What Is APA in Yacht Charter?

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a deposit paid in addition to the yacht's base charter fee, held by the captain to cover all the running costs of your trip.

What APA typically covers

• Fuel for the yacht, tenders and water toys
• Food and beverages, including any wine or premium spirits requested
• Dockage and marina fees
• Customs, immigration and port clearance costs
• Any last-minute provisioning requests

How much is APA?

APA is usually 25–30% of the base charter fee, paid before the charter begins. The captain or chef manages this fund throughout the trip and provides receipts.

Do you get a refund?

Yes — any unspent APA is refunded to the charterer at the end of the charter, typically within a few weeks. If expenses exceed the APA, the charterer settles the balance on the last day.

Understanding APA upfront helps you budget accurately for a charter beyond the headline weekly rate. Nauty Yachty explains the exact APA estimate for each yacht as part of every quote.