[2025 Yacht Charter Guide] 11 must-read Q&A for novices: price, anti-fraud, and explanation of the boat charter booking process

This post is also available in: 繁體中文

This guide will break down all the questions you may encounter when planning to charter a yacht, from choosing a booking channel to dealing with unexpected situations, providing clear answers and practical tools.

Q1: Where should I start? Compare reputable platforms with social media direct bookings

Key:
For first-time charters, choosing a safe and secure booking channel is the most crucial step in the entire experience. There are two main options in the market: reputable professional platforms like Holimood or contacting boaters directly through social media. There is a huge difference in safety, security, and convenience.

To avoid falling into scams or spending traps, it is highly recommended for novices to choose reputable platforms. The following table clearly compares the differences:

Comparison table of risk and protection of booking channels

Features	Reputable platform (e.g., Holimood).	Direct/social media bookings
Merchant verification	The platform conducted an audit and required the shipowner to provide a legal license and insurance certificate, and Holimood itself is a licensed travel agency (license number: 354248).	The lack of verification mechanisms allows consumers to make their own judgments, which is extremely risky.
Payment security	Pay to the platform company’s account through a secure third-party payment gateway (such as a credit card) to protect your funds.	Direct transfer (FPS) is usually required to personal accounts, making it difficult to recover funds, which is a common tactic used by fraudsters.
Contracts Policies	Provide standardized electronic contracts that clearly state policies such as inclement weather, cancellation and change.	Most of them do not have formal contracts, have vague terms, rely on verbal promises, and are prone to disputes.
Dispute resolution	It has a customer service team that can assist in mediation as a neutral third party.	There is a lack of mediation mechanism, and if the other party loses contact, consumers can only deal with it themselves.
Fraud risk	The risk is extremely low. The platform architecture itself is designed to prevent fraud.	The stakes are extremely high. It is the hardest hit area of ship charter fraud that the police have repeatedly warned about.

Q2: How do I choose the right boat? Learn more about yacht types

Key:
Choosing the right boat requires a combination of your budget, the number of people and the nature of your activity. A lively party, a cozy family gathering, or a high-end business reception can make all the difference in what is required of a boat.

Step 1: Understand the market price

Note: The prices below are for market reference on weekends during peak season (May to October) and actual prices may vary depending on new and old boats, facilities, brands, and booking dates.

in China/Taiwan

in Europe

**2025 Hong Kong Yacht Charter Market Reference Price Range (8 hours day)**
Vessel type	Suitable for the number of people	Market Reference Price (HKD).
Chinese/Hong Kong Yacht (Junk Boat).	25 – 40 people	$7,500 – $14,000
Western-style yacht (Cruiser) – Made	30 – 50 people	$9,000 – $18,000
Western-style yacht (Cruiser) – Made	20 – 40 people	$15,000 – $30,000+
Catamaran	20 – 45 people	$12,000 – $28,000+

Step 2: Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the boat

for cost-effectiveness

that pursue stability

**Comprehensive comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of ship types**
Vessel type	Best for activities	Pros	Cons
Western-style yacht (Yacht/Cruiser).	Company events, family gatherings, birthday parties	The most complete facilities (air conditioning, KTV, kitchen), high comfort, and the most diverse choice.	High-end European brands are expensive.
Chinese/Hong Kong Yacht (Junk Boat).	Youth parties, groups looking	The most affordable price, open deck space, and very Hong Kong character.	The ships are generally older, the facilities are relatively rudimentary, and some may not have air conditioning.
Catamaran	Families with elderly children and groups	excellent stability, not easy to seasickness; The sense of space is extremely spacious; The sailing speed is faster.	The rental options are relatively few, and the price is slightly higher than that of a monohull of the same size.
Cordless wakeboarding/wakeboarding	Water sports enthusiasts	Professional, flexible, and provide the best Wakesurf experience.	It is usually an add-on and requires an additional fee, and the boat is too small to be used as the main party boat.

Q3: What is included in the charter fee? How to interpret quotations and identify hidden charges

Key:
A formal charter quote usually covers the following four basic fees:

Boat rental fee (within specified time, usually 8 hours).
Crew service fee (captain and at least one or two crew members).
Basic fuel charges (for standard routes).
Access to basic amenities on board (e.g. stereo, refrigerator, air-conditioning) and basic water toys (usually floating mats and floating bars).

However, savvy consumers must proactively check and confirm the following common additional or hidden charges before confirming their booking.

