San Jose del Cabo Yacht Charters

A San Jose del Cabo yacht charter is a private, fully crewed day on the calm Sea of Cortez, departing from Puerto Los Cabos Marina at La Playita, the relaxed and upscale marina just north of town. This is the quieter, more cultured side of Los Cabos: where Cabo San Lucas is all marina energy and nightlife, San Jose del Cabo offers a historic art district, colonial charm, and gentler water, about 50 minutes up the corridor. We run private day charters, available by the hour and as half day, full day, and sunset sails, each one all inclusive on the larger boats with a premium open bar and chef prepared food on board.
Our fleet runs from 30 foot cruisers to 100 foot luxury yachts and catamarans, hosting intimate groups of 6 up to celebrations of 25 and more. From Puerto Los Cabos the calm Sea of Cortez leads west along the Tourist Corridor to the cliffs and beaches of Palmilla about 4 nautical miles away, Chileno Bay around 9 nautical miles, and Santa Maria Bay near 11 nautical miles, with a longer cruise of about 20 nautical miles reaching El Arco at Land's End. A half day runs about 4 hours, a full day 6 to 8, and the 2 to 3 hour sunset sail is the favorite evening option, with warm water around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and whales passing from December through April. Los Cabos International Airport is just 15 minutes away, the closest marina to the airport in all of Los Cabos. With more than 15 years arranging Los Cabos charters and a five star reputation, we make booking simple, so reserve 2 to 4 months ahead for prime dates.
Every San Jose del Cabo charter begins at Puerto Los Cabos Marina, the large, modern marina set on the calm Sea of Cortez at La Playita, just north of town. It is the most upscale and relaxed marina in Los Cabos, with deep water berths, full marine services, waterfront restaurants, and easy parking, all in a sheltered setting that stays gentle even when the open water is livelier. Your group can gather dockside and step aboard without a long transfer.
The marina's greatest practical advantage is its position: Los Cabos International Airport is only about 15 minutes away, making Puerto Los Cabos the closest marina to the airport in all of Los Cabos. That proximity, plus the calmer water on this side of the cape, is why many guests choose to base a relaxed day on the water here rather than in the busier Cabo San Lucas marina, about 50 minutes down the corridor.
San Jose del Cabo is the relaxed, refined counterpart to Cabo San Lucas. The two towns sit about 50 minutes apart along the Tourist Corridor, but they feel worlds apart in pace. San Jose keeps its colonial character, with low rise architecture, leafy plazas, boutique hotels, and a celebrated dining and art scene, while the calm Sea of Cortez laps a coastline of long beaches and sheltered coves. It is the side of Los Cabos that travelers seeking peace, culture, and natural beauty return to year after year.
That gentler character carries onto the water. A charter from Puerto Los Cabos trades the crowds and high energy of the Cabo San Lucas marina for quiet cruising, easy snorkeling, and unhurried sunsets, all without giving up the option to cruise the corridor toward the famous Arch. For couples, families, and groups who want the best of Los Cabos at a calmer tempo, the San Jose side is the natural choice.
On shore, San Jose del Cabo rewards a wander as much as the water rewards a cruise. The historic Gallery District is one of the finest art enclaves in Mexico, its colonial streets lined with galleries and studios, and on Thursday evenings in season the famous Art Walk fills the district with open studios, music, and food. At the heart of the old town, shaded Plaza Mijares and the white towered Mision San Jose del Cabo anchor a square that has welcomed travelers for centuries.
Around the plaza, the town spreads into a relaxed grid of restaurants, boutiques, and cafes, with farm to table dining and mezcal bars that have earned San Jose a reputation as the culinary capital of Los Cabos. A morning on the water from Puerto Los Cabos and an afternoon in the Gallery District make an ideal pairing, and our team is happy to suggest the best of the town to round out your day.
