Last Updated: September 2026
Short answer: A weekly yacht rental in Miami — also called a term charter — typically starts at $13,500 for a 3-day crewed Bahamas passage and scales to $79,000+ for a full week on a large luxury vessel. Unlike day charters priced at $1,999 to $3,499 for 4 to 8 hours, weekly and multi-day charters are priced as all-in packages covering the vessel, crew, fuel, and provisioning for the full duration. This guide covers how weekly charters work in Miami, what they cost, what is included, how to plan the right itinerary, and how to negotiate the best terms from an experienced operator.
What Is a Weekly Yacht Charter in Miami?
A weekly yacht rental in Miami — formally called a term charter — is a private yacht booking for multiple consecutive days, typically 3 to 7 days or longer. Unlike a day charter that returns to the marina after 4 to 8 hours, a term charter includes overnight accommodations aboard the vessel, allowing your group to wake up in a new anchorage or marina each morning.
Term charters from Miami typically involve one of three itinerary frameworks:
- Bahamas and back (3 to 5 days) — The most popular extended charter from Miami. Nassau is 119 nautical miles east, Bimini is 50 miles, and the Exumas chain adds 3 to 5 additional days of island cruising. These are the destinations Miami Boat Charters’ captains have navigated since 2000.
- Florida Keys southbound (3 to 7 days) — Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West by sea, with stops at anchor in the backcountry and at marinas along the Overseas Highway corridor.
- Miami and surrounding waters extended (2 to 4 days) — Biscayne Bay, Stiltsville, Elliot Key, and the upper Keys without crossing to the Bahamas. Suitable for larger groups or families with younger children who want the overnight experience without the Gulf Stream crossing.
Key differences between short-term and long-term yacht charters:
| Factor | Day Charter (4–8 hrs) | Weekly / Term Charter (3–7+ days) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Returns to marina same day | Overnight aboard, new anchorage each day |
| Pricing structure | Per charter, all-in from $1,999 | Per day or per charter + APA provisioning |
| Itinerary | Biscayne Bay, sandbar, coastal cruise | Bahamas, Florida Keys, multi-island |
| Crew arrangement | Captain + mate standard | Captain + mate + optional chef and steward |
| Provisioning | Water, ice, cooler included | Full meal provisioning via APA fund |
How Much Does a Weekly Yacht Rental in Miami Cost?
Miami weekly yacht charter pricing depends on vessel size, crew configuration, and itinerary distance. Here is a realistic pricing framework for 2026:
| Vessel Size | Guests | 3-Day Charter | 7-Day Charter | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60–80 ft motor yacht | 4–10 | From $13,500 | From $28,000 | Captain, crew, fuel — APA separate |
| 80–106 ft luxury yacht | 8–12 | From $18,000 | From $38,000 | Captain, full crew — APA separate |
| 106–150 ft superyacht | 10–18 | Custom quote | From $55,000 | Full crew + chef — APA separate |
| 150–220 ft mega yacht | 12–30 | Custom quote | From $79,000+ | Full crew, chef, steward — APA separate |
Understanding the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
For all multi-day and weekly charters, the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is a separate fund — typically 25 to 35% of the base charter fee — that covers running costs during the charter: fuel for the full passage, food and beverages, marina fees, and customs fees for Bahamas entry. The captain manages this fund transparently, provides receipts for all expenditures, and returns any unused balance at the end of the charter.
On a $28,000 7-day charter, plan for an additional $7,000 to $9,800 in APA. On a $13,500 3-day Nassau charter, APA typically runs $3,375 to $4,725. This is the most important number most first-time term charter guests underestimate in their total budget.
Seasonal Pricing and Off-Peak Discounts
Miami term charter pricing varies meaningfully by season:
- Peak season (November–April): Highest demand and rates. Miami International Boat Show (February), Art Basel (December), spring break, and holiday weeks all drive premium pricing. Book 3 to 6 months ahead for these windows.
- Shoulder season (May, October–November): Good weather, lower rates, less competition for marina space. Often the best combination of value and conditions for a weekly Bahamas charter.
- Summer (June–September): Lower base rates — typically 15 to 25% below peak. Morning departures essential to clear the Gulf Stream before afternoon weather builds. Hurricane season requires flexibility; experienced captains monitor conditions and adjust timing accordingly.
Benefits of an Extended Yacht Charter vs Multiple Day Charters
Cost Per Day Is Lower
A day charter at $1,999 for 4 hours works out to roughly $500 per hour. A 7-day term charter at $28,000 for a comparable vessel works out to $4,000 per day — giving you full 24-hour access, overnight accommodations, and a new anchorage every morning for less than the equivalent spend across multiple separate day bookings. For groups who want to maximize water time across a week in Miami or the Bahamas, term charters represent significantly better value than booking multiple individual days.
Dedicated Crew Learns Your Preferences
On a day charter, the crew serves your group for 4 to 8 hours and the relationship ends at the dock. On a weekly charter, a dedicated crew — captain, mate, and optional private chef — spends several days with your group. By day two, they know who takes their coffee how, which guests want to be first into the tender at the sandbar, and which nights the group wants a formal dinner vs a casual deck spread. This continuity of service is a genuine differentiator of the extended charter experience.