Hidden charges checklist

Common additional charges	Is there a universal fee?	Typical Price Range (HKD)	Remarks
Ice cubes	is	$100 – $200	It was a party in large quantities and almost a necessity.
Regional fuel surcharge	is	$1,500 – $4,500+	Go to Lang Chia, Kwo Chau Islands, Po Toi Island, etc.
Large inflatable water toy	is	$1,500 – $3,000+	Such as inflatable slides, sea pools, etc.
Wakesurf/Banana Boat Speedboat	is	$4,000 – $5,500+	This is a stand-alone add-on and is the largest additional expense. [Suggested link: Wakesurf speedboat rental page]
Overtime fee	is	Usually higher than normal hourly rates	Be sure to return on time.

Q4: What is the standard payment process? How can I ensure the safety of my funds?

Key:
A legitimate charter company or platform has a clear standard payment process that protects consumers.

Industry standard process: After confirming the vessel, date, and total price, pay 50% of the total fee as a deposit to lock in the schedule. The remaining 50% of the remaining amount usually needs to be paid within 3 to 7 days before departure.
Security Signals in Payment Methods:
- Credit Card Payment: Using a credit card through the platform’s payment gateway is the safest option, offering Chargeback protection.
- Payment through the platform: The platform acts as a fund custody intermediary, greatly protecting the interests of consumers.
Fraud alerts in payment requests:
- Ask for full prepayment: Any seller who asks you to pay 100% of the full amount in one lump sum when booking is highly likely a scammer.
- Beneficiary is a personal account: If the beneficiary account is in your name rather than a corporate account (especially through FPS), this is an extremely dangerous signal, and once the funds are transferred, it is almost irreversible.

Q5: How can I ensure that my boat is legal and insured?

Key:
This is the most important part of keeping you and your friends safe, and it contains two key points: boat licence and insurance.

1. Key Proof of Legality: Category 4 License
In Hong Kong, any pleasure vessel used for charter must hold a Class IV License for Pleasure Vessels issued by the Hong Kong Marine Department. This is the most fundamental basis for judging whether a yacht is legal. You have every right to request a copy of this license plate from the owner or platform before booking. If you go to sea on an unlicensed “white card”, in the event of an accident, all insurance may be invalidated.
Official information: Please visit [Recommended external link to the Hong Kong Marine Department website] for relevant requirements.

2. Understand insurance coverage and gaps
Third party liability insurance is mandatory for shipowners to purchase by law, which mainly covers passenger injuries and deaths caused by the vessel’s own problems or the negligence of the crew. However, there is a significant gap in this coverage: it does not cover accidents caused by the passenger’s personal actions (e.g. slipping on board, improper diving posture, accidental injury while playing Wakesurf, etc.).

The most important safety advice:
In view of the above insurance gaps, it is most prudent to recommend that you and all your companions purchase a one-day personal accident and medical insurance policy covering water activities before departure to provide the most comprehensive protection for your trip.

Q6: How should we arrange food and drinks? Attend the meeting, bring your own and barbecue

Key:
Spending a full day at sea, dining arrangements are an important part of determining the comfort of the experience. There are usually three mainstream options:

Option 1: Platform Catering
Advantages: Extremely convenient, food delivered directly to the terminal, worry-free and labor-saving, quality selection is guaranteed.
Cons: Higher cost. [Suggested internal link: food package selection for the meeting]
Option 2: Bring Your Own – BYO
Pros: minimal cost, complete freedom of menu.
Cons: Time-consuming and labor-intensive, from procurement to removal and cleanup, the organizer is burdensome.
Option 3: On-board BBQ
Restrictions: Reservations for specific “BBQ packages” are required to use the BBQ facilities.
Safety Instructions: For safety reasons, grilling is usually operated by the crew and cannot be used by passengers on their own.

Realistic reminders about drink refrigeration:
This is the detail that novices most often overlook: the capacity of the refrigerator on the yacht is extremely limited and definitely not enough for a party. You must include buying a large amount of ice in your plan and take advantage of the large cooler box on board to chill your drinks.

Q7: Can I customize the sailing route? A guide to popular routes in Hong Kong

Key:
In theory, you can propose your desired destination, but you must respect a fundamental principle at sea: the captain has the final say on the sailing route. The captain will assess whether the route is safe and feasible based on the actual conditions such as weather, wind and waves and currents on the day. Safety is always the highest consideration.

