What’s the best way to end a day in Cabo San Lucas? No question – going on a sunset cruise!
In fact, it’s one of our favorite water activities in Cabo.
We’re regular visitors to this popular Mexican resort destination, and whenever we head there, we love to try out some of the best Cabo San Lucas sunset cruises.
Watching the sky turn into shades of orange, pink and yellow as the sun dances over the sea, with an ice-cold cerveza or margarita in hand. Listening to waves lap against the side of the boat. Smelling the scent of salt water in the warm breeze.
Well, it’s simply the ideal way to toast a wonderful vacation day, watch the sunset and make plans for the next great day!
So when doing your Cabo vacation planning, be sure to build in time for one or more of the following sunset cruises.
Quick answer? Best sunset cruise in Cabo
Here are our top 3 picks:
- Shared sailing cruise (You really sail!) – See #1
- Relaxed catamaran cruise (Affordable and fun) – See #5
- Private yacht experience (Luxury private charter) – See #6
What do you see on a sunset cruise in Los Cabos?
Cabo’s sunset cruise boat tours leave from the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Most cruises don’t include hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you usually need to make your own way to the marina.
After cruising out into the Cabo San Lucas Bay, you’ll head for Land’s End. These dramatic rock formations jut out of the water at the place where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.
You’ll make a short stop in front of the iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas – picture time! This three-story-high granite rock arch can only be seen up close from the water. (You can’t walk or drive to it.)
You’ll also get to see (and hear!) the local sea lions that bask on the rocks near the Arch, before continuing on with your evening sailing cruise.
Best sunset cruises in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo’s got you covered when it comes to sunset cruises, with a fleet that’s as varied as your mood.
Choices include everything from dinner cruises and romantic sailing trips to fun party cruises, where you can dance the evening away under the stars.
Vessels also range from small sailboats to large and stable power yachts.
Here are 12 of the best sunset cruises in Cabo San Lucas. Most have been tried and tested by us.
Best Cabo San Lucas sunset cruises
2) Intimate dinner cruise (Rissalena)
5) Relaxed trimaran cruise (Cabo Blue)
6) Private yacht cruise (Liberty)
1) True sailing sunset cruise in Cabo
See the sun set from your own private sailboat – well, it feels like your own sailboat for a couple of hours at least!
You’ll sail on an intimate sailing yacht on this Cabo sunset cruise.
On the 44-foot Espiritu Santi, we lolled about like Romans on plump deck cushions scattered around the bow, as we sipped wine and nibbled on fresh veggies and chicken taquitos.
Pretty decadent!
It’s a quality experience and luxury sunset sailing in Cabo at its best.
Cabo Sails, which offers these small-group sunset sailing cruises, also offers private sunset yacht cruises for small groups of up to 4 people.
Here, your boat isn’t a sailboat but a luxury 42-foot-long sport cruiser.
These private sunset charters are a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
For a romantic sunset cruise, Cabo Sails can’t be beat!
2) Cabo dinner cruise on the Rissalena
The Rissalena offers the best dinner cruise in Cabo San Lucas if you’re looking to balance good food with an affordable price – and you want a relaxing evening out on the water.
We’ve been on the Rissalena a couple of times. Laura (the owner/manager) does an excellent job taking guests on dinner cruises on a custom-designed power catamaran.
The size is just right for an intimate experience (maximum 24 guests).
The Rissalena is always spotlessly clean, with white leather banquette seating and additional reclining leather seating areas for couples up front.
The music is mellow, perhaps opera in the background as the sun sets. (This isn’t a party boat!)
Dinner is surprisingly very good (considering you’re on a boat) – home-made finger lickin’ barbecued ribs or chicken, healthy fresh salad, guacamole, fresh Mexican fruit, etc.
This is a premium experience and one that consistently gets top reviews year after year, for good reason.
3) Cabo sunset booze cruise
Are you looking for the ultimate sunset party cruise?
PezGato offers a fun Cabo booze cruise at sunset, and you can’t beat the price.
The reputable tour operator has a few different boats, but their “Cabo Party Cruise” is the one for dancing, unlimited drinks, games and high spirits.
It’s the best booze cruise in Cabo when the sun sets!
And don’t worry about making it back to your hotel.
Bonus: Roundtrip transportation is included in the price.
4) Sunset jazz cruise with food and wine
Sip a glass of wine and nibble on appies as you listen to jazz and take in Cabo’s spectacular sunset aboard the elegant 65-foot Tropicat catamaran (also operated by the PezGato team).
Light bites include fruit skewers, cheese platters and more.
This is a low-key, sophisticated and relaxing sunset cruise in Los Cabos, with a premium open bar and a great jazz playlist.
As with all the sunset cruises in Cabo covered here, you’ll cruise out into the Sea of Cortez to Land’s End at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Roundtrip transportation from your hotel is included in these sunset cruise tours.
5) Relaxed Cabo Blue trimaran cruise
This sunset cruise on the Cabo Blue trimaran gets rave reviews.
Lively music? Check. An open bar where the drinks keep on coming? Double check. Snacks? Oh, yes. The chips with guacamole, Mexican salsa and tuna salad are simple but oh-so-tasty.
The boat’s got everything, including a restroom, plus spots to chill in the sun or shade. The crew are super friendly too.
And of course, the Cabo Blue takes you to one of the best photo spots in Cabo – the Land’s End Arch and Pelican Rock.
It’s just easy, fun and totally Cabo.
