenery comes with the fishing: The route includes El Arco, Chileno Bay, Playa el Chileno, and Lover’s Beach.
• Clarify fish-related costs: Fish cleaning is not included, and mounting a marlin is a separate expense that should be priced in writing.

What this Cabo fishing day is really like

This is not a quick harbor trip. You are signing up for roughly eight hours on the water, with fishing as the main event and Cabo’s famous coastline as the backdrop. The boat leaves from IGY Marina E Dock in central Cabo San Lucas and returns to the same place.

You do not need to bring rods, reels, tackle, bait, or a fishing license. The captain and first mate handle the working parts of the trip, while you take turns at the lines. If you have never fished offshore, the crew can show you how to use the rods and help with technique. If you already fish often, you will still want to ask what species the crew plans to target.

That question matters. Some outings focus hard on marlin, while other days produce dorado, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, sea bass, or skipjack. Fishing is never guaranteed, and one of the weakest experiences came from spending hours waiting for marlin while the group wanted smaller fish. Agree on your plan early: trophy fish, steady action, or a mix of both.

The private format is a real advantage for families and friends. A seven-year-old has a better chance of taking part when the first mate can give direct help, and a group of experienced anglers can spend more time fishing instead of working around strangers. On the other hand, a private boat does not automatically mean attentive service. You still need a crew that communicates, changes bait, and explains what is happening.

Leaving IGY Marina E Dock

Your meeting point is Cabo Sportfishing Crew at IGY Marina E Dock, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18, Centro, Cabo San Lucas. The activity ends back there, and hotel pickup is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the marina.

The start of the day sets the tone. Some groups have found the crew on time and the boat clean and well kept. Others have encountered confusion over the boat, captain, or departure time. The listed boats can include Blue Tail, Blue Tail II, El Pargo, Reel Tequila, Robalo, and others, so do not assume the boat name until you confirm it.

Take a moment before boarding to confirm:

• The captain’s name and the first mate’s name
• The expected departure and return time
• The type of fishing you want
• The amount of live bait supplied
• What fish you may keep
• Whether tips are separate
• How fish cleaning will work
• The exact price for mounting or shipping a trophy fish

That short conversation can prevent a long argument later. It is especially important because the package includes fishing licenses and live bait, but it does not include fish cleaning or pickup service.

El Arco and Cabo’s famous rock formations

The boat route includes El Arco, Cabo’s well-known stone arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. This is one of the best photo moments of the day, especially if the captain slows down or circles for a clear view.

El Arco is not simply a sightseeing stop on a fixed schedule. The day is built around fishing, so the boat may pass the formation on the way out or back, depending on the fishing grounds and sea conditions. Still, the combination is useful: you get a major Cabo view without booking a separate sightseeing cruise.

Playa de los Amantes, also called Lover’s Beach, is another scenic point on the route. Its position near the arch makes it a natural place for photographs from the water. Playa del Divorcio is nearby, though it is not listed as a separate stop here, and the Pacific side can have stronger surf than the calmer Sea of Cortez side.

Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno

Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno bring the boat closer to one of Cabo’s popular coastal areas. From the water, you get a different view of the beach, rocky shore, and clear coastal setting than you would from land.

Do not mistake these listed points for guaranteed swimming or beach stops. The supplied details describe a fishing trip, not a beach day, and the boat’s time is mainly spent pursuing fish. If you want to get off the boat, swim, or spend a long time near shore, ask before departure.

These stops can still add variety to a slow fishing day. If the fish are not cooperating, a capable captain may point out the coastline, help with photographs, or adjust the plan. Several strong outings combined fishing with whale watching and views of the arch, which gave the day more value even when the catch was modest.

Fishing for marlin, dorado, and smaller species

Cabo is known for sport fishing, and marlin is the big draw. The strongest catches have included striped marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, mackerel, and sea bass.

The most memorable catches were dramatic. One family landed a striped marlin close to nine feet, another group caught a blue marlin estimated at eight to nine feet, and one outing produced two marlin, a wahoo, and a dorado. A separate trip brought in three striped marlin, with fish coming aboard within minutes of reaching the fishing area.

But you can also catch nothing substantial. One group caught only a few bonito, while another spent much of the day without a fish. That is not automatically a sign of poor service. Water temperature, wind, current, location, bait, and plain luck all matter. The better measure is how the crew responds.

Active crew work makes a major difference. On good days, crew members such as Joel, Joelle, Luis, Andres, Jorge, Gustavo, Alex, Juan, Tito, and Ivan have been praised for changing bait, adjusting tackle, working the lines, and helping less experienced anglers. These names are examples from past outings, not a promise about who will be assigned to your boat.

If you want action rather than one enormous fish, say so clearly. Some groups caught multiple roosterfish, tuna, or wahoo after asking for smaller or more active species. Other groups felt ignored when they made the same request. A direct plan at the start is your best protection.

The boat, equipment, food, and drinks

The boats vary, but the package says a fishing boat will be available at the time of your trip. The named options include Blue Tail, Blue Tail II, El Pargo, Reel Tequila, and Robalo. Since the exact boat is not guaranteed in advance, confirm its name and capacity when you check in.