The following is a compilation of several classic yacht day tour routes for your reference when planning your itinerary:

A guide to planning popular yacht routes in Hong Kong

Popular routes	It is recommended to depart from the pier	Features and suitable for activities	Estimated one-way sailing time
Classic Saigon Bay Tour (Kiu Tsui Chau, Green Egg Island, Kau Sai Wan).	Saigon	The water is clear and the sand is fine, suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and upright boarding. The wind and waves are smaller.	~30-60 minutes
Southern District Leisure Water Fun (Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Stanley).	Aberdeen / Causeway Bay	Easy access for Wakesurf, large water toys.	~45-75 minutes
Outlying island seafood group (Lamma Island, Cheung Chau).	Central / Tsim Sha Tsui / Aberdeen	You can go ashore to taste the famous seafood feast and experience the style of outlying islands.	~75-90 minutes

Q8: What are the water toys provided on board? The real situation of “free” vs. “paid”

Key:
Many charter packages advertise “free water toys” as “free water toys,” which usually refer to just two basic things: a large floating mat and a few floating noodles. The degree of newness and quality vary greatly, so be sure to have realistic expectations.

If you’re looking to experience a more diverse range of water activities, almost all options require an additional fee to rent. This expense should be included in your total budget upfront.

Large inflatable toys: such as inflatable slides and sea pools, the rent is about HK$1,500 to $3,000.
Personal water sports equipment: such as SUP/Kayak (Kayak), most boats need to be rented for an additional fee.
High-speed water activities (Wakesurf / Wakeboard / Banana Boat): This is a completely independent service that requires an additional booking of a dedicated speedboat and is the largest additional cost, with market prices ranging from around HK$4,000 to $5,500.

Note: Many social media ads feature videos of Wakesurf or giant slides, which can easily lead consumers into thinking it’s included in the rent, so be sure to ask before booking.

Q9: What if there is bad weather on the day of departure?

Key:
A clear, pre-agreed severe weather policy is a key indicator of whether a charter company or platform is professional. Policies provided by formal platforms such as Holimood can be used as industry standard references:

Rescheduling or Cancellation Available:
- Two hours before the boarding time, the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or above (T3+) was still hoisted at the Observatory.
- Two hours before the boarding time, the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal was still hoisted.
If the itinerary is as usual (no rescheduling or refund) is available:
- It rained before departure, but it did not pose a maritime hazard

Special treatment for catering:
Please note that even if the boat schedule is canceled due to weather conditions, reservations for meals are generally non-cancellable or non-refundable. The renter will still have to bear the cost of the food and arrange for it to be picked up by himself. If the trip is canceled in advance, there is still a chance to deal with it according to the situation.

Q10: How can I complain if I am not satisfied with the service?

Key:
When you encounter issues during the charter process, it’s crucial to adopt a systematic approach. The best way is to communicate well with the captain and platform customers before departure to ensure clear event details.

Communicate on the spot and seek instant solutions: This is the most direct and effective first step. Report the problem to the captain as soon as possible and politely during the voyage.
Record and retain evidence: If the problem cannot be resolved immediately, be sure to use your mobile phone to take photos or videos as evidence.
File a formal complaint with the platform: Contact the customer service team of the platform you booked on (such as Holimood) as soon as possible. Provide the booking number, clearly describe the problem, and attach all evidence.

The desperate situation of fraud: there is no way to complain
It is important to make it clear here that all of the above complaint and resolution mechanisms are based on the fact that you are dealing with a legitimate, traceable business entity. If you’re unlucky enough to encounter a scammer on social media, the most common thing they do after receiving money is to block your account and disappear from the world, and you’ll find yourself with no way to complain.

Q11: What do I need to prepare before departure? The ultimate checklist

Key:
As a host, this list will help you ensure that nothing goes wrong before you set off for a perfect yacht party.

[ ] Final Confirmation: Final confirmation of date, time, pier, vessel and total cost with the platform/boatman.
[ ] Weather Forecast: Check the weather forecast of the Hong Kong Observatory again the night before departure and the morning of the same day. [Proposed External Link to the Hong Kong Observatory Website]
[ ] Insurance Purchase: Remind and confirm that all participants have purchased personal accident insurance.
[ ] Number of people: Count the final number of attendees and notify the boatman.
[ ] Catering Arrangements: Confirm your order or arrange to bring your own food for the meeting.
[ ] Ice and drinks: Buy enough ice and drinks for the party.
[ ] Personal Items: Remind friends to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, towels, a change of clothes and a waterproof bag.
[ ] Medication Preparation: Prepare seasickness medicine and basic first aid supplies.
[ ] Entertainment Devices: Pre-download offline music playlists, carry entertainment tools like playing cards.
[ ] Cash Reserve: Prepare a small amount of cash for emergencies (such as tipping or incidental expenses).

Become a savvy consumer and enjoy the perfect sea vacation

Chartering a yacht should not be a risky gamble. By choosing a reputable and licensed platform, carefully examining every detail in the quote, understanding the legality and insurance coverage of the vessel, and adding an extra layer of personal accident protection for yourself and your friends, you can minimize your risks. We hope this in-depth analysis will help you master all the key knowledge to plan your next sea trip with confidence and enjoy a truly hassle-free vacation at sea.