Yacht Rental Miami: What Costs Extra & What's Free (Real Breakdown)
Pricing · By The VCYC Team · August 28, 2026 · 11 min read
Miami yacht rental pricing decoded: captain, fuel, ice, and insurance are included. Gratuity (10–20%), tax (~7%), and add-ons cost extra. Real numbers, zero surprises.
What's Included in Your Yacht Rental Price (No Hidden Line Items)
A Miami yacht rental from Vice City Yacht Club includes the USCG-licensed captain, fuel for standard cruising, ice, coolers, Bluetooth sound system, and all required safety equipment in the listed price on every boat page at vcy.club. What costs extra: crew gratuity (10–20% of the charter price, paid directly to the crew), Florida sales tax (roughly 7%), food and beverages (bring your own or order catering), and optional add-ons like jet skis, DJ service, photographers, or decoration packages. No contact-for-quote games—every rate is published before you call.
When you see Sebastian listed at $3,100 for four hours, that number covers six components already. The USCG-licensed captain boards with you, handles navigation, anchoring at the sandbar, and enforces safety protocols. Fuel for standard Biscayne Bay cruising—routes to Haulover Sandbar, Nixon Sandbar, Star Island, and typical sunset loops—is included; no surcharge when you arrive at the dock. Ice and coolers are loaded before departure. The Bluetooth sound system connects to your phone the moment you step aboard. Hull coverage runs $10M, and general liability is $1M per occurrence—both carried on every vessel. All required Coast Guard safety equipment, from life jackets to flares to fire extinguishers, is inspected and aboard.
That $3,100 is the actual charter rate. You will pay additional gratuity, Florida sales tax, and the cost of provisions—but the six core services never vary and never surprise you at the dock.
Gratuity: The One 'Extra' That's Actually Mandatory
Crew gratuity is not included in the listed charter rate, and it is not optional. Minimum gratuity is 10% of the charter price, rising to 18% on holiday charters. The customary range is 15–20%, paid directly to the captain and crew on the day of the charter. Gratuity does not roll into your deposit; it is settled after the trip.
On a $3,100 charter, the math looks like this: 10% minimum is $310, 15% is $465, and 20% is $620. Most guests tip $465–$620 depending on service quality, how well the crew managed the sandbar anchoring, and whether they went above and beyond with itinerary adjustments. On a shorter charter—BALI at $650 for four hours—the minimum is $65, and the typical range is $98–$130.
Holiday charters carry an 18% floor because crew demand spikes. A $2,350 six-hour charter on Monaco during Fourth of July weekend requires at least $423 in gratuity; most guests round up to $450–$500. Plan for gratuity when you budget your total cost—it is as certain as tax.
Tax: Florida's 7% Sales Tax (and Why It Caps on Bigger Charters)
Florida charges 6% state sales tax on yacht charters, plus a 1% Miami-Dade County surtax on the first $5,000 of the sale. The surtax caps at $50, which means your effective tax rate drops slightly on charters priced above $5,000. Most guests pay roughly 7% of the charter price in combined tax.
A $1,750 four-hour charter on Monaco falls entirely below the $5,000 threshold, so you pay 7% of $1,750: $122.50. The total pre-gratuity cost is $1,872.50.
A $9,450 four-hour charter on Power Cat triggers the surtax cap. The state tax is 6% of $9,450 ($567), and the county surtax is capped at $50. Total tax: $617. Your pre-gratuity invoice is $10,067, and the effective rate is 6.5% instead of 7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there fuel surcharges or docking fees on top of the listed price?
No. Fuel for standard Biscayne Bay cruising—covering routes to Haulover Sandbar, Nixon Sandbar, Star Island, and typical sunset loops—is included in every published charter rate with no surcharge. Docking at Vice City Yacht Club's central Miami and Brickell marinas is also included. If your group requests a custom destination marina that charges a guest docking fee, that cost is quoted upfront during booking and added to your invoice, but most charters incur no docking fee.
Is crew gratuity included in the charter rate?
No. Crew gratuity is paid separately, directly to the captain and crew on the day of the charter. Minimum gratuity is 10% of the charter price (18% on holiday charters), and the customary range is 15–20%. On a $3,100 charter, expect to tip $465–$620. Gratuity is mandatory, not optional, and it does not appear on your deposit or balance invoice—it is settled after the trip.
Do I pay tax on a yacht rental in Miami, and how much?
Yes. Florida charges 6% state sales tax plus a 1% Miami-Dade County surtax on the first $5,000 of the sale, resulting in roughly 7% tax on most charters. The surtax caps at $50, so charters above $5,000 see a slightly lower effective rate (around 6.5%). Tax is collected as part of the balance payment on the day of the charter and itemized on your receipt.
Can I bring my own food and drinks, or do I have to buy catering?
You can bring your own provisions—most guests do. Alcohol is allowed on all private charters (cans and plastic only, no glass), and ice and coolers are provided on the boat. If you prefer not to shop and haul, Vice City Yacht Club offers onboard catering ordered at least 48 hours in advance through the catering menu. Catering is optional, priced separately, and delivered to the boat before departure.
What happens if I want to add a photographer or jet ski—do those prices change?
No. Add-on prices are locked at the time of booking and published in the add-ons catalog. A full-charter photographer is $720, a 30-minute jet ski rental is $150, and a DJ is $120 per hour—those rates do not fluctuate based on demand, day of the week, or charter size. Book the add-on when you confirm your yacht, and the price is guaranteed.
When do I pay the deposit versus the balance?
The 35% deposit (or $250 minimum) is charged at the time you confirm your booking and holds your date. The balance—remaining charter fee, tax, and any pre-booked add-ons—is due on the day of the charter. Gratuity is paid separately to the crew after the trip. Any available date can be held free for 24 hours with no card and no deposit; after that window, the deposit is required or the hold expires.