Guide to Yacht Charter Costs

Your sailing vacation is the most significant week of your year, and you shouldn’t have to compromise on the details – that includes understanding the full cost of a yacht charter.

While no two yacht charters are the same, we believe in total clarity. Whether you prefer the freedom of a bareboat charter, the local insight of a skipper, or the effortless comfort of a crewed yacht, we want you to know exactly what to expect before you step on board. 

To help make your charter planning seamless, this guide breaks down the full cost of your charter – detailing everything from average charter prices and factors influencing the cost of a charter, to additional costs which new charter customers tend to ask about.

How much does a yacht charter cost?

Yacht charters range anywhere from a starting price of $1,885 for a 7-day bareboat charter for 2 people in the low season to a starting price of $64,890 for a 7-day crewed charter for 2 people in the high season.

One of the most important factors affecting the cost of a yacht charter is the charter type itself. From bareboat sailing vacations to all-inclusive crewed charters and everything in between, take a look at the differences in price between different charter types.

How much does a bareboat sailing charter cost?

The starting cost for a bareboat yacht charter typically ranges between $1,885* and $24,179, based on a 7-day charter for 2 people. 

Bareboat charters are usually the most cost-effective option because you’re handling the sailing, itinerary, and provisioning yourself.

Discover our bareboat sailing charters.

*Price based on a monohull bareboat charter in the low season.

How much does a skippered charter cost?

A skippered charter package typically ranges from a starting price of $6,284 in the low season to a starting price of $24,179 in the high season.

Skippered charter packages are only available in the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. They include a skipper for the duration of your Caribbean sailing vacation, skipper provisioning, and WiFi.

You can add a skipper to your bareboat charter in all our destinations. The cost of adding a skipper to your Sailing or Power charter ranges from $190-$380 per night, and they can be hired for all or part of your vacation. This cost doesn’t include skipper provisioning or WiFi, so both will need to be factored into your overall budget.

Take a look at our skippered charter options.

How much does an all-inclusive crewed charter cost?

The starting price for a crewed yacht charter typically ranges between $13,134 in the low season and $64,890 in the high season.

While the overall cost is higher than other yacht charter types, the cost includes a skipper, chef, all meals, snacks and drinks, watersports equipment, fuel, housekeeping services, and more. This is the most assured way to sail, where your chosen destination’s water is simply the backdrop to your catered experience, allowing you to enjoy the water your way in comfort and ease. 

For crewed charters, if you’re happy with the outstanding quality of service during your all-inclusive sailing vacation, a gratuity of 15- 20% of the overall charter price is also suggested. 

Learn more about what’s included in your crewed yacht charter.

How much does a Power charter cost?

A Power yacht charter typically ranges from a starting price of $2,230 in the low season to a starting price of $26,999 in the high season.

Power charters are a good option if you want to cover more ground while still having plenty of space to relax on board. The spacious flybridge is also ideal for relaxing and soaking up the sun, while the wraparound window panes provide wide views of the coastline and nearby islands.

Find out more about our Power yacht charters.

What can impact the cost of a yacht charter?

Your destination, yacht type, travel dates, and group size will all affect the final cost of your charter. As a result, the cost of curating your perfect yacht charter can differ, depending on your preferences.

The following factors can impact the cost of your yacht charter:

1. Destination
2. Number of passengers
3. Duration
4. Time of year
5. Type of yacht

Destination

Which destination and base you choose to set sail from will have a huge impact on your overall charter cost. Average sailing vacation costs, based on a 7-day charter for 2 people, include:

Different destinations also have their own taxes, mooring fees, fuel prices, and living costs. The closer you live to your chosen base, the shorter your flight will be, which may impact costs.

Number of passengers

Our award-winning yachts can sleep between 6 and 12 people, depending on which one you book. While the overall price might be more expensive the more passengers you have, the per-person price will decrease as you’ll be splitting costs with more people.

In fact, booking an all-inclusive crewed yacht charter for 10 people could end up costing less than booking a luxury villa in certain destinations, as your food, housekeeping, and travel to nearby islands are included in the cost, whereas you’d have to factor that in on top of your villa price.

