Starlink Maritime for YachtsLEO satellite internet installed, optimised and backed up by 5G and VSAT.

Starlink has changed what a yacht can expect at anchor: high speeds and low latency from a low-earth-orbit (LEO) constellation, at a fraction of VSAT airtime costs. Getting the most out of it still depends on where the dish sits, which plan you run and how the network hands over to cellular and VSAT. That is what we do.

Request a Starlink audit Discuss your installation

Fast at anchor and under way
A dish placed with a clear view of the sky, commissioned and speed-tested, not just plugged in.
No manual switching
Automatic failover between Starlink, 4G/5G and VSAT, so the crew never has to touch the router.
The right plan at the right cost
Plan and data advice matched to your itinerary, with usage monitoring to avoid surprises.
The bridge keeps priority
Traffic rules that protect navigation, communications and crew operations when guests stream.

Site survey and installation

Where the Starlink terminal sits decides how well it works. We survey the mast, radar and satcom domes to find a position with an unobstructed view, then run cabling, power and mounting for a clean, marine-grade install.

Obstruction survey and antenna placement away from mast, radar and domes
Flat High Performance terminal mounting, cabling and PoE
Commissioning, firmware update and speed and latency tests at the quay
Integration with the existing onboard network and router

Plan and data advice

Starlink plans, allowed regions and priority data options change regularly. We check your cruising programme against current coverage and plan rules so the yacht stays connected and the invoice stays predictable.

Choice between standard and priority data for coastal and offshore use
Coverage and usage rules checked against your itinerary
Usage monitoring and alerts to control data costs
Account access documented and handed to the designated person

Failover and bonding with Peplink (Pepwave)

Near the coast, 4G/5G is often faster and cheaper than satellite. Offshore, Starlink leads, with VSAT as a guaranteed fallback. A Peplink router with WAN priorities and health checks moves traffic automatically between the three.

WAN priority and health-check configuration on Peplink (Pepwave) routers
Automatic hand-over to 4G/5G when approaching ports such as Monaco, Antibes or Cannes
VSAT kept as a backup link with contractual service levels
Bandwidth bonding and QoS where the router and licences allow it

Optimisation of an existing Starlink

Slow speeds or drop-outs at anchor usually have a cause we can find: an obstruction, a plan limit, double NAT behind the ship router, outdated firmware or a saturated Wi-Fi network downstream.

Obstruction map and dish relocation if needed
Bypass mode, double-NAT and DNS fixes behind the yacht router
Firmware updates and configuration backup
End-to-end tests from the dish to the guest’s phone

Monitoring and 24/7 support

Once the system is live, we keep an eye on it. Remote monitoring shows link status and usage, and an engineer is reachable around the clock by phone, email or WhatsApp.

24/7 remote support wherever the yacht is
Remote monitoring of Starlink, cellular and VSAT links
Documentation of the setup for captain, ETO and the next crew

Brand names on this site describe the equipment we work on. They do not imply any official partnership, certification or affiliation with the manufacturers.

FAQ

Questions captains ask us

Starlink or VSAT: which should a yacht run?

Starlink offers higher speeds and much lower airtime costs; VSAT offers contractual service levels and coverage where Starlink is restricted. Charter yachts and vessels with strict uptime needs usually run both with automatic failover. We help you choose based on your itinerary and budget.

Does Starlink work in the middle of the ocean?

Starlink coverage and permitted use depend on the plan and the region. Offshore use requires a suitable maritime or priority plan, and some countries restrict or do not yet allow service. We check your cruising programme against current coverage before you leave.

How do I fail over from Starlink to 5G when approaching Monaco or Antibes?

We configure the Peplink (Pepwave) router with WAN priorities and health checks. When the 4G/5G link is healthy and faster near the coast, traffic moves to it automatically; back at sea, it returns to Starlink. The crew does not switch anything by hand.

Why is my Starlink slow or dropping at anchor?

The usual causes are obstructions from the mast, radar or domes, a plan without priority data, double NAT behind the yacht router, outdated firmware or a saturated onboard Wi-Fi. A short diagnosis shows which one it is, and most are fixed the same visit.

Can we keep our existing VSAT?

Yes. Most yachts keep VSAT as a backup link with guaranteed service levels and run Starlink as the primary link. The router handles the hand-over automatically.

Contact

Get in touch

Tell us about the yacht and what you need. Onboard across the Côte d’Azur, from Saint-Tropez to Monaco. 24/7 remote support worldwide.

Request a Starlink audit

info@yachtlink.io

Phone

+33 7 56 96 96 93

Base

Côte d’Azur, France