Yacht water toys fall into four groups: fast powered toys (jet skis, Seabobs, e-foils), paddle and towed toys (paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboards), underwater gear (snorkeling, scuba, sea scooters, submersibles) and floating platforms (inflatable islands, loungers, slides, pools). What a given yacht carries depends on its size, deck space and crew, and the remote regions we plan charters for, from the Galápagos to French Polynesia and Alaska, shape which toys are worth bringing. Below is the full list, who each toy suits, and how to match the toys to your trip.
TL;DR
- Water toys come in four groups: powered (jet skis, Seabobs, e-foils), paddle and towed, underwater, and floating platforms.
- Toy inventories differ by yacht, so decide what you want to do first, then choose a yacht that carries it.
- Divers, families, couples and wildlife-focused travelers each need a different mix; the table below matches them.
- Powered and underwater toys need a briefing and supervision; the crew handles launch, recovery and safety.
- Tell your charter specialist your toy wish list before you pick a yacht, since storage and crew set what fits.
Table of Contents
- The four kinds of yacht water toys
- Quick guide: which toys suit which traveler
- Matching toys to a remote destination
- Space, storage and yacht size
- Safety and supervision
- How to plan your toy list, step by step
- Our perspective
- Plan a charter with the toys you want
- FAQ
- Sources
The four kinds of yacht water toys
It helps to stop thinking of one long list and sort toys by what you want from an afternoon at anchor. Yachting Magazine notes that choices on modern yachts now span every activity level, from lounge-style floats to custom stand-up paddleboards, electric surfboards and underwater scooters. That range is useful: a family with a nine-year-old and a grandparent can all be in the water at once, each doing something different.
Fast and thrilling: jet skis, Seabobs and e-foils
Jet skis. YachtBuyer describes jet skis as compact, high-speed personal watercraft that let riders cross waves and reach secluded coves and hidden beaches. On a remote itinerary that is the real appeal: you can reach a beach the yacht cannot anchor beside. If a jet ski is on your list, our pages for charter yachts with a jet ski and charter yachts with multiple jet skis onboard show what is available.
Seabobs. These are personal underwater electric scooters. YachtBuyer says they can reach up to 17 knots (20 mph) or more, run quietly with no emissions, and let you glide on the surface or dive deeper to see coral formations and schools of fish. They are one of the easiest ways to feel like a dolphin without scuba certification.
E-foils. An electric hydrofoil board lifts you above the water on a wing. Boating Magazine highlights the Fliteboard Series 5 as a versatile all-around board that suits beginners, with a 5-foot-8-inch board and a propulsion system the brand calls its quietest yet. Quiet matters when you are near wildlife and want to keep a respectful distance.
Jetpacks and flyboards. YachtBuyer also lists these among active toys. They are the most spectacular and the most demanding, and they are best for confident, athletic guests with an instructor.
Paddling and towing: paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboards, water skis
The low-tech toys are often the most used. Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks cost the least in fuel and noise, suit almost any age, and are the best way to explore a mangrove channel or a quiet bay at dawn. Wakeboards and water skis are towed behind the yacht's tender, so they depend on the crew and a suitable boat, rather than on the toy itself. For a deeper look at what to request, see our guide to water sports activities on charter.
Underwater: snorkeling, scuba, sea scooters and submersibles
Snorkeling gear. Mask, snorkel and fins are the baseline. SAIL Magazine recommends packing a mask, snorkel and fins for everyone, which also makes sense for fit and hygiene with children.
Scuba diving. Diving is a different category from toys, because it needs qualified guides, tanks, compressors and a plan for each site. The same SAIL piece draws the line at personal dive gear and uses a dive operation to rent regulators and weights and arrange dives. On an expedition-style charter the arrangement differs by vessel, which we explain in can we scuba dive on an expedition charter. To see yachts set up for it, browse charter yachts with scuba diving onboard.
Sea scooters. A sea scooter, also called a diver propulsion vehicle, is a handheld battery device that pulls a swimmer through the water with a propeller. NG Yachting says depending on the model you can skim the surface, glide just below it or descend to recreational depths. The Waydoo Subnado, a roughly 3-pound, 15-inch cylinder, can be strapped to an arm or leg, mounted on a scuba tank or fitted below a kayak or paddleboard.
