Do I need a captain to charter a yacht in Florida?

Whether you need a captain depends on how the charter is structured.

Captained charter (most common). The owner supplies a properly credentialed captain (a valid USCG captain's license is strongly recommended) and you and your guests are passengers. You do not need any boating experience, license, or safety card of your own. The captain handles navigation, docking, safety briefings, and any permits. CharterXO reviews each captain's documentation at sign-up; the credentials that apply depend on the vessel, passenger count, and local regulations. This is the default booking format on CharterXO.

Bareboat charter. You operate the yacht yourself. Under U.S. Coast Guard rules, because no one is being paid to drive the boat, the vessel isn't treated as a "passenger for hire" operation. Owners who allow bareboat typically require: - Documented boating experience on similar-size vessels. - A valid Florida boating safety card (required for anyone born after January 1, 1988 operating a vessel with 10+ HP in Florida). - A dockside check-out, especially for larger yachts or cats. - A higher security deposit than a captained charter.

Hybrid "bareboat-with-captain-for-hire" is a gray area common with larger yachts. The charterer technically bareboats the vessel, then separately hires a captain through a third-party captain service. This structure is used to stay compliant with vessel inspection rules while still delivering a crewed experience.

TL;DR — if you just want a day out and don't want to drive, the captain is already included. If you're an experienced boater and want to drive, ask about bareboat listings specifically.