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Renting a yacht with a captain costs about $500 to $1,200 an hour for a 35 to 50 ft yacht, $1,200 to $3,500 an hour for 50 to 75 ft, and $3,500 to $8,000 an hour for a 75 to 120 ft luxury yacht, based on 2026 prices published in Miami and South Florida. Most day charters are sold in blocks of 4, 6 or 8 hours, so a typical 4-hour charter costs about $1,700 to $9,700 before gratuity.
Then come the extras that listings often leave out: a crew gratuity of 15 to 20%, and at some operators 7% sales tax on top. This guide puts four published price lists side by side and shows what you actually pay.
On this page
Yacht rental prices by size (2026)
| Yacht size | Guests (typical) | Per hour | 4 hours (half day) | 8 hours (full day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35–50 ft | up to 6–12 | $500–1,200 | $2,000–4,800 | $4,000–9,000 |
| 50–75 ft | up to 12–25 | $1,200–3,500 | $4,800–14,000 | $9,000–25,000 |
| 75–120 ft | up to 25–50 | $3,500–8,000 | $14,000–32,000 | $25,000–60,000 |
| 120 ft and over | up to 50–150+ | $8,000–20,000+ | $32,000–80,000+ | $60,000–150,000+ |
Source: YATR cost guide, average charter costs in Miami and South Florida, checked October 15, 2026. The guest numbers are what the yachts are built for; for most charters the legal limit is lower (see how many guests).
Four published price lists compared (Miami, 4-hour charter)
Each operator publishes its own prices. Side by side, for a 4-hour day charter in Miami:
| Yacht size | YATR | Miami Yacht Connect | Yachts Miami Vice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 40 ft | not listed | not listed | $1,000–2,299 (27–39 ft) |
| About 40–50 ft | $2,000–4,800 (35–50 ft) | $1,700–2,800 (38–48 ft) | $1,400–2,900 (40–49 ft) |
| About 50–70 ft | $4,800–14,000 (50–75 ft) | $3,000–5,500 (50–70 ft) | $1,700–3,800 (50–59 ft), $1,950–5,300 (60–79 ft) |
| About 75–100 ft | $14,000–32,000 (75–120 ft) | $5,500–9,700+ (75–100 ft) | $3,000–24,650 (80–177 ft) |
Sources: YATR, Miami Yacht Connect (April 29, 2026), Yachts Miami Vice (August 14, 2026). Marketplace Getmyboat puts larger yachts at roughly $500 to $1,500+ an hour, with 2 to 4 hour minimums common.
The lists disagree because they measure different things. YATR's guide is an average range across a large fleet including peak dates; Miami Yacht Connect and Yachts Miami Vice publish their own fleets' rates. What each price includes differs too, which matters more than the headline number.
What you actually pay: gratuity, tax and fees
| Extra | What operators publish |
|---|---|
| Crew gratuity | 18%, added automatically (Miami Yacht Connect); 15–20%, not included in listed rates (Yachts Miami Vice) |
| Sales tax | 7%, added at checkout (Miami Yacht Connect) |
| Card processing | 4% on cards and some payment apps (Yachts Miami Vice) |
| Fuel | Included for the standard cruising area at all three; longer trips can add a fuel surcharge (YATR) |
| Catering, DJ, jet ski, decorations | Extra: YATR lists add-ons from about $200 to $5,000+ |
A worked example, using Miami Yacht Connect's published range for a 50 to 70 ft yacht for 4 hours ($3,000 to $5,500): add 18% gratuity and 7% tax and the total is about $3,750 to $6,875. With 12 guests, that is roughly $310 to $575 per person. Our calculation; it assumes gratuity and tax are both charged on the charter price.
How many guests can you bring on a yacht?
This is the rule that surprises most groups. Under U.S. Coast Guard rules, a vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire must hold a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection. For bareboat charters, the Coast Guard's guidance is no more than 12 passengers plus the charterer, not counting crew (U.S. Coast Guard).