Duration

It goes without saying that the longer you want to spend exploring islands, relaxing on sandy beaches, and embracing the rich history of your chosen destination, the more your charter will cost. For example*:

*Examples based on booking a bareboat charter on a monohull.

Time of year

The time of year plays a huge part in how much your yacht charter will cost. 

All destinations have a peak sailing season, where you experience the best sailing conditions but will be met with higher costs and larger crowds. For the Mediterranean, this is usually June-August, whereas for the Caribbean, it’s typically December-March.

National holidays will also often bring higher prices, e.g., Power charters in the BVI start from up to $13,854 over Christmas, compared to $6,654 at other times of the year.

Outside of these months, during the low season, costs will be lower, and crowds will be fewer. Although weather conditions may be less predictable depending on the destination.

Extra costs during your trip are also likely to be higher during peak seasons, due to limited availability.

Type of yacht

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when booking a yacht charter is which yacht you want to set sail on.

In terms of sailing yachts:

• Monohulls have lower costs than catamarans, yet are still very high-performing and offer a quintessential sailing experience. 
• Catamarans, on the other hand, tend to be more spacious and have more stability, but will often cost more. 

Power yachts cost more than sailing yachts (e.g., the lowest starting price in St Lucia is $2,464 for a sailing yacht, compared to $7,012 for a Power yacht). However, they offer a sleek, speedy cruising experience with both comfort and performance in mind.

Other considerations:

• The size of your yacht is also important – most mooring fees are calculated according to feet (e.g., in Dubrovnik, a 40ft monohull might cost around $66 to moor up in a popular marina in the low season, whereas a 50ft monohull may cost around $144).
• In some destinations, such as the Mediterranean, catamarans may also be expected to pay supplementary mooring charges, which can increase your daily living costs.

Additional yacht charter costs you need to factor in

Beyond your base charter, there are operational details to account for. Here is how to factor them into your budget with confidence.

As a general rule, allowing an additional 25-30% of your overall charter price for extra costs should be enough, although for some sailors this may be closer to 50%, particularly those celebrating special occasions.

Here are some of the additional costs you need to factor into your yacht charter budget:

1. Flights and airport transfers
2. Local taxes and Customs fees
3. Mooring fees
4. Sailing qualifications
5. Provisioning
6. Fuel
7. Activities, excursions, and itineraries
8. Equipment renal
9. Hiring additional crew
10. Gratuity
11. Yacht Damage Waiver

Flights and airport transfers

One of the first costs you need to factor into your overall budget is your flights. Prices will differ depending on time of year, whether you’re flying long-haul or short-haul, which type of ticket you buy, and how far in advance you book.

You also need to consider airport transfers, which will differ from airport to airport, but can cost around $10-$60 for 2 people, on average. After a long day of traveling, the last thing you want is to be worrying about reaching your charter base, which is why, at The Moorings, we offer pre-booked airport transfers as part of our charter extras. 

Local taxes and Customs fees

Many popular sailing destinations have their own local taxes and Customs fees, such as:

• The BVI has a $10 Environmental Levy and $20 Departure Tax, among other fees.
• Croatia has a Tourism Tax, which costs around €1,33-$1,36 per person, per day.
• The Bahamas has a 4% Bahamas cruising fee, and foreign-flagged yacht charters will also need to pay an additional 10% VAT.

Taxes for many of our destinations are included in the price of your booking, so they won’t cost you more. Use the ‘build-a-quote’ tool for your chosen destination to find out which fees are included in your charter price.

You’ll also find that some destinations have other fees, such as fishing permits and National Park entry fees.

Mooring fees

Whether you’re mooring up to explore secluded coves or enjoy authentic cuisine, there will likely be mooring fees to take into account.

Mooring fees will differ depending on the destination, type of mooring, time of year, and size of yacht. Local mooring balls tend to cost less than using large marinas, although their availability might be more limited.

Some restaurants, tavernas, and companies may offer free moorings if you use their services.

Sailing Qualifications

If you want to take the helm on a bareboat yacht charter, it’s important to ensure you have the appropriate sailing qualifications and meet all the sailing requirements for your chosen destination.

