All roles/Specialist crew/Governess
Specialist crew
Governess
A governess educates and guides the owner's children on board, running a structured school programme around the yacht's itinerary so the children keep up academically and the family can travel without interrupting their education.
- Department
- Specialist crew
- Reports to
- Principal family, with day to day coordination through the Captain
- Yacht size
- 50m+
- Contract
- Permanent, travelling with the family
- Starting pay
- €5,000 per month
What the job is
A governess is a qualified teacher who lives on board and takes charge of the owner's children's education and development. On a superyacht that means turning a cabin or quiet saloon into a classroom, following a recognised curriculum such as the British National Curriculum or the IB, and keeping school standards while the yacht moves between countries. You are hired by the family, often through their family office, and you usually travel with them between homes as well as the yacht.
The role goes beyond lessons. You plan the children's whole day, from homework and reading to swimming, music practice and screen time rules. You work with their schools ashore, set work during holidays and prepare them for exams or entry tests. Families expect manners, languages and cultural learning too, so a visit to a fishing village or a museum in Palma becomes part of the timetable. You often work alongside a nanny, who handles younger siblings and physical care.
On board you are part of the crew but sit slightly apart from the departments. You coordinate with the Captain on safety briefings and tender trips, with the chef on children's meals and allergies, and with the interior on schedules. Discretion is essential. You see the family at close quarters and must keep their private life private. Days are long during owner trips, with time off agreed in advance and often taken when the children are back at school ashore.
What makes a good one
- Curriculum planning on the move
- Classroom management one to one
- Absolute discretion
- Calm authority with children
- Clear communication with parents
A day in the life
- 07:00Wake the two children, check they are dressed and join them for breakfast in the family dining area while you go over the day's plan.
- 08:30Morning lessons in the converted study on the bridge deck. Maths and English for the older child, phonics and reading for the younger one, following the plan sent by their London school.
- 10:30Break on the sundeck with fruit from the galley. A short French conversation session with the parents, who want the children to practise at every meal.
- 11:00Science lesson on marine life, using the yacht's snorkelling gear list and a briefing from the bosun about the bay where the yacht is anchored.
- 12:30Lunch with the family on the aft deck. Confirm the afternoon tender trip with the Chief Officer and check allergy notes with the head chef for the picnic.
- 14:00Supervised snorkelling off the beach club with a deckhand watching from the tender. You note the fish they spot for tomorrow's writing task.
- 16:30Homework and music practice in the study. Send a short progress update to the mother and to the school's class teacher by email.
- 19:00Early supper for the children, bath and reading time, then lights out at 20:30 while the adults dine on deck.
- 21:00Prepare tomorrow's lessons, print worksheets in the crew office and agree the next day's timings with the Captain as the yacht moves to Ibiza overnight.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for a qualified governess on a private yacht of 50m+, usually paid by the family or family office in EUR or USD. Accommodation, food, flights and often health cover included. Charter tips rarely apply as most roles are with private owners, but discretionary bonuses are common.
- France and Monaco
- €5,000 – 8,500
- Spain
- €5,000 – 8,500
- Italy
- €5,000 – 8,500
- United Kingdom
- £4,300 – 7,300
- USA (Florida)
- US$5,500 – 9,200
- Caribbean
- US$5,500 – 9,200
- UAE
- US$5,500 – 9,200
- Australia
- A$8,500 – 14,000
- New Zealand
- NZ$9,300 – 15,500
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS or equivalent)
- Enhanced criminal record check (DBS or equivalent)
- Paediatric First Aid
Recommended
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- Medical First Aid
- Safeguarding and child protection training
- CELTA or TEFL
- Fluency in a second language
- Food Safety Level 2
Visas
- Schengen
- US B1/B2 or C1/D
- Australian MCV
- Right to travel with the family on their home country arrangements
Where it leads
Governess jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Do I need to be a qualified teacher to work as a governess on a yacht?
Yes, in almost all cases. Families expect a recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE or QTS and classroom experience, often with a particular curriculum or age group.
Will I only work on the yacht?
Rarely. Most governesses are employed by the family and travel between their homes, the yacht and holidays, so expect to spend part of the year ashore.
How much time off do I get?
It depends on the family. Time off is usually agreed in your contract, often a set number of weeks a year taken when the children are at school or with relatives, with long days during owner trips.