Florida Keys yacht charter: prices, the Miami to Key West route, and when to go
Disclosure: this guide contains referral links. If you book a charter through them, we may earn a commission from the booking platform at no extra cost to you. It never changes the prices or advice on this page. How we make money.
A yacht charter in the Florida Keys costs from about $225 an hour for a small luxury boat in Islamorada or Marathon to $600 to $850+ an hour for a 52 to 88 ft yacht in Key West, based on 2026 listings. A crewed week on a 62 to 103 ft yacht listed out of Florida runs about $39,000 to $62,500. From Miami, the classic trip is 160 miles to Key West over about five days.
On this page
Florida Keys yacht prices by town
| Boat | Where | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Private luxury adventure boat | Islamorada | from $225 an hour |
| Luxury adventure boat | Marathon | from $238 an hour |
| SUV of the Seas | Stock Island | from $238 an hour |
| 42 ft sailing catamaran, captained | Key West | from $450 an hour |
| 80 ft sailing schooner, captained | Key West | from $475 an hour |
| 52 ft yacht with flybridge | Key West | $600 an hour |
| 67 ft luxury power catamaran | Key West | from $750 an hour |
| 88 ft Lazzara yacht | Stock Island | from $850 an hour |
Source: Getmyboat Florida Keys yacht listings, checked October 15, 2026. Key West and Stock Island have the most yachts listed, followed by Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada and Tavernier.
Charter company Anchor says its Keys day charters come in 4-hour, 6-hour and full-day options and include captain and crew, local cruising fuel, cleaning, service fees and taxes, and some gratuity on most listings (Anchor). Marketplace hourly prices may not include those, so compare totals.
Weekly crewed charters
| Yacht | Length | Weekly price |
|---|---|---|
| Rodriguez 62 power catamaran | 62 ft | $39,000 |
| Ferretti 88 | 88 ft | $40,000 |
| Azimut 77S | 77 ft | $48,000 |
| Johnson 103 | 103 ft | $62,500 |
Source: Boatbookings crewed listings tagged Miami, Fort Lauderdale or the Bahamas (the Keys are a common route for these yachts). More options in our week-long charter guide.
Miami to Key West: a 5-day route
| Day | Leg | Distance | Time underway | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami → Key Largo | 60 miles | 3–4 hours | Snorkelling at John Pennekamp |
| 2 | Key Largo → Islamorada | 25 miles | 1–2 hours | Flats fishing, sunset anchorage |
| 3 | Islamorada → Marathon | 30 miles | 2–3 hours | Seven Mile Bridge, Sombrero Reef |
| 4 | Marathon → Key West | 50 miles | 4–5 hours | Bahia Honda, Looe Key snorkelling |
| 5 | Key West | in port | — | Mallory Square sunset, optional Dry Tortugas trip |
Source: YATR Miami to Key West sample itinerary, about 160 nautical miles in total. YATR also lists 3 to 5 day Florida Keys voyages on its luxury fleet.
What is the 12 person yacht rule?
It comes from U.S. Coast Guard rules for charters. A vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire must hold a Certificate of Inspection, and on a bareboat charter no more than 12 passengers plus the charterer may be aboard, not counting crew (U.S. Coast Guard). That is why Anchor says most of its boats have a 13-guest maximum, not counting captain and crew.
Prefer the islands to the east? Compare Miami to the Bahamas. For a day trip close to Miami with calm water and snorkelling, see Key Biscayne.
When to go
- Winter and spring are peak yachting season in South Florida: YATR puts the peak at November to April, when the weather is dry and comfortable.
- Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October (NOAA). Summer can be cheaper, but keep dates flexible and read the weather cancellation terms.
FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a boat in the Florida Keys?
From about $225 an hour for a small luxury boat in Islamorada or Marathon, and $450 to $850+ an hour for captained catamarans, schooners and yachts in Key West, based on 2026 marketplace listings. Weekly crewed yachts listed out of Florida cost about $39,000 to $62,500 for 62 to 103 ft.
What month is best for the Florida Keys?
Winter and spring (November to April) are peak season, with dry, comfortable weather, according to YATR. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak around mid-August to mid-October, so those months need flexible plans.
What is the 12 person yacht rule?
Under U.S. Coast Guard guidance, a bareboat charter may carry no more than 12 passengers plus the charterer, and any vessel carrying more than six paying passengers needs a Certificate of Inspection. That is why most charter yachts list 13 guests as their maximum.
How long does it take to sail from Miami to Key West?
About 160 nautical miles. YATR's sample itinerary covers it in four days of cruising (3 to 5 hours a day) with stops in Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon, plus a day in Key West.
Sources
Pages we used for the figures in this guide, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Operator and marketplace price lists are their own published figures; rules and fees come from official government sources.
- YATR: Miami to Key West yacht charter (5-day route, distances, travel times)
- YATR: Miami luxury yacht charter (Florida Keys 3–5 day voyages)
- Getmyboat: Florida Keys yacht rentals (listed hourly prices by town)
- Anchor: Florida Keys yacht and boat rentals (13-guest maximum, what day charters include)
- Boatbookings: Crewed yacht charters listed for Miami and Florida (weekly prices)
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules), May 8, 2025
- NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology (hurricane season)
Prices on this page are estimates from published sources, not quotes or offers. Yacht prices change with the season, the day of the week, the yacht and availability; only the booking confirmation from the operator or booking platform is binding. Rules and taxes shown are general information, not legal or tax advice.