Boats You Can Charter
What is actually out there. Four kinds of boat, what each one costs by the hour, and what each is good for.
We don’t own any of these. Rates are what operators were charging when we last checked and they move with the season.
Good to know: most charter boats carry a maximum of 6 guests
It's a federal U.S. Coast Guard rule, not the operator's choice: uninspected charter vessels are limited to 6 paying passengers regardless of boat size. A group of ten goes out as two boats leaving together. Tell us how many of you there are and we will say which operators run a second boat.
Types of vessel you can charter
Motor Yacht
The default for a sunset trip or a birthday. Shade over most of the deck, somewhere to sit out of the wind, and a captain who knows where the light will be at seven.
Sailing Yacht
Mostly owner-captains out of Vineyard Haven and Edgartown, on their own boats. Slower, quieter, and you can take the helm if you ask — most of them would rather you did.
Fishing Boat
Open boats built to fish from, not to lounge on. Rods, tackle and bait come with the trip and they will clean what you keep at the dock.
Pontoon & Cruiser
Flat, stable, and easy to get onto — which matters more than it sounds if somebody in the group is unsteady or very small. Most have a ladder off the back for swimming. Slow boats: this is a harbor and a shoreline, not a crossing.
Have a group of 7 or more?
No single charter boat on the island can legally take more than 6 paying guests unless it holds a special USCG Certificate of Inspection — and only a couple of vessels on Martha's Vineyard do. The standard solution is simple: book 2–3 boats that depart and cruise together.
A bachelorette of 10 becomes two boats of 5. A corporate outing of 15 becomes three boats. Same route, same sunset, one flotilla.
See who runs boats here → Ask us →What to look for in any operator we recommend
Ready to get on the water?
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