Westmont, Illinois sits a short drive from the shoreline energy of Chicago, and for travelers seeking a refined water experience the city’s private charters open Lake Michigan in a new light.
This guide gathers luxury private yacht and sailing charters that operate from downtown marinas and Navy Pier. Operators offer everything from four-hour sail-and-swim trips to evening fireworks cruises and multi-hour Italian-yacht charters with room for a dozen guests. Vessels include motor yachts and 37' luxury sailing yachts, each with refrigeration, sound systems and provisions for on-water swimming and celebrations.
Practical details matter: captains are arranged separately for some vessels, gratuities are often not included, and weather can trigger full refunds under operator policies. Below are curated choices, a comparison table to match a boat to your group, and planning checks to ensure a smooth day on Lake Michigan.
The six experiences at a glance
| Experience | Format | Duration | Strongest fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BellaItalian yacht cruising & swim stops | Luxury yacht charter | 3–6 hours | Large-group celebrations and skyline cruises |
| 62’ Azimut CheckmateHigh-performance Italian motor yacht | Luxury yacht charter | 4–6 hours | Sunset cruising with ample sundeck space |
| Sail & Swim Playpen37' yacht, Playpen swim anchorage | Private sailing charter | 4 hours | Active swim-and-sail outings for small groups |
| Rose Marie47' Carver: sporty hardtop cruiser | Luxury yacht charter | 3–6 hours | Fast cruising with comfortable accommodations |
| Pier Pressure47' Carver with roomy layout | Luxury yacht charter | 3–6 hours | Daytime parties and coastal cruising |
| Navy Pier Fireworks CruiseSunset sail with fireworks viewing | Private fireworks cruise | 3 hours | Romantic evenings and skyline photo ops |
01 · Best for groups
Bella — an Italian yacht that hosts a party
Bella is presented as a sought-after Italian yacht available for private charters from Chicago marinas. The operator lists charters of three to six hours on weekdays and four to six hours on weekends, making the boat suitable for mid-day swims or evening skyline cruises. The vessel accommodates up to 13 passengers and emphasizes a social atmosphere: multiple refrigeration options, an ice chest, a powerful Bluetooth Sonos sound system and a large forward sundeck. The yacht’s swim platform and onboard amenities make it a natural choice for celebratory outings — bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events are all named uses.
Important booking notes are provided by the operator: captain fees and gratuity are not included and captains must meet USCG regulations. The yacht meets Coast Guard safety requirements and holds required permits and insurance. Guests are advised to bring towels, sunscreen, food and drinks (alcohol is allowed) and personal music devices for Bluetooth hookup; the operator will provide a vetted list of captains upon booking.
View the full experience details02 · Best for performance cruising
62’ Azimut “Checkmate” — Italianship with presence
The 62’ Azimut, marketed as “Checkmate,” is another Italian-built motor yacht positioned for private charters and multi-hour excursions on Lake Michigan. The operator offers four- to six-hour charters and the yacht shares the same guest capacity profile as other luxury listings: room for up to 13 passengers, a full kitchen and two bathrooms. The vessel’s sizeable sundeck, swim platform and powerful audio system make it ideal for groups who want to split time between cruising and sun-soaked relaxation.
As with sister vessels, captain fees and tips are handled separately from the charter price; operators provide a vetted list of captains rather than supplying one directly. Guests should prepare towels, sunscreen and provisions—alcohol is permitted—and expect standard USCG safety compliance and necessary insurance and permits as noted by the operator.
View the full experience details03 · Best for swim-and-sail
Sail & Swim Playpen Charter — a hands-on Lake Michigan day
This four-hour private charter departs from Navy Pier Marina and centers on a classic Lake Michigan experience: a sail to the Playpen for swimming, floating and relaxed social time aboard a meticulously maintained 37' sailing yacht. The operator supplies a USCG-certified captain trained in First Aid and CPR and provides complimentary snacks, beverages and a fridge with ice. Guests can use life jackets, noodles and assorted floatation toys for anchored swim sessions; BYOB or operator-provided drink packages and catering are available for an additional fee.
The listing notes practical restrictions: the experience is not recommended for people with impaired mobility and some mobility is required to board the boat. Weather-related cancellations (lightning or high wind) qualify for full refunds when made in advance. Meeting point information is provided as Navy Pier Marina, and a waiver is required for participation; the operator offers staggered group-size options (up to 7 or up to 12) to fit different party sizes.
