When you start to plan your crewed yacht charter, the crew’s tip is an important aspect to consider in your charter budget.
Tipping is common practice in the charter industry and it is important to show your appreciation to your crew, it shows recognition for their hard work and exceptional service.
In the Caribbean and Bahamas, tipping is typically 15% – 20% of the charter rate and 10% – 15% of the charter base rate in the Mediterranean.
Your crew will be working for you from the moment they receive your preference sheets to the moment you disembark. There is a lot of preparation that goes into creating an unforgettable yacht charter. Your chef will be planning the menu taking into consideration any allergies, likes, and dislikes. Food and drink orders will be placed for delivery to the yacht and your chef will go shopping for fresh items and specialized requests. Your captain will be planning an itinerary to include the places you wish to go and the things you would like to do. They will organize any excursions you would like to go on and book any SCUBA diving that you would like to partake in if the yacht does not offer that onboard. The yacht will have been fully provisioned, cleaned, serviced, and maintained ready for your arrival.
Tipping is a way to acknowledge and reward your crew for their service, attention to detail, and professionalism throughout your charter experience. The crew will work hard for the whole of your charter to give you the best experience possible. The crew often goes above and beyond their regular duties to make sure you are enjoying yourself and are comfortable. They may organize special events such as birthday parties and anniversary dinners, theme nights, prepare personalized meals, or arrange unique experiences for you.
Many yachts in our Caribbean fleet are fully equipped with dive gear and feature professional dive masters or PADI-certified instructors onboard. This means you can enjoy seamless diving without needing to arrange rendezvous services.
- Complete set of SCUBA gear provided onboard
- Tanks and weights always supplied
- Certified dive guides or instructors included
- Convenient access to world-class dive sites directly from your yacht
Yes! Certified divers can take advanced courses or explore specialty dives such as wreck diving, night diving, or deep dives. Technical dive arrangements may also be available upon request.
For beginners, several yachts offer Resort Diving programs — a quick introduction to SCUBA basics with supervised dives up to 40 feet (12 meters). If you’d like full certification, we can arrange your PADI Open Water Course or even advanced and specialty courses.
Certification process typically includes:
- Online learning (ideally before your trip)
- Shallow water or pool training
- Supervised open water dives
- Final certification upon completion
All courses include:
- Professional PADI-certified instructor
- SCUBA gear, training materials, and certification fees
- Safe training environments in clear, calm waters
Some of the top SCUBA diving sites include:
- RMS Rhone – The Caribbean’s most famous wreck
- Chikuzen & Rocus Wrecks – Legendary artificial reef dives
- The Indians – Perfect for snorkeling and diving
- Beyond the Reef – Artificial reefs including the famous Willy T
- Sheltered bays and coral gardens ideal for training and beginners
Yes, children as young as 10 can participate in junior PADI programs while on a yacht charter. These courses teach safe, supervised diving skills, often starting in shallow water. Families can enjoy diving together under the guidance of certified instructors.
For more details on diving programs for all ages, see our full guide to Yacht Charter SCUBA Diving Options & Certification
.
Most crewed yachts whom offer SCUBA diving include high-quality SCUBA equipment onboard, so you don’t need to bring bulky items like tanks or weights. However, many divers prefer to bring their own mask or dive computer for comfort and familiarity. Equipment onboard is well maintained and regularly serviced. See details on SCUBA gear for yacht charters.
Yes! Many yachts in the Caribbean and beyond offer SCUBA certification with professional instructors onboard. Beginners can join resort diving programs, while certified divers can take advanced or specialty courses. Training is tailored to your charter itinerary, with all equipment provided.