Access to Destinations Unreachable on Day Charters
The Exumas — Thunderball Cave, the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay — are only accessible on multi-day or weekly charters from Miami. Nassau and the Exumas require a minimum 3 to 5-day commitment from Miami given the crossing time. The Florida Keys’ remote anchorages — Lignumvitae Key, Long Key, the Marquesas west of Key West — are only practically reachable on extended charters. The most spectacular destinations accessible from Miami are all term charter destinations.
How to Negotiate a Better Weekly Yacht Charter Rate
Book in the Off-Season or Shoulder Season
The single most effective negotiation lever is timing. A weekly Bahamas charter booked for late May or October — after peak season demand has cleared but before the vessel is committed to peak season bookings — often comes in 15 to 25% below the equivalent peak rate. If your dates are flexible, sharing three or four alternative windows with the charter operator gives room for the company to offer the best available rate for each window.
Book Early for Peak Dates
For peak season bookings (December, February Boat Show week, spring break), early booking is more effective than late negotiation. The best vessels in the Miami fleet for 3 to 7-day charters are booked 3 to 6 months ahead. Waiting until 4 to 6 weeks before your preferred dates reduces your vessel options and eliminates any room for rate flexibility — the remaining availability commands premium pricing because demand exceeds supply.
Extend the Duration for a Better Daily Rate
Charter operators price weekly charters at a lower per-day rate than 3-day charters because fixed costs (crew positioning, provisioning setup, marina fees) are distributed across more days. If your target charter is 3 days, compare what a 5-day charter on the same vessel would cost per day — you may find the incremental cost of 2 additional days is less than the per-day rate suggests, making the extension genuinely worthwhile on a cost-per-day basis.
Be Clear About Your Priorities
Tell the charter team exactly what matters most for your group — destination priority, departure date flexibility, amenity requirements (private chef, water sports equipment, specific vessel type). Clear priorities allow the operator to match you to the right vessel at the right time rather than guessing. Miami Boat Charters has been arranging term charters since 2000 — a direct conversation about your requirements produces better outcomes than a generic price inquiry.
Choosing the Right Vessel for a Weekly Charter
For overnight and multi-day passages, vessel selection matters differently than it does for a day charter. The questions to answer before committing to a vessel:
- How many separate cabins does your group need? Couples and families require private staterooms. A vessel with 3 queen cabins suits 6 guests comfortably; 5 to 6 cabins for 10 to 12 guests.
- Do you need stabilizers for the Gulf Stream crossing? The 50-nautical-mile crossing to Bimini and the 119-mile crossing to Nassau can involve 2 to 4-foot swells depending on wind and current. Vessels with active or passive stabilizers significantly reduce motion during the crossing — an important consideration for guests who are first-time offshore passengers.
- Does the itinerary require shallow draft? The Exumas Bank — the shallow water between Nassau and the Exumas cays — requires careful depth management. Some larger vessels cannot access certain anchorages that smaller vessels can reach without difficulty.
- Is a private chef included or an add-on? For a 7-day charter, onboard dining quality becomes genuinely important. Our private chef and catering package is one of the most consistently praised add-ons on multi-day charters.
Day-by-Day Sample Itinerary — 7-Day Bahamas Term Charter From Miami
Understanding what a weekly yacht rental from Miami actually looks like day by day helps groups plan realistic expectations and prioritize the stops that matter most to them. Here is a representative 7-day itinerary for a Nassau and Exumas charter departing Miami Beach Marina:
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Miami → Bimini (50 nm, 2–3 hrs) | Gulf Stream crossing, Bimini Big Game Club Marina, evening in Alice Town |
| Day 2 | Bimini → Nassau (70 nm, 4–5 hrs) | Sailing the Great Bahama Bank, arrival Nassau Harbour, Cable Beach |
| Day 3 | Nassau / Paradise Island | Atlantis waterfront, Nassau city tour by dinghy, Rose Island anchor |
| Day 4 | Nassau → Exumas (45 nm, 3 hrs) | Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto snorkeling, swimming pigs at Big Major Cay |
| Day 5 | Exumas exploration | Compass Cay nurse sharks, Pipe Creek anchor, Exuma Land and Sea Park |
| Day 6 | Exumas → Nassau (45 nm) | Final anchorage night, provisioning top-up, farewell dinner onboard |
| Day 7 | Nassau → Miami (119 nm, 8–9 hrs) | Gulf Stream return crossing, Government Cut arrival, Miami Beach Marina |
This itinerary assumes a capable 60 to 80-foot motor yacht with offshore range and stabilizers. Actual daily distances and timing are adjusted by the captain based on weather windows, sea state, and group preferences — a day of strong easterly wind might add a rest day in Nassau rather than attempting the Exumas passage. Our captains have made this crossing hundreds of times since 2000 and plan conservative, comfortable passages rather than pushing conditions to meet a rigid schedule.
