USA Yacht Charters
From the protected waters of the Florida Keys to the Pacific kelp beds of California, the United States offers more variety of sailing geography than most charterers realise — all within a single flag state, with world-class marina infrastructure and provisioning throughout.
Charter by Vessel Type
Catamaran Charter in USA
Spacious twin-hull vessels offering stability, comfort, and generous deck space for the ultimate charter experience.
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Sailing Yacht Charter in USA
Classic sailing vessels that combine timeless elegance with the thrill of wind-powered adventure.
Browse Sailing Yachts →
Motor Yacht Charter in USA
Powerful luxury vessels delivering speed, sophistication, and effortless cruising across any waters.
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Available Yachts in USA
Crewed Catamaran BELLAMAGGIO
Fountaine Pajot Salina 48
From
$1k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Jeanneau 409
Jeanneau 409 · 2013
From
$2k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Azimut 54
Azimut 54 · 2010
From
$3k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Marquis 43
Marquis 43
From
$3k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Marquis 40 SC
Marquis 40 SC · 2008
From
$3k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Uniesse 70
Uniesse 70 · 2008
From
$3k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Cranchi 43
Cranchi 43 · 2012
From
$4k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Azimut 42
Azimut 42 · 2003
From
$4k/week
Bareboat Catamaran Bali 4.1
Bali 4.1 · 2019
From
$4k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht Azimut 58
Azimut 58 · 2008
From
$4k/week
Crewed Motor Yacht C’EST LA VIE
Azimut 62 · 2005
From
$4k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Beneteau Oceanis 45
Oceanis 45 · 2018
From
$4k/week
Chartering in the USA means making a choice, not a booking. The eastern seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian archipelago are each distinct sailing environments, separated by thousands of miles and entirely different weather systems. A week in the Florida Keys bears no resemblance to a week navigating the fog-draped islands of Maine, and neither compares to running downwind through the Santa Barbara Channel in a Pacific swell. The USA is not one destination — it is several, each requiring its own research.
What unites them is infrastructure. American marinas are, on the whole, exceptionally well-equipped, with reliable fuel, professional dockhandling, strong mobile data coverage, and provisioning networks that can accommodate detailed dietary requirements with 48 hours' notice. US Customs and Border Protection procedures for foreign-flagged yachts are thorough but well-documented, and for charterers arriving by air to board domestically, the logistics are straightforward. The fleet available here — spanning motor yachts, catamarans and sailing yachts from 23 to over 100 feet — reflects the breadth of what these waters demand.
Why Charter in USA
The southeast remains the dominant chartering region, and for good reason. South Florida and the Keys offer the most consistent winter sailing climate in the continental US, with the Florida Current providing a reliable northeast set for passages east of the reef line, and Hawk Channel offering protected downwind runs for the less boisterous days. Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami, is a capable daysailing venue in its own right, with sandbars, mangrove creeks and easy access to Coconut Grove and Dinner Key Marina.
Further afield, the New England coast — particularly Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay and the waters around Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket — provides some of the most technically engaging sailing in the country during the summer months. Southwesterly sea breezes build reliably in the afternoons, tidal streams are significant, and the fog that rolls in off the Labrador Current keeps navigation honest. The harbours — Newport, Edgartown, Nantucket Town — are architecturally and culturally rich in ways that the tropics rarely match.
For those drawn to the Pacific, the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara and the San Juan Islands in Washington State represent two very different but equally rewarding propositions. The former offers kelp beds, sea caves, abundant marine wildlife and excellent anchorages at Smugglers Cove and Prisoners Harbour, often reachable in a single morning passage from the mainland. The latter — a labyrinth of islands, passages and tidal channels between Washington State and British Columbia — is among the most visually dramatic inland sailing environments in North America, with orca sightings, bald eagles and current-scoured passages through Deception Pass and Cattle Pass.
USA Highlights
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida — accessible only by sea or seaplane, Fort Jefferson's moat offers one of the most dramatic anchorages in the continental US, with no overnight marina facilities and strict NPS permit requirements that reward those who plan ahead.
Newport, Rhode Island — home of the America's Cup heritage, Thames Street waterfront restaurants, and some of the finest classic yacht racing in the world during August's Newport Regatta; Bannister's Wharf is the social hub.
