Do you need a license to charter a yacht?

No, you do not need a license to charter a yacht with a professional crew: the captain carries the credentials, and guests simply step aboard. Bareboat is different. In the BVI, the Bahamas, and most of the Caribbean there is no government-issued charter license; companies instead vet a sailing resume and recognize certifications such as ASA 104 or RYA Day Skipper. Parts of the Mediterranean go further. Croatia and Greece legally require an International Certificate of Competence plus a VHF radio permit before a bareboat leaves the dock. Rules-light does not mean vetting-light, and a weak resume can still sink a booking. First-timers without any paperwork can take the helm on a skippered charter. The first-time charterer’s guide covers both routes.