Submersibles. At the top end are personal and passenger submarines. The Triton 660/9 AVA dives to 656 feet (200 m) and carries one pilot and eight adults, with a stated endurance of 12 hours. The NEMO from U-Boat Worx is a two-person submarine (one pilot, one passenger) rated to 100 meters (330 feet), with up to 8 hours of autonomy. A submersible is rare, and the yachts that carry one are a short list; our guide to submersibles on yacht charters explains what to know before you book.
Floating platforms: islands, loungers, slides and pools
Inflatables turn the water beside the yacht into a beach club. The AquaBanas Party Bana is an 11-by-11-foot floating platform that seats 8 to 10 adults and works in as little as 36 inches of water. The Mega Lounger is built for five or more adults to lie back together. FunAir's catalogue describes its Floating Island range, from a Twin Escape for two guests to larger islands for six to eight, and a Toy Island that attaches to the swim platform and can serve as a diving platform. Yachting Magazine describes a shaded inflatable with a Bimini top that inflates in about 15 minutes and holds as many as eight guests, so adults can rest in shade while children swim and paddle.
These are the toys that make a family charter feel effortless, because nobody has to be a strong swimmer or an athlete to enjoy them.
Quick guide: which toys suit which traveler
| Traveler | Best toys | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Divers | Scuba gear and guided dives, sea scooters, Seabob | Longer range over reefs and walls, with a dive plan |
| Families | Inflatable island or slide, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear | Everyone joins in, from small children to grandparents |
| Couples | E-foil, paddleboards, Mega Lounger-style floats, tender trips to quiet beaches | Active mornings, slow afternoons, privacy |
| Wildlife enthusiasts | Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, quiet electric toys | Low noise and low disturbance near animals |
| Thrill seekers | Jet skis, e-foils, jetpacks, wakeboards | Speed and adrenaline |
Matching toys to a remote destination
A toy list is only as good as the place you use it. In warm, clear water such as French Polynesia, snorkeling gear, Seabobs and paddleboards come into their own. Colder or wilder waters, such as Alaska, shift the emphasis to tender excursions and kayaking, with the wildlife as the main event. In the Galápagos, where the animals are the attraction, quiet gear and respectful distance matter more than speed. We build itineraries around that logic: the destination decides the toy list, never the other way round.
Also keep in mind that some of the world's most remote places have their own rules on what can be used and where. Your crew and charter specialist will know which toys are welcome at each anchorage.
Space, storage and yacht size
The toy list on a charter depends on the yacht as much as on your wishes. Small yachts carry the basics: a few paddleboards, snorkeling sets and perhaps a tender-towed toy. Larger yachts add storage, tender decks and cranes. YachtBuyer reports that the 37-meter Seven Seas has a 55-square-meter tender deck for two 7.5-meter tenders and a large lazarette for toys and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats). The 141-foot TYEE is laid out to carry waverunners and submersibles, deployed by a substantial deck crane.
FunAir's catalogue gives a sense of what a dedicated toy platform holds: combinations including four jet skis or sailing dinghies, two Seabobs, two e-foils and a Jet Surf or paddleboards, customized to the owner's toy complement. The NEMO's maker says its compact design needs less storage than two jet skis. Motorized toys also demand more storage, charging or fuel, and skilled operators, as GetBoat's blog points out.
Salt is the other practical point. Boards, inflatables and electronics live in salt air and spray, and crews rinse and protect them after use; saltwater protection for boats covers the general principles that apply to any gear on the water.
If your list includes several jet skis, a submersible or a full inflatable beach club, start with those toys and ask for yachts that carry them. Our high end yachts and yachts over 200ft pages are where the largest toy inventories tend to be.
Safety and supervision
Powered and underwater toys are fun because they are fast and capable, and that is also why they need a plan.
- Briefing first. NG Yachting advises briefing first-time users on speed settings before they enter the water.
- Buddy system. The same source says never use a dive scooter alone, and to respect each model's rated depth limit.
