Sunsets here come with dinner and music. On Cabo Wave, this 5:00 pm cruise strings together the Arch of Cabo San Lucas views, a dip by Playa de los Amantes, and a live-music dinner with an open bar.

What I like most is the built-in photo time at the Arch and Lovers Beach, without you needing to drive or guess where to stand. The second big win is the all-in vibe: you get dinner plus drinks, and the crew keeps the evening moving. Open bar is part of the ticket.

One thing to weigh: this cruise can feel more like a party than a quiet sunset dinner. If you’re sensitive to music volume, plan on using the upper deck for breaks or just expecting a louder soundtrack.

Key things to know before you go

• Arch + Lovers Beach photo stops built into the route, with time to look and shoot
• Upper deck viewing with live music during the sunset sessions and open-air views
• Dinner on the lower deck with oversized windows and a lively atmosphere
• Open bar included (beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas)
• A group of up to 120 keeps energy high and social, especially with live entertainment

Cabo Wave’s sunset route: Arch views and Lovers Beach drama

The heart of this cruise is that it hits the two Cabo postcard spots in one smooth evening. You’re not just “heading out to watch sunset.” You’re moving through the most recognizable shoreline scenery, with brief, timed stops so you’re not stuck staring at the same angle the whole time.

Stop one is aimed straight at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. You’ll start out on the upper deck lounge, where the view is naturally framed by the rock formations. This is the part of the evening where I’d expect you to feel the payoff fastest: golden light on the landmark, photos with less effort, and that relaxed sense that the crew is handling the navigation.

Stop two is Playa de los Amantes, where the Pacific does its best lighting trick. The timing is set so you can watch the sun lower and disappear behind the horizon line, with the color shift happening right in front of you. If you’re the type who likes to take pictures but also wants to actually watch the scene instead of constantly moving around, this stop format works well.

Between stops, you’re still on the water, so there’s no dead time where you’re just waiting. It’s more “guided sunset tour” than “sit-and-hope.”

The boat setup: upper-deck views and lower-deck dinner

Cabo Wave splits the experience into two moods. The upper deck is built for looking outward, and the lower deck is where the evening turns into a proper dinner room.

When you’re on the upper deck, you’ll get an open-air feel during the sunset session moments. That matters because Cabo sunsets are all about the sky and the sea line. If you’ve ever watched sunset from indoors, you know it can feel flat. Here, you get the real weather, sea breeze, and natural horizon.

The lower deck is where dinner happens. Expect a dining room setup with oversized windows and live music. In other words, you get the views from inside, but the atmosphere stays lively, not stiff. There’s also a restroom on board, which is a practical comfort for a 2-hour-ish outing.

A small caution: because you’re on a working vessel, some people may find certain lower-deck areas smell strongly at times. If you’re sensitive to that, keep it simple: spend more time on deck when you can and don’t feel locked into staying downstairs the whole meal.

Live music and the party factor: fun, but not always quiet

This is one of those tours where the entertainment is part of the product. The plan includes live music, and the energy on board can tilt toward party mode depending on the sailing.

If you want a relaxed dinner where you can talk without leaning in, you should take this seriously. Some guests report the music being quite loud, to the point where conversation takes effort. Others call the vibe lively with dancers and a DJ presence. So the safe interpretation is: the soundtrack is not background.

The good news is that you have options. You’ll be moving between decks, and the sunset stops give you natural moments away from the loudest area. If your group has mixed preferences (one person wants to dance, one wants to talk), you can usually solve it by rotating where you stand or sit.

My practical advice: if you’re bringing older relatives or anyone who gets bothered by loud audio, make the “upper deck breaks” part of the plan ahead of time. That way you won’t feel trapped if the volume ramps up.

Dinner and open bar value: what $99 buys you

At $99 per person, this cruise isn’t trying to be a luxury fine-dining experience with white tablecloth service. It’s built around value: scenery + dinner + drinks + live entertainment in one ticket.

Here’s what’s explicitly included:

• Dinner
• Open bar: beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas
• Cruise
• Live music
• Restroom on board

On paper, the food starts with small bites on the upper deck—things like a shrimp cocktail shot, capresso crostini bruschetta, tataki, and seared beef and tuna carpaccio. But the reality can vary in how that shows up on board. Some people describe a multi-course feel and Mexican-authentic flavors. Others experience a more buffet-style dinner with standard Mexican staples like rice, beans, tortillas, chicken, and beef.

So how should you approach it? Don’t book this as a foodie masterclass where every dish is guaranteed to match a single menu card. Book it as an evening where you’ll likely eat well enough, have enough variety to be satisfied, and enjoy the show while you’re doing it.