San Jose del Cabo is bordered by one of Baja's natural treasures, the San Jose Estuary, a freshwater lagoon and palm oasis where the river meets the sea. It is a protected haven for more than 200 species of birds, from herons and egrets to pelicans and the occasional rare migrant, and its palm fringed banks are a striking contrast to the surrounding desert. A walk or paddle along the estuary is a peaceful complement to a day on the Sea of Cortez.
The natural richness extends offshore. The Sea of Cortez was famously called the aquarium of the world, and the water off San Jose teems with tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and dolphins, with whales passing close to the coast each winter. That abundance, in calm and clear water, makes the San Jose side a rewarding base for snorkeling and wildlife watching from the deck of a private boat.
From Puerto Los Cabos the Tourist Corridor unfolds west toward Cabo San Lucas, and a charter can take in its finest stretches. The cliffs and beaches of Palmilla sit about 4 nautical miles away, the clear, protected water of Chileno Bay around 9 nautical miles, and the horseshoe cove of Santa Maria Bay near 11 nautical miles, both Blue Flag and marine sanctuary snorkeling spots alive with tropical fish. A longer full day cruise of about 20 nautical miles rounds the cape to El Arco at Land's End, the sea lions, and Lover's Beach, combining the calm San Jose side with the famous landmarks of Cabo San Lucas. Your captain reads the day and builds the route around the coves and beaches your group most wants.
Our Los Cabos fleet, available from Puerto Los Cabos, spans luxury day cruisers, flybridge motor yachts, and spacious catamarans from about 30 feet up to 100 feet and beyond, every one a comfort focused vessel for cruising, snorkeling, sunsets, and celebrations. Smaller boats suit couples and groups of 6 to 12, mid size yachts carry 12 to 18 in comfort, and the largest yachts and catamarans host up to 25 and more for celebrations and corporate groups.
On the larger boats a charter is genuinely all inclusive: a licensed captain and bilingual crew, fuel, snorkel gear and life jackets, a premium open bar with margaritas, beer, and soft drinks, and chef prepared food served on board, with shade, fresh water, a sound system, and water toys on most vessels. Only the smallest boats are bring your own food, and we make clear which category a boat falls into before you book. Browse a sample of our most requested boats below, then contact us for the current list.
Day trips are the heart of a San Jose del Cabo charter. A half day of about 4 hours is perfect for a snorkel cove and a relaxed cruise on the calm Sea of Cortez, while a full day of 6 to 8 hours adds more of the corridor and can round the cape to the Arch, with lunch and the open bar on board. The 2 to 3 hour sunset sail is the favorite evening option, drifting the coastline as the sky turns gold, and it is a romantic setting for anniversaries and proposals. From December through April, gray and humpback whales pass close to the coast, and a private charter is a calm, flexible way to watch them. Multi day private cruises along the Baja coast can be arranged for those who want more.
Planning a charter from Puerto Los Cabos is simple, and reserving early is the best way to secure the right boat. For prime dates such as the December holidays, spring break, Thanksgiving, and the summer months, reserve 2 to 4 months ahead. Los Cabos International Airport is just 15 minutes away, the closest marina to the airport in Los Cabos, and lodging from San Jose del Cabo to the corridor resorts puts you minutes from the dock. Tell us your dates, group size, and plans, and we will match you with the ideal yacht and itinerary. For the lively Land's End side see our Cabo San Lucas yacht charters, for a wider range of boats our Cabo boat rentals, and for stable party catamarans our Cabo catamaran charters. Call +1 (305) 515-4735 to reserve your San Jose del Cabo charter.
San Jose del Cabo yacht charters depart from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, and the great advantage of this side is that Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is only about 15 minutes away, the closest marina to the airport in all of Los Cabos. Direct flights arrive from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and from the airport the marina and the San Jose del Cabo hotels are a short, easy transfer. We can help coordinate your arrival. Call +1 (305) 515-4735 to plan your charter.
