Caribbean charter cost by destination varies wildly — crewed yacht charters range from $8,000 to over $100,000 per week. Your destination choice alone can swing the final bill by 40% or more. That’s huge.

We put together this head-to-head comparison because we kept hearing the same question from clients: “Why does the same catamaran cost so much more in the Bahamas?” The answer isn’t the boat. It’s the taxes, permits, and fees stacked on top. If you’re still getting your head around yacht charter rates and how APA works, start there first — then come back here to compare destinations.

Below, we’ll break down what a week actually costs in the BVI, the Bahamas, and the Grenadines. Real numbers, real fees, no fluff.

How Much Does a Caribbean Charter Cost in 2026?

The global yacht charter market reached $8.98 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $9.69 billion in 2026, growing at 8.19% CAGR (Fortune Business Insights, 2026). Most of that growth is concentrated in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with crewed catamarans driving the entry-level segment.

For a crewed catamaran in the 45–50-foot range with captain, chef, and all-inclusive service, here’s what you’re looking at across the three destinations:

View data table

Destination	Low End	High End	Source
Grenadines	$8,000	$23,000	SVG Yachting
BVI	$17,000	$24,000	WLMS Charters
Bahamas	$30,000	$38,000	Bahamas Motor Yachts

Those ranges represent base charter fees — what the yacht operator charges for a week. But the base rate is only part of the story. Taxes, cruising permits, park fees, and gratuity can add $3,000 to $11,000+ depending on where you’re sailing.

The cost difference between yacht sizes matters too, but today we’re holding the boat constant and changing the destination. Let’s look at what each destination actually costs when you add it all up.

What Does a BVI Charter Cost?

All-inclusive crewed catamarans in the 42–50-foot range start at $17,000–$24,000 per week in the BVI. That makes the British Virgin Islands the most accessible entry point for a crewed Caribbean charter — and there’s a reason it holds that position.

The BVI hosts roughly 685 charter vessels, representing an estimated 40% of the Caribbean’s professional charter fleet (industry sources, 2025). That kind of supply keeps prices competitive. You won’t find that level of choice anywhere else in the region. For a deeper look at what’s available, our BVI crewed yacht charter guide covers itineraries, boats, and what to expect.

BVI Fees and Permits

Government fees in the BVI are modest relative to other destinations:

• Cruising permits: $6/person/day for home-based vessels, $16/person/day for foreign-based (BVI Government)
• National parks mooring: $25–$55/week depending on group size — covers The Baths, The Indians, and The Caves
• VISAR (Virgin Islands Search and Rescue) contribution: $2/person per charter
• Gratuity: 15–20% of the base charter fee (industry standard)

For a 6-guest, 7-night charter at $20,000: cruising permits run about $252 (home-based) and parks about $35. Add 20% gratuity ($4,000) and you’re at roughly $24,287 total. That’s a tight spread between the base and the all-in number.

What Changed in 2025

The BVI’s 2025 charter licensing overhaul raised annual fees for foreign-based vessels from roughly $800 to $7,500 (7-charter limit) or $24,000 (unlimited charters), effective June 1, 2025. That’s a cost absorbed by yacht operators, not guests directly — but it’s already reshaping the fleet.

Around 90 USVI-based charter vessels relocated to the BVI following fee changes in the US Virgin Islands (VI Consortium, 2025). More boats in the BVI means more competition and better availability — particularly in the shoulder months.

What Does a Bahamas Charter Cost?

The Bahamas layers a 4% government tax plus 10% VAT — 14% total — on top of the base charter fee, making it the most expensive Caribbean charter destination from a tax standpoint. A $30,000 base charter becomes $34,200 before you’ve covered permits or tipped the crew.

Crewed catamarans in the Exumas typically start around $30,000–$38,000 per week. One specific example: a Leopard 53 in the Exumas runs $35,900/week for 2 guests with captain and chef, all-inclusive. Larger motor yachts escalate quickly — a $54,900/week motor yacht totals $92,780 after APA, taxes, and gratuity (Bahamas Motor Yachts, 2025).

