Cancellation Policy
You can cancel entirely 14 days before your charter, with no penalty.
Cancellations with under 14 days’ notice will lose their 50% deposit. This is because it’s within our average window of booking, so after 14 days it becomes difficult to fill that spot again that we had been holding.
Cancellations with under 48 hours notice will be charged the full amount of the charter. At this point, it will be almost certainly impossible to fill that time slot.
100% Guaranteed Weather cancellation policy
If the port closes for any reason or there are any major storms we will first try to work with you to reschedule. If that is not possible, we will refund 100% of your payment.
If it’s raining on fishing charters, we still head out if rescheduling isn’t possible. The fish don’t mind the rain and think of all the other boats canceling — you might even say due to lack of other boats out there, your odds increase on rainy days!
If it’s raining for a sightseeing charter, we can try to reschedule. If that’s not possible, we will refund 100% of your payment. Sightseeing is all about nice weather. Mother Nature’s decisions are out of our hands, and you shouldn’t pay for that!
What is is our departure/return time?
We recommend a 6:30am departure. You can choose a later time if you would like, but often the most action happens between tide changes when the fish are most active and feeding.
What is required to book?
For booking, all you need to do is pay online via a secure form that we’ll create custom for you once you have been in touch with us about your charter date and details.
Payment Choice #1: 50% credit card payment online, 50% balance in USD cash when you arrive at the dock on the day of your charter.
Payment Choice #2: 100% credit card payment online in advance.
After that is paid you’re all booked. We’ll send you a receipt automatically and shortly after that a confirmation with all your charter details like where to meet, what time to arrive. As your charter nears, we’ll send some helpful tips to make the most of your day out on the water.
What forms of payment do you accept?
- Cash
- VISA
- American Express
- Master Card
- Paypal
Are there any other costs in addition to what is shown?
100% — Nope! We like to keep it simple around here. The prices you are given are the exact prices you’ll pay, to the penny.
You’ll find most operations in Cabo do not immediately include the 16% IVA, service fees, bait charges, fishing licenses, lunch, drinks, open bar.
We’re big fans of simple: You pay what you’re told, you get what you’re sold.
What kind of charters do you offer?
Sportfishing charters, you can learn more about here.
If you’re looking for sightseeing, snorkeling, whale watching or any type of leisure charter, contact our sister company, Seashine Adventures.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Absolutely. We have an ice chest for you, so if there’s a special brand or type of drink you have, bring it aboard.
We do include open bar in every charter though, so double-check to see what’s included in your open bar — you may not need to bring anything.
What’s included in the open bar?
Beer (depending on availability at the time of charter – we typically stock Pacifico, Pacifico Light, Modelo, Corona or Bud Light), Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Bacardi Rum, Kirkland Vodka and Tequila for margs, mixers, water, sodas, and juices.
Do we need fishing licenses?
Yes, but they are included and we’ll get them from the permit office for you. Every person aboard needs a permit, even if you’re not planning on joining in on the actual fishing aspect of the charter. We need the first/last name of everyone aboard for the permits.
Why don’t you refund for seasickness?
For safety and comfort, our yachts never go out in conditions that would be unsafe or too rough. Every once in a while one person aboard who is prone to motion sickness may experience it.
Our recommendation is that if you think that you may get a bit motion sick on a boat, take a Dramamine or Bonine about 30 minutes before your charter and you’ll be set. There are alternatives like ginger chews and motion sickness bracelets as well.
Motion sickness or seasickness is definitely not a pleasant experience, so we understand your pain. However, the costs of operating a fishing business are incredibly high, fuel is used, the staff is paid, food is purchased and prepared, and the day was blocked off from anyone else being able to book it.
We do everything we can in our control to make sure each day is the most comfortable and fun fishing experience possible, but what we’re unable to control are the sealegs of each person.
Our recommendation is to show up well-rested and avoid those extra few cocktails the night before. You will enjoy the experience so much more.
Of course we’d never tell you not to go have a good time the night before a charter. You’re on vacation in Cabo! But when the idea to have, “Just a few more!” comes up the night before… Press pause, we’ll have an unlimited open bar for you the next day!
Where are you located?
- 32′ Cabolero — Dock D
- 36′ Big Papi — Dock F
- 38′ Blackfin — Dock B
- 40′ Calita — Dock F
- 48′ Riviera — Check your email confirmation
What is customary to tip?
Tipping is entirely personal. Most guests tip 15% of the total charter rate.
The team works hard and will be there during your entire charter for anything you need.
What should I bring?
Layer Up
Here in Cabo it’s warm year-round, but having a light long sleeve layer you can take off and put on will help in a few scenarios:
Early morning fishing charters can be a bit chilly before the sun warms up the day.
If you’re out all day in the sun, a thin long sleeve shirt will help protect your skin from sunburn.
If you’re going for a swim, sometimes when you get out of the water the breeze can be cool, so it helps to throw on an extra layer.
Some prefer an extra layer for their sunset charter when the main heat of the sun is gone.
