Grenadines Yacht Charter Cost: 2026 Budget Guide
The Grenadines are one of the Caribbean's better-value sailing grounds — here's what a real week actually costs, itemized, plus where the savings are.
Itemized weekly budget (6 people, bareboat catamaran)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catamaran charter (40–44ft) | $2,900 | High season; monohulls from ~$1,750/week |
| Provisioning & dining | $1,680 | ~$40 pp/day, mixing cooking aboard and beach lunches |
| Mooring balls (5 of 7 nights) | $75 | Tobago Cays, Sandy Island and similar spots, ~$15/night |
| Marine park fee (Tobago Cays) | $60 | Per-person park entry, collected on arrival |
| Fuel | $180 | Short hops between islands — light diesel use |
| Rod & snorkel gear rental | $70 | Optional — worth it for the fresh-fish tradition |
| End cleaning & extras | $150 | Standard end-of-charter charge |
| Total | ≈ $5,100 | ≈ $850 per person |
Where the money hides — and how to save
The Grenadines are already one of the more affordable Caribbean charter grounds compared with the BVI or the Bahamas, and a few choices push the value further. Season: June through October (outside hurricane risk windows, with insurance in place) runs meaningfully cheaper than the December–April peak, for a similar wind and weather picture most weeks. Boat choice: a monohull can run $1,000+ less per week than a catamaran of similar length — worth considering for smaller groups who don't need the extra beam. Eating ashore: a beach barbecue on Tobago Cays' sandbar, arranged with the local vendors who row out to boats, is both a highlight and often cheaper than restaurant meals elsewhere.
Costs that catch first-timers off guard: a refundable security deposit (typically $1,500–3,000 on a card hold), customs clearance fees when crossing between St Vincent and Grenada, and gratuity if you've gone skippered or crewed (customarily 10–15% of the charter fee). Ask your operator for a full inclusion list before booking.