How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Yacht On San Francisco Bay?
Many people see boats on San Francisco Bay and wonder how much it would cost to be on board a sailing or motor yacht cruising across the bay enjoying sites like Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island up close and personal. Chartering a yacht to experience these sites is an exciting, luxurious and unforgettable experience.
There are many kinds of boat rentals on SF bay to choose from, and you have your choice between the big party boats, a private charter from a professional company, privately owned yachts you can rent from the owner, and numerous other yacht rental options for specific uses.
For this article we are going to focus on private yacht charters from a professional company who can accommodate your group with pampering and personalized service. Chartering a boat is not cheap, but there is no other experience quite as exciting and beautiful as boating on San Francisco Bay. I can say wholeheartedly, there is nothing quite as special as San Francisco yacht charters for a novel and exciting experience.
So how much does it cost to charter a yacht?
We provide you with a very good cost estimation in the following information. There are variables so make sure you understand what you are getting. It’s very important that you don’t just charter any boat and that it matches your group size, special needs and gives you the kind of day you are dreaming about.
The cost of chartering a yacht depends on several factors such as the size of the yacht, its amenities and features, the duration of your trip, and the destination. Private yacht charters are different from buying a ticket on a big party boat or Bay cruise boat, and even the pirate ship charters that you pay $175 a ticket for maybe two to three hours with 50 or 60 other people.
Ticketed experiences are one way to get on the bay to see the sites but you have no say in where you go or the comfort level of the cruise. You are on board with 50-150 other people all struggling to get a seat by the rail to see the sites. They serve a purpose for a quick tour of a specific site.
A private yacht charter is just you and a group of your friends or family (max 12 people in your group) that reserve the boat for usually a four hour trip. You can decide where to go on the Bay or let the experienced captain take you to the best places. 
This is the most luxurious of charters as you choose the boat, the places you want to see on the bay, you play your music and have the kind of food and drink you want. This is a complete indulgence for your senses and enjoying San Francisco Bay. Read our FAQ so you know how to prepare for your outing on San Francisco Bay.
Prices for just the yacht can range from $600 to $2000 for an afternoon to thousands of dollars per week depending on the factors mentioned. The cost for the skipper and crew is additional. This can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands again depending upon the duration of the charter.
For day charters it is usually $350 to $650 for licensed captains. On our boats that require a crew member, usually over 45’ or a catamaran, there is an additional charge for a crew member of about $125. It’s customary to tip the captain and crew.
It’s not that expensive when you consider the experience is being shared by 12 people. Since yachts are generally new to most people when they first charter, it is not always easy to see the difference between them and the experience each type offers. This is why it’s best to go with experienced charter brokers such as Passage Nautical. We strive to understand your chartering needs and create the very best experience with the wide selection of yachts we offer.
We take a very customer-centric approach to the yachts we offer for charter. They are new, offer luxury appointments, and are roomy so your group has the utmost in comfort. We also make it a priority to provide affordable options for those looking for luxury without breaking your budget.
Are There Affordable Luxury Options?
Yes! We offer luxury yachts from 38’ to 53′ so you can have a luxury experience for as little as $1000 for the day all inclusive. up to $4,000 for the ultimate luxury day. All our yachts are beautifully maintained, have large cockpits and multiple lounging areas for plenty of comfortable seating.
We offer skippered yacht charters on all our sailing yachts, catamarans, motor yachts and power boats. We curate your charter experience to match your group and occasion. We are the most experienced charter brokers on San Francisco Bay and have been creating memorable experiences for decades.
All our luxury yacht charters are supplied with soft drinks, boxed water (we are committed to reducing plastic), and sparkling waters. We can make available any special beverages you want, and catering can be arranged by us with one of our premier
catering companies.
At Passage Nautical you can charter a yacht for any special event such as a birthday, anniversary, wedding, proposal, corporate event, meeting, or ash scattering.
For a personalized quote for your yachting event, complete this form and our Charter Director will contact you for your unforgettable charter experience.
You can also text our Charter Director, Mitch Perkins, for help curating your special experience at 415-272-4130.