Why Miami Is the Best US Departure City for a Term Charter
No other continental US city gives a weekly charter group the same combination of destinations within realistic range:
- Bimini at 50 nm: A 2 to 3-hour passage on a moderate day — the shortest international offshore crossing from any US mainland departure point. Groups who want the Bahamas experience without a full-day offshore passage book Bimini as their anchor destination.
- Nassau at 119 nm: A full-day passage (8 to 9 hours at cruise speed) — reachable in a single day’s run. No other US mainland city puts Nassau within a same-day crossing range.
- Florida Keys at 25 to 100 nm: Key Largo to Key West is a 75-nautical-mile chain directly south of Miami, accessible on 3 to 7-day term charters without crossing international waters.
- Year-round season: Miami’s subtropical climate makes term charter departures practical every month. Winter in New England, New York, and the Mid-Atlantic produces significant demand for Miami term charters because the weather and water conditions are genuinely excellent when everywhere north is cold and grey.
Key Considerations — Extended Charter Planning Checklist
- Passport required for Bahamas: All guests need a valid US passport — passport cards are not accepted for Bahamian entry.
- Bahamas cruising permit: Required for all private vessels entering Bahamian waters — coordinated by the captain and covered by the APA fund.
- Travel insurance: Recommended for any multi-day charter involving international travel — cancellation, weather delays, and medical coverage all apply.
- Packing guidelines: Soft-sided duffel bags only — no hard shell luggage. One bag per person standard for any term charter cabin.
- Gratuity budget: 15 to 20% of the base charter fee, paid in cash to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution among the crew.
- Timing the departure: Gulf Stream crossings to the Bahamas are best made in the morning when sea state is calmest — a 6 AM departure from Miami Beach Marina has you in Bimini by mid-morning or Nassau by late afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions — Weekly Yacht Rental Miami
How much does a weekly yacht rental in Miami cost?
A weekly yacht charter in Miami on a 60 to 80-foot crewed motor yacht starts from approximately $28,000 for 7 days, plus APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) of 25 to 35% of the charter fee for fuel, provisions, and marina fees. Larger vessels scale to $79,000+ per week. The all-in cost for a 7-day Bahamas charter for 6 to 8 guests on a mid-size vessel typically runs $35,000 to $50,000 including APA, gratuity, and Bahamas cruising permit.
What is included in a weekly Miami yacht charter?
A Miami Boat Charters weekly term charter includes the vessel, USCG-licensed captain, professional crew, and the vessel’s standard inventory. Fuel, provisions, marina fees, and customs fees are covered by the APA provisioning fund. Private chef, full provisioning packages, water sports equipment, and specialty add-ons are arranged and priced per your specific requirements when booking.
Can I negotiate a better rate on a long-term yacht rental?
Yes — the most effective ways to negotiate a better rate on a long-term yacht rental in Miami are: booking in the shoulder or off-peak season (May, October), offering date flexibility across 3 to 4 alternative windows, extending the charter duration (longer charters have lower per-day rates), and booking 3 to 6 months ahead for peak season dates. Miami Boat Charters has been arranging term charters since 2000 — call (305) 401-2707 to discuss available dates and rate options directly.
What is the best time of year for a weekly yacht charter in Miami?
Peak season (November through April) offers the best weather and calmest Gulf Stream crossing conditions, but commands the highest rates and requires the most advance booking. Shoulder season (May, October, and early November) offers comparable weather with lower rates and better vessel availability. Summer charters are possible with morning departures to avoid afternoon weather patterns.
How far in advance should I book a weekly yacht charter in Miami?
For peak season dates (December through April), book 3 to 6 months ahead. Miami International Boat Show week (February) and Art Basel (December) require the earliest booking lead times — 4 to 6 months. For shoulder season dates, 6 to 10 weeks is typically sufficient. Summer availability is more flexible.
What destinations can I reach on a weekly charter from Miami?
On a 3 to 7-day term charter from Miami, reachable destinations include: Bimini, Bahamas (2 to 3 hour crossing, 50 nm), Nassau and Paradise Island (8 to 9 hours, 119 nm), the Exumas chain (5 to 7 days), the Florida Keys southbound to Key West (3 to 5 days), and Stiltsville and Biscayne National Park (overnight within protected waters). The Exumas — Thunderball Cave, swimming pigs, nurse sharks at Compass Cay — require a minimum 5 to 7-day charter from Miami to experience properly.
Plan Your Weekly Yacht Charter With Miami Boat Charters
Miami Boat Charters has operated term charters to the Bahamas and Florida Keys since 2000. Our USCG-licensed captains navigate these routes hundreds of times per year — they know the crossing windows, the best anchorages, the Bahamian customs procedures, and the specific spots that make a multi-day charter genuinely memorable.
Our fleet ranges from 60-foot crewed motor yachts suited for groups of 4 to 10 guests to 220-foot mega yachts for larger parties — all matched to your specific itinerary, group size, and budget. Contact our team to discuss your preferred dates and destinations, and we will recommend the right vessel and put together a complete charter quote including base rate and APA estimate.
Call (305) 401-2707 or email info@miamiboatcharters.com to begin planning your weekly yacht rental in Miami.