US Sailing ‘Bareboat Cruising’ and ASA ‘104 Bareboat Cruising’ course and certification costs typically start from around $1,100 each, although they will differ depending on which company you choose, how long your course is, and where you choose to complete the course. 

For experienced sailors simply needing a qualification, NauticEd’s SLC online courses typically cost around $175, as well as a $95 licence issue fee. You will also need to pay for an in-person on-the-water evaluation (typically, one day is sufficient).

Learn more about sailing qualifications and requirements.

Provisioning

When you book a bareboat or skippered yacht charter, you’ll need to factor in provisioning costs for your party and any crew members you hire, such as skippers. 

The average cost of provisioning on a yacht charter is around $50-$75 per person, per day. However, this differs depending on alcohol consumption, dietary requirements, and how often you’ll be eating out at local restaurants.

Discover our Provisioning options.

Fuel

You need to factor in the price of fueling your yacht, and many charter companies will also expect you to return your yacht with a full tank of fuel.

We include a full tank of fuel in the price of your sailing charter (except for Mediterranean destinations and Power yachts*), and we also don’t expect you to refuel at the end of your vacation. All you need to pay for is additional refueling whilst on your charter.

You can also make use of our pre-paid fueling options so you can spend less time thinking about the day-to-day logistics of your charter and more time planning your next activity.

*If you’re booking a Power charter in the BVI, you will be required to pre-pay for fuel ahead of your charter.

(H3) Sailing itinerary

One of the most important factors to consider when budgeting for your sailing vacation is what your itinerary is going to look like.

If you plan on spending most of your vacation aboard your yacht or switching off on beautiful beaches, you may not need to account for too many additional costs. However, if you want to go to high-end marinas, reserve paid mooring balls, and have an itinerary filled with must-do activities, exciting excursions, local experiences, fine dining meals, and parties, you may need to increase your budget.

Equipment rental

Spend your vacation snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, and making memories on the water. If you have room in your luggage, you can bring your own, or many local operators will rent out equipment. 

We also have a selection of water toys available to hire in select destinations, including kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Hiring additional crew

When you set sail with The Moorings, you can hire additional crew members for an extra cost to make your yacht charter even more comfortable, including adding a skipper to your bareboat charter, where you’ll benefit from their extensive local expertise.

Gratuity

When you book a skippered charter or bareboat charter with a skipper, a gratuity is expected and is typically given to the skipper at the end of the charter. The amount is entirely at your discretion.

For crewed charters, if you’re happy with the outstanding quality of service during your all inclusive sailing vacation, a gratuity of 15-20% of the overall charter price is suggested. 

Yacht Damager Waiver and security deposit

You will need to pay a security deposit ahead of your yacht charter. To protect yourself against accidental damage or loss, and to reduce the security deposit, you can also purchase a Yacht Damage Waiver when you book your yacht charter with The Moorings.

Prices differ depending on yacht type, size, and duration, but generally speaking, you will pay between $125-$170 for catamarans, $80-$100 for monohulls, and $125-$170 for Power yachts. You will then pay the reduced security deposit upon arrival at your chosen base.

Learn more about Yacht Damage Waivers.

Book your sailing vacation with The Moorings

Budgeting for a yacht charter doesn’t have to feel like a leap into the unknown. 

By understanding how the destination, time of year, and other factors can impact the cost of your charter, and allocating budget for hidden living and operational costs, you can eliminate the guesswork and ensure your budget is truly reflective of what you’re likely to spend on your sailing vacation. 

Ready to do time away properly? Select one of our finest sailing grounds across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Americas, and Exotics, and build a bespoke quote tailored to your exact requirements. Alternatively, speak to a Vacation Planner to start personalizing your yacht charter today.

Please note that all pricing is subject to change and is based on information available at the time of publication. This was last updated in April 2026.

Caribbean

British Virgin Islands

Americas

Exumas

Americas

Abacos

Exotics

Tahiti

Mediterranean

Agana

Mediterranean

Dubrovnik

Mediterranean

Athens

Mediterranean

Corfu

Contributor

ameliamiles

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