Renting a yacht in Miami for 20, 30 or 50 guests: the 13-guest rule and what it costs
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Most yachts you can rent in Miami are limited to 13 guests, whatever their length, because of U.S. Coast Guard passenger rules. You can charter for 20, 30 or 50 people, but only in two legal ways: a yacht that holds a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for more passengers, or two or three yachts booked together. Published 4-hour totals start around $6,800 to $8,500 for 20 guests.
On this page
Why most Miami yachts stop at 13 guests
The U.S. Coast Guard sets the rules for carrying paying passengers (U.S. Coast Guard):
- A vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire must have a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI).
- On a bareboat charter, no more than 12 passengers plus the charterer may be aboard, not counting crew.
- The operator must hold a valid Coast Guard licence, and crew must be in a drug and alcohol testing programme.
Miami operators turn this into a simple limit. Odysea says that under Coast Guard rules "you can be up to 13 passengers onboard"; Miami Yacht Connect lists 13 including the person renting. YATR explains that a yacht's length does not raise the limit: a 100 ft and a 50 ft yacht are both capped unless the vessel is inspected for more people.
Two legal ways to bring more than 13 people
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Inspected (COI) yacht | One vessel certified by the Coast Guard for 25, 49, 100 or more passengers | 50+ guests, weddings, formal events |
| Two or three yachts together | Separate yachts leave the same marina and anchor (raft up) together at the sandbar | 14 to 40 guests, birthdays, casual groups |
YATR says inspected vessels are scarce in Miami and that two private yachts are often 30 to 50% cheaper per person than one commercial vessel for groups under 30.
What it costs by group size
YATR publishes all-inclusive 4-hour Miami totals (yacht, booking fee and taxes; catering, gratuity and extras quoted separately):
| Guests | Recommended setup | Total, 4 hours | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2 yachts (60 ft + 55 ft) | $6,800–8,500 | $340–425 |
| 30 | 2 yachts (75 ft + 60 ft) or 1 COI yacht (90 ft) | $9,000–12,900 | $300–430 |
| 50 | 1 COI yacht (110 ft) or 3 yachts | $13,000–23,000 | $260–460 |
| 80 | 1 COI vessel (140 ft+) | $24,000–44,000 | $300–550 |
Source: YATR, checked October 15, 2026. Add crew gratuity, usually 15 to 20% in Miami, unless your quote already includes it.
For comparison, one yacht for up to 13 guests costs about $1,700 to $5,300 for 4 hours on a 50 to 79 ft yacht in Miami, before gratuity; see Miami yacht rental prices.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What is the yacht's passenger limit, and is it on the Certificate of Inspection? For more than 13 guests, ask to see the COI's passenger number.
- Who is the captain, and what licence do they hold? The Coast Guard advises passengers to ask for the captain's credentials.
- For two yachts: one contract or two? YATR offers one contract and one deposit for a fleet; ask how a breakdown or weather cancellation on one boat is handled.
- What is the all-in total? Charter, gratuity, tax, card fees, catering and any DJ.
- Where do both yachts leave from, and at what time? Same marina, same time keeps the group together.
Picking the right setup
- 14 to 25 guests: two yachts is usually cheapest, and gives a quiet boat and a party boat.
- 25 to 40 guests: compare two or three yachts with one inspected yacht; prices overlap.
- 50+ guests or a ceremony: one inspected vessel keeps everyone together for speeches and photos.
FAQ
Can you have more than 13 people on a yacht in Miami?
Only on a vessel that holds a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for more passengers. Most charter yachts in Miami are not inspected, so they are limited to 13 guests including the person chartering. The alternative is booking two or more yachts that travel together.
How much is a yacht for 20 people in Miami?
YATR publishes 4-hour totals of about $6,800 to $8,500 for 20 guests on two yachts (60 ft and 55 ft), or about $340 to $425 per person, including taxes and booking fees but not gratuity, catering or extras.
Can you charter a yacht for 20 people?
Yes, but not on an ordinary charter yacht. You need either a Coast Guard inspected vessel certified for at least 20 passengers, or two yachts booked together. Both are legal; two yachts are often cheaper per person for groups under 30, according to YATR.
How much does it cost to rent a party yacht in Miami?
For up to 13 guests, about $1,700 to $5,300 for 4 hours on a 50 to 79 ft yacht before gratuity (Yachts Miami Vice, 2026). For 30 guests, YATR publishes $9,000 to $12,900 for 4 hours. Party add-ons such as a DJ or catering cost extra.
Sources
Pages we used for the figures in this guide, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Operator and marketplace price lists are their own published figures; rules and fees come from official government sources.
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules and penalties), May 8, 2025
- YATR: Yacht charter for more than 13 guests (setups and 4-hour totals by group size)
- Yachts Miami Vice: Yacht rental prices Miami 2026 (Aug 14, 2026)
- Miami Yacht Connect: Home page (13 passengers maximum including the charterer)
- Odysea Boat Rentals Miami: Home page (12 guests plus the person renting)
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.