Exclusive Phantom II Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

The best part of this Cabo outing comes early: you cruise past the Arch of Cabo San Lucas before reaching the fishing grounds in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. After that, the day is about lines in the water, open sea, and the chance to chase marlin, sailfish, and smaller fish such as bonita.

I like the private format, since your group of up to eight people gets the boat to itself. I also like that professional gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and a bilingual crew are included. The main catch is that the price does not include one fishing license or crew gratuities, and hotel transportation needs careful checking before you book.

Key points to know before you book

• The Arch is part of the outing: You pass Cabo San Lucas’s famous rock formation on the way to the fishing grounds.
• The boat is private: The $1,015 price covers your group, up to eight people, not individual seats shared with strangers.
• Fishing begins quickly: The run to the fishing grounds takes about 20 to 30 minutes, leaving most of the five-hour trip for fishing and the return ride.
• Marlin and sailfish are normally released: You can request to keep one as a trophy, but the usual policy is catch and release.
• Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier are named crew members: A bilingual crew handles the boat and fishing setup.
• Arrive early for a morning departure: If your trip is scheduled for 7 a.m., plan to reach the marina before 6 a.m., based on the practical advice attached to this experience.

Setting out from Cabo San Lucas Marina

The Phantom II departs from East Dock E at the Cabo San Lucas Marina. This is a central and practical meeting point, with public transportation nearby, but the experience does not include confirmed hotel pickup.

That distinction matters. One booking party spent time trying to clarify whether transportation meant round-trip hotel service or simply ground transportation. I would settle this before paying for your trip. Plan on making your own way to the marina unless the operator gives you a clear, specific pickup arrangement.

The price is $1,015 per group of up to eight people. That works out to about $127 per person if you fill every spot, before the fishing license and crew gratuities. For a full group that wants a private boat, this is a fairer value than the headline price first suggests.

For two or three people, the math is less attractive. You are still paying for the boat rather than buying individual places, so the strongest value comes when a family or group of friends can share the cost.

The stated trip lasts about five hours. A five-hour private charter gives you enough time to get out to sea, fish, and return without giving up the entire day. One fishing party booked a longer eight-hour outing and found that the time passed quickly, but you should not assume that the standard booking includes eight hours. Confirm the length of your own departure.

Passing the Arch before the lines go out

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the visual highlight at the start of the trip. This pale rock formation marks the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and seeing it from the water gives you a different view than a shore-based visit.

The boat passes the Arch as part of the route to the fishing grounds. That makes the sightseeing feel connected to the fishing rather than added as a separate stop. Have your camera ready early, because the boat is moving and the fishing schedule takes priority.

This is also a useful moment for non-fishing members of your group. Someone who cares more about coastal scenery than tackle still gets a clear reason to be on the boat. You may see sea life along the way, although the trip does not promise a particular animal or viewing event.

Do not expect a long sightseeing cruise around the Arch. It is a scenic passage, not a full coastal tour. The main purpose of the boat is fishing, so you will soon be moving toward the fishing grounds.

Reaching the fishing grounds in 20 to 30 minutes

The short run to the fishing area is one of the practical strengths of this trip. You are not spending the first half of a five-hour charter simply getting offshore. In about 20 to 30 minutes, the crew should have you in position to begin fishing.

Professional fishing gear and outriggers are included. Outriggers spread lines away from the boat, which is useful when you are trying to cover more water and keep lines separated. You do not need to arrange your own rod and tackle package for this outing.

Lifejackets are included as well. They are a basic safety item, but their presence matters when you are booking a private boat and trying to understand what is supplied. The crew is bilingual, so you can expect communication in English as well as Spanish.

The exact catch is not guaranteed. Fishing depends on conditions, timing, and the fish in the area that day. The trip gives you a genuine chance to catch several species, but you should book it for the experience of fishing at sea, not as a promise that every person will land a marlin.

What you may catch, from bonita to marlin

The fishing can include smaller species such as bonita, as well as larger game fish. One outing produced six bonita kept for eating and four marlin, with everyone who wanted to fish getting a turn. That is an unusually strong result for any fishing day, so treat it as a possibility rather than a standard guarantee.

Bonita can give your group active fishing even when the larger fish are not cooperating. If you are mainly interested in putting fish in the boat, ask the crew about the species you may keep and any local rules before you start.

Marlin and sailfish are handled under a catch-and-release policy unless you want to keep one as a trophy. This is important for anyone picturing a fish mounted at home. You should make your preference clear to the crew, and you should also understand that a trophy request does not guarantee a catch.

The fishing can be fast-paced when fish are active. A strong day may involve repeated action, boat movement, and crew members working to position you near the fish. That can be exciting, but it can also be tiring if you expected a quiet ride with occasional casting.

