Charter Yacht Brokers are professionals who will assist you in finding the right yacht, crew, and destination for your unforgettable vacation. We attend boat shows and can verify that the crews are reliable and very knowledgeable about the sailing areas. Epic Yacht Charters prides itself by only representing yachts of the highest quality and luxury.
The yacht charter broker is trained in the standard industry charter agreements, contracts, and all legalities of contracts between the client, the clearing house, and the owners of the vessels.
We will protect the funds and handle them through escrow accounts to avoid any fraud. All rules will be described and you will feel comfortable trusting the broker.
To ensure an easy and carefree vacation planned, they will assist in your itinerary planning according to your interests.
If you need accommodation before or after your charter, local knowledge of hotels and villas will be shared. How to get there and transportation will also be discussed and especially when you need to submit your preference sheets about interests and food allergies and likes/dislikes.
Meet Michelle Heyns
Meet Michelle HeynsMichelle’s personal experience with yachts, crews, owners, and yacht managers sets her apart from other charter yacht brokers. Additionally, she participates in major annual charter yacht shows to inspect each yacht and interview each crew personally. As an independent outlet, Michelle’s unbiased, expert advice can often help tip the scales, turning the best vacation into an EPIC journey.
Our #1 goal is to match the yacht and crew that fits the client, identifying your needs to provide the vacation of a lifetime. We’d love to continue booking your vacations for years to come – the ultimate reward is creating lasting relationships and even lifelong friendships. Your friends will be envious when they see your trip, and then they will contact us to help them have the same unforgettable experience.
Charter yacht brokers are charter yacht industry professionals who share a range of vessels with you and are there to help you choose the vessel you prefer. We gather information from you, such as the number of guests, and preferred dates of travel, and determine information including availability and rates. The service is to improve the experience of the guests and is provided at no cost to you!
With over 300 charter weeks and 16+ years of experience as a hostess and charter chef, Michelle has a unique perspective on the industry. She spent 12 years chartering specifically in The British Virgin Islands with her husband Leon and knows every anchorage, every activity spot, every secret sunset viewing beach, and every yacht/crew in the area.
Together they have also chartered in other Caribbean destinations and in the Abacos and the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas. She founded Epic Yacht Charters in 2016 and is now one of the top crewed charter yacht brokers in The Virgin Islands. She understands firsthand the importance of creating a perfect match between her clients and their ideal yacht & crew for an unforgettable sailing vacation. Michelle was inducted in the fall of 2020 as an active member of the prestigious Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).
No, meal plans are chosen at booking and factored into your charter contract.
Before your charter begins, you’ll complete a detailed preference sheet covering:
- Dietary requirements, restrictions, and accommodations
- Allergies
- Favorite foods and cuisines
- Include wine, cocktail, and beverage preferences.
- Activity interests
- Wake-up times and meal schedules
- Indicate special occasions or celebrations details such as birthdays or anniversaries
- List favorite snacks or ingredients you’d like on board
Your chef uses this information to provision the yacht with exactly what you love, creating customized menus that feel personally designed for your group.
Generally crewed yacht charters in the Caribbean can start any day of the week, so long as the calendar allows. However, during Christmas and New Year’s, the yachts will have set 7 night dates.
As the Mediterranean has a shorter season, the yachts like to make the most out of the weeks available. This could mean that you would have to take dates that would leave a 24 hour gap between already booked charters. Yachts maybe more flexible out of high season.
- Larger motor yachts will have a laundry service onboard.
- Large catamarans may have washing facilities for a few items of clothing throughout the charter.
- Smaller Catamarans will not have the space to have any facilities.
7 nights is the typical length of a crewed yacht charter. Most yachts will charter a minimum of 5 nights up to any duration you would like. Some yachts have a standard 7 night minimum.
- Location – A five night charter would in a location such as the British Virgin Islands, as the distances to travel between islands are fairly short. Destinations such as Greece, Croatia and Bahamas, where the island are further apart, we would suggest 7 nights.
- Season – During high season in the Mediterranean (July and August) the minimum number of nights is 7. Also during Christmas, New Years and some yachts, Thanksgiving in the Caribbean.
- Availability – Yachts may offer less than 5 nights during slow season or if it is a last minute request.
No. The barefoot rule is there to keep the decks undamaged, carpets from getting stained and soles from marking the clean decks. If you need to have shoes on for medical reasons you can wear white soled shoes that have not been worn outside. Shoes specifically designed for yachts or soft sports sandals, with a good grip on the sole, would be an option. Here is more information on What to Pack
Caribbean – Once you decide on the yacht you would like to book, we will put a complimentary hold on your dates. while the hold is in place we will draw up a contract for you to sign along with details of how to pay your deposit. If you are more than 6 months away from your charter, a 25% deposit is required (50% if under 6 months). Payments of 25% at 6 months out, and the final 50% will be due 60 days before the charter. Your monies are held in escrow and the yacht owner is paid right before your charter.
Bahamas – Same payment terms as Caribbean except the VAT and Charter Tax is added to your final payment along with any APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance). Some yachts in the Bahamas include the APA in their rate.
Mediterranean – Once you decide which yacht that you would like to charter you need to be ready to sign your contract and submit your deposit as soon as possible. The deposit is 50% of the charter fee. 2 months before your charter we will invoice you for the other 50%, the VAT and the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
What Should I Pack for My Yacht Charter?
