How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Yacht in Los Angeles?

Yacht Charter Pricing

Los Angeles offers year-round opportunities for private yacht and boat charters, with options ranging from smaller private yachts to large passenger vessels and party yachts.

So, how much does it cost to rent a yacht in Los Angeles?

For most groups, private yacht charters start around 1,335 – 4,000+, depending on the number of guests and the vessel you choose. Smaller private yachts may cost a few hundred dollars per hour, while larger passenger and event vessels can cost $1,000 or more per hour.

The total charter price depends primarily on your group size, vessel, charter length, date, and what’s included. Rather than comparing hourly rates alone, it’s important to look at the total booking price, considering required minimum charter times and any vessel-specific fees.

GROUP SIZE

TYPICAL CHARTER

STARTING PRICE

2–12 guests

Small private yacht

$1,335–$1,725

13–20 guests

Passenger boat or yacht

$2,400+

20–49 guests

Larger passenger vessel

$2,600–$3,140

50–75 guests

Party yacht / passenger vessel

$1,470–$2,750

75–125 guests

Large event vessel

$3,925+

Starting-price estimates. Exact pricing depends on the vessel, charter length, guest count and selected services.

Hourly Rate vs. Total Charter Price

When comparing yacht charter prices, don’t look at the advertised hourly rate alone. The total booking price is usually a much better way to compare your options.

Each vessel has its own booking requirements. These may include a minimum charter duration, maximum guest capacity, or different pricing based on the number of passengers.

For example, you may find a boat advertised online for “$200 per hour” and assume a two-hour outing will cost $400. But the advertised rate may have a four-hour minimum, apply only to a limited number of guests, or exclude required charges. The actual booking total can therefore be very different from the hourly rate that first caught your attention.

When comparing Los Angeles yacht charters, check:

💵 The hourly rate
⏱️ Minimum charter duration
👥 Number of guests included in that price
🧾 Any required vessel-specific fees
📝 What is included in the charter

The number that matters most is the total price for your group and the amount of time you want on the water.

What Affects the Price of a Yacht Charter?

The cost of a Los Angeles yacht charter depends on more than the size of the boat. Your group size, charter duration, vessel, date, and what you want included in the experience can all affect the final price.

Some of the biggest factors are:

Group size: A larger group may require a larger vessel or additional crew. Some vessels also have different rates based on the number of guests.
Charter duration: Most vessels have a minimum booking time.
Vessel type: A small private yacht, sailing yacht, passenger boat, and large event yacht can have very different operating costs and pricing.
Date and time: Pricing or minimum charter requirements may vary depending on the day, season, holiday, or event.
Food and beverages: Some vessels allow you to bring your own food and drinks, while others offer catering, bar packages, or have specific food and beverage requirements.
Additional services: Catering, bartenders, entertainment, decorations, professional photography, and other optional services can increase the total cost.
Vessel-specific charges: Certain vessels may have additional fees or requirements that don’t apply to others.

At Los Angeles Yacht Charter, we try to show the actual costs and important booking requirements as clearly as possible so you can compare suitable options based on the total charter price.

What’s Typically Included in a Yacht Charter Price?

Los Angeles Yacht Charter does its best to show final pricing, so you can understand the expected costs before you book. Exact inclusions vary by vessel, but the pricing shown for each charter will clearly indicate what is included and whether there are any additional vessel-specific charges.

For most charters, you can expect the price to indicate the captain, required crew, standard fuel use and normal operating costs necessary for the charter.

Other items can vary considerably by vessel. Food and beverages, entertainment, or additional staffing may be included, available as an add-on, or handled separately.

Before booking, look at the total charter price and the listed inclusions, rather than assuming that every yacht follows the same pricing structure.

If a vessel has an additional required fee, we aim to disclose it before you book—not surprise you with it at checkout.

Are There Additional Costs When Booking a Yacht Charter?

There can be additional costs when booking a yacht charter, depending on the vessel and what you would like to do. Los Angeles Yacht Charter aims to show required costs upfront so you can understand the expected total before confirming your booking.

