Valentine’s Day has evolved beyond dinners and flowers into a time where couples are increasingly seeking out meaningful experiences, including travel. Contemporary travel data indicates a pronounced interest in Valentine’s Day getaways, especially to romantic coastal cities and seaside locales. This is particularly true for couples who do not have children, seeing as February is considered an off-peak time to travel, with cheaper flights and better deals on accommodations.

According to travel analytics firms, searches and bookings for romantic trips increase significantly around Valentine’s Day, with flight itineraries rising nearly 45% year-over-year as couples plan escapes to sun-soaked destinations. Americans primarily travel within the United States over the February holiday, with 77% planning domestic trips while the other 23% venture abroad.

While many couples still simply dine or stay home, a growing, measurable segment opts for couples getaways during Valentine’s Day. In consumer travel surveys, approximately 9% of American respondents cited traveling as their planned Valentine’s Day activity.

About This Report

This report analyzes booking data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat charter booking platform. It examines the most popular cities for yacht charters over the 2026 Valentine’s Day weekend dates. Below, we rank the top 10 romantic destinations where sailing, yachting, and seaside ambience intersect with romantic travel demand.

Top 10 Romantic Coastal Cities for Valentine’s Day Yacht Trips

1. Miami, Florida (USA)

Miami is a top romantic city for Valentine’s Day getaways, combining warm winter temperatures with calm waters, ideal for romantic yacht charters. Its robust marina infrastructure supports luxury and mid-range vessels, making it easy to arrange a captained yacht experience for a Valentine’s Day getaway. Glide past the iconic skylines at sunset and enjoy a champagne toast with your partner on board.

There are also many top-rated waterfront restaurants in Miami, most offering boat slips so you can enjoy the “dock and dine” experience of pulling your yacht up to a restaurant and enjoying a romantic dinner next to the water.

Key Indicators:

  • High search demand in early February for couples’ travel.
  • Domestic accessibility for U.S. travelers looking for a quick but high-impact Valentine’s Day vacation.

Romantic Value: Sunset cruises in Biscayne Bay, skyline views, high-end dining seaside at waterfront restaurants with dock slips.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Enjoy this "Pink Lady" yacht in Miami, or this sleek Van Dutch luxury yacht.

2. Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Fajardo is the recreational boating hub of Puerto Rico, notable for Caribbean waters that favor smooth sailing and offering an abundance of yacht charters. Here you are in proximity to an especially unique romantic experience —the bioluminescent bays. These bays light up with plankton that glow in the dark, a truly incredible feat of nature to experience with your significant other.

Fajardo is a great destination for couples who value experiences over material gifts, and those seeking both adventure and intimacy.

Romantic Value: Bioluminescent night sails, day trips to pristine islands, and snorkeling.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Relax and sail away on this catamaran charter or book a nighttime bioluminescent bay kayak tour for two.

3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Known for its own “Lovers Beach,” Cabo San Lucas blends dramatic Pacific coastlines with world-class yacht charters. Its iconic rock formations and calm bay offer a melodious setting for a couple's getaway over Valentine’s Day. Cabo frequently appears in tourism surveys and articles as a top destination for romantic escapes during February.

Romantic Value: Sunset cruises, whale-watching (seasonally), secluded coves for snorkeling and swimming.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Try this Sunseeker yacht for a private cruise to Lover's Beach or book this epic power catamaran with an open bar included.

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta ranks highly for boating and yachting, with catamarans and motor yachts available for private bookings. The calm waters of Banderas Bay and vibrant coastal ambience make it a romantic destination that balances exploration with comfort. It’s also a popular spot for LGBT+ couples, thanks to the accepting culture and abundance of gay bars in the city. There’s even a “Zona Romantica” or romantic neighborhood, noted for cobblestone streets, romantic restaurants, and nightlife.

Romantic Value: Protected waters, a vibrant food and arts scene, beachside promenades.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Relax onboard a luxury sailing catamaran or cruise on this stunning motor yacht that comes with jet skis included.

5. Cancún, Mexico

Cancún’s popularity spikes around Valentine’s Day, with travelers favoring its turquoise waters and all-inclusive resorts. Its yachting services support private charters, beach dinners, and snorkeling excursions, making it one of the most accessible places to go for Valentine’s Day outside the U.S.