View the full experience details04 · Best for fast coastal runs
Rose Marie — sporty 47' Carver for comfortable speed
The 47' Carver Rose Marie is promoted as a modern, sporty hardtop cruiser capable of comfortable high-speed runs—operators note cruising speeds around 24 knots with higher potential top speeds. The boat is configured for social outings with a full kitchen, two bathrooms and a strong Bluetooth sound system; refrigeration and coolers keep refreshments on hand. Charters are offered in three- to six-hour blocks on weekdays and slightly longer blocks on weekends, making the vessel well suited to either a daytime coastal run or an evening skyline trip.
Booking notes mirror other listings: captain fees are separate, gratuity is customarily expected (20% is cited as standard for some vessels), and the operator provides a pre-approved list of captains. Guests should come prepared with towels, sunscreen and provisions for onboard dining and music connections.
View the full experience details05 · Best for daytime parties
Pier Pressure — roomy 47' Carver for gatherings
Pier Pressure is a 47' Carver configured to host groups comfortably for daytime or evening charters. Like the Rose Marie, the Carver hull offers a blend of speed and onboard comfort, with a full kitchen, dual bathrooms and a powerful audio system. The operator markets the vessel for parties and cruises where guests can alternate between sunning on deck and socializing in the cabin spaces.
Charters run three to six hours on weekdays and longer on weekends. Captain and gratuity policies are handled apart from the charter fee; operators supply a vetted list of captains for hire. Guests are advised to bring towels, sunscreen and their preferred food and drink—alcohol is allowed aboard most vessels per operator notes.
View the full experience details06 · Best for evenings
Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise — sunset, skyline, spectacle
The Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise is a three-hour private outing designed to place guests within close view of the Navy Pier fireworks display. Departing from Navy Pier Marina, the S/V Dragonfly or similar 37' luxury sailing yacht provides a USCG-certified captain, complimentary ice, snacks and a BYO or purchase-onboard drink option. The operator highlights sunset sailing, skyline photography opportunities and the option to anchor and swim on warm nights.
The experience is promoted as ideal for birthdays and anniversaries where the combination of sunset, music and a fireworks finale creates a memorable evening. As with other operators, weather-related cancellations due to lightning or high winds are eligible for full refunds; the listing recommends confirming meeting-point instructions provided at booking and notes that some mobility is required to board.
View the full experience detailsHow to choose
Match the trip to the story you want from the destination
Choose the vessel that fits your group size, activity and mood — from lively daytime parties to intimate sunset sails and swim stops at the Playpen.
Before you go
Four practical planning checks
Many listings note the captain’s fee is separate and that operators supply vetted captains. Ask who handles captain payment and tip expectations before booking.
Operators list weather-related cancellation terms—lightning or high winds often trigger full refunds. Verify cutoffs and refund windows when you reserve.
Bring towels, sunscreen and any preferred food or drink. Several operators allow alcohol but recommend provisioning it yourself or choosing an onboard package.
Meeting points are typically Navy Pier Marina for sail departures; confirm marina access instructions and any mobility considerations ahead of time.
Frequently asked questions
Planning a luxury experience
How far is this from Westmont, Illinois?+
Westmont sits inland from Chicago; the marinas and Navy Pier departures featured here are accessed via a short drive into downtown Chicago. Confirm travel time by your chosen route.
Are captains included with the charter?+
Some operators supply a vetted list of captains while others require you to arrange a captain; captain fees are often separate from the charter price.
Can we swim from the boat?+
Yes—several listings highlight swim stops at the Playpen or warm-night anchor swims. Operators provide life jackets and floatation aids but check mobility requirements.
What happens in bad weather?+
Operators typically cancel for lightning or unsafe winds and offer full refunds for weather-related cancellations when policies are met.
How this guide was prepared
Listings and vessel descriptions were compiled directly from the operator-provided text and structured details supplied to The Adventure Collective. We preserved stated capacities, amenity lists and cancellation/disclaimer language as provided by the suppliers. Availability and booking links were included verbatim from operator embeds.
For Westmont travelers seeking an elevated day or evening on Lake Michigan, Chicago’s private charters deliver a range of experiences: high-speed Italian motor yachts, intimate sailing yachts for swim stops, and timed fireworks sails for dramatic evenings.
Confirm captain arrangements, weather policies and onboard provisions on each booking page, and choose the vessel that matches your group size and the mood you want to create on the water.