That is why so many Miami listings say "up to 13 guests" whatever the yacht's size: 12 passengers plus the person chartering. Larger groups need an inspected vessel certified for more people, or two yachts booked together. The Coast Guard advises passengers to "always ask for the captain's credentials".
Day charter, weekend or week?
| Trip | What it costs (published) |
|---|---|
| Sunset cruise | Usually 3 to 4 hours (YATR); a 4-hour block on a 38–48 ft yacht starts around $1,700 (Miami Yacht Connect) |
| 4-hour half day | About $1,700 to $9,700 on 40 to 100 ft yachts |
| 8-hour full day | About $2,800 to $15,000+ on 40 to 100 ft yachts (Miami Yacht Connect) |
| 2–3 days, Miami to Bimini | From $8,000 to $20,000 (YATR) |
| 5–7 days, Miami to the Exumas | From $30,000 to $80,000+ (YATR) |
YATR says multi-day charters are typically 20 to 30% cheaper per hour than day charters, and that peak season (December to April) and weekends cost more.
How to get the best price
- Pick a weekday outside December to April if your dates are flexible.
- Choose the size for your group, not for photos. Most yachts carry the same 12 to 13 guests whatever their length.
- Book 4 or 8 hours, not 6, if the per-hour price drops at the longer block; compare both.
- Compare the all-in total across two or three listings, not the headline price.
- Bring your own food and drinks where the operator allows it; Miami Yacht Connect says guests may.
FAQ
What is the average cost to rent a yacht?
In Miami and South Florida, published prices average about $500 to $1,200 an hour for a 35 to 50 ft yacht and $1,200 to $3,500 an hour for 50 to 75 ft, with most charters sold in 4 or 8 hour blocks. A typical 4-hour charter costs about $1,700 to $9,700 before a 15 to 20% gratuity.
How much is it to hire a yacht for a day?
A full 8-hour day costs about $2,800 to $4,500 on a 38 to 48 ft yacht and $5,000 to $9,500 on a 50 to 70 ft yacht, according to Miami Yacht Connect's 2026 prices, plus 18% gratuity and 7% tax. Large yachts of 75 to 100 ft start around $9,500 to $15,000 for the day.
How much does a 3 day charter on a yacht cost?
From Miami, YATR lists 2 to 3 day trips to Bimini in the Bahamas from about $8,000 to $20,000. Longer trips cost more: 4 to 5 days to Nassau from $20,000 to $50,000. Bahamas charters also carry Bahamian charter taxes and a cruising permit.
Is a captain included when you rent a yacht?
On the Miami charters in this guide, yes: the price includes a licensed captain, and larger yachts include crew. Renting without a captain (a bareboat charter) is a different arrangement with its own Coast Guard rules and needs boating experience.
Do you have to tip on a yacht charter?
Yes, crew gratuity is expected. Miami operators publish 15 to 20%, and some add 18% automatically to the bill. Ask whether it is already included before you tip again.
Sources
- YATR: Yacht charter cost guide 2026 (prices by size, per hour, half day, full day)
- Miami Yacht Connect: Miami yacht rental cost 2026 (Apr 29, 2026; 18% gratuity and 7% tax added at checkout)
- Yachts Miami Vice: Yacht rental prices Miami (Aug 14, 2026; gratuity 15–20%)
- Miami Yacht Connect: Home page (guests may bring their own food and drinks; 13 passengers maximum)
- Getmyboat: Miami boat rentals and yacht charters (hourly ranges, 2–4 hour minimums)
- YATR: Miami to Bahamas yacht charter (multi-day itinerary prices)
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules), May 8, 2025
Prices on this page are estimates from published sources, not quotes or offers. Yacht prices change with the season, the day of the week, the yacht and availability; only the booking confirmation from the operator or booking platform is binding. Rules and taxes shown are general information, not legal or tax advice.