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

Cabo’s best fishing days can turn into a full show at sea. You might hook a striped marlin, wahoo, dorado, tuna, or barracuda, then spot whales and dolphins near El Arco on the ride back. This is a private boat for up to four, so you are not sharing the day with strangers.

I like the simple all-in setup: rods, tackle, live bait, licenses, food, and drinks are provided. I also like the crew’s hands-on help, especially for first-time anglers. Captains and mates such as Jorge, Gustavo, Andres, Luis, Joel, Tito, and Ivan have helped families and beginners land serious fish.

The weak point is consistency. Some outings sound superb, while others include poor communication, limited bait changes, an early return, or confusion over fish ownership and trophy pricing. You should confirm the captain, boat, fishing plan, trip length, tip expectations, and what happens to your catch before leaving the dock.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for four: The $625 price covers the group, not each person, making it most appealing when four people share the cost.
• Big-game fishing is not guaranteed: Marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, and barracuda are possible catches, but some days produce only a few fish or none.
• All equipment is supplied: Rods, tackle, live bait, fishing licenses, snacks, lunch, water, soda, and beer are included.
• Whales may be part of the day: Winter outings have included close whale sightings, dolphins, sharks, and good views of Cabo’s famous arch.
• Ask direct questions first: Clarify whether the boat will target marlin or smaller fish, how much bait is supplied, and how fish are handled.
• Fish cleaning costs extra: The tour does not include cleaning your catch, and pickup from your hotel is not provided.

A private day on Cabo’s working water

This trip gives you a full boat rather than a seat on a crowded shared charter. Up to four people can fish with a captain and first mate, which matters when lines cross, a large fish runs hard, or a child needs help at the rail.

The price is $625 per group. Split four ways, that is $156.25 each before any tip, which is fair for an eight-hour private outing with food, drinks, bait, licenses, and gear. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you gain privacy and more room to set the pace.

The advertised duration is about eight hours. Some experiences described in the supplied material were five-hour trips, so confirm your exact booking before you go. The trip ends back at the marina, and you need to make your own way there because hotel pickup is not included.

Starting at IGY Marina E Dock

Your meeting point is Cabo Sportfishing Crew at IGY Marina E Dock, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18 in central Cabo San Lucas. You receive confirmation when you book, and the mobile ticket makes arrival fairly simple.

The crew provides the captain, first mate, boat, tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses. Boats may include Blue Tail, Blue Tail II, El Pargo, Reel Tequila, Robalo, or another vessel available at the time.

That last detail is worth noting. You may not receive the exact boat or captain you had in mind, so ask at the dock if the vessel has changed. A few poor outings involved confusion about the listed captain, the boat, or the start time. Good communication at the start can prevent a long day from getting off track.

Leaving Cabo beneath El Arco

The boat heads out from Cabo San Lucas toward the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. One of the first scenic landmarks is El Arco, the stone arch at the tip of the peninsula where the two bodies of water meet.

The arch is more than a photo stop. It gives you a quick sense of Cabo’s unusual setting, with open Pacific water on one side and the calmer Sea of Cortez on the other. Captains have also paused near whales and other wildlife so people could take photos.

Do not mistake the sightseeing for the main event. This is a fishing charter, not a dedicated cruise. The route and stops depend on the fishing plan, sea conditions, and where the fish are holding that day.

Chileno Bay and the fishing grounds

The itinerary includes Chileno Bay and Playa el Chileno, two well-known coastal spots east of Cabo. You may pass these beaches while the captain works toward the fishing grounds, or use the area for a change of pace if the day’s plan shifts.

The crew can teach you how to use the rods and work the bait. That makes the outing accessible to beginners, but you still need to speak up about what you want. Some excellent trips involved mates who changed bait often, adjusted tackle, and coached children through their catches. Other outings had little conversation and only a few bait changes.

I would say this clearly before the boat leaves: I want to try for marlin, but if the action is slow, I also want smaller fish. That simple request may help prevent five quiet hours aimed at one species.

Playa de los Amantes and the return route

Playa de los Amantes, also known as Lover’s Beach, appears among the scheduled stops. It sits near the arch and is one of Cabo’s classic coastal views.

Again, the stop list should not be read as a promise of long beach visits. You are booking a fishing day, and the captain’s main task is to place you where fish might bite. Still, the route gives the trip added value. You get coastal scenery, landmark photos, and a chance to see whales or dolphins without booking a separate sightseeing trip.

One outing included several whales putting on a show while the crew kept the boat near good photo positions. Another included whales, sharks, and multiple species of fish. Those extras cannot be scheduled, but they can make a slow fishing day feel worthwhile.

Marlin, dorado, tuna, and smaller fighters

Cabo is known for billfish, and the trip’s main targets include marlin and dorado. The catch reports also include yellowfin tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, skipjack, sea bass, and sailfish.

Striped marlin have been landed within minutes of reaching the fishing grounds on some days. One fish measured just under nine feet, and another was described as an eight to nine foot blue marlin. A separate outing produced three striped marlin.

That is the thrilling possibility, not a guarantee. Fish move, water temperatures change, and luck matters. One outing produced several bonito near the harbor and nothing else. Another caught no fish at all. A strong charter crew can work hard and still face a quiet day.

The crew’s strategy makes a real difference. Joel was praised for changing bait and tackle at intervals. Alex and Juan asked the group to choose between larger fish and more frequent smaller catches, then produced wahoo and roosterfish. Jorge and Gustavo helped a seven-year-old take part in a busy tuna morning.