- Match the toy to the guest. Age, swimming ability and experience decide who rides what. A beginner is better on a paddleboard or beginner-friendly e-foil than on a jetpack.
- Life jackets and crew. Children and weaker swimmers should wear life jackets, and the crew should oversee launch and recovery. Guests with a medical condition should talk to their own doctor before diving or any strenuous water activity.
- Diving certification. Scuba requires a recognized certification, or a supervised introductory dive with a qualified instructor.
How to plan your toy list, step by step
- Decide what you want to do. Dive, foil, paddle, lounge, watch wildlife? Pick the top two or three activities, not twenty toys.
- Pick the destination to fit. Warm reef water, polar fjords and wildlife islands each suit different toys.
- Choose the yacht for the toys. The yacht size and deck space set what is on board. Say up front if you need two e-foils, multiple jet skis or a dive setup.
- Confirm the crew. Dives, towed toys and jet skis depend on qualified crew. Ask who runs each activity.
- Bring the personal items. Mask, snorkel and fins that fit are better in your own bag; sunscreen, rash guards and water shoes too.
- Brief everyone on day one. A short safety talk and a first supervised session set the tone for the whole trip.
Our perspective
Most guests start with a list of toys and end up remembering a place. The best charters we plan treat the toys as a way into the destination: a kayak at dawn in a quiet bay, a Seabob over a reef, a tender run to a beach nobody else has reached.
Our team is made up of former captains and water sports professionals, so we think about the toy list the way a crew does: what the yacht can carry, what the water allows, and what each guest will actually enjoy. A family wants an inflatable island and paddleboards; a diver wants a plan for the walls and the right boat; a couple wants an e-foil and a private cove. That is why we begin with the trip you want and then look for the yacht that carries it.
If a toy is a must-have for you, tell us before anything else. It is much easier to choose the right yacht at the start than to add a toy later.
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Plan a charter with the toys you want
Exotica Charters plans fully crewed luxury yacht charters, including motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, expedition vessels and superyachts, with custom itineraries in remote destinations. Our team of former captains and water sports professionals builds trips around diving, wildlife and adventure on the water. Tell us your toy wish list and where you want to go, and we will shape the charter around it. Start at Exotica Charters, or browse motor yachts and luxury yachts.
FAQ
What are the most popular water toys on a yacht charter?
Paddleboards, kayaks and snorkeling gear are the most common, followed by jet skis, Seabobs and e-foils on larger yachts. Inflatable platforms and loungers add a social space beside the yacht. What is on board varies by vessel, so name your priorities when you enquire.
Are water toys included in a crewed yacht charter?
It depends on the yacht. Many crewed yachts carry a standard set of non-motorized toys, and larger yachts carry more. Our guide to water sports activities on charter explains what to request.
Do I need experience to use a Seabob or an e-foil?
No, though a briefing is essential. A Seabob is easy to hold and steer, and Boating Magazine describes the Fliteboard Series 5 as great for beginners. The crew should explain controls and speed settings before you enter the water, and you should start in calm water.
Can children use yacht water toys?
Yes, many of them. Inflatable islands, slides, paddleboards, kayaks and snorkeling sets suit families, with life jackets and adult supervision. Powered toys and diving depend on age, ability and the crew's judgment.
Can a yacht charter include a submarine?
A few yachts carry a submersible, and they are the exception. Models such as the Triton 660/9 AVA and the NEMO dive to 656 feet (200 m) and 330 feet (100 m) respectively. See submersibles on yacht charters for what to know first.
Sources
- Water Toys: Fun Off the Boat, Yachting Magazine
- Watersports and Toys: Making a Splash, YachtBuyer
- Top Water Toys for Summer, Boating Magazine
- Gear & Toys to Bring on Charter, SAIL Magazine
- Sea Scooters & Underwater Toys for Every Age
- Triton 660/9 AVA
- NEMO Submarine
- Party Bana, AquaBanas
- Mega Lounger, AquaBanas
- FunAir Inflatable Yacht Toy Catalogue 2023
- Seven Seas, YachtBuyer
- TYEE, YachtBuyer
- Saltwater Protection for Your Boat