Romantic Value: Barrier reef views, coral cay excursions, luxury over-water experiences.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: For a unique boating experience, consider this Corvette jet car boat in Cancún.

6. Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena’s historic city walls meet expansive Caribbean waters, where sailing catamarans and charter yachts create a fusion of culture and coastal romance. With one of the largest listings of vessels in the region, it’s an emerging favorite for nautical travel. It’s a top destination for romantic travel, standing out as a top spot for honeymoons as well as destination weddings.

Romantic Value: Colonial architecture backdrop, intimate water journeys to the Rosario Islands.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Explore the Rosario Islands from Cartagena on this gorgeous private yacht.

7. San Pedro, Belize

San Pedro on Ambergris Caye invites couples to explore Belize’s reef-lined waters aboard sailboats or motor yachts. While statistical tourism data for Valentine’s Day specifically are limited, demand for snorkeling and reef access remains strong during February.

Romantic Value: Remote beaches, coral gardens, eco-focused sailing.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Enjoy a private sailing catamaran to explore and snorkel in Belize.

8. Nassau, The Bahamas

Nassau pairs classic Caribbean allure with chartered sailing opportunities around the stunning islands and cays of The Bahamas. Its proximity to Florida makes it a convenient long weekend Valentine’s Day getaway option where couples can trade snow for sea.

Romantic Value: Island-hopping, blue lagoon sails, private beach dinners.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: For the ultimate, luxury yachting experience, book this epic 102' Hatteras Yacht in Nassau.

9. Long Beach, California (USA)

Long Beach serves as an accessible West Coast port for California couples. The city is known for offering romance in the form of intimate dining experiences at top restaurants, gondola rides around Naples Island, cocktails onboard the Queen Mary, and unforgettable beachfront sunset views. Yacht charters in Long Beach are popular for cruising the coastline, providing scenic views of Catalina Island. Enjoy mild February conditions and fewer crowds at the top spots in Long Beach over Valentine’s Day weekend.

Romantic Value: Pacific sunsets, harbor cruises, proximity to L.A. nightlife.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: Book an electric Duffy boat in Long Beach to slow down and connect with your partner on the water.

10. Cape Coral, Florida (USA)

Cape Coral, known for its extensive canal network and calm waters, offers a quieter but highly scenic couples’ getaway anchored in nature and privacy. Yacht charters here cater to romantic escapes focused on tranquility rather than spectacle. Enjoy a stunning sunset or a romantic waterfront meal after a day of cruising the canals by private yacht or on a kayak tour.

Romantic Value: Quiet canals, sunset anchoring, private coastal retreat.

Top Yachts for a Romantic Cruise: See the dolphins and a beautiful sunset in Cape Coral onboard this classic motor yacht.

Behavioral Context: Do People Actually Take Valentine’s Day Vacations?

According to travel data from Allianz Partner USA, 2025 showed a 42% uplift in travel planning leading up to February 14th compared to the year prior. Another study by Travelocity revealed that 56% of couples agreed that travel helps to keep romantic sparks alive, further supporting interest in romantic getaways during the Valentine’s Day weekend. Flight itineraries around this holiday also increase significantly, with domestic and international trip interest primarily focused on warm destinations.

Survey data also noted that traveling was among preferred Valentine’s Day activities for a modest but meaningful segment of couples, with about 9% of respondents in a YouGov study indicating that travel is how they’d most like to spend the day.

Conclusions

The convergence of coastal tourism, boating infrastructure, and peak seasonal demand makes yacht-based travel as a compelling Valentine’s Day experience gift. It’s ideal for couples who prioritize experiential travel rather than traditional material gifting. Destinations such as Miami, Mexico’s Pacific and Caribbean resort cities, and Caribbean ports including Fajardo, Nassau, and Cartagena offer a strong combination of accessibility, nautical amenities, and scenic appeal, making them well suited for meaningful Valentine’s Day yacht getaways.

In a broader tourism context, despite a larger population electing to celebrate Valentine’s Day without travel, a targeted group of couples leverages this holiday for a deeper connection through shared travel and yachting adventures, reinforcing the viability of yachting as a romantic getaway over Valentine’s Day.

About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.