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Guests
Cabins
A More Sustainable Yacht Charter Itinerary?
It’s possible with Y.CO.
What does a sustainable itinerary mean and what does it look like on a yacht charter? Y.CO expert Solenn de Braux puts it simply: “A sustainable itinerary tries to reduce the impact of the yacht while you’re travelling.” That means choosing the right boat, crew, partners, and experiences. “It also can mean taking advantage of your access to the underwater world in some incredible destinations and learning about what lives under the yacht! The wildlife, geology, the things that make it beautiful and your time there memorable.” Your time at sea can leave a positive impact. From hands-on conservation to smart onboard choices. Big and the small changes can make a huge difference.
Here’s how.
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Choose the Right Yacht...
The biggest wins start before you cast off. “It often boils down to the choice of the boat and the crew which manage it,” says Solenn. She looks for yachts running alternative fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), solar/electric integration, serious waste-management systems, and crews trained to minimise impact.
“I’m trying to find a fleet of boats that are more green than others; boats with special waste management systems and crews who’ve done environmental training.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
... and Crew
She points to ETYC (Environmental Training for Yacht Crew) as a practical standard: “ The training explains why change is necessary—and what simple things can be done on a yacht.”
Her yacht examples span tech and ethos. “Obsidian is one of the first of a new generation; optimised at cruising speed, running generators on HVO with advancements in electric propulsion and much more storage.” She also cites Firebird, which “does a tonne of projects with Yacht Aid Global , supporting research and science,” and the Y.CO managed Elfje (a cutting edge 46m sailing yacht) whose crew recently completed ETYC training.
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Slow Down to Do More
One simple switch: cruise slower. “Commit to cruising slower to produce less emissions and burn less fuel,” says Solenn. Some yachts can run HVO blends (even 100% on a few boats). The key is awareness: “Clients aren’t necessarily aware these options exist, so it’s really important brokers are educated and can present them.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Build a Day-by-Day with Purpose
Sustainability doesn’t mean saying no to pleasure. It means adding meaning. Solenn’s go-tos:
Hands-on conservation with YAG (YachtAid Global)
Hands-on conservation with YAG (YachtAid Global)
“You can sponsor scientists in the Galápagos or Caribbean. They come alongside the yacht; guests help collect data and then get a presentation onboard about how it feeds into the 30×30 initiative (protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030).” If your party isn’t full, offer unused cabins: “Clients often charter with six on board and eight cabins available—you can invite scientists to come aboard.”
Community projects you can visit
Community projects you can visit
“It’s not just a carbon credit far away, it’s something you can visit while you cruise.” In Costa Rica, guests have supported school libraries; in the Caribbean, charters have helped fund micro-grids for medical clinics.
Citizen science at sea
Citizen science at sea
In the Med, a local sailing programme takes families to spot cetaceans and log sightings in citizen-science apps. “Having someone like that come on board for a morning with the kids is very cool.”
Onboard educators (“Sea Tutors”)
Onboard educators (“Sea Tutors”)
“It’s like a nanny, but it’s a teacher—marine science, geography, geology—who spends the week with the family , exploring and highlighting the importance of the ecosystems where yachts are cruising.Guests come home with much more than just pictures and souvenirs.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
High-Adrenaline, High-Impact
For families who want a story they’ll never forget, Solenn describes a high-adrenaline shark-tagging experience coordinated by YAG with local scientists and Elkhorn Marine Conservancy:
Her account is vivid: “We were out from 6am. For hours—nothing. Then, at sunset, a three-and-a-half-metre tiger shark took the bait. You watch measurements, tagging, the release—the lead scientist explains everything. It’s thrilling, yet educational. I even touched the shark—it’s like a cat’s tongue.” Guests can fund tags and support the programme, with tenders shadowing the scientists. “It helps several communities at once.” The tagging is a vital part of scientific research with the end goal of better protecting these animals and their habitats. Tagging is also extremely difficult to do, so opting to use your charter yacht to help with these types of projects makes a world of difference to the research teams.
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Practical Onboard Tips
(That Don’t Kill the Vibe)
The trick is to make it easy: “Choose yachts with amenities that let you behave more sustainably without thinking about every little action.” Solenn’s advice is pragmatic and guest-friendly:
Energy & AC
Energy & AC
“Keep temperatures reasonable—don’t have your cabin AC cranking all day.”
Water & Plastics
Water & Plastics
“Choose boats with good watermakers which offer mineralised still and fizzy onboard —no plastic bottles.”
Provisioning
Provisioning
“Ask the chef to source locally. Be open to trying what’s available in the region.”
Toiletries & Cleaning
Toiletries & Cleaning
“Use reef-safe sunscreens and conscious, phosphate-free cleaning products.”
Laundry & Showers
Laundry & Showers
“All the little things you do at home apply on a yacht.”
Waste
Waste
“Pick boats already set up—glass crushers, better sorting, less packaging. Knowing your crew have a consistent and dedicated system onboard for waste management and recycling is half the battle! Oh, and don’t bring so much onboard! Ask the Chef to shop efficiently to avoid wasting items.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Cutting Through “Greenwashing”
Solenn is clear-eyed: “What we’re trying to do is go deeper.” Her approach is to go see, test, and verify before recommending: “We speak to the organisations, participate ourselves, and then promote it because we know it’s real and transparent. We want it to be authentic, transforming and educational.”
She recently met Fauna & Flora in Antigua and is scoping guest-ready experiences. “We lift up the hood—and only then promote it to clients.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
Education Turns the Dial
Sustainable itinerary options are transformative not only for the environment and community impacted but also for the crew and guests. “Education is key. If you bring an educator on board, you’re in a classroom for a week and it doesn’t feel like learning.” That “aha” moment matters: “You learn why you can’t anchor in seagrass. You understand the ecosystem. With education, we hope a sense of urgency is ignited—and then behaviour shifts.”
The message is simple: protect the ocean you came to enjoy. “Take only pictures, leave on bubbles! As the saying goes.”
A more Sustainable yacht charter
The Future Is Now
Solenn sees the key to the future as both embracing eco-tech and behaviour change and constantly educating ourselves as the world is changing rapidly: “A combination—education onboard, scientists and researchers when you’re in certain areas, and a fleet that’s already greener and conscious.” The goal? “You step on board and a lot is already taken care of—products, provisioning, waste, regenerative energy—without impacting the luxury experience.”
Quick Tips
How to Be a Sustainable Yacht Guest
- Cruise slower; ask about HVO or hybrid options. Or take a Sailing Yacht and commit to a maximum of engine hours. Challenge yourself.
- Choose yachts with ETYC-trained crews and strong waste systems.
- Say yes to local provisioning and reef-safe products.
- Swap plastic bottles for the yacht’s mineralised still/sparkling. Refuse single use plastics onboard where possible.
- Leave room in the schedule for conservation projects or community visits.
- If you have spare cabins, host scientists.