If you are bringing children or first-time anglers, tell the mate early. The crew can guide you through the basics, but they cannot guess how much help or action your group wants.

Lunch, bait, and the all-inclusive promise

The package includes snacks, lunch, bottled water, soda, and beer. That is useful on an eight-hour boat ride, especially when you are far from shore and do not want to pack a cooler.

Still, I would ask where the lunch and drinks are stored when you board. One disappointing outing involved a family that did not realize the food and drinks were available. The written inclusions are clear, but a quick explanation from the crew would make the day easier.

Live bait and fishing licenses are included as well. Bait is a practical concern, not a footnote. One family caught so many fish that the boat ran out of bait around the sixth hour. Another group felt the crew used too little bait and changed it only twice.

You cannot control the fish, but you can ask how much bait is aboard and what the plan is if the first target is not biting. That answer will tell you a lot about how flexible the day may be.

Fish ownership, cleaning, and trophy costs

The package does not include fish cleaning. Before you leave the marina, ask what portion of a catch you can keep, where it will be processed, and what the cleaning charge will be.

You should also ask about marlin handling and replica mounts. Two serious complaints involved conflicting prices for a taxidermy-style trophy. A captain reportedly quoted roughly $700 to $1,000, while the person at the marina presented a price of about $1,500 to $1,800 for the fish in question.

That is exactly the kind of detail to settle before you agree to keep a large billfish. If you do not want a replica or mounted trophy, say so plainly. If you want to keep meat, ask how much you receive and when the fish will be cleaned.

The tour does not include fish cleaning, so do not assume the full catch will arrive at your hotel ready for the grill. Clear answers at the dock protect both you and the crew.

The crew can make or break the day

The best outings had crew members who stayed involved. Andres and Luis were described as friendly and helpful on a private afternoon trip. Jorge, Gustavo, and Jesus worked hard during a tuna-filled morning. Captains Jose, Ruben, Tito, Felipe, and others appear in the supplied experiences, but captain assignment may vary.

A strong mate keeps lines working, changes bait, explains what is happening, and helps each person take a turn. That matters more than fancy boat names. You are paying for time on the water and for the crew’s judgment.

The weaker experiences had long stretches with little interaction. In one case, the group repeatedly asked to try smaller fish but felt ignored while the crew focused only on marlin. In another, the party returned early after catching one marlin, losing several hours of the paid outing.

I would confirm the captain’s name and the expected return time at the start. If the boat turns back early, ask why and ask what portion of your paid fishing time remains. Most crews appear to work hard, but the mixed record means direct communication is wise.

Sea conditions and comfort

The boat can encounter rough water. One group dealt with three to four foot swells, another with seven to eight foot swells, and one party struggled with constant rocking for five hours.

That does not mean every outing will be rough. It does mean you should be ready for a moving boat. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the supplied information does not promise a calm ride or list seasickness supplies.

If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead using your usual method. Tell the crew if someone is feeling ill. One successful outing had to return early because a passenger became sick, so your group’s comfort can affect the fishing time.

The trip is offered in English. Public transportation is nearby, but hotel pickup is not part of the package.

Who gets the best value

I think this trip suits four friends or a family that wants a private day and does not own fishing gear. The group price becomes much easier to justify when four people share it, and the private setup lets you avoid strangers on the boat.

It also suits first-time anglers. The crew supplies the gear, bait, and licenses, then helps you work the rods. Families have landed barracuda, tuna, marlin, and other fish, and children have received hands-on help.

Experienced anglers should book with a clear plan. If your priority is a marlin, accept that the day may be quiet. If you mainly want action, ask for a mixed approach that includes smaller fish. The charter is less suitable if you want a guaranteed catch, a fixed boat, a named captain, or a carefully managed trophy service.

The 4.7 rating from 418 reviews and 93 percent recommendation rate suggest that many outings go very well, but the one-star experiences are specific enough to take seriously. The main risks are not only a lack of fish. They include unclear timing, poor communication, early returns, limited bait work, and disputes over fish or tips.

Should you book this Cabo fishing trip?

Book it if you want a private boat, a full day at sea, and a fair chance at memorable fishing without bringing equipment or supplies. The strongest days combine hard-working crew members with marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, whales, or dolphins. Four people sharing the $625 price get the best deal.

I would book only after confirming five points: the exact start and return time, the assigned captain and boat, the plan for large fish versus smaller fish, the tip expectation, and the rules for keeping or mounting a catch.

The experience is not a sure thing. If your group can enjoy the sea, scenery, and wildlife even when the fish are slow, it is a sensible Cabo choice. If you need guaranteed action or strict control over the catch, choose another charter or get every detail in writing first.

Cancellation is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, except when poor weather cancels it and the operator offers another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How much does the private fishing trip cost?

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

How long does the fishing trip last?

The advertised experience lasts about eight hours. Some supplied trip details describe five-hour outings, so confirm the exact duration attached to your booking.

Where does the trip start and finish?

It starts and ends at Cabo Sportfishing Crew, IGY Marina E Dock, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 18, Centro, Cabo San Lucas.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The crew provides the fishing boat, rods and other necessary equipment, live bait, and fishing licenses.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, snacks, and lunch are included.

What fish might I catch?

Possible species include marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, barracuda, bonito, skipjack, sea bass, and sailfish. A catch is not guaranteed.

Is fish cleaning included?

No. Fish cleaning is not included in the price.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.