Bahamas Fees and Permits

This is where the Bahamas bill stacks up:

• Charter tax: 14% of base fee (4% government + 10% VAT)
• Cruising permit (12 months): $500 for vessels under 50ft, $1,000 for 50–99ft, $3,000 for 100ft+
• Passenger fees: $30/person for ages 6+ beyond 3 passengers
• Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park moorings: $30–$190/night depending on vessel length (Bahamas National Trust via Money for Mangos, 2024)
• Gratuity: 15–20% of base charter fee

For that same 6-guest, 7-night benchmark at $30,000 base: add 14% tax ($4,200), cruising permit ($500), and 20% gratuity ($6,000). You’re at roughly $40,700 total — that’s 67% more than the BVI for a comparable boat.

The fees that catch first-timers off guard tend to be the Bahamas-specific ones: the layered taxes, the per-night park moorings, and the passenger surcharges.

Is the Bahamas Fleet Shrinking?

The 2026 Bahamas Charter Yacht Show was cancelled after fewer than 20 boats registered — down from 40 in 2025 and 80 in 2024 (The Triton, 2025). Industry observers attribute the decline to the July 2025 fee increases and the loss of Safe Harbor Marinas as a sponsor.

That doesn’t mean the Bahamas is dead for chartering. The Exumas remain one of the most stunning cruising grounds in the world. But it does mean fewer boats, less competition, and higher prices. If the Bahamas is your destination, don’t wait on booking.

What Does a Grenadines Charter Cost?

Crewed catamarans in the 40–50-foot range cost $8,000–$23,000 per week all-inclusive in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG Yachting, 2026). Those are the lowest base rates of any major Caribbean charter destination — and the government fees are negligible by comparison.

Why so much cheaper? Smaller fleet, fewer operators, and less name recognition than the BVI or Bahamas. The Grenadines don’t have the marketing machine that Tortola or Nassau run. But the sailing? World-class. If you’ve ever wanted to anchor in the Tobago Cays without six other charter cats beside you, this is the play.

For route ideas, check out our Grenadines yacht charter routes guide.

Grenadines Fees and Permits

Government costs here are almost negligible:

• Cruising license: EC$125 (~$46 USD) for vessels 31–50ft.
• Cruise tax: EC$35 (~$13 USD) per person per month
• Tobago Cays Marine Park: EC$10–15 (~$4–$6) per person entry + EC$45 (~$17) per night mooring (Ins and Outs of SVG, 2025)
• Gratuity: 15–20% of base charter fee

For 6 guests over 7 nights at a $15,000 base: cruising license ~$46, cruise tax ~$78, Tobago Cays ~$139, and 20% gratuity ($3,000). Total: roughly $18,263. That’s 25% less than the BVI and 55% less than the Bahamas.

The Catch: Fleet Size

The Grenadines’ charter fleet is a fraction of the BVI’s — roughly 35 boats based at Blue Lagoon Marina compared to 685+ in the British Virgin Islands (Sailica, 2025). Most yachts reposition into SVG waters for confirmed bookings rather than sitting at a home port year-round.

That means limited availability, less flexibility on dates, and you’ll want to book 6–12 months ahead for peak season. It also means the anchorages are quieter — which, frankly, is the whole point.

Side-by-Side: What Does a Week Actually Cost?

Here’s the full picture. We’ve modeled a representative charter: 46-foot crewed catamaran, 6 guests, 7 nights, all-inclusive, with standard 20% gratuity.

View data table

Destination	Base Rate	Taxes & Fees	Gratuity (20%)	Total
Grenadines	$15,000	$263	$3,000	$18,263
BVI	$20,000	$287	$4,000	$24,287
Bahamas	$30,000	$4,700	$6,000	$40,700

The gap is stark. Bahamas taxes and fees ($4,700) are more than 16 times the BVI’s ($287). That’s not a rounding error — it’s real money you could put toward a longer trip or a bigger yacht.

