Frequently Asked Questions

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1. About Pelorus Yachting

2. Booking a Charter

3. Before you step aboard

About Pelorus Yachting

Pelorus operates across three pillars, Travel, Aviation, and Yachting, alongside the Pelorus Foundation, which drives our conservation and community impact worldwide. Together, we deliver journeys that are purposeful, seamless, and transformational.

At Pelorus Yachting, every vessel becomes a platform for experience-led adventure. We specialise in creating pioneering expeditions, from heli-skiing in Antarctica to diving in untouched reefs or exploring remote, culture-rich coastlines, designed to push boundaries and connect you deeply to a place.

Founded by two former British Army Captains, we plan and execute each voyage with military precision and creative flair, ensuring every moment is safe, exceptional, and unforgettable. Recognised by Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure, Pelorus Yachting leads the industry in redefining what experiential luxury yachting truly means.

The Pelorus Group comprises three specialist teams: Yachting, Travel, and Aviation. Each team is made up of experts dedicated to helping our clients explore the world by land, sea, and air. To learn more about our bespoke services, please get in touch - or discover more here.

With access to a global charter fleet, we enable our clients to travel anywhere in the world. From remote regions to destinations closer to home, our diverse range of yachts can accommodate every type of vacation. Whether you're looking to explore the depths of the coral triangle in Indonesia or heli-ski from your yacht on an expedition in Antarctica.

We start by speaking with you, understanding who you are, what excites you, and what you want to get out of your charter. From there, we design a completely bespoke itinerary that reflects your passions, pace, and preferences. Whether that’s adventure, culture, conservation, or pure relaxation, we use our global expertise to suggest exceptional experiences that go beyond the expected.

Pelorus only works with operators under a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and those who have individual aircraft insurance certificates.  

Booking a Charter

The overall cost of your charter will vary depending on the yacht and the region of embarkation. The quoted “from” rate refers to the charter fee, which covers the exclusive use of the yacht and crew. On top of this, local VAT is applied as a percentage of the charter fee, and an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), typically around 35%, is added to cover expenses such as fuel, marina fees and provisioning during your charter. The captain manages this account on your behalf, with a full reconciliation provided at the end of the charter. Crew gratuities are customary and usually range between 10–20% of the charter fee, depending on your experience.

Yes, but only on a limited number of yachts. Around 5% of the global fleet will accept pets, typically on a case-by-case basis. Larger yachts sometimes even offer designated pet-friendly areas or small “garden” spaces for safe outdoor time.

There are, however, important limitations. Owners may require extra cleaning fees or a security deposit, and there will be restrictions on where pets can go on board. You’ll also need to handle all paperwork, vaccinations, import permits, and travel safety planning in advance to ensure your pet is comfortable, secure, and truly sea-ready.

If you plan ahead, a pet-friendly yacht charter is absolutely possible, and your four-legged companion can enjoy the adventure alongside you.

Yes, the vast majority of yachts now offer reliable Wi-Fi, and it’s increasingly unusual to find one without it. With Starlink and other advanced satellite systems, connectivity has become a game-changer, giving you strong, stable internet even in remote regions. Only in the most isolated, far-flung locations might coverage dip.

Most yachts also provide dedicated workspaces, ensuring you can handle calls, emails, and focused work comfortably while at sea. In short: you can work from a yacht far more easily than you might expect.

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for high-demand or permit-restricted regions. Destinations such as Antarctica typically require 12–16 months of lead time due to strict permitting and complex logistics, and many Arctic yachts are booked a year or more in advance. Peak periods like Christmas and New Year often fill up entirely.

That said, last-minute is still possible. We regularly pull together exceptional charters with only a few weeks’ notice, it simply depends on availability, flexibility, and how tailored the experience needs to be.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to amend or cancel your booking, our team will guide you through the options and help find the best solution. All adjustments are handled in line with the MYBA terms or your specific charter agreement, which outline the cancellation and amendment policies.

We’re here to make the process as smooth and flexible as possible.

Before your charter

Your itinerary is designed to give you the best possible experience, but it remains highly adaptable once you’re on board. In most destinations, the captain or cruise director can adjust plans daily based on weather, sea conditions, wildlife movements, and your preferences, ensuring each day aligns with what you want to get out of the journey.

However, some regions have strict national park or conservation regulations that require yachts to follow set, pre-approved routes. Destinations such as the Galápagos (and in some cases the Amazon) operate under these rules, meaning flexibility is more limited.

Where local regulations allow, your itinerary can evolve as you do, shaped by conditions, opportunity, and curiosity.

Packing depends on your destination, the season, and the style of trip you’re taking, but comfort and versatility are key.

For warm, tropical regions, opt for lightweight clothing, swimwear, and items that dry quickly. For cooler climates, think in layers so you can adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day. If you’re heading somewhere glamorous, such as St Barths or St Tropez, include casual evening wear and a party outfit for nights ashore.

Yachting is barefoot living, so most guests slip their shoes off once on board. If needed, bring non-marking deck shoes for safety on exterior decks.

For expeditions such as the Antarctic, we can provide a destination-specific packing list covering extreme-weather gear, technical layers, and specialist equipment.

Space on yachts is well designed but finite, so soft, packable luggage is far easier to store than hard suitcases. Wardrobe space varies by yacht and cabin category, so packing thoughtfully will help everything fit comfortably.

We can also tailor a personalised packing list to your exact itinerary.

Pelorus is committed to sustainable yachting and marine conservation. Through the Pelorus Foundation, we connect guests with marine scientists and conservation experts, offering experiences from hammerhead shark tagging to aiding sea turtle hatchling. Even for those who do not participate directly, our expeditions are designed to minimise environmental impact, support local conservation projects, and protect the destinations we visit.

We also work with yachts and crews who prioritise responsible operations. This includes innovative vessels such as CAPTAIN ARCTIC, a 70m solar-powered sailing yacht and one of the world’s first near–zero-emission luxury expedition yachts, a major step forward for sustainable yachting.

On board, we encourage reduced single-use plastics, reef-safe products, reusables, and improved waste and water practices. If you prefer a particular yacht, we can review its environmental footprint and recommend simple ways to make the charter more sustainable.

Every Pelorus journey is built to protect fragile ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

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