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There is a version of New York City that most New Yorkers have never seen: Manhattan from the water at golden hour, the skyline suspended between sky and river, the noise of the city replaced by the sound of waves and laughter. Every summer, that version of the city is there — it’s just waiting for the right occasion to bring it into view.
A private summer yacht charter with Big Apple Charters puts you exactly there.
Summer in New York is loud, crowded, and beautiful. But the Hudson River is where the season opens up. From the water, the city reveals itself differently — the Statue of Liberty to the south, the Empire State Building to the north, the glass towers of Hudson Yards catching the afternoon light. There’s no rooftop bar, no restaurant table, no park bench that offers what the open water does: perspective.
From June through September, NYC yacht charters are in peak season for good reason. Long days mean extended golden hours. Warm evenings make sunset cruises genuinely magical. The city’s energy — birthdays, engagements, corporate milestones, weekend celebrations — finds its natural stage on the water.
The question isn’t whether a private boat charter fits your occasion. It’s which occasion deserves it most.
A private sunset yacht charter in New York City is the kind of birthday gesture that people remember for years. No minimum-spend bar. No shared venue. Just your crew, the skyline, and a night that belongs to you. Our Hudson Star — our most-requested vessel — fits up to 12 guests for intimate gatherings that still feel like an event.
The Hudson has seen every kind of send-off. A private yacht charter keeps the celebration contained, beautiful, and entirely your own. BYOB is welcome. We can arrange catering, floral arrangements, and photography add-ons so you arrive ready and leave with the memories already documented.
Nothing signals confidence like stepping onto a private yacht. Whether you’re hosting a client dinner, celebrating a team milestone, or running a leadership offsite, a yacht charter in NYC commands attention. Our new 2026 Skyline vessel — custom-built for elevated events — accommodates up to 25 guests with a 60-inch TV, 10-foot bar, walk-in bathroom, and Starlink connectivity. It’s a boardroom with better views.
If you’re planning to propose in New York City this summer, do it where the city can’t compete with you. The water, the skyline, the moment — it’s one of the few settings that rises to meet the occasion. We’ve been trusted with more proposals than we can count, and we treat each one with the same care.
Any milestone worth celebrating is worth celebrating properly. A private charter means no one is sharing the experience with strangers, no one is fighting for the bartender’s attention, and no one leaves early because the reservation ended.
Big Apple Charters operates a fleet designed to match your group size and occasion.
The Skyline — New York’s newest luxury charter yacht, custom-built in 2026. Upscale lounge, premium sound, 60-inch television, 10-foot bar, walk-in bathroom, and Starlink. Up to 25 guests comfortably (30 max). Purpose-built for corporate events and elevated celebrations.
The Hudson Star — Our most-requested boat. A 2020-upgraded luxury yacht for groups up to 12. The choice for intimate birthday charters, anniversary dinners, small corporate outings, and anyone who wants the full NYC skyline experience in a refined, private setting.
The Manhattan Mermaid — An open-air bow rider for up to 8 guests. The breeze-in-your-hair, sun-on-your-face summer charter. Perfect for smaller groups who want the water without the formality.
All charters depart from Chelsea Piers, Pier 59 — one of Manhattan’s premier waterfront locations on the Hudson River at West 17th Street.
Sunset on the Hudson begins around 8 PM in peak summer. Our sunset charters start at 6 PM with a three-hour minimum — which means you’re on the water as the city transitions from afternoon heat to evening gold.
The experience is yours to shape. Bring your own wine and spirits. Add catering through our preferred vendors. Arrange a photographer to capture the skyline at dusk. Our team handles the coordination; you handle the celebration.
Every charter departs with a USCG-licensed Master Captain — either arranged directly through us or, for larger groups, through our trusted partner New York Harbor Captains. Either way, you’re in professional, compliant hands.
Big Apple Charters is woman-owned and founder-led by Amal Salameh, based at Chelsea Piers. We are not a boat marketplace. We are not a booking platform that dispatches whoever is available. We are a hospitality company that happens to operate on the water, and we approach every charter the way a luxury concierge approaches every guest: with care, precision, and a commitment to making the occasion exceptional.
We’re the preferred charter of hotel concierges and VIP travel advisors across New York City — the operators who send their most discerning guests to us because they know we will not disappoint. That trust is earned, and we protect it on every departure.
Our team responds within the hour. Inquiries are personal, not automated. And every charter is planned with the same attention to detail regardless of group size.
Summer on the Hudson books quickly — particularly for weekends in July and August, holiday weekends, and sunset hours in general.
To reserve your date, visit bigapplecharters.com or call 212-401-4031. Our team will walk you through vessel options, rates, and any add-ons to make the charter exactly what you’re envisioning.
New York City in the summer is extraordinary. From the water, it’s unforgettable.
Begin Your Voyage
We'll be in touch personally and promptly.
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