The open bar is the real lever for value. Vodka and tequila alongside beer and sodas means you can keep the evening going without paying drink-by-drink. You’re also not stuck with only one style of alcohol. If you plan to have a couple drinks, that inclusion is what can make the math work.

One more practical detail: portions are described as generous, and service tends to be attentive, with staff working to keep drinks coming. That’s exactly what you want on a cruise where you’re also trying to watch sunsets.

The photo stops you’ll actually use: Arch and Lovers Beach

This tour is built around viewing windows, not just “drive-by landmarks.” Stop timing matters because sunsets don’t wait for you. The cruise gives you two strong photo and viewing chances where the light is doing something interesting.

Arch of Cabo San Lucas stop:

• You’ll begin on the upper deck lounge
• The landmark sits in a wide scenic frame with rock formations
• You’ll have enough time to take multiple angles without feeling rushed

Playa de los Amantes stop:

• You’ll watch the sun sink into the Pacific
• From the open-air upper deck, the sky-to-ocean transition looks dramatic
• It’s one of the easiest stops to photograph because the background is stable and iconic

If you’re thinking about getting good shots, don’t overcomplicate it. Take a few quick photos, then spend the rest of the time watching. The point isn’t only the camera; it’s that the boat gives you the viewing structure so you can do both.

Also, keep your camera ready just in case wildlife shows up. There have been sightings of whales from this kind of route, and it can happen unexpectedly, so it’s worth staying alert during the cruising stretches.

Timing: what a 5:00 pm start means for your Cabo night

A 5:00 pm start puts you right in that sweet spot: late enough that the sky has color potential, early enough that you’re not stuck out too late afterward.

The itinerary is set for:

• About 30 minutes at the Arch
• About 30 minutes at Lovers Beach
• About 1 hour for dinner while you’re on the water

So while the evening feels like a “sunset cruise,” you should plan around it as a compact experience. Don’t schedule an important reservation immediately after, because you’ll want a little buffer for docking and getting your bearings.

If you’re coming from dinner on land, you’ll want to time it so you’re hungry for the boat meal. If you’re coming straight from an afternoon activity, even better: you can treat the cruise as your main meal.

Who this cruise fits (and who might prefer something quieter)

This is a solid match for:

• Couples who want a classic Cabo sunset with minimal planning
• People who like live music and don’t mind a lively atmosphere
• Groups that want dinner and drinks included without extra logistics
• Anyone who values the photo stops and wants them handled for you

It’s not the best fit if:

• You want quiet conversation throughout
• You’re extremely sensitive to loud music or bass
• You expect a calm, slow, luxury-style dinner experience with low energy

Your decision hinges on your mood. If you’re looking for a party-tilted sunset with a built-in show, you’ll likely love it. If your ideal Cabo evening is more low-key and conversational, I’d think twice and consider choosing a different style of cruise.

Practical logistics: the meeting point and the small extra fee

Meeting point is at La Terminal de CaboMarina de Cabo San Lucas, in front of Breathless Hotel El Medano, at El Medano Ejidal, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity starts at 5:00 pm, and it ends back at the meeting point.

One extra cost to note: there’s a $5.00 per person dock and protected areas fee that isn’t included in the base price. For budgeting, assume your total will be a touch higher than the headline amount.

The cruise is offered in English, and the maximum group size is up to 120 travelers. That size supports a fun atmosphere, but it also means you’ll want to keep your expectations social rather than intimate.

Should you book the Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cabo Wave?

If you want a straightforward Cabo sunset evening that includes dinner, an open bar, and a real “on the water” music atmosphere, I think this is a strong pick for the money. The best reason to book is the structure: Arch and Lovers Beach photo-worthy stops paired with an evening meal and drinks so you don’t have to plan anything beyond getting there on time.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• You plan to have a drink or two
• You’re okay with a lively soundtrack
• You want iconic Cabo views without extra driving

I’d pause if you’re booking for someone who needs quiet, or if you’re expecting a calm luxury dinner vibe. This cruise can run toward party energy.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cabo Wave?

The cruise is about 2 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 5:00 pm.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at La Terminal de CaboMarina de Cabo San Lucas, in front of Breathless Hotel El Medano, El Medano Ejidal, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the ticket?

The ticket includes dinner, an open bar, the cruise, live music, and a restroom on board.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

The open bar includes beer, vodka, tequila, and sodas.

Is there an extra fee besides the tour price?

Yes. There is a dock and protected areas fee of $5.00 per person that is not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.