Catalina Island, California — Avalon Harbour provides one of the best-organised mooring ball systems on the West Coast, with Descanso Beach offering calm swimming in the lee, and the Casino Ballroom providing an architectural landmark visible from the approach.
Biscayne Bay, Florida — the Boca Chita Key lighthouse and Elliott Key anchorages sit within 30 minutes of downtown Miami's helicopter pad and private terminals at Opa-locka; the juxtaposition of city proximity and genuine wilderness is unusual.
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington — the operational centre of the San Juan archipelago, with a working harbour, excellent provisioning at Kings Market, and reliable orca sightings in Haro Strait from May through September.
Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts — the crossing from Hyannis to Nantucket Town through the shoals of the Sound demands careful tide planning but delivers access to cobblestone streets, exceptional restaurants on Centre Street, and one of the best-preserved 19th-century whaling town waterfronts in the US.
Islamorada to Key West passage, Florida Keys — running the length of Hawk Channel with the Gulf Stream pushing north to port and the reef just to starboard, stopping at Marathon and No Name Key, before arriving in Key West's well-protected Garrison Bight or the more atmospheric mooring field off the Westin.
When to Sail
The USA spans multiple climate zones, so the optimal charter season depends entirely on the region. Florida and the Keys peak in winter; New England and the Pacific Northwest peak in summer; Hawaii offers near year-round conditions with a wetter winter period.
High Season (Jun-Sep)
The primary season for New England, the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes, when settled high-pressure systems bring consistent southwesterly breezes, long daylight hours and warm enough air temperatures for comfortable overnight sailing. Harbour moorings in Newport, Edgartown and Friday Harbor fill quickly — advance booking of 3-6 months is the norm for July and August. In Florida, this is hurricane season, and while most storms track through with several days' warning, charterers should be aware of cancellation policies and always carry appropriate insurance cover. Hawaii's summer trade winds are reliable and moderate, making this the preferred season for inter-island passages.
Shoulder Season (May, Oct)
May and October represent the best compromise of available berths, stable weather and competitive charter rates in most US regions. In Florida and the Keys, October sees the hurricane season winding down and temperatures becoming genuinely pleasant — the southeast trade winds re-establish themselves, and the Gulf Stream crossing to the Bahamas becomes more manageable. In New England, October foliage visible from the water adds a dimension unavailable in the peak summer rush, though westerly fronts move through with increasing frequency and charterers should build schedule flexibility into their itinerary. Pacific Coast sailing in May, before the summer northwesterly 'machine' establishes itself fully off California, can offer calmer conditions for coastal passages.
Choosing the Right Yacht
Motor yachts dominate the US charter fleet for several reasons that reflect the nature of American chartering patterns. Distances between islands and harbours in Florida, the Keys and the Pacific Coast favour vessels that can cover ground efficiently — a 50-mile passage to the Dry Tortugas, or a 26-mile crossing to Catalina, is far more manageable on a motor yacht that can maintain 18-22 knots than on a sailing vessel dependent on wind angle and strength. Azimut, Horizon, Broward and Burger models in the 50-to-100-plus-foot range are well-represented in the fleet and offer the air-conditioned interiors and stabilisation systems that make sense in the summer heat of Florida or the afternoon chop of the Santa Barbara Channel. For larger parties or those with children, catamarans from Bali and Catana provide the deck space, shallow draft and stability that the Keys' reef-lined anchorages particularly reward — the ability to anchor in 6 feet of crystal water over sand, just off the reef, is a significant advantage of a performance cat over a deep-keeled monohull. That said, sailing yachts have a genuine place in New England and the Pacific Northwest, where the wind programmes are consistent enough to make sail-powered itineraries genuinely satisfying. A Bavaria or Beneteau in the 45-to-50-foot range is nimble enough for the tidal passages of the San Juan Islands and comfortable enough for overnight passages along the Maine coast. The choice ultimately comes down to itinerary ambition: if you are covering more than 40 miles per day between named stops, a motor yacht or performance cat will serve you better; if you are content to anchor in one bay for two nights and sail one leg at a time, a sailing yacht is entirely appropriate.
Seven Days in the Florida Keys, Miami to Key West
A suggested week-long charter route
Board at Dinner Key Marina, Coconut Grove, Miami — one of the largest marinas on the eastern seaboard and well-placed for provisioning at the nearby Whole Foods and Epicure Market. An afternoon briefing with the captain covers the route, weather window and reef protocol before a short shakedown cruise across Biscayne Bay. Anchor off Boca Chita Key for the first night, with Coconut Grove's lights visible on the northern horizon.
