Book a Luxury Yacht Charter with Waypoints Florida
So, you want to charter a boat and sail off into the sunset, but you aren’t sure where to start. With so many exquisite places to travel, the toughest choice you will have to make is where to go. Our base in gorgeous, sun-kissed St. Petersburg, Florida is one of the world’s best destinations with perfect weather and stunning sights, this won’t be your typical vacation. Waypoints Florida has a variety of yachts available for charter, including sailing and power catamarans and monohulls. Waking up in a new anchorage and breathtaking Gulf sunsets from the cockpit make each day more memorable than the last. The freedom of chartering a power or sailboat is almost unrivaled as a leisure activity – a chartered yacht enables you to travel where you want, when you want, and to choose your distance away from the hustle & bustle of land. Chartering a yacht is an experience that you and your crew will never forget.
A luxury yacht charter is perfect for a romantic getaway, flotilla, or multi-day charter experience with the people you love the most. Waypoints Florida is here to customize your next adventure exactly how you envision it.
Planning For Florida Yacht Charters
When you start your official planning for an unforgettable vacation to Florida’s Gulf Coast, there are a few things you want to consider before you book:
Who Are You Bringing Along?
Who will your crew include? The type of boat you choose and the trip you book needs to accommodate everyone in your group, including children. If you are bringing children along, you need to make sure you have properly-sized life jackets for each of them.
What Type of Boat Are You Looking For?
What type of boat are you looking for? We have a wonderful variety of boats in our fleet, but it is up to you to choose what you are looking for. Do you imagine yourself on a powerboat or sailboat? If you are sailing, do you want a monohull or catamaran?
What Size Vessel Do You Need?
Consider how many beds you will need and who will be sleeping in which rooms. If your charter will be captained, the Captain will need their own cabin.
What is Your Budget?
Understanding what your budget range is will help you decide upon the number of days your trip will last and the size of the vessel that you will charter. When booking a captained charter, you should also budget 10%-20% of the charter cost for gratuity.
Choose Your Vessel
A bareboat charter is where you take possession of the boat and sail it yourself, similar to renting a car. You must be an experienced sailor and generally must have a sailing certificate for this type of charter – you plot your course, raise the sails, deal with the vagaries of weather, drop anchor, and moor. It’s exciting and exhilarating but comes with much responsibility.
If you like the idea of a private charter but would like help with the sailing, you can hire one of our captains, who will sail the boat and provide valuable information about the area. Just look for the vessel you desire, request a captain, and we’ll arrange one for you. This can provide the perfect balance of independence and freedom while allowing you to relax and worry less. This is a popular and easy arrangement as Waypoints Florida has over 30 licensed US Coast Guard captains on the roster.
There are two main types of sailing vessels, monohull (one hull) and catamaran (two hulls). Both are popular for many reasons, and the choice of the “right one” depends on your needs and goals for the charter. Monohulls give you the full feeling of classic sailing, leaning (heeling) with the wind and cutting through the water, whereas catamarans tend to offer more comfort and privacy, as they have a large salon and more livable area within the two hulls. Waypoints Florida has over 35 vessels to choose from, and each one has a link with information and pricing. Pick your boat based on the number of people in your group, experience level, and budget.
Book A Charter
Speak to a Charter Experience Specialist or request a quote on our website. You pay a 50% deposit with the booking, and the balance is due upon arrival for your charter. All of the boats have color chart plotters and laminated charts for our cruising area. We provide linens, towels, blankets, pillows, and galley ware, as well as cleaning supplies with a starter kit of paper towels and toilet paper. All safety equipment, including life vests (for people 30 lbs and up), are provided. Many of our boats include a BBQ Propane grill.
Plan Your Itinerary and Activities
The West Coast of Florida has many beautiful destinations to visit. Our Charter Experience Specialists can assist you in planning out your itinerary and answering any questions that you may have about the charter process. The team at Waypoints Florida is knowledgeable and has a vast knowledge of the best routes and must-see spots. During your planning, you can peruse our sample itinerary for inspiration.
Your personal Charter Experience Specialist can help you make arrangements for transportation from the airport that you fly into. Less than 25 minutes from either Tampa International Airport or St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, our charter base is located at The Legendary Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Rideshare services or taxis are available to take you to our base at the Vinoy Marina. There is also parking available at the resort or on street nearby. When you arrive, you will be greeted by a Waypoints staff member who will happily guide you to your boat.
Prior to departing on your charter, you will have a briefing where you will be walked through all the systems on the vessel, the charts, and your float plan, and you will complete the necessary paperwork before your charter. If you have chosen full provisioning, our amazing staff will have placed and stored all of your groceries onboard. If you need additional provisions, you can send a crew member to the store during your briefing. Downtown St. Petersburg has a variety of grocery & liquor stores, wine shops, specialty boutiques, and more to pick up everything you may need for your adventure.
You will depart from beautiful and vibrant downtown St. Petersburg and head along the Florida coast – Clearwater, Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa, and Marco Island, or cruise the open waters to the Dry Tortugas National Park and the Florida Keys. What are you waiting for?