Most San Jose del Cabo charters depart from Puerto Los Cabos Marina at La Playita, a large, modern, upscale marina just north of town and the calmer, more relaxed gateway to Los Cabos, with full marine services, restaurants, and easy parking. From Puerto Los Cabos a yacht cruises the gentle Sea of Cortez to the snorkeling coves of the corridor, and a longer cruise reaches the famous Arch at Land's End toward Cabo San Lucas. The sheltered setting makes it the natural base for a relaxed Baja day on the water.
San Jose del Cabo is the quieter, more cultured side of Los Cabos. Where Cabo San Lucas is all marina energy, beach clubs, and nightlife, San Jose offers a historic gallery district, colonial architecture around Plaza Mijares, the Mision San Jose del Cabo, and a gentler pace, with the calmer Sea of Cortez right at the marina. The two towns sit about 50 minutes apart along the Tourist Corridor, so a charter from Puerto Los Cabos can still cruise toward the Arch while keeping the relaxed, upscale feel of the San Jose side.
A San Jose del Cabo charter cruises the calm Sea of Cortez, often called the aquarium of the world for its marine life. The route runs west along the Tourist Corridor past the cliffs and beaches of Palmilla toward the snorkeling coves of Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay, with a longer cruise reaching El Arco at Land's End. Sea lions, dolphins, rays, and, in season, whales are commonly seen in the rich water. Your captain designs the day around the coves, beaches, and landmarks your group most wants to experience.
Yes. The Sea of Cortez off San Jose del Cabo is famously clear and rich, and a charter snorkels the protected coves of the corridor, including Chileno Bay, a Blue Flag beach, and Santa Maria Bay, a horseshoe shaped marine sanctuary, both alive with tropical fish, rays, and the occasional sea turtle. The water is warm, around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and snorkel gear is provided for every guest. The calmer water on this side of the cape makes for especially easy, comfortable swimming and snorkeling.
Generally yes. Puerto Los Cabos sits on the Sea of Cortez side of the cape rather than at the dramatic meeting point of two seas at Land's End, so the water near the marina tends to be gentle and sheltered. That calmer, more protected setting is one of the reasons many guests prefer the San Jose side for a relaxed cruise, easy snorkeling, and comfortable sailing for families and first time boaters, while still being able to cruise the corridor toward Cabo San Lucas and the Arch.
San Jose del Cabo is the cultural heart of Los Cabos. The historic Gallery District is filled with art galleries, and on Thursday evenings in season the famous Art Walk brings the streets to life with open studios, music, and food. The colonial center gathers around shaded Plaza Mijares and the Mision San Jose del Cabo, and the nearby San Jose Estuary is a palm fringed oasis rich with birdlife. It is the perfect relaxed counterpoint to a day on the water, and your charter team can suggest the best of the town.
Gray and humpback whales pass the Los Cabos coast from roughly December through April, with the best sightings in the heart of winter. From the calm Sea of Cortez off San Jose del Cabo a private charter is a relaxed way to watch them, and the captain can slow down and hold a respectful distance. Outside whale season the water still rewards you, with sea lions, dolphins, rays, and turtles seen year round. Tell us your dates and we will let you know what wildlife to expect.
On our luxury boats a charter is all inclusive: a licensed captain and bilingual crew, fuel for the route, snorkel gear and life jackets, a premium open bar with margaritas, beer, and soft drinks, and chef prepared food served on board, such as ceviche, fresh fish, guacamole, and tropical fruit. Most boats add shade, fresh water, a sound system, and water toys. Only the smallest boats are bring your own food, and we tell you which category your boat falls into before booking, so there are no surprises at the dock.
On the larger luxury boats, yes. Most San Jose del Cabo charters include a premium open bar and chef prepared food served on board, from ceviche and guacamole to fresh fish and tropical fruit, and we can tailor the menu to your group and any dietary needs. The exact offering varies by boat, and you are welcome to bring a special bottle or a cake for a celebration. Only the smallest boats are bring your own food. Let us know your preferences when you book.