An early departure to catch the southerly push down Hawk Channel, the protected passage between the reef and the Keys. Arrive in Islamorada by early afternoon — the self-styled 'sport fishing capital of the world' — where the Lorelei restaurant on the water serves decent grilled mahi and the sunsets over Florida Bay are reliably spectacular. Check in at Islamorada Marina or anchor off Lignumvitae Key for a quieter alternative.
A full day at Long Key State Park and the natural tidal flats south of Layton. Those interested in flats fishing should arrange a local guide in advance through the captain — bonefish and permit are resident here year-round. Snorkelling off the Sombrero Reef buoy system near Marathon is possible on the afternoon run south.
Push through to Big Pine Key and the National Key Deer Refuge, where the diminutive Key deer — a subspecies of white-tailed deer standing roughly 30 inches at the shoulder — can often be observed wading at the water's edge at dusk. Anchor in the protected waters of Newfound Harbor and dine aboard.
Passage to the Dry Tortugas — approximately 70 miles west-northwest from Key West, this is the most demanding leg of the itinerary and is best completed overnight or in an early morning departure to arrive by 1000. The coral heads at Loggerhead Key and the moat anchorage at Garden Key require precise chart work; the NPS permit for overnight anchoring must be secured in advance. Snorkelling on the north coaling dock wall is exceptional.
A full day at the Dry Tortugas — Fort Jefferson's brick battlements, built from 16 million bricks shipped from Maine in the 1840s, enclose a remarkably calm swimming area. The wreck of the Windjammer sits in 20 feet of clear water just off the western moat wall. Return passage to Key West in the late afternoon, arriving for dinner at Garbo's Grill on Caroline Street or the more formal Latitudes at Sunset Key.
A final morning in Key West — the preferred disembarkation point for those flying out via Key West International (EYW), with easy connections to Miami and beyond. Duval Street is better explored at 0700 before it fills; the Key West Lighthouse and Hemingway Home are within walking distance of the marina. Checkout by 1200 from Garrison Bight or the City Marina at Harbour Place.
Local Tips
- •CBP reporting for foreign-flagged yachts arriving from the Bahamas or Cuba is mandatory and must be completed via the CBP ROAM app (formerly I-68) before entering US waters. Florida-based captains handle this routinely, but charterers with prior drug convictions — however old — should seek legal advice before departure, as US Customs officers have broad discretion at the border.
- •Provisioning in South Florida is genuinely excellent. Publix, Whole Foods and speciality suppliers such as Choice Gourmet in Fort Lauderdale can fulfil detailed galley orders with 48-72 hours' notice. Outside of Florida, provisioning quality drops sharply in the Keys south of Marathon, so it is worth loading the yacht fully before leaving Coconut Grove or Fort Lauderdale.
- •Reef anchoring restrictions are strictly enforced throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Anchoring on coral — even inadvertently — carries significant fines. The captain will know the designated sand anchoring zones, but charterers should be aware that in some popular spots, mooring balls are the only permitted option and are allocated on a first-come basis.
- •Tipping culture in the US is non-negotiable in a way that European charterers sometimes underestimate. A 15-20% gratuity on the charter fee, paid in cash to the captain at the end of the trip for distribution to crew, is standard practice — not optional. This applies regardless of what is stated in the charter contract.
- •Alcohol and firearms rules on US-flagged charter yachts are governed by USCG regulations. Licensed charter vessels operating in US waters are legally prohibited from carrying firearms — clarify this with the operator if it is relevant. Open container laws vary by state and apply on some waterways closer to shore.
- •Weather routing in the Keys and Florida Bay should account for afternoon convective thunderstorms that build rapidly between June and September, often moving northeast at 20-30 knots. The captain will monitor VHF Weather Channel WX1 and local NOAA alerts, but charterers should expect to modify afternoon plans if cumulonimbus buildups appear to the west by 1400.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cruising permit to charter in US waters as a foreign national+
What is the best region for a first-time charter in the USA+
Are there size restrictions on yachts in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary+
How far in advance should I book a USA charter in peak season+
Can I cross to the Bahamas during a Florida-based charter+
What should I know about sailing the Pacific Coast versus the East Coast+
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