The boats are described as having the comforts needed for a full day at sea. At least some groups found their boats clean and well maintained. Even so, eight hours offshore is a long stretch, especially in rough water. Several outings had swells ranging from three to eight feet, and seasickness affected at least one group. If you are sensitive to motion, ask a medical professional about preparation before your trip.

Food and drinks are included: lunch, snacks, bottled water, sodas, and beers. That is useful because a fishing boat is not the place to search for a café at noon. One important practical point is communication. At least one group did not realize the food and drinks were available because the crew never explained it. Ask where the lunch is stored and what is included when you board.

Alcohol is available, but it is wise to keep your drinking modest. Sun, wind, motion, and a long day on the water can catch up with you quickly. Water and snacks are the better foundation for the morning.

The fish you catch, keep, clean, or mount

Fish handling needs clear discussion before you leave. Fish cleaning is not included, and the package does not spell out exactly how much of a catch you keep or how it is processed.

This matters most with marlin. A past group was quoted roughly $700 to $1,000 for mounting and shipping a trophy, then received a much higher quote from a taxidermy company at the marina. Another group said only a small portion of a marlin was handed over after returning early. These are serious complaints, and you should not leave this question vague.

Ask these questions in plain terms:

• Can we keep the fish we catch?
• Which species can be kept?
• How much fish will be returned to us?
• Who takes the fish to a processor?
• What is the fish-cleaning charge?
• Is mounting optional?
• What is the complete mounting and shipping price?

If you do not want a trophy mount, say so before the fish reaches the dock. If you want to keep edible fish, bring a cooler only if the operator confirms it is useful and permitted. The supplied information confirms that fish cleaning is not part of the price, so plan for that separate cost.

The strongest part of the value

At $625 per group, the charter is most attractive when four people share it. Each person pays $156.25 before gratuity, which covers a private boat, captain, first mate, fishing equipment, live bait, licenses, lunch, snacks, water, sodas, and beer.

For two people, the same boat costs $312.50 each. That can still be worthwhile if you want privacy and serious time on the water, but it is harder to call it a bargain unless you catch good fish or place a high value on the private setting.

The package also saves you from several small arrangements. You do not need to rent gear, buy bait, obtain a fishing license, or pack lunch. That convenience has real value, particularly for a first offshore fishing trip.

The weak point is the lack of guaranteed results. You are paying for the boat, crew, time, gear, and opportunity, not a specific catch. If your only goal is to bring home a marlin, the price may feel steep on a slow day. If you want a private day outside with a genuine chance at large fish, plus coastal scenery and whale sightings in season, the value is stronger.

Who should book this trip

I would consider this trip a good fit for a family of four, a small group of friends, or a couple who strongly prefers a private boat. It suits first-time anglers because the equipment and licenses are supplied, and the crew can assist with rods and technique.

It also works for mixed groups. One person can focus on fishing while another enjoys the views, wildlife, and photos. Whales and dolphins have appeared during past outings, and one group saw six whales and three sharks. Those sightings are possible bonuses, not part of a guarantee.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a quiet sightseeing cruise, a beach picnic, or a guaranteed short fishing session. I would also be cautious if you dislike rough seas, need hotel transportation, or expect fish cleaning and gratuity to be included.

The published rating is 4.7 from 418 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. That points to many very good days, but the poor experiences share a pattern: unclear communication, inactive crew, unexpected fish-related charges, confusion over timing, and pressure around tips.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this private Cabo fishing trip if you can confirm the details in writing and you are comfortable with fishing luck. Before paying, send a message asking for the departure time, assigned boat, captain, fishing target, bait supply, fish policy, cleaning cost, trophy-mount price, and tip policy.

The experience can be excellent. Past groups have landed marlin, wahoo, tuna, dorado, roosterfish, barracuda, and sailfish. Families have also enjoyed help with children, whale watching, and the chance to take photos at El Arco.

My recommendation is conditional but positive: book it for the private format and full-day access, especially with four people, but do not treat the word all inclusive as covering every possible expense. Keep expectations flexible, settle fish ownership before departure, and ask for an attentive captain. With those safeguards, this can be a memorable Cabo day. Without them, a slow bite or unclear dockside charges can sour the whole outing.

FAQ

How much does the private fishing trip cost?

The price is $625 per group, for up to four people.

How long does the trip last?

The advertised duration is approximately eight hours.

Where does the trip begin?

It starts at Cabo Sportfishing Crew at IGY Marina E Dock, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18, Centro, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the marina.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you must get to the marina on your own.

Is the trip private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are fishing rods and other equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own.

Are bait and fishing licenses included?

Yes. Live bait and fishing licenses are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, sodas, and beers.

Is fish cleaning included?

No. Fish cleaning is not included in the price.

What fish might you catch?

The trip targets marlin, dorado, and other local species. Past catches have included striped marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, mackerel, sea bass, and skipjack.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.