When in doubt — Check out this handy weather guide by Seashine Adventures (our sister yacht charter company).
Sunscreen
You may want to get that vacation tan, and the sun won’t feel as hot out on a boat as it does at the beach or pool.
This is the refreshing sea breeze playing tricks on you. It may not feel as hot at sea, but that sun is cooking.
We’d recommend applying it before your charter, and as needed throughout. For extra protection, bring a long sleeve layer — especially handy for those 8 hour fishing days where you’re outside all day.
We also have lots of shade and an interior salon with air-conditioning.
If you bring spray-on sunscreen, it’s best to apply it at the dock just before boarding the boat. Once we’re cruising in that ocean air, you can bet that spray will be misting everywhere except for where you mean to apply it… and can make the fishing deck slippery which can be dangerous to you and the crew.
Hats
You’ll have shade in various places aboard, but a hat will definitely help keep the sun out of your eyes and a bit of shade over your head.
Sunglasses
We’re blessed with sunshine almost every day of the year. Even on the rare overcast days it’s a bright sky. Bring some shades, polarized lenses are best if you have them.
Camera/Smart Phone
You’ll want some photos to show off back home!
Is anyone prone to seasickness?
It can happen even to the best of us. With our sightseeing charters, we do tend to stay closer to shore so it’s relatively rare for anyone to suffer from seasickness.
With fishing charters, we usually venture into deeper water to find the good stuff! Some days the deep is like glass, other days it’s a bit more temperamental and those seas can get a bit choppy, so it helps to be prepared.
We’ll never go out in waters that would be dangerous or present any type of safety hazard.
If you know that you are prone to seasickness or even at all worried about it, grab some Bonine or Dramamine at any of the local pharmacies.
Even antihistamines like Benadryl can hold seasickness at bay.
They shouldn’t cost too much and are a great little insurance policy.
Maybe you partied a bit too much the night before?
I’m not going to tell you not to enjoy yourself while on vacation. You’re here for fun — and Cabo certainly has lots of that.
However, you have paid good money to head out on a charter. As a captain for many years and running charter operations with thousands and thousands of guests out per year, I can tell you that hangovers and boats rarely mix well.
If you’re thinking, “Just a few cocktails and we’ll call it a night,” you might then find yourself calling it a day when you realize the sea kicking your butt — and you haven’t even left the dock yet.
We have open bar aboard, so save those last few cocktails the night before and have them aboard during your charter!
Now, if you “accidentally” still wind up hung over, see my note above about seasickness and take some meds an hour before hopping aboard.
Fishing Specific
How many fish can we expect to catch?
The crystal ball every fisherman wishes they had!
The short version: While it depends on the season and what type of fish are active, a usual day is anywhere from 1-3 fish landed, a really good day is 4-5, an excellent day is 6-10, and anything above that is getting really up there for a rare day out on the water.
Of course, there are also the odd days where simply nothing is biting. If fishermen could guarantee a catch, every fisherman you know would be rich!
Different species also bite in different manners. Going for marlin may yield us one catch, for example. During peak dorado season, we may land 3-5 because they can attack in groups and dorado are known to get aggressive and excited when they see all the action happening on the surface.
Here’s how we like to think of it:
Sport fishing is a blend between the skill of the crew and nature’s will.
Just like any sports team going into a primetime matchup — you’re not guaranteed a win, but with the right team and preparation, you can put yourself in the best position to win.
We feel confident that we’re in the position to win.
Our boats are equipped with top-of-the-line rods and reels, professionally made lures, and fresh live bait that is kept alive as we cruise in the live well.
We have our rig plan calculated down to exactly where to place the teasers, on which wake shoulder, how far back from that to have the hooked lure when to use bait when to use plastic when to combine both.
The crew are all pros with a lifetime of experience.
An example record of three days: One day we landed 3 dorados in the first two hours and caught a total of 12 fish from 3 different species: dorado, wahoo, marlin and missed a swordfish at the end!
The next day we landed 5 dorados and went searching for striped marlin with no luck.
The very next day, nothing.
After that, one marlin.
It can change so much from day to day, season to season, even when we’re out there every single day, all day, and know the best locations.
Fishing is a skill combined with preparation and luck.
The upside is huge, the downside… you were out on a yacht in the sun all day off the coast of Cabo San Lucas with a private chef and open bar.
Not a bad way to spend a day!
What type of fish can we expect to catch?
You can see our fishing calendar here.
It’s ultimately up to the fish and Mother Nature for what types will be biting on any given day, but the calendar is a good outline and guide for what you can expect.
Are there any age limits?
We would recommend at least 3+ years to come aboard for fishing charters. With kids 4+ in age, if a small fish is on the line, you can hold the rod with your child helping them and showing them how to reel in a catch! With larger game fish, they can pull hard enough to put even the fittest adults to task! You’ll want to be more directly hands-on with fish like marlin, swordfish, sailfish, dorado, wahoo and tuna.