Yacht charter questions, answered

No. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Nothing is booked, and nothing is owed, until you choose a vessel and confirm the charter.

Yes. Give us your best estimate and say that it may change. Because every vessel has a legal passenger limit, let us know the final number as soon as you have it, especially if it goes up.

Yes. Include the name and contact details of whoever will coordinate the charter, and tell us who the charter is for and how many guests will be on board.

No. There are no accounts or logins. Send the Request a Quote form, email info@YachtCharterBoatRentals.com or call +1 305-515-4735.

Sometimes. Last-minute charters depend entirely on which vessels are free, so for a date in the next few days, calling +1 305-515-4735 is usually the quickest way to check.

A motor yacht is powered by engines and is usually the fastest, with shaded decks and indoor lounges. A catamaran has two hulls, a wide, stable deck and easy swim access. A sailing yacht moves under sail for a quieter, classic day when the wind allows.

Larger motor yachts and catamarans often suit bigger groups, but the deciding factor is each vessel's legal passenger limit, which is set by its certification and local rules. Tell us your exact number and we will only suggest vessels that can carry everyone.

Often, with planning. Boarding, steps between decks and bathroom access vary widely between vessels, so tell us about any mobility or accessibility needs and we will check which boats and departure points suit your group.

It depends on the vessel and local rules. Some operators welcome well-behaved dogs and others do not allow animals, so ask when you request a quote and we will confirm before you book.

Charters without a captain, known as bareboat charters, require recognized boating qualifications and are not offered everywhere. Ask us if you hold suitable qualifications and we will tell you whether it is possible in your destination.

Swimwear, a towel unless the vessel provides them, sunglasses, a hat, sun protection, a light layer for the evening breeze and any medication you need. Soft-soled shoes are best on deck, and some marine parks ask visitors to use reef-safe sunscreen.

Policies vary by vessel. Some charters welcome your own snacks, cake or drinks, while others supply all catering, so we confirm the rules for your vessel before you book.

Many yachts, catamarans and sailing yachts have a marine toilet, often called a head, but some smaller boats do not. We confirm the facilities on your vessel, which matters most on longer charters.

Tipping customs vary by country and operator. We can tell you what is usual in your destination and whether a crew gratuity is already included in your quote.

Choose a calm time of day, often the morning, consider a catamaran for its stability, stay near the middle of the boat in fresh air and watch the horizon. If you are prone to seasickness, ask a pharmacist or doctor about remedies before your charter.

The captain and the local port authority decide whether it is safe to go out. Rescheduling and refund terms depend on the operator and are confirmed before you book, so flexible plans help in windy or stormy seasons.

Commercial charter vessels are generally required to carry a life jacket for everyone on board. Tell us the ages of any children so the operator can confirm suitable sizes.

Charters only run when the captain and authorities consider conditions safe, and many days in hurricane season are fine. Storms can still force last-minute changes, so flexible dates and travel insurance are sensible, especially in each region's peak months.

For a day charter that stays in one country's waters, you need only the documents required to travel to that destination, though carrying ID is wise. Trips that cross a border, such as from St. Thomas to the British Virgin Islands, require passports and customs clearance.

Usually, for adults of legal drinking age, where local law and the vessel allow it. The captain can limit alcohol for safety, particularly before swimming or snorkeling.

In Baja California Sur, at Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and La Paz; on the Pacific coast, at Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa–Zihuatanejo and Acapulco; and in the Mexican Caribbean, at Cancún, Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, Tulum and Cozumel. Cabo San Lucas also has a dedicated catamaran guide.

Our Caribbean guides cover Antigua, Aruba, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Fajardo in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Thomas, each with its own seasons, departure areas and charter styles.

Yes. There are separate guides to Nassau and Paradise Island and to Pig Beach and the Exuma Cays, which lie around 75 to 89 miles southeast of Nassau depending on the route.

Yes, in Miami, San Diego and Seattle, and in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, from Fajardo, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, from St. Thomas. U.S. Coast Guard passenger rules apply to charters in all of them.

Yes, in Costa Rica, on its Pacific coast, and in Cartagena, Colombia, the gateway to the Rosario Islands and Barú.

Yes, in Ibiza, in Spain's Balearic Islands, where July and August are the peak months, and along the Riviera around Monaco.