If only some people in your group want to fish, the private setup helps. Others can enjoy the boat ride, views, and sea life while the anglers take their turns. You are not sharing the day with strangers who may have a different idea of how much time should be spent fishing.

The crew and the rhythm of the boat

Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier are named members of the crew associated with this experience. Their role is more than simply handing you equipment. The captain positions the boat, while the crew helps manage the lines, chase fish, and keep the action moving.

On a productive outing, the crew reportedly chased marlin to give everyone more chances at the fish. That detail tells you what kind of trip this is: an active sportfishing charter rather than a relaxed harbor cruise.

You will want to listen closely when the crew explains what to do with a bite. Fish handling happens quickly, and the bilingual setup should help bridge communication for English-speaking groups. Still, if your party has specific plans about keeping bonita or releasing a marlin, discuss them at the start.

The boat is private, but that does not mean the crew can control every part of the day. Fish may not appear where expected, and the sea can change the pace. A good private charter gives you control over the group, not control over nature.

The ride back and the five-hour balance

After fishing, the Phantom II returns to the Cabo San Lucas Marina in about the same amount of time it took to reach the fishing grounds. That means another 20 to 30 minutes on the water, with coastal views along the way.

The return leg gives you a chance to settle down after the action. It is also a final opportunity to look back toward the coast and enjoy Cabo from offshore. If your group includes people who are not committed anglers, this scenic ride helps give the trip more variety.

A five-hour schedule is a sensible middle ground. You get a proper fishing session without committing to a full day at sea. At the same time, serious anglers may find the standard trip short if the fishing is strong and the clock starts to feel restrictive.

If your departure is listed for 7 a.m., arrive before 6 a.m. One group specifically advised getting there early to secure the best start to the day. Even when a booking time is clear, marina departures can involve finding the correct dock, meeting the crew, and getting organized before leaving.

What the $1,015 price really covers

The price includes the private boat, professional fishing gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and a bilingual crew. The private format is the biggest value point. Eight people can share the same charter, keep the group together, and avoid the awkward mix of personalities that comes with a shared fishing boat.

The price does not include one fishing license. You should budget for that required extra rather than treating the listed price as the complete cost. Crew gratuities are also not included, so plan to tip separately if the service suits your group.

For a group of eight, the base cost is about $127 per person. For six people, it is about $169 each. For four, it is about $254 each. Those figures do not include the license or gratuities, but they show why filling the boat makes the strongest financial sense.

For a couple, this is a costly way to fish unless having a private boat is especially important to you. If your priority is the lowest possible per-person price, a shared charter may be worth comparing. If your priority is privacy, flexible group time, and a serious chance at game fish, the private pricing is easier to justify.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend the Phantom II to a family or friend group that can bring several anglers together. It also suits a mixed group, since non-fishers can enjoy the Arch, coastal views, and boat ride while others focus on the lines.

It is a good match for people who want an active morning rather than a passive sightseeing trip. You may spend much of the outing watching lines, responding to fish, and working with the crew. Bring patience along with your excitement, because no fishing charter can promise steady action.

The trip may not suit you if you dislike early starts, want guaranteed hotel pickup, or need a fully itemized price with every extra included. It is also not ideal if your main goal is a long Arch sightseeing cruise. The Arch is a memorable part of the route, but fishing remains the central activity.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied tour information. Lifejackets are provided, but the information does not give detailed mobility guidance or boat-access details. If anyone in your group has specific access needs, ask the operator before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and useful planning notes

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it from your phone. The activity is offered in English, with a bilingual crew on board.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Cabo plans can shift quickly, so make your final decision before that cutoff.

I would confirm four things before departure: the exact start time, the meeting point at East Dock E, the cost and arrangement for the fishing license, and whether any transportation is actually included. These checks prevent the most avoidable surprises.

Should you book the Phantom II?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,015 cost and you want a private Cabo fishing day with a real chance at bonita, marlin, and sailfish. The quick run offshore, the Arch passage, included gear, and active crew make the five-hour format practical.

Think twice if you are booking for only one or two people, need hotel transportation, or want every expense included upfront. For the right group, though, the Phantom II offers a focused day on the water, with the scenery of Cabo up front and genuine sportfishing at the center.

FAQ

Where does the Phantom II fishing trip begin?

The tour begins at East Dock E in the Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The trip lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas included?

Yes. Passing the Arch is part of the route before the boat reaches the fishing grounds.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?

The boat reaches the fishing grounds in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Professional fishing gear and outriggers are included, along with lifejackets.

Are fishing licenses included?

No. One fishing license is not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.