Booking and Service Fees

When comparing yacht charter prices online, check whether the advertised price includes the booking or service fee. Some charter marketplaces add a percentage-based service fee later in the booking process, which can make the final price considerably higher than the rate originally displayed.

Los Angeles yacht charter does its best to indicate all costs up front. Giving consumers transparent costs so there are no surprises.

Credit Card Processing Fees

If you choose to pay by credit card, an approximately 3%* credit card processing fee may apply. The applicable payment fee will be disclosed as part of your booking.

Gratuity

Crew gratuity is not included in the charter price.

A private yacht will typically have a captain and one or more additional crew members as required, while larger passenger vessels and event yachts may have larger crews.

A gratuity of approximately 10–20% is customary when you are happy with the service. Gratuity is best paid directly to the crew and is typically shared among the crew members.

Vessel-Specific Fees

Some vessels have additional charges or requirements, based on use requirements, that don’t apply to others. When applicable, Los Angeles Yacht Charter identifies these on the vessel information and during the booking process.

Professional Photography and Video

If you’re planning a professional photoshoot, commercial video production or a professional content shoot, let us know before booking. Some vessels have additional requirements or fees for professional photography and filming.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage policies vary significantly from vessel to vessel, so this is an important detail to check before booking.

Some boats allow you to bring your own food and beverages, while others offer catering or bar packages or have specific requirements for what may be brought aboard.

Licensed Bars

Most passenger vessels operate a licensed bar. On these vessels, alcoholic beverages must be purchased from the onboard cash bar.

Corkage Fees

Some vessels that allow guests to bring their own beverages charge a corkage or outside-beverage fee.

This can be particularly important for corporate or sponsored events where a specific beverage brand or selection needs to be served. If bringing your own drinks is important to your event, confirm the vessel’s policy before booking.

Do Yacht Charter Prices Vary by Departure Location?

The departure harbor itself generally doesn’t add to the price of a yacht charter. However, each Los Angeles harbor has a different selection of yachts and passenger vessels, so the charter options and prices available in each location will be different.

Choosing a departure location is therefore less about finding the “cheapest harbor” and more about finding the right vessel, group capacity and cruising area for your event.

Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey has one of the largest selections of private yacht charter options in Los Angeles, including smaller private yachts and passenger vessels for larger groups.

Charters typically begin with a cruise through Marina del Rey before entering Santa Monica Bay. Depending on your charter length and itinerary, you may cruise toward Venice, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier, or farther north toward Malibu.

Want to see what the cruise is like? Watch our Marina del Rey charter highlights video below.

🛥️ See Marina del Rey yacht charter options here

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach offers private boats and larger passenger vessels with direct access to the South Bay.

From Redondo Beach, charters can cruise along the coastline toward Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach or south toward the dramatic coastline and cliffs of Palos Verdes.

🛥️ See Redondo Beach yacht charter options here

Long Beach

Long Beach is particularly well suited to larger groups, parties and private events, with several larger passenger and event vessels available.

Cruising highlights can include the Queen Mary, the Long Beach skyline, the harbor islands and Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

🛥️ See Long Beach yacht charter options here

San Pedro

San Pedro provides access to both the Los Angeles Harbor area and the Palos Verdes coastline.

Depending on your vessel, charter length and planned itinerary, a San Pedro charter may cruise toward Long Beach or along the coastline toward Palos Verdes.

🛥️ See San Pedro yacht charter options here

How Much Does a Yacht Charter Cost for 2, 3 or 4 Hours?

The length of your charter has a major impact on the total price, but there isn’t one standard two-, three- or four-hour yacht rental rate in Los Angeles. A private yacht for 12 guests and a passenger vessel for 75 guests have very different operating costs.

Another important factor is the vessel’s minimum charter duration. Some boats can be booked for two hours, while others require a three-hour minimum or longer.

2-Hour Yacht Charters

A two-hour charter can work well for a shorter cruise, celebration or sightseeing experience, provided the vessel allows a two-hour minimum.