6) Private sunset yacht cruise
If you’re with a group of family members or friends, check out these great private 3-hour sunset cruises offered by Book Now Adventures.
Their modern 40-foot power yacht Liberty accommodates up to 10 people.
It’s ideal for a family birthday celebration, bachelorette party or other occasion where you want a private customizable experience.
(On our most recent Cabo vacation, our family of nine went out on this private yacht for a half-day snorkeling adventure at Chileno Bay – a great trip!)
The Liberty is a beautiful boat and offers some of the best private boat tours in Cabo.
The professional crew are super-attentive and will take as many photos as you want of your group by the Arch. The bar is always open, and fresh-made guacamole and chips are on hand for munchies (chicken fajitas too, if you wish).
If you want to try your hand at a little fishing, just ask in advance – and you could have fresh fish tacos on the boat too!
7) Mexican-flavored sunset cruise on the Cabo Mar
Slip on your dancing shoes (blue suede?) for this dinner-and-dancing Cabo Mar sunset cruise.
It’s not a booze cruise, but a fun 2½-hour Cabo dinner cruise (with a Mexican taco buffet) suitable for couples and families.
Bonus: You’re not likely to get seasick on this Cabo Mar cruise – it’s a double-decker catamaran, 65 feet long and 36 feet wide.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included, along with an unlimited premium bar and soft drinks.
8) Cabo San Lucas sunset cruise on a pirate ship
Yo ho ho and a pirate show! Jump aboard a wooden pirate ship for a pirate-themed sunset cruise.
It’s one of a host of unique Cabo activities you can enjoy!
Of course, you can drink all the grog you want from the unlimited open bar as you venture out into Cabo San Lucas Bay. And you feast on a BBQ ribs-and-chicken dinner too.
The friendly crew, dressed as pirates, put on an acrobatic and dance show for you too, complete with climbing up the ropes of the tall sailing ship.
It’s the best sunset cruise in Cabo if you’re looking for something a bit quirky!
9) Luxury Cabo sunset dinner cruise
If you want to combine watching the sky turn into a beautiful palette of colors with dining on a steak-and-seafood feast – and do all of this in style on a beautiful luxury yacht – this cruise on the Tu Enamorado is the one for you!
First, you’ll be welcomed with a tropical cocktail and antipasti platter. Then, you’ll set sail.
Relax barefoot as you feel the salty breeze of the Pacific Ocean air on deck and watch the sunset, taking in El Arco (Cabo’s famous Arch) and Lover’s Beach among other spots on Cabo’s coastline.
Then it’s time for dinner in the dining room – jumbo shrimp kebabs, beef filet with red wine sauce, organic salads and for dessert, warm crepes with fruit. (Vegan options are available.)
Top-shelf drinks are free-flowing all night.
The price is higher than other Cabo San Lucas dinner cruises. But the experience is also at the upper end of the luxury scale.
10) Cabo sunset fajita cruise
Here’s a Los Cabos sunset cruise with an all-you-can-eat Mexican dinner.
Your dinner (beef or chicken fajitas) is prepared on-deck, and you can nosh on unlimited chips and salsa. Plus, there’s an open bar.
This fun sunset cruise is more of a party boat than others, but all ages are welcome, so it’s family-friendly.
There’s also an MC with some games for after-dinner entertainment.
11) Sun Rider 100 sunset dinner cruise
We also like this well-reviewed sunset dinner cruise on the Sun Rider 100.
For those of you with sensitive tummies (who’d rather have their feet on land than on sea), this is the most stable and best sunset cruise in Cabo San Lucas.
This eco-friendly double-deck catamaran is big and comfy! (She can accommodate 250 passengers and has 9 bathrooms.)
The main deck features a large open space for dancing, a double buffet table and seating for 66 passengers. The open-air upper deck has additional seating and space to dance and mingle.
The 2½-hour sunset cruise includes an open bar and a freshly prepared Mexican buffet for dinner.
12) La Princesa catamaran sunset cruise
For a straightforward sunset cruise, this option is more affordable than most other Cabo dinner cruises and sunset boat trips.
The price on this 2-hour sunset tour includes a full open bar and some snacks (but you can enjoy dinner in town once you finish if you’re still hungry), and sails to some of the top marine highlights of Cabo.
Watch sea lions frolicking in the waters as you snap a photo of a spectacular sunset and sip on an ice-cold beer.
There’s no better way to reflect on your vacation!
Although La Princesa cruises include great music, the rap music that’s sometimes played is a little hard on the ears. So bear that in mind if it’s not your thing.
That’s a wrap for the best Cabo sunset cruises!
Taking one of these cruises is a great way to witness the breathtaking Cabo coastline, see the area’s famous sea lion colony and revel in those stunning sunsets.
You share a special experience with your travel companions (or make new friends on board), all while tasting some of Mexico’s best food and drinks.
See you on the water at sunset for a perfect evening!
Planning your trip to Cabo?
Here are our favorite travel resources:
Resorts: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel in Cabo – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local guided tours in Cabo, see Viator and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car in Los Cabos is one of the best ways to explore. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our ultimate Cabo travel guide! It’s packed with crazy useful trip planning info.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
Photos: 4, 11 © Janice and George Mucalov, Cabo Visitor | 3 Wild Cabo
About the authors
Award-winning travel writers Janice and George Mucalov are frequent visitors to Los Cabos. Here on Cabo Visitor, they share their essential tips for discovering the best of Cabo!