What I have learned running charters on Tampa Bay, written down so you can plan yours.
Real numbers, no hidden fees: $500/hr weekdays, $600/hr weekends, all-inclusive. What every trip type costs, the per-person math, and how to spot pricing games elsewhere.
See real 2026 charter pricing →From booking and boarding to choosing your route and tipping the crew. Exactly how a private charter day unfolds, so first-timers can board like regulars.
See how your first charter works →Water temps, sea conditions, summer storm patterns and the honest answer on hurricane season. A local captain's guide to picking your month.
Find your best month on the water →Fort ruins and snorkeling at Egmont Key, then the Gulf Coast's best shelling sandbar at Shell Key. The exact two-island itinerary our captains run.
Plan the two-island day trip →Why passenger limits exist, what 13 guests feels like on a 52ft yacht, the per-person cost math, and your options for groups bigger and smaller.
Get the group size guide →Skip the reservation. A private yacht at golden hour, a crew that handles everything, and the sunset off Pass-a-Grille. How couples do a night on the water.
Plan a date night on the water →The seven best places to watch the sun go down on Tampa Bay, from the Skyway Bridge to Egmont Key, and how to reach each one aboard a private yacht charter.
Read the sunset cruise guide →Everything you need to plan a bachelorette party on the water: booking timelines, group sizes, decorations, catering and playlist ideas that actually work.
Read the planning guide →Torn between a private yacht charter and a shared party boat? The real differences in privacy, cost and flexibility, plus when I would send you to the party boat.
Compare yacht charter vs party boat →The complete packing checklist: sunscreen, footwear, snacks, entertainment, and the handful of things first-time charter guests almost always forget.
Read the yacht charter packing list →Sunset timing, crew coordination, keeping the ring safe on a moving boat, and how to get a photographer aboard without your partner noticing.
Plan a yacht proposal in St. Pete →From Shell Key to Egmont Key to the Bahamas. The ten islands worth reaching from Tampa Bay, with what a local captain knows about getting to each one.
See the best Tampa Bay islands by boat →Why the best team building happens on the water. Client entertainment, executive retreats and quarterly celebrations aboard a private yacht.
Read about corporate yacht team building →Everything you need to plan a multi-day Bahamas yacht trip: routes to Bimini, fuel costs, customs requirements and the best time of year to go.
Plan a Bahamas yacht trip from Tampa →Captain included or bareboat, how the pricing really compares, and what experience you need. How to choose between a yacht charter and a boat rental.
Compare yacht charter vs boat rental →Month-by-month weather guide, peak vs off-season pricing, sunset timing, and when Bahamas trips are safest. Plan your perfect charter window.
Find the best time for a Florida charter →Safety features, kid-friendly activities, what to pack, sample itineraries, and tips from Captain Josh for the best family day on the water.
Read the family yacht charter guide →3-day itinerary combining a private yacht cruise with the best restaurants, rooftop bars, and beaches St. Pete has to offer.
See the St. Pete bachelorette itinerary →Save 60-85% with an intimate yacht ceremony on Tampa Bay. Full pricing breakdown for 2026.
Compare yacht wedding vs venue cost →The top charter companies compared: pricing, vessels, reviews and amenities, side by side.
See the best St. Pete charter companies →