Working in Fort Lauderdale: Yacht Capital
Everything you need to know about finding yacht work in Fort Lauderdale: crew agencies, boat shows, day work, the crew community and how to break into the industry.
Why Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale is the undisputed yachting capital of the world. South Florida is home to more superyachts than any other region, with over 50,000 registered vessels and more than 100 marinas and boatyards lining the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River. If you want to work in yachting, this is the single best place on earth to start.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) in late October is the world's largest in-water boat show and a massive networking event for crew. The city is also the departure point for most Caribbean charter seasons, so captains hire heavily in September and October before heading south. Between the boat show, Caribbean season prep and year-round maintenance work, there is always demand for crew in Fort Lauderdale.
Roles available
Fort Lauderdale has the full spectrum of yacht crew and marine positions. The most common include:
💰 Typical Pay
US-based yacht crew salaries are competitive. Junior deckhands and stews earn $2,500–$3,500/month, experienced crew $4,000–$7,000+/month. Yacht chefs earn $4,500–$8,000+/month depending on vessel size and experience. Day work pays $150–$250/day for cleaning, detailing and provisioning. All permanent positions include accommodation and food on board. Charter tips in the US market are generally very good.
What you'll need
Working on yachts in the US has specific visa requirements. Here are the essentials:
📋 Common Requirements
B1/B2 visa or ESTA: For crew on foreign-flagged vessels, a B1/B2 visa with a crew letter typically covers your status. US-flagged vessels require a work visa or US residency. Visa requirements are complex, so check with your employer or a maritime lawyer.
STCW: Basic safety training is required. Numerous training schools operate in Fort Lauderdale (Maritime Professional Training, Bluewater).
ENG1 / USCG medical: A valid seafarer medical. US Coast Guard physicals are available locally and may be required for US-flagged vessels.
TWIC card: Transportation Worker Identification Credential, required for access to certain port facilities. US citizens and permanent residents only.
Drug testing: Random drug testing is standard on US-operated vessels and in US ports. Be prepared for this.
Living in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is more affordable than you might expect for a major US city. Crew houses near the marinas (especially along 17th Street Causeway and in the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea area) cost $600–$1,000/month for a shared room. The city is very spread out, so a car is ideal, though many crew get by with bikes and ride-shares for dock-to-dock commutes.
The area around Bahia Mar Marina and the 17th Street corridor is the heart of the yachting district. You'll find crew agencies, chandleries, uniform shops and crew-friendly bars all within walking distance. Provisioning for the boat is easy with Restaurant Depot, Costco and Whole Foods all nearby.
🏖️ Florida lifestyle
South Florida offers year-round sunshine, miles of beaches, and easy access to Miami, the Keys and the Everglades. Fort Lauderdale's beach is excellent, and the Las Olas strip has great restaurants and shops. On weekends off, crew head to South Beach, go diving in the Keys, or explore the waterways by paddleboard. The lifestyle is relaxed and outdoors-focused.
Nightlife & social scene
The yacht crew social scene in Fort Lauderdale is massive. Pirate Republic Brewing near the docks is a crew favourite. The bars along Las Olas Boulevard and Fort Lauderdale Beach are popular on nights off. Miami is 30 minutes south for bigger nights out. The crew community is international but heavily British, Australian and South African. Networking events, crew agency mixers and dock parties are regular occurrences, especially around the boat show in October.
When to start looking
The best time to arrive in Fort Lauderdale is September–October, ahead of the boat show (late October) and the Caribbean season departure. Boats are being prepped, crew positions are being filled, and day work is plentiful. The summer months (June–August) are quieter as many boats are in the Mediterranean. Year-round maintenance and refit work is available. Having your profile on PeakWave means yacht managers across the US market can find you whenever they need crew.
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