The Difference Between a Tour Boat and a Private Charter
Tour boats run on a fixed schedule and take whoever shows up. You'll share the boat with strangers, follow a route that has nothing to do with your preferences, and return to the marina when the operator decides the day is over.
A private charter is different in every way. You choose the departure time. You pick where you want to go. The crew works for your group and no one else. The bar is yours. The snorkel stop happens when your group is ready, not when the next scheduled group arrives.
For most of the guests Cabo Platinum works with, the private charter is the day they talk about most when they get home.
What Cabo Platinum Arranges for You
The Right Boat for Your Group
Cabo Platinum's concierge works with vetted captains and fleet operators across Los Cabos. Smaller groups often prefer a 40-foot center console for a sportfishing day. Larger groups go with a catamaran — shaded deck, comfortable seating, room to move. The boat gets matched to what your group actually needs, not whatever happens to be available.
A Crew That Knows the Water
Every charter includes a licensed captain and first mate. Depending on the trip, there may also be a deckhand and an onboard cook. The crew knows where the fish are running each week, which coves have the clearest snorkeling, and where to position the boat for the best sunset view.
Everything Else Handled
Open bar, fresh ceviche, snorkel gear, towels, ice, music — the basics are included on most charters. Cabo Platinum also coordinates with the villa chef to prepare additional food for the day if the group wants something more substantial.
The Villa + Yacht Combination
The easiest way to handle a yacht day is to build it into the trip before you arrive. When the concierge is already managing your villa, adding a yacht charter takes very little coordination. If the weather changes, the day can be shifted. If the group wants to go out twice, the second booking is easier than the first.
Sportfishing in Summer
June through September is the best fishing window in Cabo. Marlin, dorado, and wahoo are all running in these months, and the major tournaments draw serious anglers from across North America. Private fishing charters give you access to the same water and the same captains without the tournament crowds.
Cabo Platinum works with a small group of fishing captains who have built their reputations over decades on these waters. They know where the fish are each week, and they'll give you an honest read on conditions before you book. If the bite is slow on a particular day, they'll say so.
For most of the guests we work with, the private charter is the day they talk about most when they get home.
— Cabo Platinum Concierge Team
Practical Questions
What does a private yacht charter cost in Cabo?
Half-day charters for smaller groups start in the range of $800–$1,200 USD. Full-day charters on larger boats for bigger groups run from around $2,500–$6,000 USD. Cabo Platinum clients typically have access to preferred pricing through the fleet relationships the concierge team has built over the years.
When is the best time to go out on the water in summer?
Mornings are generally calmer than afternoons in summer. Most charters depart between 7 and 9am and return by early afternoon, which leaves the group time to recover at the villa before dinner.
What if some people want to fish and others don't?
This is common. The concierge can coordinate a combination trip where part of the group fishes and others enjoy the boat, or book a leisure charter for the non-fishing members on the same day on a separate vessel. It happens more than you'd think.
Is it possible to watch the sunset from the water?
Sunset charters are one of the most requested experiences in the Cabo Platinum portfolio. A two to three-hour evening cruise timed around sunset is one of the most memorable things you can do in Cabo, particularly in summer when the sky gets dramatic over the Pacific.
How far in advance should we book a charter?
Summer captains and vessels book up fast, especially around the fishing tournaments in June and July. If a water day is important to your trip, it should be one of the first things the concierge confirms after your villa is set.
One more thing before you book your trip.
We've helped thousands of guests plan unforgettable experiences in Los Cabos. The one thing seasoned travelers always wish they had? Travel protection.
