Starlink on a Boat - A Liveaboard Cruiser's Honest Review

For years, getting reliable internet on a boat was a mix of cellular juggling, expensive satellite plans, and good old-fashioned frustration. Then Starlink came along and flipped the script. Suddenly, liveaboard sailors could stream, work remotely, and stay connected like never before.

We installed Starlink on our boat in early 2023 and have been using non-stop every since. From our experience, here's my review on using Starlink aboard a boat.

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What is Starlink for boats?

Starting with the basics, Starlink is a satellite internet system from SpaceX that uses the company's low-orbit satellite array to provide high speed internet. Customers choose a Starlink dish to receive signal, and a service monthly plan with the main options being for Residential or Roam.

Which hardware and plan is right for you depends on your circumstances, and to help I have a whole write up on it for boats, which includes information about the cost. Personally we have had a High Performance dish, then a Starlink Mini, both on the Roam Plan. The plans do change every year or so, so it's worth keeping on top of the latest offering.

Starlink coverage for sailors

Starlink coverage is varies depending on your plan and location, but functionally it works worldwide. To find out which countries currently allow service, you can check the Starlink coverage map.

• Land and coastal use is included for supported countries

• Anecdotally, the Roam plan works in countries where it's "not available" for around 2 months before service is cut off

• Offshore, Starlink works if you have a plan that allows it or have Ocean Mode turned on

Some link are affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase, I get a commission.

How well does Starlink work on a boat?

Starting with coastal performance, we've found that Starlink works as well on land as it does on the water. Right now we're sitting in a bay off the coast of Saint Martin and our Starlink Mini is achieving speeds of 121 Mbps download, 22 Mbps upload and 56ms of latency. You can read my complete Starlink Mini review here.

At sea, which is usually more than 10 NM offshore, Starlink only works if you have Ocean Mode enabled. When it is, the performance is unaffected. We recently sailed from Trinidad to St Martin, and were able to check the weather, download emails and even stream video content with no noticeable different in speed or performance. We did this by turning the Ocean Mode toggle "on", a feature that's available for Roam account users.

Impact of weather on Starlink performance

Like many users we've found that heavy tropical rainstorms can cause temporary disruptions, although the service typically recovers as soon as the rain stops or lightens up.

Installation and setup on a boat

Installing Starlink on a moving vessel is a little different than setting it up in a backyard, with proper mounting and power management making all the difference.

For both the Starlink Mini and High Performance dish we used the OEM wedge mount, and installed it on the roof towards the front of the boat. We've had no issues with obstructions there, although you can tell where the mast is.

Starlink units come with a 100-240V (50-60 Hz) power connection as standard, with the Starlink Mini also having native DC. The low power consumption and native DC power were among the reasons we switched to the Mini, so if you're considering that dish I suggest you read my Starlink Mini review here.

How much does Starlink for boats cost?

This is something I've delved into in detail in my break down of the plans, dishes and what it costs, but in essence the cost depends on your service address, and the plan and dish you choose.

Starlink hardware is a one-off cost, with the High Performance dishes being significantly more expensive than the Standard or Mini dishes. More and more cruisers are favoring the Starlink Mini, which can be purchased directly from Starlink, or through authorised sellers like West Marine.

Subscriptions are run through Starlink, even if you buy the dish from another seller or second-hand. The fees for US based service addresses start at around $165 USD and can run into the thousands of dollars. That said, when compared to much slower satellite internet plans, like Iridium, it can represent good value.

There is some variation in the cost of plans between countries. To take advantage of this, some cruisers transfer their service address to a cheaper location by "selling" the dish to themselves.

Starlink has a referral program so if you use this link to sign up for a Residential or Roam Unlimited plan, you could get 1 month free and so would we!

Pros and cons of having Starlink on a boat

Thinking back on our experiences and conversations with other cruisers, here's my take on the positives and negatives of having Starlink on a boat.

Pros of Starlink	Cons of Starlink
Provides access to high speed, low latency internet that opens up possibilities for work, play, marine systems and onboard safety Works as well-offshore as it does coastal or inland Able to pause the plans on a monthly basis when not in use Cheaper than legacy satellite internet options	Plans and conditions have a tendency to be changed by SpaceX at will Power consumption may be high compared to the capacity of your electrical system Can be more expensive than local SIM card options for coastal cruisers

Is Starlink the best internet for liveaboard sailors?

Starlink has completely changed how cruisers access the internet and for many, it's a non-negotiable part of their set-up.

• Best For: Sailors who need high-speed internet for work, streaming, and staying connected, especially near shore and when travelling internationally.

• Not Ideal If: You have strict power or budget limitations.

For us, Starlink represents is the best option available right now. Between 3 people we use around 500 Gb per month and there's no other service than comes close to being able to provide that to us as international liveaboard cruisers.