For vessels that allow a two-hour charter, pricing can start around $1,700, depending on the vessel and number of guests.

3-Hour Yacht Charters

Three hours is a popular charter length because it provides more time for cruising while still working well for birthdays, family gatherings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and other private events.

A three-hour Los Angeles charter can range from approximately $900 for a small sailboat to $4,700+ for a larger passenger vessel, depending on the vessel and number of guests.

4-Hour Yacht Charters

A four-hour charter gives you more flexibility for cruising, food and drinks, entertainment and spending time with your group without feeling rushed.

Four-hour charters can range from approximately $1,200 for a small sailboat to $6,300+ for larger passenger and event vessels, depending on the vessel and number of guests.

These figures are intended as a general pricing guide rather than a quote. Charter rates, minimum booking times and available vessels can change.

The best way to compare options is to start with your group size and preferred charter length. That quickly narrows the available vessels and gives you a much more useful price estimate than comparing hourly rates alone.

Los Angeles Yacht Charter Pricing FAQ

How much is a yacht for 4 hours?

The price of a four-hour yacht charter depends primarily on the vessel and number of guests. Smaller private yachts may start around $1,800– $2,300 for four hours, while larger passenger and event vessels can cost 3,000–6,000+.

Always check the vessel’s minimum charter time and total booking price rather than comparing hourly rates alone.

Can I rent a yacht for only 2 hours?

Yes, some Los Angeles charter boats have a two-hour minimum. If a vessel has a longer minimum, you’re welcome to return earlier, but the vessel’s minimum booking price would still apply.

Does the yacht charter price include a captain?

Yes. The charter prices shown through Los Angeles Yacht Charter indicate the captain and required crew necessary to operate the vessel.

Is fuel included?

Standard fuel use is generally included in the charter price. Additional fuel charges may apply if your requested itinerary or operating requirements require substantially more fuel than a standard charter. Any applicable vessel-specific charges should be confirmed before booking.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht for 50 people?

For approximately 50 guests, you’ll generally need a larger passenger vessel or party yacht. Pricing can start around $1,700, depending on the vessel, charter length and exact number of guests.

How much does a yacht charter cost per person?

Yacht Charters are booked at a total charter price rather than sold as individual tickets. However, looking at the cost per person can be helpful when comparing a private charter with other ways to host a group event.

For example, if the vessel is booked close to its maximum capacity:

A $1,335 charter for 12 guests works out to about $111 per person.
A $1,700 charter for 50 guests works out to about $34 per person.
A $2,750 charter for 75 guests works out to about $37 per person.
A $3,925 charter for 125 guests works out to about $31 per person.

These are examples based on estimated starting charter prices rather than per-person fares. Your actual cost per guest depends on the vessel, charter length and how many people attend.

For larger groups, the per-person cost of a private charter can be considerably lower than the total yacht price initially suggests.

Is food included in a yacht charter?

Food is not included unless it is specifically part of the vessel’s charter or food and beverage package.

Some vessels allow outside food or catering, while others offer catering packages or have specific food and beverage requirements. Check the individual vessel’s policy before booking.

How much do I need to pay to reserve a yacht?

Los Angeles Yacht Charter requires full payment upfront to confirm the booking.

Confirming a charter requires more than simply holding a time on a calendar. Payment is used to secure the vessel and crew and to cover applicable fuel, harbor, city, county and other costs associated with the booking, which must be paid in advance.

Any applicable fees and vessel-specific requirements will be disclosed as part of the booking process.

Find the Right Yacht for Your Budget

You don’t need to compare dozens of hourly rates to figure out which yacht works for your group.

Tell us your date, group size, type of event and preferred departure area, and we’ll help narrow down the suitable charter options and show you the current pricing.

Whether you’re planning a small private cruise for 10 guests or an event for 100+, we’ll focus on vessels that can legally accommodate your group and fit what you’re planning.

GET PRICING FOR YOUR GROUP