In this day and age, it’sbecoming ever more difficult to “disconnect” from it all…We need access to the our news… emails… work… maybe even the occasional Facebook.And if we don’t have this access? Wecan feel stressed or anxious.
When boating, a time when we are meant to be worryfree… as much as we probably need it, wemaynot want to fully disconnect.
And if cruising with the family, your internet demands willundoubtedly be even higher…
A combination of Netflix, YouTube, or HBOGO now may be added to your list of boat internet requirements. But no worries. Whatever your price range and internet requirements are, there are ways to stay connected while out at sea. I will provide with you with some internet solutions to stay connected while out cruising, as well as some recommended devices to support each option.
Your three main options for onboard internet, at least for full boat internet access as is needed to stream shows and movies, are:
- Connecting with marina WiFi
- Using and amplifying cellular data
- Satellite
I will go into each of these solutions, as well as their pros and cons, below.
Note:Note, if looking to purchase the different components needed to set up internet on your boat, including components to boost cell and wifi signal, see here: Marine Wifi Boosters – Marine Cell Signal Boosters.For specialized help getting what you need to set up internet on your boat,contact us here.
If close enough to shore, most marinas provide WiFi, butto varying degrees of signal quality.
An issue with marina WiFi signal, evenwhen at its strongest, is that when pulling away from the marina, the WiFi signal can quickly diminish. This is where a WiFi antenna / extender can come into play, and help strengthen the signal for longer.
As to thedistance that a WiFi signal can be strengthened using a WiFi extender, be wary of a product manufacturer’s claims. A strong hotspot signal, good whether conditions, low interference and a direct-line-of-site are necessary to reach the max distances claimed. But regardless of any possible discrepancies between max distances claimed and actual range provided,WiFi signal range is generally greatly improved with an extender.
I will share a couple of popular models of marine WiFi antennas and extenders. Bear in mind, setting up internet anywhere is not always a simple task, and even more so on a boat, so some extra equipment may be necessary to complete your installation. However, this will give you a basic idea of what you’ll need for boat internet using WiFi.
Note: Should you need more detailed instructions as to what equipmentyou need and actually setting up your system, feel free to contact usor chat with us below, and one of our electronics specialistswill help you complete your on-boardinternet connection. Also, feel free to click on any of the links in the products below to take you to the products for purchase, if interested.
Shakespeare WiFi2 WebWhip Long-Ranged Wi-Fi Receiver WITH Weatherproof Metal Housing – $309.00
The Shakespeare WiFi2 WebWhip – a fully integrated and waterproof Wi-Fi antenna, radio and router – increases the coverage of public hotspots by up to to 7 miles by creating a local Wi-Fi hotspot with any standard Wi-Fi router. Access the internet onboard directly through LAN or wirelessly. Manage the network without any software installation through any device with a web browser. 100+ Mbps throughput.
Wave WiFi Rogue ProWiFi Extender – Starting at $439.00 (Single Band)
The easy-to-mount, marinized Rogue Wave Pro by Wave Wifi can be connected directly to any WAN ethernet enabled device, router or switch. When connected to a wireless router, the Rogue Wave Pro DB provides Internet connectivity for numerous wireless devices aboard the boat. There is no software installation and all operation is web-based.
Wave WiFi Rogue Pro productsare said to provideoutstanding performance because of the firmware embedded in each unit that permits the user to scan for hotspots and provides a detailed diagnostic of the quality of each signal. 7 mile range in optimum conditions. Connects to both2.4ghz and 5ghz marina networks.
WaveHigh Performance WiFi Access System – Starting at $1,879.00 (Single Band)
Wave EC-HP High Performance Wifi Booster produces the highest allowable output power of 1 Watt allowing WiFi signals to be received up to 12 miles from a solid hotspot with direct line of site. It also allows a wireless hotspot to be created around the vessel. It is an ethernet converter (EC) so a direct connection can be made to any ethernet enabled device, resulting in flawless performance as a standalone system or integrated into the boat’s network. The built-in amplifier supplies maximum receive sensitivity (-107dBm @ 11Mb/s). Includes antenna and cables.
The Wave EC-ER (Extended Range) is available at a lower starting price of $1,129.00, and still provides a major 800mW boost in signal (estimated 10 miles).
Once out the range of a WiFi hotspot, you can switch over to a cell phone’s data/LTE plan, and boost the signal even further with a cellular booster. You can access cell internet on your boat for as far out as 8 – 10 miles from shore.
