A crewed catamaran charter in the Caribbean costs $2,400–$8,600 per day depending on size, while a crewed motor yacht runs $3,700–$30,000+ per day.
Every charter site quotes weekly rates. Nobody breaks it down by day. That’s a problem, because the yacht charter cost per day is the number that actually helps you compare chartering to other luxury vacations — and it reveals how different catamarans and motor yachts really are.
If you’re exploring charter costs for the first time, the weekly numbers can feel abstract. This guide converts everything to daily rates, separates catamarans from motor yachts at every price point, and shows you the true all-in cost — including the expenses most sites leave out.
TL;DR: A crewed 50-foot catamaran in the BVI costs roughly $3,600–$5,000/day all-inclusive. A crewed 90-foot motor yacht in the Bahamas runs $10,000–$15,000/day before APA and gratuity. Per person, that’s $450–$625/day on a catamaran vs. $1,250–$1,900/day on a motor yacht — for groups of 8.
What Does a Crewed Catamaran Cost Per Day?
Caribbean catamaran bookings grew 15% year-over-year in 2024, making crewed catamarans the fastest-growing segment of the charter market (Mordor Intelligence, 2025). They’re also the most accessible price point. Here’s what the daily numbers look like across three size tiers — all based on current BVI market rates.
| Yacht Type | Size | Daily Cost (Base ÷ 7) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran | 45–50 ft | $2,400–$3,400 | WLMS Charters, 2025 |
| Catamaran | 55–62 ft | $4,300–$6,400 | WLMS / Songs in the Sails |
| Catamaran | 65 ft+ (luxury) | $9,300–$18,600 | WLMS Charters, 2025 |
| Motor Yacht | 60–80 ft | $3,700–$5,000 | Worldwide Boat, 2024 |
| Motor Yacht | 80–100 ft | $6,500–$16,000 | Worldwide Boat, 2024 |
| Motor Yacht | 100 ft+ | $15,000–$30,000+ | Worldwide Boat, 2024 |
45–50 ft catamaran: $17,000–$24,000/week = $2,400–$3,400/day. These are typically Lagoon 42s, Bali 4.4s, or Leopard 45s with a crew of two. Four cabins, comfortable for 6–8 guests. At $425/person/day for a group of 8, this is the entry point for crewed Caribbean chartering — and it’s already cheaper per-person than most luxury all-inclusive resorts.
55–62 ft catamaran: $30,000–$45,000/week = $4,300–$6,400/day. The sweet spot of the market. Lagoon 55s, Fountaine Pajot 59s, and Leopard 50s. Larger cabins, more deck space, often a crew of three including a dedicated chef. At $540–$800/person/day for 8 guests, you’re getting a private chef, premium provisioning, and a genuinely spacious yacht. For more on what each tier includes, see our luxury catamaran price guide.
65 ft+ luxury catamaran: $65,000–$130,000/week = $9,300–$18,600/day. These are Sunreef 80s, HH Catamarans, and custom builds. Crew of four or more. Stabilization systems, hot tubs, extensive water toy inventories. For a comparison of the top catamaran brands, check our Charter Kings series.
What Does a Crewed Motor Yacht Cost Per Day?
Motor yachts hold 57.5% of the global charter market share (Mordor Intelligence, 2025), but in the Caribbean, catamarans dominate the crewed charter segment. Motor yachts here skew larger and more expensive — and critically, they almost always use the MYBA plus-expenses pricing model rather than the all-inclusive model common on catamarans.
That distinction matters for daily cost. A motor yacht’s base rate is only part of the story. You’ll add 30–40% for APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), plus 15–20% for crew gratuity, plus destination taxes. A catamaran’s all-inclusive rate, by contrast, typically bundles food, fuel, and standard bar into the base price.
60–80 ft motor yacht: $20,000–$25,000/week base = $2,857–$3,571/day before APA and gratuity. Add 35% APA and 17.5% gratuity and you’re at roughly $4,400–$5,500/day true all-in (Worldwide Boat, 2024). Crew of 3–4. These compete head-to-head with large catamarans on price but offer a different experience — air-conditioned interior living vs. outdoor deck life.
