A crewed Bahamas yacht charter starts at around $40,000 per week for a catamaran and $60,000 for a motor yacht, but the number to plan around is the total: once APA, taxes, and crew gratuity are added, the real cost lands roughly 60-70% above the base fee. We recommend budgeting $60,000 to $200,000+ base for the fleet quality most of our clients book, and unlike the Med, pricing stays about the same year-round. Here is exactly where the money goes, with a real worked example below.
Breakdown of Bahamas Yacht Charter Costs
The Base Fee: Yacht & Crew
The Base Charter fee is the primary cost for renting the yacht and the crew. It starts at around $40,000/week for a crewed catamaran and at least $60,000 for a motor yacht. We recommend budgeting $60,000 to $200,000+ for the fleet quality most of our clients actually book.
APA: 25-40% of the Base Fee
The APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is between 25% and 40% of the base fee. It covers your running costs during the trip: food, beverages, fuel, and dockage. Whatever is not spent is refunded at the end.
Taxes & VAT: 14% All Up
In the Bahamas, there is a 4% charter tax plus a 10% VAT (Value Added Tax), so plan for 14% all up. Both are calculated on the base charter fee, excluding the APA.
Crew Tips: 15-20%
Crew gratuity is expected to be 15-20% of the base charter fee, and motor yacht crews generally expect the higher end. We can guide you, as we know what each yacht expects and has received on previous charters.
Price Structures: All-Inclusive vs. Plus Expenses
There are two main pricing models when booking a crewed yacht charter in the Bahamas: All-Inclusive and Plus-Expenses. We will give you a simple breakdown:
All-Inclusive Charters
Typically offered by Sailing Yachts and Catamarans
All-inclusive charters offer a straightforward pricing model where most of what you need is included in one rate. This covers expenses such as food, drinks, water sports, and fuel, making it an excellent choice for those who want a worry-free experience. We are also seeing some motor yachts offering an all-inclusive deal, but this is not the norm.
Plus-Expenses Charters
Typically offered by Motor Yachts
Plus-expenses charters are ideal for larger, more luxurious motor yachts where customization and flexibility are key. You pay a base price for the yacht, while other costs, like food, drinks, fuel, and port taxes, are covered separately through an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA). The APA is between 25-40% of the charter fee. At the end of your trip, we will make sure you receive a detailed expense breakdown, with any unused funds refunded.
Think of All-Inclusive as a “package deal” and Plus Expenses as a “pay-as-you-go” experience, where luxury and flexibility come with added costs.
| Feature | All-Inclusive | Plus Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Included | Included |
| Water toys | Included | Included |
| Diving | Sometimes | Extra |
| Food | Included | Extra |
| Drinks | Included | Extra |
| Fuel | Included | Extra |
| Dockage | Extra | Extra |
| Transfers from airport | Extra | Extra |
| Taxes / VAT | Sometimes | Extra |
| Crew gratuity | Extra | Extra |
Price According to Yacht Type
It’s challenging to set an exact price for a yacht charter because the cost depends on numerous factors, such as the age of the yacht, the number of crew, the amenities, watersports, and the service standards. But to give you an idea, here are some examples of price ranges per yacht type.
- Catamarans: The crewed catamaran fleet in the Bahamas ranges from around 50 feet to 80 feet, priced from $40,000 to $150,000+ for an all-inclusive one-week charter. Good catamarans at this level are limited here, so we usually point clients toward $80,000+ or a motor yacht instead.
- Motor Yachts: Prices for motor yachts with crew and water toys start at $60,000 and typically run $60,000 to $200,000 per week. At the $200,000 mark, you can expect a truly luxurious yacht with excellent amenities and top-tier service. However, in the world of motor yachting, the sky is the limit—prices can climb into the millions for ultra-high-end charters.
Broker insight
Budget catamarans are genuinely scarce in the Bahamas, several of the boats at that level have relocated to the BVI. If a catamaran under $60,000 is the priority, we will tell you honestly whether the BVI fits your trip better. From $80,000 up, the Bahamas catamaran fleet is excellent, and that is where we point most groups.
John Boullin
Charter Broker
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This is a planning estimate only. Final prices vary by yacht, itinerary, season, contract, delivery fees, and special requests.
