Guide to Satellite Internet for Boats
Staying connected when you're far from shore, sometimes miles or even hundreds of miles away, presents many challenges. The main issue is distance, which requires larger and more complex satellites to transmit data. Additionally, boats are always moving, and satellite connections usually need a stable location, which is difficult on a moving vessel. As a result, getting a reliable setup with a strong signal can be quite expensive.
When cruising near the coast or offshore, internet access is essential for finding services like fuel, marinas, food, and other necessities.
Boat Internet: How It Works
The way the internet works on boats and yachts is different from how it works on land, and this difference depends on how far you are from the shore. There are satellite services available that allow boaters to stay connected for messaging, phone calls, internet browsing, and even watching HDTV. Equipment has been adapted to work on moving vessels, and those who are willing to pay can find many options to stay connected.
Satellite dishes from various manufacturers offer both hardware and monthly data plans, similar to a cell phone or regular internet service. However, for those not travelling far from shore, signal boosters are available, although they have limits. For boaters who want reliable, expansive coverage, satellite internet is the only way to go.
Before Starlink, boaters mostly relied on very limited cell service at sea. Signals on individual cell phones are weak out on the water, but using portable hotspots or wireless routers like Wave WiFi’s MBR 550 can help improve the signal, although coverage still remains unreliable.
Starlink for Boats:
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system, launched in 2019 and now widely available, has changed how boaters stay connected. Starlink provides much better internet speeds and signal strength even while the boat is moving. This system works particularly well offshore, where cellular and WiFi signals are no longer reliable. Starlink can also connect multiple devices on the boat by using an optional Ethernet Adapter.
The cost of Starlink equipment for boats starts at around $1,500 for basic systems, but custom setups with global coverage can cost as much as $50,000 or more.
Your Connection Options and Costs:
Land-Based WiFi: If you’re docked near land, the most affordable option is to use the WiFi provided by the marina, harbour, or port where your boat is located. Sometimes, this WiFi is free. However, during peak times, the connection may be weak, especially if you are below deck. A WiFi booster like the Digital Yacht WL510 can help strengthen the connection, providing coverage up to 10 kilometres, which is ideal for boosting weak connections at marinas. You can click here to check the booster.
Starlink: Starlink’s satellite internet system works via a series of orbiting satellites that provide coverage to boaters. There are various ways to set up Starlink on a boat, depending on the vessel’s size and requirements. Wave WiFi offers hardware solutions that work seamlessly with Starlink and other satellite providers. The cost for a marine satellite system can be high, with equipment often costing $5,000, and monthly service fees can also be as high as $5,000 for global coverage with speeds up to 350 Mbps.
Cellular Data: If you're close to shore, you can use your smartphone as a hotspot to share your cell data with other devices on the boat. This is a cost-effective option but only works as long as you are within range of a cell tower. Once you're about 10-15 miles from shore, you’ll lose the signal. For improving weak 4G signals, devices like MailASail’s Roam-Free 4-Gateway (starting from $479) can boost your connection significantly. You can click here to check the technical specs of the product.
Marine WiFi Systems: If multiple users need internet access on board, marine WiFi systems like WebBoat’s 4G Plus router (costing around $760) can support up to 24 devices, offering a range of about 20 miles from shore. This router can automatically switch to marina WiFi when you’re near shore to keep costs down.
Fixed Satellite Systems: For those venturing far offshore, satellite systems are necessary. These systems can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000, and they come with high data usage fees. You could pay up to $0.50 per megabyte, so 4GB of data could cost around $2,000. Basic satellite plans are available for about $50 per month, but more advanced plans for large data needs can cost $1,000 or more per month.
BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network): An alternative to satellite dishes, BGANs are portable systems that create a mobile hotspot on your boat. These systems are typically used with a satellite network. The Inmarsat BGAN Explorer starts at $2,495 and offers up to 464 kbps of speed. The downside is that the data plans are expensive, with basic plans starting at $70 per month for just 5MB of data. Extra data usage is charged at $6.36 per MB.
Common Questions:
Can I Watch Netflix on a Boat? Streaming shows on platforms like Netflix can use a lot of data. For example, watching a 1-hour show in standard definition (SD) uses about 1GB of data, while HD uses about 3GB, and 4K uses around 7.3GB per hour. This can quickly eat up your data plan, so it’s important to adjust video quality settings to avoid overuse.
Why Is Marine Internet So Expensive? Internet at sea is more costly because larger, more powerful satellites are needed to cover vast, hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, satellite internet requires a stable connection, which is hard to maintain on a constantly moving boat. These challenges contribute to the high costs.
How Much Data Do I Need? Your data needs will depend on how you plan to use the internet. For example, 1GB of data is enough to stream an hour of SD video, 3GB for HD, and 7.3GB for 4K. If you plan to use the internet for more than basic browsing, it’s important to choose a plan with enough data.
The Final Call:
You can experience a home-like internet connection while on the water, but you must be prepared to pay for it. Budget-friendly options are available, but for premium data plans with high-speed internet for browsing, streaming, and entertainment, you may need to spend upwards of $2,000 a month. Before making your decision, think carefully about your needs and choose a plan that provides the internet speed and coverage you require at a price you can afford.
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