Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave

Cabo Wave turns sunset into a floating dinner party. You’ll cruise past the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and Lovers Beach, then settle in for Mexican-inspired food, live music, dancing, and an open bar. The upper deck is best for photos, while the lower dining room has oversized windows.

I like the easy two-hour format and the chance to see Cabo’s rock formations from the water without planning a private boat trip. I also like the mix of food and drinks: shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, tataki, beef and tuna carpaccio, plus beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas.

The main thing to understand is the mood. This is not always a hushed, romantic dinner cruise. Music can become very loud and party-focused, especially later in the evening, so couples seeking quiet conversation may want another kind of boat trip.

Cabo Wave at a glance

• Sunset views from the upper deck: The route includes the Arch and Playa de los Amantes, better known as Lovers Beach.
• A two-part meal: Small bites are served before dinner, followed by a meal in the lower dining room.
• Open bar included: Beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas are part of the package.
• Live music with dancing: The tone can shift from scenic sunset outing to lively party.
• Cabo departure at 5 pm: You meet at La Terminal de CaboMarina, near the Breathless Hotel El Medano.
• Price and practical value: At $99 per person, the fare covers the cruise, food, entertainment, and drinks, but not the $5 dock and protected-area fee.

Setting out from Cabo Marina at 5 pm

You meet at La Terminal de CaboMarina de Cabo San Lucas, Puerto 0, in front of the Breathless Hotel El Medano. The activity returns to the same place, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the marina.

One practical warning: check the exact meeting instructions before leaving your hotel. A past check-in address caused some people to walk five to ten minutes to find the right place. That is not a major problem if you arrive early, but it is an unnecessary worry before a timed boat departure.

The experience is offered in English and can carry up to 120 people. That makes Cabo Wave a sizable boat outing, not an intimate sail with only a handful of passengers. If you like meeting people, music, and a social setting, the larger capacity helps create energy. If you want private service and a quiet table, it may feel busy.

The boat has restrooms on board, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied details do not promise hotel transfers, reserved seating, or a specific table arrangement, so plan on a shared cruise setting.

The Arch, Cabo’s best sunset backdrop

The cruise begins with time on the upper deck, where you can see Cabo’s rock formations and watch the changing evening light. The Arch is the star of the route. This famous stone formation marks the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and it gives you the classic Cabo photo without needing a separate sightseeing boat.

The first portion lasts about 30 minutes. Keep your phone or camera ready because the light changes quickly near sunset. The upper deck is the place to be for open views, but you may want to move around rather than stay fixed in one spot. The best photo angle can disappear as the boat shifts position.

You also have the chance to see marine life. Whales have been spotted during this cruise, though sightings are never guaranteed. If a whale appears, it becomes an unexpected bonus rather than part of the promised route.

The Arch stop is scenic, but do not expect a long shore visit. You remain on the boat. This matters if you are comparing Cabo Wave with a beach excursion, since the cruise gives you views of the coastline but does not include time on land.

Lovers Beach as the sun drops

The next section takes you toward Playa de los Amantes, or Lovers Beach. From the open-air upper deck, you can watch the sun sink toward the Pacific and see the beach framed by Cabo’s rugged formations.

This is the most atmospheric part of the evening. I like the fact that the boat combines the Arch with Lovers Beach instead of treating the sunset as a single photo stop. The views change as the boat moves, and the colors often become stronger after the sun reaches the horizon.

Bring a light layer if you tend to get cool on the water. The provided information does not specify weather conditions, seating arrangements, or how much time you spend in each exact position, so your comfort may depend on where you sit and how crowded the upper deck feels.

The cruise requires good weather. If conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a sunset activity, that policy is useful because the weather is part of the experience, not a minor detail.

Small plates before the main meal

The food begins with amuse-bouches, or small starter portions. The listed selection includes a shrimp cocktail shot, caprese crostini bruschetta, tataki, seared beef, and tuna carpaccio.

That menu gives the opening part of dinner a more polished feel than a simple snack tray. Seafood and raw or lightly cooked items also fit the coastal setting. If you enjoy tasting several things instead of receiving one large plate, this part of the meal should appeal to you.

Still, food service appears to have changed over time, and descriptions of the meal have not always matched perfectly. Some earlier sailings were described as a Mexican buffet with rice, beans, tortillas, chicken, beef, and fajitas. The current details list the small plates above and a dinner served downstairs, but you should allow for menu or service changes.

That is a useful point for anyone booking a birthday or anniversary. At $99, the meal is part of the value, but you should not book this expecting a fixed fine-dining menu unless the operator confirms the exact dinner format for your date.

