Starlink Maritime for yachts, sailing vessels and superyachts: how it works, available plans, hardware specifications and professional installation.
What Starlink Maritime is, and why it changes everything
For decades, connectivity at sea meant compromise. Either you accepted the slow speeds and eye-watering invoices of conventional VSAT systems, or you simply disconnected when you left the range of coastal mobile networks. Starlink Maritime has fundamentally changed that equation.
Developed by SpaceX, Starlink Maritime is the version of the company’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network specifically designed for vessels underway. Unlike geostationary systems operating from 35,000 kilometres altitude, Starlink satellites orbit between 340 and 1,200 kilometres from Earth. The result: latencies that are incomparably lower and speeds no previous marine system had ever achieved.
For a yacht or ocean sailing vessel owner, this translates into something concrete: genuine internet aboard, without the sacrifices that previously seemed unavoidable.
The critical difference between Starlink Residential and Starlink Maritime
A common misconception is that Starlink Maritime is simply the home service installed on a boat. It is not.
Starlink Residential is designed for fixed antennas on land. The contract specifies an installation address, and the service may be suspended if detected outside that location. Using it aboard a moving vessel violates the terms of service and can result in degraded signal or account suspension.
Starlink Maritime is designed specifically to operate in motion, even under the most demanding open-ocean conditions. The principal differences:
| Feature | Starlink Residential | Starlink Maritime |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | Fixed (registered address) | Total — no movement restrictions |
| Coverage | Terrestrial | Global, including open ocean |
| Service priority | Standard | Priority over residential users |
| Hardware | Standard flat antenna | Reinforced marine antenna, rated for harsh conditions |
| Monthly fee | The consumer one | Higher, depending on the maritime plan |
| Uptime commitment | No specific guarantee | Superior availability commitment |
The Starlink Maritime antenna is also certified to withstand the vibrations, salt humidity and pitch and roll movements inherent to a vessel at sea. It is not an optional accessory — it is an integral part of the system.
Plan families in 2026
The operator’s catalogue changed on 27 August 2026. What decides the bill is the plan family, not the commercial name; exact names and terms come in the proposal.
Personal plans
Roam and, since 27/08/2026, “Personal Maritime” for non-commercial vessels under 40 ft. They cover territorial waters (up to 12 nm) and land; offshore, data is billed per GB (“Ocean Mode”, with a price rise announced for 27/09/2026). Built for small, privately used boats — not charter or superyachts.
- Speed: 50-220 Mbps
- Latency: 25-60 ms
- Recommended for: private owners sailing mostly in their own zone
Priority plans, regional or global
For yachts, charter, superyachts and vessels that cross oceans. Regional scope covers one zone (the Mediterranean, say); global has no geographic restriction — the option for ocean passages and circumnavigators. Offshore data is included within the contracted scope, and the whole-month pause (with an annual allowance) is requested through MaritLink.
- Speed: 50-220 Mbps
- Latency: 25-60 ms
- Recommended for: recreational yachts, superyachts, charter fleets, ocean sailing vessels on transatlantic or transpacific passages
The hardware: what installation includes
The Starlink Maritime kit includes:
- Flat High Performance Antenna — SpaceX’s marine antenna. Compact, low profile, with electronic satellite tracking (no moving parts). Dimensions: 59.5 × 38 cm.
- WiFi 6 Router — Starlink’s router, compatible with high-density user networks.
- Power and data cable — Designed for exterior installations with UV protection and salt resistance.
- Mounting plate — For installation on deck, mast or vessel structure.
The certified integrator we appoint can additionally integrate the antenna with the vessel’s network switch, onboard entertainment system and other connected devices, achieving a fully integrated and discreet installation.
Real speeds at sea: what to expect
SpaceX’s figures are honest, but it is worth understanding which factors influence real-world performance:
- Geographic position: Satellite density is highest over Europe and the Americas. In the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, performance typically exceeds 150 Mbps under normal conditions.
- Number of users aboard: The onboard network shares bandwidth. For superyachts with many simultaneous users, higher-capacity plans are essential.
- Extreme weather conditions: Heavy rain can temporarily reduce speed. This is normal behaviour for any satellite communications system.
- Antenna position: A professional installation ensures the antenna has unobstructed sky visibility. A mast or sail can interrupt the signal if the antenna is poorly positioned.
Under typical Mediterranean or North Atlantic conditions, yacht owners report speeds between 80 and 200 Mbps with latencies of 30-50 ms — more than sufficient for any professional or entertainment use aboard.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my plan if I navigate outside Europe?
Does Starlink function when the vessel is underway at cruising speed?
Can I pause the service when the vessel is ashore or laid up?
What happens if there is a technical issue with the antenna offshore?
Considering Starlink for your vessel? See our Starlink for yachts guide — hardware, plans and professional installation — or review the Starlink Maritime pricing page and request a private consultation with no obligation.
Weighing up satellite for your boat? We'll put the proposal in writing: hardware, plan and installation.
Request a proposal