Miami Yacht Rental: Real Prices & What Actually Gets Charged
Pricing · By The VCYC Team · August 15, 2026 · 6 min read
A Miami yacht rental's quoted price includes captain, fuel, and insurance. The only add-ons: ~7% tax, 10–20% crew gratuity, and your provisions. Here's the real all-in cost.
What You Actually Pay for a Miami Yacht Rental
A Miami yacht rental's quoted price includes the captain, fuel, insurance, and the boat itself. Florida charges roughly 7% sales tax on the charter fee, crew gratuity runs 10–20% of the charter price, and you bring or cater your own food and drinks. Those are the only mandatory add-ons. A $3,000 four-hour charter costs $3,210 after tax, plus $300–$600 crew gratuity, plus whatever you spend on provisions—typically $3,700–$4,100 all-in. No hidden docking fees, no surprise fuel surcharges, no cleaning charges.
This guide breaks down every line item on a Miami yacht charter so you know exactly what gets charged and when.
What the Quoted Price Includes (Captain, Fuel, Insurance)
Every charter price listed on Vice City Yacht Club's fleet page covers five essentials:
1. USCG-licensed captain – Federal law requires a captain on every charter. 2. Fuel for standard cruising – Roundtrip to the sandbars, Star Island tours, sunset cruises along Biscayne Bay. 3. Insurance – $1M general liability and $10M hull coverage, fully Coast Guard compliant. 4. Onboard amenities – Ice, coolers, Bluetooth sound system, and all required safety equipment. 5. The boat itself – Exclusive private use; no shared charters.
Nothing in that list is optional or charged separately. When you see VanDutch's 4-hour rate at $2,450 or Astonish's 6-hour rate at $9,450, those numbers include captain and fuel. The only exception: if you request an extended-range cruise beyond standard Biscayne Bay routes, the team will quote any incremental fuel cost upfront—it never appears as a surprise fee on charter day.
The Three Costs That Always Get Added: Tax, Gratuity, Provisions
Beyond the quoted charter price, three line items are unavoidable:
1. Florida Sales Tax (~7%)
Florida charges 6% state sales tax plus a 1% Miami-Dade surtax on the first $5,000 of the sale. On most charters the effective rate is roughly 7%; the surtax caps at $50, so very large charters pay slightly less as a percentage. You pay this when you settle the balance on charter day.
2. Crew Gratuity (10–20% of the Charter Price)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any hidden fees on a Miami yacht rental?
No. The quoted price includes the captain, fuel, insurance, and boat. The only add-ons are Florida sales tax (~7%), crew gratuity (10–20%), and your own food and drinks. No docking fees, cleaning fees, or surprise fuel surcharges—what you see on the fleet page is what you pay, plus those three transparent line items.
Is gratuity included in the charter price?
No, gratuity is not included. The minimum crew gratuity is 10% of the charter price (18% on holiday charters); 15–20% is customary for excellent service. You pay the gratuity directly to the crew at the end of your charter.
Do I pay sales tax on a yacht rental in Florida?
Yes. Florida charges 6% state sales tax plus a 1% Miami-Dade surtax on the first $5,000 of the charter price (the surtax caps at $50). Most charters pay an effective rate of roughly 7%. The tax is calculated on the base charter fee only—not on gratuity or provisions—and you pay it when you settle the balance on charter day.
What costs extra beyond the quoted yacht rental price?
Three things: Florida sales tax (~7% of the charter price), crew gratuity (10–20% paid directly to the crew), and your own food and drinks. Optional add-ons like jet skis ($150 for 30 minutes), photography ($720 full charter), or decorations ($200–$450) are prepaid through the booking system and never appear as surprise fees.
Can I pay gratuity with a credit card or does it have to be cash?
Gratuity is paid directly to the crew at the dock after your charter. It does not run through the booking system and cannot be charged to the card you used for the deposit.
Are docking fees or fuel surcharges added at the end of the trip?
No. The quoted charter price includes fuel for standard Biscayne Bay, Star Island, and sandbar routes, and the boat's home marina slip is already paid. The only exception: if you request an extended-range trip, any incremental fuel cost is quoted and agreed upfront—never as a surprise charge on charter day.