REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Cabo Private Catamaran: Chill Experience with Sup and Float Mat
The best part of this Cabo outing is the freedom to use the boat your way. You’ll cruise past the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, circle the points of interest near Medano Beach, then anchor by a semi-private beach for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, floating, or simply resting on deck. The second-floor jump is there for the more playful members of your group.
I like two things right away: the boat is private for your group, and the activity gear is included. A private catamaran for up to 12 people gives families and friends room to set their own pace, while the paddle boards, snorkels, floating mat, life vests, snacks, soft drinks, water, and mixers keep extra planning to a minimum.
The main caution is operational reliability. One serious scheduling failure involved a 9 a.m. booking where the boat was reportedly unavailable, the group waited until 9:45, and a shorter 2.5-hour trip was offered instead. If you are arriving by cruise ship or have a fixed schedule, confirm the boat and departure time before committing.
Key points at a glance

- Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group does not share the catamaran with strangers.
- Four hours on the water: The route combines Cabo’s famous Arch, Medano Beach, and time at anchor.
- Water activities included: Paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, a floating mat, and life vests are provided.
- Easy onboard refreshments: Coolers with ice, bottled water, soft drinks, mixers, chips, and salsa are included.
- Comfort touches matter: The boat has a restroom, Bluetooth speakers, and a second floor for jumping into the water.
- Check timing carefully: The only supplied service complaint involved a boat problem, a late start, and a shortened outing.
A private catamaran made for group time

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you follow a fixed crowd from one stop to the next. You book the whole activity for your own group, with space for as many as 12 people. That changes the feel of the day.
You can spread out with family, keep music playing through the Bluetooth speakers, and choose how much time to spend in the water. One person can paddle board while another lies on the floating mat. Someone else can stay on deck with a cold drink. That flexibility is the real value of a private charter.
The advertised duration is about four hours. That is enough time for a proper boat outing rather than a quick photo stop, though the exact balance between cruising and water activities depends on the day’s route and operating conditions.
You meet at B Dock in the Cabo San Lucas Marina, at postal code 23453 in Baja California Sur. The trip ends back at the same meeting point. Since no hotel transportation is included in the information provided, you should plan your own way to the marina and allow enough time to find B Dock.
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Starting with Cabo’s famous Arch

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is the natural centerpiece of the outing. This striking rock formation sits where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, and seeing it from the water gives you the proper angle for photos.
The route includes a visit to the Arch, along with the other main points of interest around Cabo. The boat also navigates around Medano Beach, Cabo’s well-known waterfront. From the catamaran, you get a water-level view of the beach and the surrounding coast without needing to arrange a separate sightseeing boat.
I like this opening because it gives the trip a clear sense of place before the more relaxed beach portion begins. You are not just heading offshore to use water toys. You also get the signature Cabo view that many first-time visitors want.
Keep your camera handy, but do not expect a long land stop at the Arch. This is a boat visit, not a shore excursion. The focus is on viewing the formation from the catamaran and continuing along the coast.
Medano Beach from the water
After visiting Cabo’s points of interest, the catamaran moves around Medano Beach. This section helps you see the main beach area from a different angle and breaks up the time before anchoring.
The beach is part of Cabo’s central waterfront, so this is likely the more active and developed part of the route. The boat allows you to observe it without giving up your private space onboard. For a group with mixed interests, that is useful. Some people may enjoy the scenery and music while others wait for the swim stop.
The route description does not promise a particular amount of time at Medano Beach, so I would treat it as a scenic cruise rather than a beach landing. The main swimming and activity period comes later, at a semi-private beach.
Anchoring near a semi-private beach

The most flexible portion of the day begins when the boat anchors near a semi-private beach. Here, you can swim, snorkel, use the paddle boards, or stretch out on the floating mat.
The wording matters: the beach is described as semi-private, not as a private beach owned exclusively by your group. Conditions, access, and how close the boat gets can vary. Still, anchoring away from the marina gives you the kind of open-water break that makes a private catamaran worthwhile.
The boat carries snorkeling equipment and paddle boards, so you do not need to rent those separately for this outing. Life vests are also available. That is especially helpful for a mixed-age group, since not everyone needs to take part in the same activity or have the same comfort level in the water.
You can also relax onboard. The floating mat is a good option for anyone who wants to get into the water without swimming continuously. The second floor adds another bit of fun, with the option to jump into the water. That feature may be a highlight for teenagers and adults, though each person should use sensible judgment and follow the crew’s instructions.
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What the included gear means for you

The included equipment makes this outing simple to plan. You receive:
- Snorkeling equipment
- Paddle boards
- A floating water mat
- Life vests
- An onboard restroom
- Bluetooth speakers
The mix is well suited to a group with different energy levels. A fully active group can rotate between snorkeling and paddle boarding. A family can divide up between the water and the deck. Someone who does not want to swim can still enjoy the boat, music, views, snacks, and company.
The information does not guarantee a particular snorkeling site or describe the underwater conditions. I would view snorkeling as an available activity, not the sole reason to book. Water clarity and marine life can vary, and the main strength of this charter is the combination of sightseeing, swimming, and private time.
The restroom is a practical feature that is easy to overlook. Four hours on a boat is much more comfortable when you do not need to return to shore for every basic need.
Snacks, coolers, and drinks onboard