Group sizes range from 2 to 25 guests depending on the vessel. Smaller cruisers and motor yachts from about 30 to 50 feet are ideal for couples and intimate groups, mid size yachts and catamarans from 50 to 70 feet suit groups of 12 to 18 for day charters and celebrations, and larger crewed yachts handle up to 25 for group events. The sweet spot for most San Jose del Cabo charters is 6 to 12 guests. Tell us your group size and we will recommend the ideal yacht.
Day charters are our specialty. A half day of about 4 hours snorkels a nearby corridor cove and cruises the calm Sea of Cortez, ideal when time is limited, while a full day of 6 to 8 hours explores more of the corridor and can cruise toward the Arch at Land's End, with lunch served on board. Short hourly cruises and the 2 to 3 hour sunset sail are also popular. We tailor the duration to your group, and multi day private cruises along the Baja coast can be arranged on request.
Yes, and a sunset sail on the calm Sea of Cortez is one of our most requested charters from Puerto Los Cabos. The 2 to 3 hour cruise leaves the marina in the late afternoon, drifts along the corridor coastline as the light turns gold, and lets your group relax on deck with the open bar and music as the sky lights up over the water. It is a favorite for anniversaries, proposals, and relaxed celebrations. Sunset slots fill early, so reserve your preferred date and boat well ahead.
Yes. While the Arch sits at Land's End on the Cabo San Lucas side, a full day charter from Puerto Los Cabos can cruise the Tourist Corridor and round the cape to see El Arco, the granite arch where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific, along with the sea lions and Lover's Beach nearby. It makes a memorable full day that combines the calm San Jose side with the famous landmarks of Cabo San Lucas. For a charter based right at the Arch, see our Cabo San Lucas page.
Pricing depends on the yacht, the season, the duration, and your group size, so the best way to get an accurate quote is to tell us your dates and plans and let us match you with the right boat. A shorter sunset sail on a mid size boat sits at the entry of the range, while a full day on a large luxury yacht with open bar and chef service is higher. A deposit holds your date and the balance is due on the charter day. Contact us at +1 (305) 515-4735 for current availability and a tailored quote.
Los Cabos is our busiest market, so booking early matters. For prime dates such as the December holidays, spring break, Thanksgiving, and the summer months, we recommend reserving 2 to 4 months ahead, since the best yachts sell out first. For quieter weeks a few weeks of notice is often enough, but availability still moves quickly, especially during the winter high season. Once you choose a boat, a deposit secures your date and the captain and crew for the day.
Booking is simple. Call or message Day Yacht Charters at +1 (305) 515-4735, or email info@DayYachtCharters.com, with your dates, group size, and what you would like to do, and we will recommend suitable yachts and itineraries and send a tailored quote and a simple reservation form. A deposit secures your date and vessel, payable by credit card, PayPal, Zelle, or bank wire, with the balance due on the charter day. With more than 15 years arranging Los Cabos charters, we make the whole process easy.
Very much so. The calm Sea of Cortez and the relaxed pace of the San Jose side make it a comfortable choice for families with children and for celebrations of every kind, from birthdays and anniversaries to proposals, weddings, and corporate groups. Larger yachts and catamarans host up to 25 guests, and we arrange decorations, a private chef, a premium bar, music, and photography on request. The gentle water and easy snorkel coves keep younger guests happy while the crew handles everything.
Most international visitors, including United States, Canadian, and European travelers, need a valid passport to enter Mexico, and many nationalities can visit visa free for tourism. All visitors should hold a passport valid for the duration of their stay and complete the standard entry form. The Mexican peso is the local currency, and US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Spanish is the official language, with English widely spoken. Our team can advise on current entry requirements when you book.
Day charters are the heart of what we do, by the hour and as half day, full day, and sunset sails, all private and all inclusive on the larger boats. For guests who want more time on the water, longer multi day private cruises along the Baja coast can be arranged with a tailored itinerary and overnight stops. Most visitors to San Jose del Cabo choose a day charter to combine the calm corridor coves, a sunset, and perhaps a cruise toward the Arch, but if a multi day cruise interests you, just ask and we will share options.