Dinner downstairs with music and drinks

After the outdoor sightseeing, the cruise moves to a lower-deck dining room with oversized windows and live music. The windows let you continue looking out while eating, though the upper deck remains the better choice for unobstructed sunset photos.

The open bar includes beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas. The drinks are prepared by an in-house mixologist, and the package is included rather than charged by the glass. That can make the price work well for you if you plan to have several drinks during the two-hour outing.

The bar is less valuable if you do not drink alcohol. In that case, the scenery, dinner, and music carry more of the price. The details do not list wine, rum, whiskey, or specific cocktails, so do not assume that every premium spirit or mixed drink is available.

Food portions have received praise, and the meal has been described as tasty and healthier than expected. At the same time, older experiences included buffet service rather than individual plates. I would treat Cabo Wave as a good-value dinner-and-entertainment cruise, not as a restaurant replacement.

Live music, DJ energy, and the party question

Music is central to the outing. You can expect live music, and some sailings also include a DJ and dancing. The crew helps keep the atmosphere moving, refills drinks, and encourages people to join in.

This is exactly what makes the cruise appealing to many people. A couple can watch the sunset, eat dinner, and then dance without changing venues. Families and solo visitors can also find it easy to join the fun, since the format is social rather than formal.

But the music level deserves a clear warning. Some sailings have been described as a party ship, with loud, thumping music that made conversation difficult. Moving below deck may not solve the issue for everyone, since diesel smells have bothered some passengers there.

I would book this for a birthday, friends’ night out, or family group that enjoys dancing. I would be cautious about booking it for an older relative who wants a calm meal, or for a couple hoping to talk quietly over dinner. The experience can begin with a scenic sunset and finish with a high-energy party.

Is $99 a fair price?

The $99 fare includes the cruise, dinner, open bar, live music, and restroom access. You also get views of the Arch and Lovers Beach without paying separately for a sightseeing boat. A $5 per-person dock and protected-area fee is extra, so the stated cost is not the final total.

For Cabo, that is a reasonable package if you plan to drink and enjoy live entertainment. Buying dinner, several drinks, and a separate sunset cruise could easily cost a similar amount, though the comparison depends on what you would order elsewhere.

The value drops if you want a quiet meal or do not drink. You are paying for the full combination of boat time, food, alcohol, and entertainment, not simply for transportation around the bay.

I also would not choose this solely for the food. The meal is an important part of the package, and portions are generally generous, but the menu and service style may vary. The strongest reason to book is the full evening: Cabo views, sunset, drinks, music, and dancing in one short outing.

Who will enjoy Cabo Wave most?

You are a good match for this cruise if you want:

• A social sunset outing instead of a private boat
• A simple way to combine sightseeing, dinner, and drinks
• Live music and the option to dance
• Arch and Lovers Beach photos from the water
• A two-hour activity that fits neatly into a Cabo evening
• A package price that includes an open bar

Think twice if you need a quiet atmosphere, a guaranteed plated dinner, or a tightly controlled luxury experience. The large boat and party mood are part of the deal, and the sound level may be the biggest deciding factor.

The cruise can suit families, couples, and solo visitors, but the right choice depends more on personality than on group type. A family that enjoys music may have a wonderful night. A couple celebrating a milestone may be disappointed if they expect a soft, romantic dinner.

Booking details worth knowing

The cruise starts at 5 pm and lasts about two hours, returning to the same Cabo Marina meeting point. The maximum capacity is 120 people, and the activity is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since the cruise depends on good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of a different date or a full refund.

The $5 dock and protected-area fee is not included. Hotel transportation is also not included, so leave time to reach the marina and confirm the correct check-in point before departure.

Should you book the Cabo Wave sunset cruise?

Book it if your ideal Cabo evening includes the Arch at sunset, an open bar, dinner, live music, and some dancing. At $99 plus the $5 fee, it offers a convenient bundle and a lively way to see the coast from the water.

Skip it if your priority is quiet conversation, intimate service, or a guaranteed fine-dining meal. The safest expectation is a scenic dinner party, not a silent sunset sail. If you choose it with that distinction in mind, Cabo Wave can deliver a fun, easy evening with excellent photo opportunities and plenty of energy.

FAQ

Where does the Cabo Wave sunset cruise start?

It starts at La Terminal de CaboMarina de Cabo San Lucas, Puerto 0, in front of the Breathless Hotel El Medano, El Medano Ejidal, Cabo San Lucas. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise begin?

The listed start time is 5 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

What food is included?

The listed food includes a shrimp cocktail shot, caprese crostini bruschetta, tataki, seared beef, and tuna carpaccio, followed by dinner in the lower dining room. Menu and service style can change.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

The open bar includes beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas. Drinks are prepared by the in-house mixologist.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. A $5 per-person dock and protected-area fee is also charged separately.