The food and drink arrangement keeps the day casual. The crew provides coolers with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, mixers, chips, and salsa.
That covers the basics for a half-day on the water, especially if your group mainly wants light snacks. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but alcohol is available for purchase. Lunch is also available for purchase, so you can add more food if chips and salsa are not enough for your group.
You should pay attention to the difference between included drinks and included alcohol. Bottled water, soft drinks, and mixers come with the trip. Alcoholic beverages cost extra. Tips are also not included.
For a group of 12, it is worth thinking about food needs before departure. A few hours in the sun can make people hungry, and lunch is not part of the base price. The option to purchase lunch is useful, but the supplied details do not state the menu, price, or ordering process.
Is $970 a good value for 12 people?

The price is $970 per group, with up to 12 people included. At full capacity, that works out to about $80.83 per person before any tip, alcohol, or lunch purchases.
That is a more useful way to judge the price. For a full group, you are paying for a private boat, crewed service, about four hours on the water, the Arch and Medano Beach route, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, a floating mat, drinks, snacks, and a restroom. The private format can be especially valuable if you want control over the music, pace, and time in the water.
For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly. Six people would effectively pay about $161.67 each before extras. If your group has only two or three people, a shared boat or shorter outing may offer better value, though it will not provide the same privacy.
I would book this mainly for a group that can fill much of the 12-person capacity. Families, birthday groups, friend groups, and cruise companions can spread the fixed cost across enough people to make the arrangement attractive.
Who will enjoy this boat day most?

This outing suits people who want a relaxed water day with several choices, not a tightly scheduled sports program. You do not need to commit to snorkeling or paddle boarding for the entire trip.
It works particularly well for:
- Families with different swimming abilities
- Groups of friends who want a private setting
- Couples traveling with another group
- Visitors who want Cabo’s Arch plus beach time
- People who prefer included gear and simple refreshments
- Active adults and teenagers interested in paddle boards or the second-floor jump
All ages are welcome, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The activity is also near public transportation, though the exact transport arrangement is not specified.
If your top priority is a long, specialized snorkeling session, this may not be focused enough. If your group wants a private, easygoing combination of views, water play, snacks, and time together, it makes more sense.
The scheduling issue you should not ignore
The biggest weakness is not the route or the equipment. It is the risk of a boat problem affecting the schedule.
In one especially troubling case, a group arrived before an 8:30 a.m. meeting time for a 9 a.m. reservation and waited until 9:45 a.m. before being told that the assigned boat was unavailable or being repaired. The group had arrived by cruise ship and had limited time. They were offered a shortened 2.5-hour trip, then told another boat might be available at 10:30 a.m.
That kind of disruption matters even more with a private booking for 12 people. You may be coordinating a family, arranging transport, or working around a cruise departure. A late start can take away a large share of a four-hour charter.
The overall rating is 4.7 out of 5, with 92 percent of customers recommending the outing, so this appears to be an isolated but serious warning rather than a complete picture of every departure. Still, I would contact La Isla Tour before the day of the trip to confirm the meeting time, boat status, and expected duration. Save the confirmation details and arrive with enough time to find the dock.
Booking, weather, and cancellation details
You receive confirmation when you book. The activity is often reserved well in advance, with an average booking lead time of 68 days. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed or your group is large.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local Cabo time.
The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful protection, but it does not address mechanical or staffing problems, which is why a direct confirmation remains sensible.
The tour is offered in English. It ends back at B Dock, so you do not need to arrange a separate return point.
Should you book this Cabo catamaran?
I would book it if you have a group large enough to share the $970 cost and you want a private half-day with several ways to enjoy the water. The Arch, Medano Beach, semi-private beach stop, floating mat, paddle boards, snacks, and onboard restroom make this a well-rounded choice for a family or friend group.
I would be more cautious if you are on a cruise ship, have a strict departure deadline, or are booking for a small number of people. The reported boat failure and delayed replacement created exactly the kind of problem that can ruin a short port visit.
My practical advice is simple: reserve early, confirm the boat and departure time directly, and treat lunch and alcohol as extra costs. If the operator confirms the schedule and your group can fill the boat, this private Cabo outing offers a comfortable way to combine sightseeing with unhurried time in the water.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran tour start?
The tour starts at B Dock in the Cabo San Lucas Marina, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Where does the activity end?
The activity ends back at the same meeting point, B Dock at the marina.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately four hours.
How many people can join the private catamaran?
The private activity accommodates up to 12 people in your group.
Is the boat shared with other groups?
No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.
Are paddle boards and a floating mat provided?
Yes. Paddle boards and a floating water mat are included, along with life vests.
Are food and drinks included?
Chips, salsa, bottled water, soft drinks, mixers, and ice coolers are included. Alcoholic beverages and lunch are available for purchase, but they are not included. Tips are also not included.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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