What Should I Pack for My Yacht Charter?Packing for a luxury yacht vacation is different from packing for a typical resort stay. Space is limited onboard, but a great deal is already waiting for you. Your crew provides beach towels, bed linens and snorkel gear for every guest, along with everyday comforts like hairdryers, so none of that needs to come with you. To help you prepare, we have created a practical packing guide so you bring everything you need without overpacking. Browse Our Luxury Charter Fleet to see what’s already included onboard.
Essential Wardrobe
- Multiple swimsuits for daily water activities
- Light, breathable clothing to wear over swimwear
- 2–3 casual dinner outfits for onboard dining
- 1–2 smart casual outfits for restaurants ashore
- Light jacket or sweater for evening breezes
- Comfortable, non-marking deck shoes or sandals
- Sun Protection
- High-quality polarized sunglasses
- Sun hats or caps with secure straps
- Reef-safe sunscreen and lip protection
- UPF-rated rash guards for extended water activities
Personal Items
- Prescription medications in original containers
- Seasickness remedies if prone to motion sensitivity
- Personal toiletries and hygiene items
- Small camera or GoPro for capturing memories
- Lightweight backpack or dry bag for shore excursions
- Electronics & Documents
- Passport and travel documents
- Credit cards and small amounts of local currency
- Power adapters if traveling internationally
- Phone and charger (most yachts offer WiFi)
- Downloaded playlists, e-books, or podcasts for offline use
Entertainment & Extras
- Books, e-readers, or magazines
- Portable waterproof speakers (optional)
- Travel journal or sketchbook
- Small gifts or souvenirs for crew (optional)
Practical Packing Tips
- Choose soft-sided luggage that can be folded and stowed under beds—avoid large hard-shell suitcases.
- Pack versatile items that mix and match easily.
- Avoid overpacking, storage space is efficient but compact.
- Most yachts supply beach towels, linens, and water sports equipment. Confirm with your broker before bringing extras.
For more planning advice, visit our Yacht Charter FAQ Hub
Final Advice
Your yacht crew will help you feel at home and can provide personalized recommendations for your specific destination and season. If you’re unsure about packing certain items, ask your charter broker for guidance.
For personalized packing suggestions or help planning your trip, call 1-954-271-3005
In the unlikely event of you canceling your charter, all payments are forfeited. However, if the yacht can re-book a different charter for the same dates, there is a chance of a partial refund. In some cases, a future date can be chosen, and the deposit can be held.
The cancellation terms may depend on what contract is used for your charter. Contact us for more information. We would always recommend purchasing trip insurance.
Travel insurance is always a good idea. Major travel insurance companies can cover cancellations due to extreme weather or an Act of God, emergency medical issues, and other specific situations. Please inquire with your preferred travel insurance company.
Crewed yachts will have internet access for you to use while onboard. Some locations have better wi-fi than others but on the whole in the Caribbean and Mediterranean you will have access. Some yachts now come equipped with Starlink.
Yes. Crewed charter yachts are fully air conditioned, and each cabin has individual controls so you can set the temperature for your own comfort. Generators provide the power to run the air conditioning and every other system onboard when required, and some yachts also carry solar panels.
Your cell phone should work in most places while on your crewed yacht charter. Set your phone to internet calling and messaging and connect to the yachts WiFi.
Make sure you give our information to someone at home so that we can reach out to the crew if they are unable to contact you.
All yachts have a VHF radio.
Included in your luxury yacht charter is the service of a professional experienced captain and chef. Some yachts also have deckhands and stewardesses at your service. Your crew are experts, outstanding cuisine served by your trained private chef from a small galley, and safety, security, and responsibility when sailing or motoring by your licensed captain. Before your charter begins, the captain will assess your needs and design the perfect itinerary for your vacation while your chef designs a menu for your unforgettable week aboard. All watersport activities are in their control and they make sure that you get instruction on the use of plenty of different water toys, including SCUBA diving if offered.
The qualifications for the crew to operate the yachts are very high and we interview them to find out if they would be the right match for you and your group.
The charter yacht industry has monohull sailboats, sailing catamarans, power catamarans, and motor yachts.
We recommend the best yachts available to you for the preferred time of your trip. We bring specials and yacht features to your attention. Most of the yachts have a different layout and you may want to select the best layout for your group. For example, children may want bunk beds, singles may want double beds and you may want an aft deck exit from your primary cabin. Some require a business desk and others need more space to lounge on the foredeck seats.
Motor yachts and power catamarans are faster and will get you to your daily stopovers so that you can spend more time ashore or at anchor in a beautiful bay.
The exotic destinations make your charter trip very picturesque.
The largest part of our crewed yacht fleet is in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the neighboring US Virgin Islands (USVI).
The Bahamas (Exuma Cays) are also an exciting destination where we recommend shallow water sailing in the summer season.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines are ideal for the low season when yachts are moving to the south to avoid hurricane weather.
Does an all-inclusive yacht charter sound like your dream vacation? Let us help you make that dream a reality! Epic Yacht Charters offer access to the best sailing or motor catamarans for vacations in the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean destinations.
Please contact us and ask how we can help you find the right boat and crew for your next unforgettable all-inclusive vacation. Thank You.
