Yacht charter in San Francisco

Find Yachts for Charter in San Francisco
Destination guide

Yacht charter in San Francisco

Charter a yacht in San Francisco to sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, explore the Bay Area’s stunning coastline, and experience one of the world's most iconic sailing destinations. Browse motoryachts, catamarans, and sailboats for your voyage.

BEST TIME TO CHARTER A YACHT IN San Francisco

BEST SEASON July-September
HIGH SEASON May-October
LOW SEASON October-March
The best season to charter a yacht and sail in San Francisco is during the dry season from May to October, when the windy conditions create perfect sailing opportunities on the bay.
BEST SEASON July-September
HIGH SEASON May-October
LOW SEASON October-March
Charter cost in San Francisco
The price of chartering a yacht in San Francisco depends on a lot of factors such as its length, its amenities and the crew onboard. Here is what you can expect.

Base rental fees for bareboat charters in San Francisco

  • Bareboat Catamaran: $3,000 - $6,000 per week
  • Bareboat Monohull: $2,000 - $4,000 per week

Base rental fees for crewed charters in San Francisco

  • Crewed Catamaran: $5,500 - $12,000 per week
  • Crewed Motoryacht: $10,000 - $25,000 per week
  • Crewed Sailing Yacht: $6,000 - $15,000 per week
  • Superyacht: $25,000 - $150,000 per week

Cost add-ons

We recommend you to always plan 40% - 70% on top of the base fee to estimate the final cost of a yacht charter.

The total cost of a yacht charter is always estimated by adding the base rental price of a yacht, VAT / taxes, Advanced Provisioning Allowance (for crewed charters), customary tips to the crew (for crewed charters) and skipper cost (for skippered bareboat rentals).

Get in touch with our team to have a precise quote for your yacht charter in San Francisco or read our yacht charter cost guide for more details.

San Francisco charter cost estimation

WHY SHOULD YOU RENT A YACHT IN San Francisco?

Charter a luxury yacht in San Francisco to explore the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and majestic coastline, offering diverse sailing areas for motoryachts, catamarans, and sailboats. Experience breathtaking views of the city skyline and stunning natural landscapes from the comfort of your own private yacht.

Sail to picturesque destinations like Angel Island, Alcatraz, and Sausalito, or venture further to the beautiful Napa Valley for a unique inland experience.

San Francisco Bay provides the perfect mix of urban charm and peaceful nature, making it an ideal destination for luxury yacht charters, with something for every type of traveler to enjoy.

Top 5 reasons to visit San Francisco!

- Golden Gate Bridge views

- Iconic Alcatraz tour

- Coastal wine tasting experience

- Sailing under the fog

- City skyline from the water

FIRST TIME RENTING A YACHT? Read 101 yachting guide

SAILING ITINERARIES in San Francisco

Itinerary are subjects to weather conditions and will be adapted to your choice of yacht.

Yacht charter Yacht charter San Francisco - USA
San Francisco / Sausalito Area
Sailing in San Francisco
Yacht charter Yacht charter San Francisco - USA

How to get to San Francisco

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Commercial plane

Closest airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

13 miles to the Port of San Francisco

Travelling to San Francisco by Commercial Plane

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the main airport serving the city, located just 13 miles from the Port of San Francisco. It offers a wide range of domestic and international flights with convenient transport options to the city center, including BART and shuttle services.

See all Commercial airports and distance

Private jets

Closest airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

13 miles

Travelling to San Francisco by private jet

San Francisco is served primarily by San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which offers extensive private jet and FBO services. Additionally, Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) provide alternative options for private jet travel.

See all private jet airports and distance

VISA Requirements

Contact the Embassy of USA in your country to apply for suitable visa

EU Citizens

Visa type

EU citizens do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in the USA.

Main requirements

  • Valid passport
  • Return tickets
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Travel insurance
  • Sufficient funds
  • ESTA approval for visa waiver

Americans & Canadians

Visa type

US citizens don't need a visa for US destinations.

Main requirements

  • US-government issued ID such as passport or license

Other passport holders

Visa type

Non US or Canada citizens may need a B-2 Tourist Visa for yacht charter tourism in the USA.

Main requirements

  • Valid passport with 6 months validity beyond stay
  • Completed DS-160 form
  • Visa application fee payment receipt
  • Passport photo as per specifications
  • Proof of financial support
  • Travel itinerary
  • Documents demonstrating ties to home country

Bareboat license

To rent a bareboat in San Francisco, you typically need one of the following internationally recognized licenses:

  • International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
  • American Sailing Association (ASA) certification
  • Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certification

If you have any questions or need further details, feel free to contact us!

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San Francisco Yacht Charter FAQ

San Francisco can be a challenging sailing destination for first-time yacht charters due to its strong currents and unpredictable winds. It's advisable to consider hiring a skipper or opting for a crewed yacht charter to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Prices displayed only include the base yacht rental fee.

For a bareboat rental, you'll have to add the operating costs and the skipper daily rate should you need one.

For a crewed yacht charter, you need to add the Advance Provisioning Allowance aka APA (20 - 40% on top of base fee), taxes and tipping to the crew.

Contact us if you want a more detailed quote for yachts that match your criterias.
Crew members included in your yacht charter in San Francisco depend heavily on the length of your boat.

Bareboat rentals can include one professional skipper.

Smaller yacht charters typically include one captain and one or two stewardesses.

Bigger yachts can include chefs, deckhands, engineers, cleaning staff and even watersports guides.

Get in touch with our team for more details about a yacht you've seen.
In San Francisco, it's ideal to book a yacht charter between 3 to 6 months in advance, especially during peak seasons like summer and major holidays, due to high demand and limited yacht availability.
You are free to customize your sailing itinerary as long as it meets the sailing safety criterias from your captain. You can also ask us to make a specific itinerary based on your wishes and islands or landmarks you'd like to include.
A deposit of 50% of the yacht charter fee is due at the signature of the contract to confirm your booking.

The remaining 50%, the APA, taxes and delivery charges are due one month before the start of the cruise.

We strongly advise our charterers to take a cancellation insurance to protect their deposit and investment if unforseen circumstances prevent their charter. Get in touch with us to get our broker's assistance on that matter.
Yes, we have a broad range of water toys and other equipment (snorkeling gears...) that we can usually add to your yacht on request. Contact our team for more details.
Yes, we can arrange food to your liking and according to your diet restrictions or allergies for your San Francisco yacht charter. We can also include specific alcoholic beverages and cigars onboard.
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