80–100 ft motor yacht: $35,000–$80,000/week base = $5,000–$11,429/day before extras. True all-in runs $7,600–$17,400/day. Crew of 5–7. This is where the motor yacht experience separates from catamarans entirely — multiple living zones, formal dining, professional service crew, stabilizers for open-water comfort.
100 ft+ superyacht: $80,000–$500,000+/week base = $11,400–$71,400+/day before extras. At this level, the per-day number becomes less about comparison and more about what experience you want. Jacuzzis, beach clubs, tenders, jet skis, and a crew-to-guest ratio that approaches 1:1. For a size-by-size breakdown, see our charter cost by size guide.
Our observation: First-time charterers almost always underestimate the cost gap between a catamaran and a motor yacht of similar length. A 60-foot catamaran and a 60-foot motor yacht are not comparable experiences — and they’re not comparable prices. The catamaran costs roughly half, runs all-inclusive, and burns a fraction of the fuel. If you’re choosing between the two, start with our catamaran vs. motor yacht comparison.
What’s the True All-In Daily Cost?
The base charter fee is only 65–80% of what you’ll actually spend, depending on whether your yacht uses an all-inclusive or plus-expenses (MYBA) pricing model (Frontier Yachting, 2026). Here’s what the real daily numbers look like when you add everything.
Example 1: 55 ft crewed catamaran, BVI, all-inclusive
- Base: $35,000/week = $5,000/day
- Gratuity (17.5%): $6,125/week = $875/day
- BVI taxes: 0%
- True daily cost: $5,875 ($734/person/day for 8 guests)
Example 2: 90 ft motor yacht, Bahamas, plus-expenses
- Base: $55,000/week = $7,857/day
- APA (35%): $19,250/week = $2,750/day
- Gratuity (20%): $11,000/week = $1,571/day
- Bahamas taxes (14%): $7,700/week = $1,100/day
- True daily cost: $13,278 ($1,660/person/day for 8 guests)
The catamaran costs 56% less per day — and that gap comes from three factors: smaller vessel (lower base rate), all-inclusive pricing (no APA surprise), and dramatically lower fuel consumption under sail. For a deeper look at all-inclusive vs. plus-expenses pricing, see our all-inclusive vs. bareboat pricing guide.
How Does Destination Affect Daily Cost?
The same yacht with the same crew costs 10–13% more in the Bahamas than the BVI, before taxes — and Bahamas taxes add another 14% on top (Bahamas Motor Yachts, 2024).
Here’s how it plays out on a 55–62 ft crewed catamaran:
| Destination | Weekly Rate | Daily Rate | Taxes | True Daily (with gratuity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | $30,000–$45,000 | $4,300–$6,400 | 0% | $5,050–$7,520 |
| Bahamas | $33,000–$50,000 | $4,700–$7,100 | 14% | $6,300–$9,500 |
| Grenadines | $30,000–$45,000 | $4,300–$6,400 | ~5% | $5,300–$7,900 |
The BVI remains the most cost-effective Caribbean charter destination — zero charter taxes, short inter-island distances (lower fuel), and the largest concentration of charter fleet inventory. The Bahamas offers different scenery and experiences but costs 20–30% more when taxes are factored in.
Our observation: We’ve had clients plan a Bahamas Exumas charter, then switch to the BVI after seeing the all-in numbers. The $8,000–$12,000 difference on a 55-footer pays for business class flights for the whole group. If your priority is value per dollar, the BVI is hard to beat. If the Exumas experience is what you’re after, budget accordingly.
Bottom line: The BVI costs 20–30% less than the Bahamas for the same yacht due to zero charter taxes and shorter inter-island passages, saving $8,000–$12,000 on a typical week-long catamaran charter.
How Does Season Affect Daily Cost?
High-season Caribbean rates (December through April) run 40–75% above low-season rates, with Christmas and New Year’s weeks adding an additional 15–25% surcharge on top of that (American Yacht, 2024; BVI Sail, 2026).
