Yacht Charters, Explained: Finding the Right Broker

Yacht broker having conversation with charter catamaran captain on deck

One of the easiest ways to end up on the wrong yacht is choosing the wrong broker.

The yacht itself is important, of course — but finding the right one, understanding what will actually work for your group, and navigating the entire booking process all depend on who’s guiding you through it.

When people first start looking into yacht charters, they often assume the process is about finding a beautiful boat and booking it. In reality, most yacht charters are arranged through a charter brokerage, and the broker you choose plays a central role in shaping the experience from start to finish.

A good broker doesn’t just help you select a yacht. They help you ask the right questions, filter out unsuitable options, manage the details behind the scenes, and make sure the yacht you end up on is genuinely the right fit for how you like to travel.

Epic brokers Michelle and Hannah when they were charter yacht chefs

Category: Fishing

Top fishing areas include the North Drop (famous for marlin), Anegada waters for bonefish and permit, and Cooper Island drop-offs for yellowtail. Your crew will help choose the best spots for the season.

Category: Fishing

The BVI lobster season runs from November through July. Lobster harvesting is closed from August through October each year.

Get lobster season rules and local regulations in our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide.
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Category: Fishing

Pelagic species such as tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish are always considered safe to catch. Some reef fish may carry ciguatera toxins, so our crew will guide you on safe species.

For a full list of species, safe zones, and fishing tips, visit our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide
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Category: Fishing

Many yachts supply basic equipment, but avid anglers often bring their own rods and reels. Popular gear includes rigged lures, feather jigs, silver spoons, and sabiki rigs for baitfish.

See full equipment recommendations in our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide
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Category: Fishing

Fishing is a popular activity on BVI yacht charters, but you’ll need the right permits and to follow local rules. All guests who plan to fish during a BVI yacht charter must have a valid BVI fishing permit. Your crew or the Epic Yacht Charters team can arrange BVI fishing licenses for guests in advance to ensure you comply with local regulations, and they’ll guide you on equipment and safe fishing practices.

Why this clarity matters?

Yachting has a reputation for being intimidating, opaque, or reserved for a selectfew. But the reality is that most people who end up chartering a yacht didn’t start out convinced they would. They started by learning. By asking questions. By understanding how it works. By seeing where it might fit — or where it might not.

And that’s the point of this series. Not to convince anyone that a charter is the right choice — but to give you the clarity you need to decide for yourself. Because once yachting is explained properly, it often stops feeling out of reach —and starts feeling simply… misunderstood.

Curious where you fit? Check out our other blogs in this series

What a Yacht Charter Really Is?

What Does a Yacht Charter Cost?

What’s included? 

A Day in The life on Charter

Finding the Right Broker 

Where to go

How Booking Works 

First Time Charter Tips That Matter 

 

Maxita
Premium
Location: Croatia
129' Motor Sailer - 12 guests

From €75,000/week

Plus Expenses

Plus Expenses or APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance)

The charter rate shown includes the use of the charter yacht, professional crew and onboard equipment.

All other daily expenses, that are not included in the base rate, will be covered with an Advanced Provisioning Payment (APA). This is collected before the charter commences.

APA expenses include fuel for both the yacht and tender, provisions, dockage, moorings, airport transfers, cruising permits and taxes, scuba diving and onshore excursions.

The APA payment is typically 20%-25% of the base charter rate for sailing yachts and 30%-35% for motor yachts. Your captain will purchase provisions, taxes, fuel etc for the charter using the APA and will keep all receipts along with a running log of expenses. This can be viewed at any time during your charter.

Any APA that has not been spent will be returned to you at the end of the charter. If during the charter, expenses exceed the APA, additional funds will need to be submitted. Your captain will update and advise you if any further payment is required. This will need to be paid before you disembark.

Crew Gratuity is separate and is typically 15%-20% of the charter rate. This should be given to your captain at the end of your charter.

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Akasti
Premium
Location: Greece
87' Motor Yacht - 8 Guests

From €55,000/week

Epic choice Plus Expenses

Plus Expenses or APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance)

The charter rate shown includes the use of the charter yacht, professional crew and onboard equipment.

All other daily expenses, that are not included in the base rate, will be covered with an Advanced Provisioning Payment (APA). This is collected before the charter commences.

APA expenses include fuel for both the yacht and tender, provisions, dockage, moorings, airport transfers, cruising permits and taxes, scuba diving and onshore excursions.

The APA payment is typically 20%-25% of the base charter rate for sailing yachts and 30%-35% for motor yachts. Your captain will purchase provisions, taxes, fuel etc for the charter using the APA and will keep all receipts along with a running log of expenses. This can be viewed at any time during your charter.

Any APA that has not been spent will be returned to you at the end of the charter. If during the charter, expenses exceed the APA, additional funds will need to be submitted. Your captain will update and advise you if any further payment is required. This will need to be paid before you disembark.

Crew Gratuity is separate and is typically 15%-20% of the charter rate. This should be given to your captain at the end of your charter.

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Aeolus 77
Epic Yacht Charters
Average rating:  
 31 reviews
 by June 2026 Charter Guests-Family
We Will Be Back!

A dream vacation with our family is the best experience ever. Thank you so much for your hospitality and kindness. The food, drinks, video, and laughter made a lifetime of memories.

We will be back!

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Location: British Virgin Islands
77′ Sailing Catamaran - 8 Guests

From $84,000/week

Scuba All Inclusive

All Inclusive

The charter rate shown includes the use of the charter yacht with professional crew and onboard equipment.

Also included are all meals and snacks onboard, all beverages from the yachts fully stocked bar along with tea, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks. All water sport activities provided by the yacht and fuel for both the yacht and tender.

Excluded in the rate are airport transfers, shore activities such as shopping, dining or special off yacht activities, port fees, park permits and fishing permits in certain locations. Any premium liquor, wines and champagne that not normally stocked and excessive alcohol consumption will be an additional charge.

Crew Gratuity is separate and is typically 15%-20% of the charter rate. This should be given to your captain at the end of your charter.

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Looking for more options?

Our main collection features a hand-picked selection of truly exceptional yachts — chosen for their quality, crew, and overall charter experience. If you’d like to explore a broader range of yachts across additional destinations, you can view our full worldwide charter portfolio.