Daywork, day rates and yacht seasons
Researched reference · Published 2026-07-06. AtlantisDesk compiles this from public industry and government sources; we are not, and do not claim to be, former yacht crew.
Figures verified July 2026 — costs, salaries, visa and certification rules change; verify with official sources before relying on them.
Where to be and when: the crew hubs, Med and Caribbean season timing, rough day rates for daywork, and a plain-English note on visas.
The crew hubs
In the Mediterranean, the main hubs are Antibes and Palma (with Genoa also in the mix). The gateway for the US and Caribbean is Fort Lauderdale. Being in a hub during its season is what makes dockwalking and daywork possible.
When the seasons run
- Med season: roughly April to September/October. Recruiting builds around February–March, peaking April–May.
- Caribbean season: roughly November to March/April, with recruiting around September–October.
- Many yachts follow the sun — Med in summer, Caribbean in winter — so the two seasons chain together.
Daywork and day rates
Daywork is casual, paid-by-the-day work that lets you get aboard boats, build references and be first in line when a permanent slot opens. Rough day rates: €100–€200/day in Europe (Antibes often €120–€160) and $150–$200/day in Florida. Accommodation is usually not included, so budget for somewhere to stay while you look. Dockwalk and Yotspot are useful for finding work.
Visas — a high-level note
This is a complex, fast-changing area, so treat the following as orientation only and confirm with official government sources:
- Many nationalities use the Schengen 90/180 rule in the Med. Signing onto a crew list generally pauses the Schengen count (“crew stamping”).
- In the US, working aboard in US waters generally requires a B1/B2 visa.
- US dockwalking without citizenship or a green card is a legal grey area (or outright not permitted) — be cautious.
- Rules change (for example the ETIAS rollout), so check current government guidance before you travel.
This is general information, not medical, legal, or immigration advice.
Related guides
- How to get a yacht job with no experience (the pillar)
- Yacht crew salaries by role — what the permanent roles pay
Sources: Dockwalk, Yotspot. Verify visa rules with official government sources such as GOV.UK / MCA and the relevant national authorities.
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