Here’s the same data in a quick-reference table:

A week aboard a 46-foot crewed catamaran with 6 guests costs roughly $18,263 all-in for the Grenadines, $24,287 for the BVI, and $40,700 for the Bahamas — a 123% price gap between the cheapest and most expensive Caribbean charter destinations, driven almost entirely by taxes and base rate differences.

Understanding what APA covers and how it’s calculated matters here too. In the BVI, most crewed catamarans run all-inclusive CYBA (Caribbean Yacht Brokers Association) contracts with no separate APA. In the Bahamas, APA of 25–40% is more common on motor yachts.

Which Destination Fits Your Budget?

Here’s how we match destinations to budgets — based on what we see across hundreds of charter bookings every year.

Under $20K/week → Grenadines. You’ll get an all-inclusive crewed catamaran in the 40–44-foot range with government fees that barely register. The trade-off: limited boat selection and you’ll need to book early. It’s not ideal for first-time charterers who want maximum hand-holding, but it’s perfect for experienced sailors looking for value.

$20K–$30K/week → BVI. The sweet spot. Widest selection of crewed catamarans, well-maintained mooring fields, 60 islands within 15 nautical miles, and the most mature charter infrastructure in the Caribbean. An all-inclusive crewed charter here means no surprise bills at the end.

$30K+/week → Bahamas (Exumas). Stunning cruising grounds, swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto — but you’ll pay a premium for the privilege. If the Exumas are on your bucket list, budget for the 14% tax from the start and don’t let it surprise you.

When to Book for the Best Rates

Peak season (December–April) runs 33–50% above off-season rates in the BVI and up to 60% higher in the Grenadines. Shoulder months — May, June, and November — offer the best balance of weather and price. Christmas and New Year’s weeks carry 15–20% surcharges everywhere.

Wondering where to start? We’ve put together a charter budget worksheet that maps out every line item so nothing catches you off guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Caribbean charter cost per person per day?

On a 6-guest crewed catamaran, the per-person daily cost works out to roughly $435 in the Grenadines, $575 in the BVI, and $970 in the Bahamas — all-inclusive with meals, drinks, and watersports. That’s based on the representative 46-foot catamaran model above.

Is the Bahamas more expensive than the BVI for chartering?

Yes — significantly. The Bahamas adds a 14% combined tax (4% government + 10% VAT) that the BVI doesn’t have. On a $30,000 base charter, that’s $4,200 in taxes alone. Add higher cruising permit fees ($500–$3,000) and Exuma Cays park moorings ($30–$190/night), and your total can run 60–70% higher than a comparable BVI charter (IYBA, 2025).

Are Grenadines charters really that much cheaper?

Base rates are, yes. Crewed catamarans in the 40–50-foot range start at $8,000/week in the Grenadines versus $17,000 in the BVI (SVG Yachting, 2026). Government fees total roughly $263/week for 6 guests. The catch is fleet size: ~35 boats versus 685+ in the BVI. You’ll have fewer choices and need to book well in advance.

What’s included in an all-inclusive Caribbean charter?

A typical all-inclusive crewed catamaran charter covers 7 nights’ accommodation, all meals, open bar, fuel, and watersports gear — roughly $2,500–$4,000 per guest in value per week (Dream Yacht Sales, 2026). Not included: gratuity (15–20%), dockage fees, and special provisions. Read our full breakdown of all-inclusive charter fees for details.

When is the cheapest time to charter in the Caribbean?

Shoulder season — May through early July and November — offers 15–25% savings over peak rates. Off-season (August–October) can drop 33–60% below peak, but that’s hurricane season and some operators pull their boats from the water. The best value window is late May or early June: post-peak pricing, minimal hurricane risk, and near-empty anchorages.

Your Next Step

Caribbean charter costs don’t have to be a guessing game. The BVI gives you the most boats and the best infrastructure. The Grenadines give you the lowest prices and the quietest anchorages. The Bahamas give you the Exumas — at a premium.

Ready to start planning? Our step-by-step charter planning guide walks you through everything from picking a boat to signing the contract. Or get in touch and we’ll match you with the right destination and yacht for your budget.

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.

Jason Acosta

See Full Bio