How Much Does It Cost to Sail Around the World?
It is the question every would-be circumnavigator asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. Some cruisers sail around the world on a shoestring, while others spend as much as they would on a comfortable life ashore, or more. Your route, your boat, your lifestyle and how much work you can do yourself all make a huge difference.
This guide breaks down the main costs of sailing around the world, gives realistic ranges and shares practical ways to keep your budget under control.
Start With Your Route
Your route shapes your budget more than almost anything else. Marina fees, cruising permits, provisioning and repair costs vary enormously between regions. A voyage that spends a lot of time in marinas in the Mediterranean or the US East Coast will cost far more than one spent mostly at anchor in the Pacific islands or Southeast Asia.
Some common circumnavigation outlines include:
- The trade wind route: Europe to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, across the South Pacific via French Polynesia to New Zealand or Australia, then onward via Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
- Starting in the Pacific: beginning in New Zealand or Australia and exploring the South Pacific islands before heading west.
- Mediterranean and Atlantic loop: cruising Greece, Croatia, Italy and France, exiting via Gibraltar and crossing to the Caribbean.
For timing, see How Long Does It Take to Sail Around the World? and Best Time to Cross the Atlantic by Sailboat.
The Boat
The boat is usually the single biggest expense. A well-found used bluewater cruiser can cost anywhere from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on size, age, brand and condition. Many cruisers buy a used boat that is already equipped for offshore sailing, because adding equipment later is expensive.
For long passages, a moderate-sized, seaworthy boat that is easy to handle with a small crew is usually the best choice. Safety, strength and comfort matter more than size or speed. Not every boat that suits coastal cruising is up to the demands of an ocean passage. Read What Makes a Good Blue Water Cruising Sailboat and Best Small Sailboats to Sail Around the World.
Budget too for upgrades before you leave: a bigger anchor and chain, self-steering, a watermaker, solar panels, communications, better foul weather gear and reliable safety equipment such as a life raft, EPIRB and AIS.
The Average Cost of Sailing Around the World
Once you own a ready boat, ongoing cruising costs are often estimated at very roughly $10,000–$30,000 per person per year, but real figures range from well under $1,000 a month for frugal couples who anchor and fix everything themselves to $10,000 a month or more for those who prefer marinas, restaurants and professional services.
Spending also varies month to month. A Pacific crossing can cost very little, as you are at sea with stores already aboard, while a month in a more expensive country with provisioning, travel and boat work can cost several times more.
Example Budget Breakdown
A typical cruising budget might be split roughly like this:
| Category | Approx. share |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | 25% |
| Maintenance and repairs | 19% |
| Insurance (boat and health) | 16% |
| Excursions and travel ashore | 10% |
| Cruising fees and permits | 7% |
| Mooring and marina fees | 7% |
| Fuel | 5% |
| Communications | 4% |
| Miscellaneous | 7% |
Your own split will depend on your boat, route and habits.
Fixed, Monthly and Extra Costs
It helps to divide your costs into three groups:
- Annual fixed costs: boat insurance, health insurance, planned maintenance and haul-outs.
- Monthly running costs: food, fuel, marina or mooring fees, communications.
- Extras: excursions, flights home, cruising permits, canal transits and unexpected repairs.
Some costs are easy to estimate in advance; others, especially repairs, are not. Experience will quickly show you what your real spending looks like.
Regional Differences
Prices vary a lot by region. Marinas in Europe and popular Caribbean islands can be expensive, while anchoring is often free or cheap. Imported food in the Caribbean and remote Pacific islands tends to be pricey. Labor and parts in Australia and New Zealand can be costly, while Mexico and parts of Southeast Asia are known for more affordable boat work and provisioning.
Canals and Cruising Fees
If your route goes through the Panama Canal, budget for the transit and inspection fees, a security deposit or buffer (depending on how you book), line handlers, rented lines and fenders, and often an agent. The total for a small yacht is typically well above $1,000 and fees change, so check current rates with the Panama Canal Authority or an agent. Many countries also charge cruising permits, entry fees or visas.
Money-Saving Tips for Sailing Around the World
- Do your own maintenance. Learning to service your engine, rig and systems can save a large share of your repair budget.
- Prepare the boat before you leave. Fix problems at home, where parts are easier to find.
- Carry spares and tools. Shipping parts to remote places is expensive and slow.
- Anchor more, dock less. Marinas are one of the easiest costs to cut.
- Provision smartly. Stock up where food is cheap, eat local and cook aboard. See best food to bring on a sailing trip.
- Catch your own fish. Trolling from your sailboat on passage can supply fresh, healthy food and pass the time.
- Sail more, motor less. Fuel is a real cost; let the wind do the work.
- Track your spending. Write down expenses so you can see where your money goes.
- Plan for pets. Traveling with a dog or cat adds vet costs, paperwork and quarantine rules in some countries.
Cost of Sailing Around the World: Summary
There is no single price for sailing around the world. Beyond the boat itself, ongoing costs can range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars a month, depending on your route, your boat and how you like to live. Decide where you want to go, how long you want to take and what you can afford, then build a realistic budget with a healthy reserve for repairs. Many sailors with modest budgets have made it around the world, and careful planning is what makes the difference.
