rent-a-yacht-in-the-Caribbean

Summer Daydream: Rent a yacht in the Caribbean for a week

Written by Boatsetter Team
December 26, 2017

Have you dreamed about renting a yacht for a week in the Caribbean? Can you see yourself relaxing on the boat’s deck, soaking up the sun while the brilliant turquoise water shimmers below? Well, cross a Caribbean yacht charter off your bucket list, because you can easily turn this dream into reality.

Check out this guide to help you rent a yacht in the Caribbean for a week.

Choose Your Yacht Charter Destination

The Caribbean is chock full of enticing charter locales, each with its own distinctive appeal. From west to east along the chain, you’ll first reach Puerto Rico, featuring a mix of marina facilities and off-the-beaten-path beaches. Next, you’ll find the United States and British Virgin Islands, offering simple line-of-sight navigation between islands, beautiful anchorages, and plenty of snorkeling and diving spots.

More scenic islands are sprinkled throughout the Caribbean Sea, with Trinidad and Tobago the southernmost destinations. For photo-worthy anchorages in protected waters, consider Antigua and Barbuda, located near the easternmost point of the Caribbean island chain.

Select Your Ideal Caribbean Charter Yacht

With warm trade winds and varied sailing conditions, the Caribbean is an ideal destination for both novice and experienced sailors. To cruise these crystal-clear waters, you’ll find a good assortment of monohull (single-hulled) sailboats, featuring comfortable accommodations and good sailing abilities. Many catamaran (dual-hulled) sailboats are also available, offering spacious quarters and minimum drafts that allow them to explore shallow coves unreachable by deeper-draft sailboats.

Surprisingly, you can also hop aboard a powerboat during your Caribbean charter vacation. Choices include fishing boats, cruisers, and motor yachts – truly a boat for every taste and budget. When chartering most vessels, you can hire a licensed captain or go the “bareboat” route and manage the boat yourself.

Promptly Handle Your Passport Requirements

Before addressing other aspects of your trip, obtain your passport. In the United States, the Department of State’s Passport Services Directorate handles all passport applications. Also, remember that many Caribbean countries require tourist visas, some of which must be obtained before you arrive. In other words, do your homework and allow plenty of time for passport and visa processing.

Nail Down Your Onboard Food Arrangements

When you’re renting a yacht for a week in the Caribbean, you have two workable meal planning options. First, you can prepare your own menu and go food shopping when you arrive. Depending on your charter arrangement, a provisioning package might also be available, meaning that you’ll step aboard a fully stocked vessel. In some cases, you can hire a professional cook to handle the meal prep and cleanup chores.

Pack These “Must Have” Charter Vacation Items

While you’re renting a yacht for a week in the Caribbean, you’ll be boating in mostly sunny weather with a nice breeze. Depending on your location and season, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s. So, pack minimal swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts, plus a nice outfit for dinner ashore. Throw in a set of lightweight foul weather gear and flip-flops, and you’re probably set for the week.

Beyond clothing, pack a compact camera and portable music device. Tuck in differently sized Ziploc bags, useful for storing wet swimsuits, shells, and treasures. Because you’ll likely take some ocean baths, bring a biodegradable shampoo and body gel designed for salt-water use, plus a bath puff. A drawstring mesh bag will help to keep your bath supplies handy. Finally, leave your hard luggage at home, and pack everything in a soft duffel bag.

Boat Selection: Renting a Yacht for a Week in the Caribbean

To choose a nicely equipped boat for your Caribbean yacht charter, check into Boatsetter, the leading boat-sharing company that makes it easy for boaters to connect with local boat owners.

Yes, Boatsetter even lists privately owned sailboats and powerboats in prime charter spots such as the United States and British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Puerto Rico. If you’d like a licensed Coast Guard captain to handle the boat while you relax, you can arrange that. So grab your calendar, choose a gorgeous Caribbean destination, and book that Boatsetter boat right now!


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