Booking · Deposits · Safety

Bali yacht charter FAQ, answered plainly.

Booking, deposits, cancellation and weather, what to bring, safety, payment, group size and seasickness — direct answers from an independent broker.

Ask your question See the booking steps

Deposit: 30–50% is common
Cancellation: Set by each operator
Weather call: The captain’s

01 — The short version

Most questions come down to seven things: booking, deposit, weather, packing, safety, payment and group size.

We are an independent broker: we book vetted third-party vessels for you, not boats from an owned fleet.

Terms differ from boat to boat, so we confirm deposit, cancellation, weather and safety terms in writing before you pay.

02 — Booking & deposits

How broker booking works

We match your dates, group and budget to a vetted operator, confirm availability and handle the paperwork.

Step What happens Typical timing

1. Enquiry What happens You send dates, guest count, departure point Typical timing Same-day reply

2. Quote & hold What happens We confirm a vessel and quote a price Typical timing 1–2 days

3. Deposit What happens You pay a deposit to lock the date Typical timing On confirmation

4. Balance What happens Remaining amount paid before departure Typical timing Per operator terms

A 30–50% deposit with the balance due before boarding is common (as of June 2026). You get the exact figure in writing, and no deposit is taken until you’ve agreed the vessel and price.

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Teak side deck of a yacht running alongside the cabin

03 — What to bring

Pack light, but pack smart

Most day charters supply towels, snorkel gear and drinking water — confirm per vessel. Leave hard luggage, glass bottles and uncleared drones ashore.

Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
A light layer or windbreaker for the return leg.
A dry bag for phones and cameras.
Cash in IDR for optional extras or crew tips.
Motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness.

04 — Payments

How payment usually works

Terms follow the operator. Most accept IDR bank transfer, international cards and payment links; a few take cash only for the balance.

Payment item Common method When

Deposit Common method Bank transfer or card When At confirmation

Balance Common method Transfer, card or cash When Before or on departure

Extras / tips Common method Cash (IDR) When On the day

Prices are quoted in IDR or USD depending on the operator and may change until your booking is confirmed (as of June 2026). Accepted methods are confirmed at quote stage.

05 — Weather, safety & sizing

The questions behind the booking

Cancellation, weather, safety, capacity and seasickness.

What is the cancellation policy?

Each operator sets its own, so it differs from boat to boat. We send the written schedule before you commit. Generally, cancelling further out recovers more of the deposit than cancelling late.

What happens if the weather turns?

If the captain judges conditions unsafe, it’s the captain’s call. Operators usually offer a free reschedule, a calmer-water route, or a partial or full refund depending on policy.

When is the water roughest?

Crossings toward Nusa Penida or Lembongan can get choppy in the windy season, roughly June to September. Captain-cancelled trips are treated very differently from guest no-shows.

Are the vessels safe and properly licensed?

We check that operators carry life jackets for every guest, rafts or buoyancy gear, radio or satellite comms, a licensed crew and passenger permits. We won’t claim a certification we haven’t seen.

Can I see a boat’s equipment list or crew licences?

Yes. We don’t own the vessels, so we rely on operator documents and our inspection history. Ask, and we’ll request them from the operator before you book.

How many guests fit?

It depends on the vessel. Smaller catamarans and day boats commonly carry up to 12–20 for cruising; larger motor yachts and phinisi take more. Licensed capacity is a hard limit we never exceed.

What if I get seasick?

Take a tablet 30–60 minutes before boarding, choose a catamaran or larger boat, eat lightly, and stay on deck watching the horizon. Tell us and we’ll pick a stable boat and sheltered route.