A yacht party is a great way to celebrate any occasion, from a birthday to a retirement party, or even just an excuse to get together with friends. However, not all yacht parties are created equal. There are many different ways you can throw one and each has its own unique qualities. If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to make your next yacht party the best one yet, read on. Here are some tips for throwing the perfect boat party that everyone will be talking about!
Decide on your budget and which boat is within your price range
The first thing to consider when planning a yacht party is your budget. You’ll need to work out your maximum budget and how much you are willing to spend. This will then determine the type and size of boat you can hire, in which location and how many people the boat can fit and cater for. Without knowing your budget and choosing an appropriate boat you can afford, you won’t be able to start planning the party onboard or inviting guests.
There are many different types of boats with different prices. Some of the factors that will affect which boat is within your price range are: how many people you want to invite, how much money you want to spend on alcohol, and what kind of theme or atmosphere you want. If you don’t want to reduce your guest list then you may need to opt for a different type of boat to a luxury yacht, something more affordable.
You can hire sailboats, canal boats, speed boats, and all sorts to suit your needs and price range! You can charter a yacht and have a full team of staff such as a captain, chef and even masseuses if your budget allows! If you want a luxury yacht party filled with your favourite socialites and all their friends, then it’s going to be more expensive than if you just wanted to have a small party for family and friends on a smaller yacht.
You should also consider whether there will be children at the party or if it’s just adults. If there are children, then they won’t be able to drink alcohol and so this will keep costs lower. However, there are then some safety issues with kids aboard, so you’ll want to make sure young kids are always attended to.

Choose a great location
You will be limited on where you can hold your boat party as it will be in whichever locations allow you to hire or charter boats. However, you don’t want to go too far away from your friends and family or else people may turn down the invites if they can’t travel that far or it’s too inconvenient or costly.
Pick somewhere that is coastal with beautiful waters and a coastline you can all enjoy or a river that has pretty scenic routes. You don’t want to take your party boat along a dirty river with industrial factories lining the water and sewage being pumped in… so choose wisely!
The yacht itself can be a great venue but you should look for a location that has the same features as a yacht – spacious, private and with an unobstructed view of the water.
Pick a significant date for your yacht party
If it is possible, try to plan the event in a way that coincides with a holiday or an important date for your guests. This is because people are more likely to attend an event if it has some significance for them.
Choosing the food and drink for your boat party
Before you start the party, you need to make sure that your guests are well fed. You may need to find a caterer who can provide food and drinks for all the guests, or perhaps you need to keep things more affordable and you’ll arrange this yourself.
You should always take into consideration the season when you are planning a yacht party. This will help to decide what type of food and drinks to serve. If it’s summertime, then you might want to serve light salads and fresh fruit along with iced beverages and fruity cocktails.
If it’s wintertime, then you might want to serve heavier dishes like hot soup or stew, hearty sandwiches, and hearty desserts like apple pie or chocolate cake, along with warming mulled wine or hot chocolates.
If you are serving alcohol then you need to decide whether it will be an open bar which you pay for, an attended bar where your guests will need to buy their own drinks, or whether it’s a BYOB event (Bring Your Own Beer).

Planning for weather conditions
The weather will always be unpredictable, but there are some things that you can do to plan for it so that you have an enjoyable time no matter what the forecast says.
You can check the weather forecast in advance and choose a date when the weather is expected to be favourable, however, the weather is never guaranteed!
Unfortunately, there may be some strong weather conditions such as stormy weather or strong wind that can cause a boat party to be cancelled, so your event may have to be weather dependent. But if there’s just a little rain then it might still go ahead and you’ll just need to be prepared. Make sure you hire a boat with both indoor and outdoor areas for seating, relaxing and socialising, so people can stay warm and dry inside if needed, or go outside if the weather is favourable.
Ensure there are areas of shade if it’s sunny, plenty of suncream aboard and water to keep people cool on a sunny summer day.
For a winter boat party stock up with warm blankets for people to enjoy the deck and fresh air even in the cold, warm drinks and perhaps even a fire pit if allowed.
Safety tips for your yacht party
Before you invite your friends to your yacht party, it is important to take precautions and make sure that you are not going to be in danger. When planning the party, it is important to keep safety in mind so that everyone can enjoy themselves without any worries.
As mentioned above, you should be aware of the weather and make sure that there will be enough food and drinks for everyone, but you should most importantly prepare for emergencies including these:
- If you are on a large boat with a lot of guests then make sure that you have a lifeboat ready with enough space for all of your guests.
- There should also be enough lifejackets for everyone onboard.
- You should also have a first-aid kit on board just in case something happens.
- Make sure you have a working radio onboard so you can call the coastguard for assistance if needed.
- Ensure the boat is in good condition.
- Pay attention to any safety instructions given by the boat hire company before you set sail. They could literally save your life!

Entertainment ideas for your yacht party
Looking for some inspiration for entertainment for your yacht party? We have compiled a few ideas to help you out.
For adults:
- Hire a DJ or live band to dance the night away.
- If you don’t have hired music, then create a party playlist and ensure you have music nonstop to create a great party atmosphere.
- Have a karaoke.
- Have a scavenger hunt with clues hidden all over the boat.
- Play games like beer pong, flip cup, and others that are perfect for water parties.
- You can have themes like a 70s theme, or a beach theme to make it more fun.
- Rent jet skis or water bikes for all your guests to enjoy.
- Buy or hire some furniture for lounging around on the boat and make it more comfortable for guests.
- Have a hot tub onboard.
- Stop for a swim, jump off into safe waters and cool down and have fun splashing around and jumping in.
For children:
If you have children attending the party, then consider hiring a clown or magician to entertain them. You could also set up an arts and crafts table where they can make their own masks or other crafts.
Decoration for a yacht party
Depending on the season, weather, type of party and theme, there are lots of ways to decorate the yacht for a party. Yacht party decoration ideas such as candles, flowers, and balloons will make the venue look more elegant and welcoming. Lights are one of the best ways to decorate a yacht to create a good ambience as the day turns to night! Also, bunting or flags.
Final word
A yacht party is a great way to celebrate with your friends. It’s also a way to make memories with your family. There are many things to consider when planning for this type of event. One of the most important things is the budget as this will determine the type of boat you can hire, in which location and the food and drink you will provide.
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