An anniversary dinner on a yacht in Cabo at sunset: the simple version, the chef version and how to time it

An anniversary dinner on a yacht in Cabo works like this: a private yacht leaves Marina Cabo San Lucas about 90 minutes before sunset, you watch the sun go down at the Arch, and then the boat anchors in the bay off Médano Beach with the town lights on while you eat, until 10 PM. The simple version is the Bayliner 30 for USD 799 (MXN 15,199) for three hours, a cheese board from the menu and your own bottle, boarding at Dock 1-A (Zaidas), by Captain Tony's. The chef version is the McKinna 70, with a multi-course menu cooked on board and complimentary drinks, from USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499). Prices are per boat with the 16% tax included; the 15% crew tip is extra.

The full menu prices and month-by-month departure times are in our private dinner cruise guide; the couples experience page shows the trips we set up for two.

The simple anniversary dinner: a small yacht, a board and a bottle

For a couple, the simple version is the two of you on a small yacht. The Bayliner 30 is a 30-foot cabin cruiser with a captain, a cooler with ice, bottled water and sodas, snorkel gear and a floating mat; it takes up to 6, so two have it to themselves. Three hours on the Bayliner 30 gives you one for the ride out and the Arch, one for the sunset and one at anchor for dinner.

Order the food in the planner and it's on board when you arrive. Cash prices in pesos; card adds 16%.

The yachts don't sell or serve alcohol, but guests 18 and over can bring their own, so the bottle you've been saving goes in the cooler at the dock. You can bring real glasses, though the deck moves and plastic is safer.

For the two of you, three hours on the Bayliner 30 plus a small board comes to about USD 840, about USD 420 each before the tip. The Chaparral 28 is the cheaper option at USD 709 (MXN 13,599) for three hours, with a Bluetooth sound system for your own playlist and no cabin.

The chef anniversary: McKinna 70 or Azimut 70

For a tenth or a twenty-fifth, or an anniversary with the kids and the parents on board, the two 70-foot yachts turn the evening into a dinner where the crew does the hosting. Both take up to 12 and have a three-hour minimum.

On the McKinna 70, a chef cooks a multi-course menu on board, you start with welcome snacks and fresh guacamole, and a crew of five serves complimentary drinks. Three hours is USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499), four hours USD 5,999 (MXN 113,999). On the Azimut 70, the crew of three serves a menu on board (fish ceviche, sashimi, beef or chicken fajitas, guacamole with chips) and complimentary beer and cocktails, with two cabins and an A/C salon; three hours is USD 4,199 (MXN 79,799), and a chef is available at an extra charge. Our McKinna 70 vs Azimut 70 guide compares them, and the luxury yachts page has the rest of the top of the fleet.

For a family anniversary dinner on a budget, the Azimut 45 Flybridge takes 12 with two cabins, two heads and an A/C salon for USD 1,649 (MXN 31,399) for three hours, plus a Mexican feast for 6 to 8 from the menu at MXN 2,600.

Timing the sunset for your anniversary date

Sunset in Cabo San Lucas runs from about 5:35 PM in late November and December to about 7:08 PM in July, and Cabo stays on Mountain Standard Time all year. Leave the dock about 90 minutes before sunset. The trip guide has the time for your exact date.

The last column follows the harbor hours: departures run until 7 PM, yachts sail until 8 PM, and yachts that left from the marina may stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM. The Sea Ray 65 meets you at Fisherman's Landing restaurant, by the Cabo Escape terminal, and must be back by 8 PM, so skip it for a dinner.

The Port Captain closes the harbor only under a hurricane or storm threat or in extraordinary situations, and most closures fall between September and mid-October. If it closes, you get a new date or a full refund. An anniversary has a fixed date, so book it early in your trip to leave room.

Where to anchor for dinner

After the sunset, the captain anchors on the calm bay side. Off Médano Beach, the hotels and the town light up behind the sand. Off Lover's Beach, at the foot of Land's End, it's darker and quieter. Say which you'd like when you book; the captain decides on the day based on the water.

For the sunset itself, the Pacific route around Land's End faces the sun as it drops toward the Cabo Falso lighthouse, with more motion; the bay route stays calm and watches the Arch turn gold. Our sunset cruise guide compares the two.

Decorations, flowers, cake and the photographer

What's allowed on deck changed in October 2026: the Port Captain no longer allows balloons on board. Decorations are cardstock and a sign, and loose confetti or glitter is out. Flowers (a bouquet or petals on deck) and a celebration cake are extras we quote separately when you book; tell us the date and the yacht and we confirm what's available.

A professional photographer can join for USD 180, with all the photos from your charter, paid directly to the photographer. Add it in the planner and mention the anniversary so the photographer knows when to be ready, and ask for a few at the Arch before the light goes. Our engagement and couple photoshoot guide covers the light hour by hour.

If the anniversary comes with a question

Some anniversaries are a renewal of vows, and some are the night of the proposal years later. Our vow renewal on a yacht guide covers saying it again on the water with the family on board, and how to propose on a boat in Cabo covers the first time. The rest of the romantic list is in romantic things to do in Cabo.

Booking your anniversary dinner

Open the planner, pick the yacht, your date and three hours, choose a departure about 90 minutes before sunset, and add the board or the feast. Write "anniversary" in the notes with anything you're bringing on board. We reply in writing within two hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time, or on WhatsApp at +52 624 300 8029, and send a secure Stripe link once the date is confirmed. For two, start with the Bayliner 30; for the chef, the McKinna 70.

Yachts in this guide

Bayliner 30Cabin cruiser · up to 6 guestsfrom $549 / 2 hMcKinna 70Luxury motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $4,499 / 3 hChaparral 28Sport boat · up to 10 guestsfrom $519 / 2 hAzimut 70Flybridge motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $4,199 / 3 h

Questions people ask

How do you celebrate an anniversary on a yacht in Cabo?

Book a private yacht for three hours leaving about 90 minutes before sunset, watch the sun go down at the Arch, then anchor in the bay off Médano Beach for dinner until 10 PM. The Bayliner 30 for two is USD 799 (MXN 15,199) for three hours; add a cheese board and your own bottle.

Is there an anniversary dinner cruise in Cabo with a chef?

Yes, on the McKinna 70: a chef cooks a multi-course menu on board and the crew serves complimentary drinks, for up to 12, from USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499) for three hours. The Azimut 70 has a set menu and complimentary cocktails from USD 4,199.

Can we decorate the yacht for our anniversary in Cabo?

With cardstock decorations and a sign, yes. The Port Captain no longer allows balloons on board, and loose confetti or glitter is out. Flowers and a cake are extras quoted separately when you book.

Do we need to hire a photographer for an anniversary on a yacht in Cabo?

You can add one when you book. A professional photographer joins for USD 180, with all the photos from your charter, paid directly to the photographer. Add it in the planner and tell us it's an anniversary so they know the moment to catch.

Plan your day on the water

Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Check availabilitySee the fleet