Private Yacht Charters on San Francisco Bay
Passage Nautical runs private yacht charters on San Francisco Bay for groups of 2 to 40 guests, with a USCG-licensed captain and crew on every charter. Charters depart from Jack London Square (Oakland), Point Richmond, Sausalito, San Francisco, and Emeryville, and start at $1,083 for 3 hours.
Passage Nautical is founded and run by Deb Reynolds, who has been in the boating business since 1986. Her work over that time includes operating boat dealerships, managing sales teams, boat sales and service, custom yacht charters, private boating lessons, and a private boating club. Passage Nautical also offers private sailing and powerboat lessons, including training for the NauticEd SLC and SLC-p international boating license, and a boating club membership.
The Fleet by Group Size
Prices are for a 3-hour charter and include captain and crew. Gratuity is extra. Every boat offers San Francisco pickups.
| Boat | Type | Guests | Departs | 3 hours from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 guests | ||||
| Passages (Beneteau Antares 9) | Powerboat | 6 | Jack London Square | $1,185 |
| Big Barracuda (Beneteau Barracuda 9) | Powerboat | 6 | Jack London Square | $1,185 |
| Up to 10 guests | ||||
| Into The Mystic (Beneteau Oceanis 38.1) | Sailing yacht | 8 | Point Richmond | $1,083 |
| Fresh Tracks (Beneteau Oceanis 41.1) | Sailing yacht | 8 | Jack London Square | $1,278 |
| Boomerang (Sealine 35) | Power yacht | 8 | Point Richmond | $1,350 |
| Briseis (Beneteau Oceanis 41) | Sailing yacht | 10 | Jack London Square | $1,363 |
| Little Miss Magic (Jeanneau 410) | Sailing yacht | 10 | Sausalito | $1,688 |
| KEO (Jeanneau 51) | Sailing yacht | 10 | Sausalito | $2,365 |
| Up to 12 guests | ||||
| The King & I (Beneteau GT40) | Power yacht | 12 | Jack London Square | $2,265 |
| Hullchal (Lagoon 42) | Sailing catamaran | 12 | Jack London Square | $2,375 |
| Astra (46′ power catamaran) | Power catamaran | 12 | Emeryville | $2,430 |
| Up to 40 guests | ||||
| 63′ Classic Custom Power Yacht | Classic power yacht | 40 | San Francisco or Oakland | $4,900 plus $600 gratuity |
The 63-foot classic custom power yacht is one of the few yachts on San Francisco Bay that carries more than 12 guests. She is an older boat with old-school character and plenty of room, and she makes a fun platform for a three-hour charter.
What’s Included
- Every Passage Nautical charter is private. Your group is the only group on board.
- A USCG-licensed captain and crew run every charter.
- Charters start at 3 hours.
- You bring your own alcohol, and there is no corkage fee.
- We supply ice, cups, water, soft drinks, sparkling water, and a bar setup with mixers.
- Our catering partners deliver food to the boat, or you can bring your own food.
- Children’s life vests are on board.
- Every guest gets a chance to take the helm.
- Gratuity is extra.
Booking
A 50% deposit holds your date if you book more than 30 days out. Charters booked within 30 days are paid in full. If you cancel, your payment becomes a credit toward a future charter. If weather cancels your charter, we reschedule it.
Optional Custom Services
Every Passage Nautical charter can be customized. Tell us what you’d like, and we’ll arrange it before your day.
- Catering delivered to the boat
- See Catering Options
- Bar setup and service
- Alcohol picked up and stocked on board for you
- Videographer
- Music
- Decorations for your occasion
- Fully hosted charters, with food, drinks, and crew service handled for you
- Themed packages for corporate groups
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a yacht charter on San Francisco Bay cost?
Passage Nautical private yacht charters start at $1,083 for 3 hours. Boats for up to 6 guests are $1,185, boats for up to 10 guests run $1,083 to $2,365, and boats for up to 12 guests run $2,265 to $2,430. The 63-foot yacht for up to 40 guests is $4,900 for 3 hours plus a $600 gratuity. Prices include captain and crew. There is no sales tax on charters. Gratuity is extra. It is 20% of the captain and crew rate, or a set $600 on the 63-foot yacht.
How many people can a yacht hold? Can I charter a yacht for 20 people?
Passage Nautical boats carry 6, 8, 10, or 12 guests, and one 63-foot classic power yacht carries up to 40. A group of 20, or any group of 13 to 40, charters the 63-foot yacht. She departs from San Francisco or Oakland.
Where do San Francisco Bay yacht charters depart from?
Passage Nautical charters depart from Jack London Square in Oakland, Point Richmond, Sausalito, San Francisco, and Emeryville. Each boat has its home dock, listed in the fleet table. San Francisco pickups are available on every boat.
Can we bring our own alcohol on a yacht charter?
Yes. Guests bring their own alcohol on Passage Nautical charters, and there is no corkage fee. We supply ice, cups, water, soft drinks, sparkling water, and a bar setup with mixers.
Is food included on a yacht charter?
Passage Nautical’s catering partners deliver food directly to the boat. Guests can also bring their own food. Catering is ordered and paid separately from the charter price.
Is a captain included on a yacht charter?
Yes. Every Passage Nautical charter has a USCG-licensed captain and crew, and both are included in the charter price. Every guest also gets a chance to take the helm.
How long is a yacht charter?
Passage Nautical charters have a 3-hour minimum. Longer charters are available. Three hours is enough time to reach the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from all of our departure locations on a power yacht. For sailing yachts departing from anywhere other than San Francisco, we recommend a 4-hour charter.
What will we see on a San Francisco Bay yacht charter?
Typical routes include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and the San Francisco cityfront. The route on any charter depends on the day’s wind, tide, and weather, and on what your group wants to see.
Should I choose a sailboat, a catamaran, or a power yacht?
A sailing yacht moves under sail on the Bay’s wind, and Passage Nautical sailing yachts carry 8 to 10 guests. A catamaran has two hulls and a wide deck, and our sailing and power catamarans each carry 12 guests. A power yacht covers more water in the same time, and ours carry 8 to 40 guests. Tell us your group size and occasion and we’ll match you to the right boat.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my charter?
If weather cancels a Passage Nautical charter, we reschedule it. Your captain makes the weather call for the safety of your group.
Can I propose on a yacht charter?
Yes. Proposals are one of the most common occasions for a Passage Nautical private charter. Videographers and music can be added to the day.
Is a yacht charter good for a corporate offsite?
Yes. Passage Nautical runs corporate offsites, client events, and company celebrations on San Francisco Bay. Groups up to 12 charter from the regular fleet, and groups of 13 to 40 charter the 63-foot yacht. Corporate charters are quoted from your group’s details.
Other occasions: Birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, corporate offsites, client events, Fleet Week, and sunset sails. Passage Nautical does not run dinner cruises.
Call: 510-236-2633