Sailing and Yachting in Puerto Rico

Warm weather, calm waters, and beautiful islands to visit make the Caribbean one of the world's top sailing destinations.  As an island in the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico benefits from these conditions.

Vacationers looking to spend some time at sea during their Puerto Rican vacation have plenty of options, from enjoying a night on a party boat, to chartering a yacht to sail into the island, to renting a simple boat for a day of relaxation and water sports.

Party Boats

Party boats are short term rentals that can accommodate a large crowd.  These boats are most commonly used for “boose cruises,” birthday parties, weddings, anniversary celebrations, and product launches.  If you are hosting an event in Puerto Rico that between 50 and 300 people will be attending, consider seeking out a party boat to provide your guest with a more memorable experience.

Chartering

Chartering a boat leaves travelers with a few options. Experienced sailors may wish to charter a bareboat, while others would prefer a crewed charter. An option for sailors who want to have the chance to try their hand at sailing the Caribbean but aren't experienced is to book a skippered bareboat.

If chartering a bareboat, travelers will often be required to show credentials. Some companies may, based on a traveler's experience, insist that they hire a skipper for at least the first couple days of their journey. This can also be a help if travelers are unfamiliar with the region.  There are two types of bareboat charters.  A voyage charter is when the owner of the boat accompanies on your trip (still giving you full control of the vessel), but if you take the boat out free of the owner it is called a demise charter.

Chartering a crewed boat means you'll have captain and crew, including a cook; you can sit back and relax. However, remember that the captain has final say. If anything, such as inclement weather, should come up to cause problems with the intended itinerary, the captain will need to change the plans. He or she can help you find a suitable itinerary.

Somewhere in the middle of the two is a skippered charter, in which a skipper is present on the boat to help you with anything that may come up.  This is ideal for sailors who are experienced, but don't feel comfortable traveling through international waters alone, or prefer to have someone familiar with the area in their presence.

If you're traveling in a group too large to fit on one boat, with numerous experienced sailors, flotilla sailing is an option to think about.  In flotilla sailing a group of boats sail in the same course, led by a hired captain who is very knowledgeable about sailing and the area.  Other members of the group with sailing experience skipper the other boats. 

When chartering a boat, you will also have to decide exactly which type of boat you'd like to travel aboard.  The most common options are yachts and catamarans. 

Traditionally, the yacht has been the most popular chartering choice.  A yacht is a single hull luxury craft that ranges from as small as 20 feet long to as large as hundreds of feet long.  Dingies, pocket yachts, and cruisers are all different types of yacht that are named for their sizes and the amount of time one could remain comfortably in them at sea. 

Newer to the scene is the catamaran, which differs from a yacht in its maneuverability and the fact that it has two hulls.  Catamarans are also known to be designed with the comfort of the passengers in mind. 

Many charter companies also offer passengers the ability to have food provided by the charter company for an additional fee. While this may be more expensive than providing your own food, it will often be more convenient. However, should you provide your own food remember that you will need to feed the crew as well as yourselves.

Charter Companies

There are plenty of different charter companies serving the Caribbean. To help differentiate between them there are a couple of classifications. Larger companies and smaller companies alike offer travelers most of the same services. However, smaller companies often choose to stay small to promote a closer company/customer relationship, while larger companies may have the best ability to care for the customer in the event that, for example, a ship suddenly becomes unavailable. The larger fleet of larger companies more easily provides a replacement ship.

Companies can also be defined by their "tier." A first-tier company has the newest boats, often with the most extras - but don't be confused by the name, tiers have nothing to do with a company's quality or service. These first tier companies do not use boats older than four or five years. Usually second tier companies pick up these older boats from first tier companies, but these second tier shops tend to have fewer extras and a lower cost.

Charter Brokers

Charter brokers act as travel agents for vacationers looking to find a yacht. The boat owner pays for the services of the broker, so all travelers have to do is contact the broker and they'll be on their way to finding the best yacht for them - and often times the best crew as well. Finding the best crew for you can be extremely important, you'll be spending your vacation with them.

There are two main charter broker trade organizations: the Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA) and the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA). Members of the CYBA and/or the AYCA include the following outfits in the Caribbean:

Members of the CYBA and/or the AYCA include the following outfits in Florida:

Sailing to Puerto Rico

There are several ports of entry for Puerto Rico, however, sailors should be aware of the island's unusual status as a Commonwealth of the United States. Despite its political affiliation with the U.S., travelers sailing to Puerto Rico from the U.S. must still gain clearance from customs. Since September 11, 2001 there have been some changes to the security measures for port entry into the United States and its territories.

Boats arriving from outside of Puerto Rico's territorial waters should contact Customs 24-hours ahead of time at any of the following telephone numbers:

Non-U.S. residents must obtain a visa for entry to Puerto Rico, as they would for entry into the U.S. Travelers should request a multiple-entry visa when traveling from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other U.S. territories.

Sailors may pick up a free 12-month cruising permit in the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you do not get one there, you will have to buy one when you arrive in Puerto Rico. The cost is $37(USD) for non-U.S. ships and $25(USD) for U.S. ships. This fee exempts sailors from other customs charges for one calendar year. Overtime fees will be charged outside of the working hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Marinas

Day Rentals

Many of Puerto Rico's vacationers want to spend some time at sea, but aren't willing to commit such a huge portion of their trip to sailing.  These people are better suited to renting a boat for a few hours or so.  Day rentals are great for relaxation, fishing, water sports, sea tours, and for pulling into secluded little cays for a private swim.

The following types of boats are typically available for day rentals:

• Waterski boats.  These are small vessel that hold up to five people.  They are ideal for short tours and water sports.
• Family cruisers.  They seat six people, and include a cabin for food preparation and shelter from the sun.
• Runabout.  This vessel will be roomy enough for eight passengers, and include a cabin that 2 to 4 people can sleep in, as well as a food prep area.
• Cruiser.  The Cruiser seats and sleeps up to 10 people.  This vessel provides a comfortable setting for multiple days at sea.

Those interested in sailing to and around the Caribbean won't have a hard time finding the perfect choice in charter yachts for them because there are so many options available. Puerto Rico makes for an interesting stop on your sailing itinerary.