On a 55 ft catamaran, that looks like this:
- Low season (May–Nov): ~$25,000/week = $3,571/day
- High season (Dec–Apr): ~$35,000–$43,000/week = $5,000–$6,143/day
- Holiday weeks (Christmas/NYE): ~$43,000–$54,000/week = $6,143–$7,714/day
Summer last-minute bookings can save up to 20% off listed rates. If your dates are flexible and you don’t need a specific yacht, shoulder season (May and early June, or November) offers the best value — good weather, full fleet availability, and prices 40%+ below peak.
Our observation: We’ve seen clients save $8,000–$12,000 by shifting a trip from mid-December to early December — same weather, same yacht, dramatically lower rate. The Christmas premium kicks in around December 20 and doesn’t let go until January 3. If you can travel the first two weeks of December, you’ll get high-season conditions at shoulder-season prices.
How Does Yacht Charter Cost Per Day Compare to Other Luxury Vacations?
A crewed catamaran costs $425–$625 per person per day for a group of 8 — roughly the same as a mid-tier all-inclusive resort, but with a private vessel, personal crew, and a new anchorage every morning. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Vacation Type | Per Person / Day | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed 50 ft catamaran (BVI) | $425–$625 | Yacht, crew, meals, drinks, water toys, itinerary |
| Luxury all-inclusive resort | $500–$1,200 | Room, meals, drinks, pool, beach |
| Villa rental + private chef | $400–$800 | Villa, chef, groceries (no activities) |
| Small ship luxury cruise | $800–$2,000 | Cabin, meals, port stops (shared vessel) |
| Crewed 90 ft motor yacht | $1,250–$1,900 | Yacht, crew, meals, drinks, water toys, all expenses |
A crewed catamaran charter for 8 guests costs roughly the same per person as a mid-tier all-inclusive resort — but you get a private vessel, a personal crew, a custom itinerary, and a new anchorage every morning. No shared pool. No buffet line. For a deeper comparison, see our charter vs. luxury resort breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to charter a catamaran or a motor yacht?
Catamarans are significantly cheaper at every comparable size. A 55-foot crewed catamaran costs roughly $4,300–$6,400/day all-inclusive, while a 60-foot motor yacht runs $4,400–$5,500/day before adding 30–40% APA and gratuity. The true all-in gap is 40–60% in the catamaran’s favor.
What’s included in the daily charter cost?
On an all-inclusive catamaran: the yacht, captain, chef, meals, standard bar, fuel, mooring fees, and water toys. On a plus-expenses motor yacht: only the yacht and crew — food, fuel, marina fees, and extras are billed through APA. Crew gratuity (15–20%) is separate on both models.
Can I charter for less than a full week?
Some yachts offer 3–5 day charters, typically during shoulder season or for repositioning trips. The daily rate on a short charter is usually 10–20% higher than the weekly rate divided by 7. Ask your broker about availability — shorter trips are becoming more common, especially in the BVI.
Why are Bahamas charters more expensive than BVI?
Two reasons: base rates run 10–13% higher due to longer passages and provisioning logistics, and the Bahamas charges 14% in taxes (4% charter tax + 10% VAT) compared to 0% in the BVI (Bahamas Motor Yachts, 2024). A $35,000 catamaran charter that costs $41,125 all-in in the BVI costs roughly $49,000 all-in in the Bahamas.
How much should I budget total for a week-long charter?
For a crewed catamaran in the BVI: budget your base rate + 17.5% gratuity. For a motor yacht in the Bahamas: budget base rate + 35% APA + 20% gratuity + 14% taxes. Our hidden fees guide covers every line item you might encounter.
Bottom line: A crewed Caribbean catamaran charter costs $2,400–$8,600 per day depending on size, while a motor yacht runs $3,700–$30,000+ per day before APA and gratuity. Per person for a group of 8, that’s $425–$625/day on a catamaran — comparable to a luxury all-inclusive resort but with a private vessel, personal crew, and a new anchorage every morning. The BVI is the most cost-effective destination; the Bahamas costs 20–30% more after taxes.
Rates sourced from published 2025–2026 charter listings and verified March 2026. Contact Vital Charters for current availability and pricing.
Jason Acosta is the co-founder and principal broker of Vital Charters. He is an avid sailor and yacht charterer. Jason is also a Master Diver and certified ASA 104 sailor.
