A Career on Superyachts:
Your Path to an Extraordinary Life

What You Need to Know Before Stepping Onboard

Understanding Yacht Life: Rotations and Salary Working on a superyacht offers more than just a job—it offers a unique lifestyle. However, this lifestyle comes with structured working patterns known as rotations. Your rotation schedule will depend on the size of the yacht and its itinerary:

• Permanent Rotation: As a full-time crew member, you work continuously, with breaks determined by the yacht’s schedule. This could mean 5 months on followed by 1 month off, or the more standard 42 days of annual leave.
• Seasonal Rotation: Often found on smaller or charter yachts, this rotation involves working intensively during peak seasons, with downtime during quieter periods. Some yachts operate in both Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons, meaning you might travel across the Atlantic, with time off scheduled by the Captain.
• Fixed Rotation: Larger yachts may offer fixed rotations such as 2:2, 3:3, or 4:2, where you work for 2, 3, or 4 months on, followed by an equal or slightly shorter time off, depending on the yacht’s requirements.

Salaries in the yachting industry are attractive, with great potential for growth as you gain experience. The pay is also tax-free (taking your country of residence tax laws into consideration), allowing you to save significantly. Here’s a rough estimate of monthly salaries: This is just the beginning. The higher you rise in the ranks, the more financial rewards await.

• Junior roles (Deckhand, Stewardess): $2,200 – $3,200
• Senior roles (Chief Stewardess, Bosun): $5,000 – $7,000+
• Specialized positions (Chef, Engineer, ETO): $6,000 – $10,000+

Crew Benefits: What’s In It for You?

Working on a superyacht provides more than just financial benefits—it’s a fully immersive experience that covers almost all aspects of your life.

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Accommodation: Your cabin is provided, usually shared with one other crew member. On bigger yachts, you might have more crew sharing.
• Food: All meals are covered, often prepared by world-class chefs. Even when you’re off-duty, your meals are taken care of.
• Medical care: Many yachts provide full medical and dental coverage for their crew members.
• Travel opportunities: You’re not just traveling—you’re living in some of the world’s most exclusive and beautiful destinations.
• Uniforms: The yacht provides your uniforms, ensuring you’re always dressed to impress, looking professional, and ready to get the job done.

These benefits give you the freedom to focus on what matters most—your career, your personal growth, and the experiences you’ll gain.

Yachting Seasons: When and Where You’ll Be Working

The superyacht industry operates in two primary seasons:

• Mediterranean Summer (April – September): This is the busiest period for yachting in Europe. You’ll find yourself in iconic destinations such as the French Riviera, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
• Caribbean Winter (November – April): As summer fades in Europe, the action shifts to the Caribbean. Think crystal-clear waters, sun-kissed beaches, and a pace of life that’s unparalleled.

Beyond these primary seasons, some yachts explore more remote and adventurous destinations or undergo yard periods for maintenance.

Visas: What You Need to Work as a South African Crew Member

Securing the right visas is crucial to ensuring you’re able to work legally and travel freely as a South African crew member.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Schengen Visa: Required for working in European Union waters, NOT ON BOARD EUROPEAN FLAGGED VESSELS. It allows you to stay within the Schengen Zone for 90 days within any 180-day period. If the yacht operates mostly within the Schengen area, consider applying for a long-stay / Seafarers visa (please note you will need to have a job to apply for a Seafarers Visa)
• US B1/B2 Visa: This visa is mandatory if the yacht operates in US waters or if you need to enter the US for yacht-related reasons. The B1 allows you to work, while the B2 permits you to travel within the country for tourism or leisure. You will need both for your yachting career.
• Transit Visa: A transit visa is required if you’re passing through certain countries en route to join a yacht. This allows you to board international flights without complications.

We will go more into detail during our meeting 🙂

Knowledge is Power: The Importance of Gaining Confidence

At Pull North, we believe that the more knowledge you acquire, the more confident and prepared you will be.

When you’re armed with the right information, you can step up for opportunities with assurance and poise. We offer a wide range of services to ensure you’re always prepared, including: Off Shore Account Set-ups, CV & Cover Letter Assistance. We help you craft a CV that stands out, reflecting your unique strengths and being.

• Email Etiquette: First impressions matter, and we make sure your communications are professional and engaging.
• Networking: We connect you with key players in the yachting industry, building a support system that lasts throughout your career.

We are not just here to teach you—we are here to back you at every stage. From the moment you sign up for your long-term career growth, Pull North is your base, we are a community filled with individuals who has all once been where you now are, ready to support, guide and motivate all connected via our personal WhatsApp group, making it easy for you to always reach out.

Elite Hospitality: Where Passion Meets Hard Work

Yachting is more than just a job—it’s a commitment to excellence. Every detail matters when you are serving high-profile guests. From immaculate service at the dining table to ensuring the finest experience at sea, you are responsible for delivering a standard of hospitality that is second to none. To succeed in this industry, you must embody:

• A deep passion for hospitality:

You must love what you do. Creating a memorable experience for guests isn’t just a task—it’s an art form. 

• Unwavering discipline:

 The hours are long, and the responsibilities are demanding. You need to show up every day, ready to give your best.

• Strong values and a growth mindset:

Only those who commit to constant improvement and self-discipline will rise to the top.

We are here to cultivate those values in you. We’ll help you build the mindset needed to thrive, not just survive, in this challenging but rewarding career.

Yachting is a platform that allows you to discover your purpose while living life in an extraordinary way.

Before embarking on your superyacht career, it’s essential to be fully aware of the financial investment involved. After completing your training, you will need to cover the costs of traveling abroad and job hunting on your own. This includes expenses for flights, accommodation, and day-to-day living while searching for work. Think of it like finishing a university degree and then looking for a job, except your search will be slightly adventurous.

It’s important to understand that no agent or recruiter is legally permitted to take any portion of your salary. Be cautious of anyone who offers job placement in exchange for a cut of your pay, this is illegal. You should also not pay them to place you, the yachts cover that part when hiring you.

Timing is crucial. When you decide to travel is key to align your job search with the start of the yachting season. Being there as the season kicks off significantly increases your chances of finding work, as yachts are actively recruiting new crew during these periods.

While searching for a permanent position, day work opportunities often arise. These can come from networking and will keep you busy, while also helping you earn some income in the meantime. It’s a great way to build connections and gain hands-on experience.

As for how long it takes to land your first job, there’s no definite answer. The timeline varies depending on many factors — timing, location, and individual determination. It could happen quickly, or it may take several months. If you don’t secure a job immediately, don’t be discouraged. There are always alternative routes, and with the right attitude, skills, and persistence, you’ll find the opportunity you’re looking for.

Remember, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way, from your arrival to helping you create a strategic plan for success. Leaving SA with a game plan and a great idea of what you are looking for is high on our priority list.

If you truly see yourself thriving in this career reach out to us and let’s set up a meeting. We like to get to know you and discuss all your options as yachting has so much to offer if you go about it the right way.

Once you are ready to take the next step, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way. Yachting isn’t for everyone, but if you’re committed, both to the exciting training and the professional preparation —we’re ready to help you set yourself up to professionally and confidently step into your future.

We are passionate about what we do, and we are here to inspire, guide, and support you as you embark on this thrilling journey.

The Superyacht industry is not just about travel; it’s a career that challenges you to discover the best version of yourself while constantly embracing the “unknown.”

Let us help you unlock that potential. This is your journey, let’s personalize it.

Yours sincerely,