This method of providing boat internet via a cell company’s data plan generally comprises of the following pieces of equipment:
- Sim card –Sim cards may be purchased in several different ways. Your own cell company may allow you to “add a line” for little cost, and just get a bigger data plan that fits what you need. Certain companies have data plans for regional areas, so you may wish to consider purchasing a sim card for that specific area. Others have international data plans and rates. More on that below.
- Modem that can read sim cards
- Marine cellular antenna to better receive the signal
- Cellular signal amplifier to amplify the strength of the cell signal
Whether you have a WiFi or cell connection, you will need a router to “route” the internet to your devices. Many routers allow you to automatically switch between WiFi and cell connection, based on availability, giving priority to the WiFi. More on that below as well.
Recommended cellular signal boosters and parts:
Digital 4′ Cellular 9DB Dual BandCellular & WLAN Antenna (1183-CW) – $249.00
Digital Antenna’s dual band cellular antennas improve signals on cellular (824-894 MHz) and PCS (1850-1990 MHz) bands. They are omni-directional, transmitting and receiving signals from all directions, which provides you with 10 times the signal strength of a cell phone used by itself.With a powerful 9dB gain and professional marine grade construction, these 4′ cellular antennas deliver high performance that will last for years. Each antenna is designed for easy connection to your cell phone or cell signal amplifier.
Digital Antenna 4′ Dual Band Cell Antenna (1183-CW) comes witha collet ferrule to ensure no cable twisting and allows the antenna to be removed when needed. A tapered collet securely locks the Digital Antenna’s 1183-CW Antenna to the bottom ferrule which mounts standard 1″-14 threads.Made in the US with 316 surgical stainless, UV stable high gloss finish and precision soldered components. Sleek, rugged design.
Shakespeare SuperHALO Cellular Booster Kit (Antenna & Amplifier) – $1,059.00
The Shakespeare SuperHALO Cellular Booster Kit is a marine grade 2G, 3G, 4G and LTE voice and data cellular reception solution. Its 5-band compatibility makes it compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks. The Super HALO is optimized to boost cellular reception for your boat with support of 10+ users simultaneously and an indoor antenna to direct the signal where you really need it. High quality metal construction so it is durable and resilient.
The kit includes:
- Galaxy 5239 outside omni marine antenna
- 50dB adjustable marine booster / amplifier
- 248W-M inside panel antenna
- 110W-M 10-ft inside patch antenna
- Cables and power cord
Options For Sim Cards / Data Plans When Using A Cell Signal For Boat Internet
As mentioned above, you can use the sim card from your phone, purchase an extra sim card from your company, or find a sim card that works in different areas. Ben Ellison from Panbo.com recommends 4G Antenna Solutions which provides cellular internet connectivity to rural areas, or using a local cell provider when traveling in different areas, for instance, BTC when in the Bahamas. These can be purchased pre-paid, post-paid, or pay as you go.
Other companies provideinternational SIM cards which can be used around the world, such as these. However, purchasing local SIM cards will be more cost effective and provide better quality service in general, and can be swapped out of your modem when switching between areas.
When it comes tomodems that can read theSIM card, you may require one that is “unlocked” for more carriers (cell phone companies), especially if travelingto different regions. Unlocked versions of the modems can be found on eBay.
Netgear has a couple of solid options:
NETGEAR LTE Modem LB1120 4G LTE Modem
NETGEAR LTE Modem LB1120 is a simple LTE connectivity solutionthat connects directly to your router, switch or computerand provides anautomatic 4G LTE or 3G fallback broadband connection, with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. You can plug in your wireless router and share connection with all your WiFi and wired devices.
Other suggested router:Wave WiFi MBR 550 Cellular Router – With Cellular Failover
NETGEAR AirCard 340U USB Modem
NETGEAR’sAirCard340U USB Modemprovides download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps. The helpful LCDdisplay shows how much data you have left, as well as network and signal strength info at a glance.
A key piece of equipment you’ll need to finalize the setup of the internet on your boat isthe router.
After pulling in signal from your antennas, either via WiFi or cell data, and properly converting it, you will need to have this connected to a router, which will then share the internet signal to allyour devices onboard.
One highly recommended router is the Pepwave Surf Soho by Peplink.
PEPLINK Pepwave Surf Soho Router – $199.00
Peplink enjoys a good reputation for high-quality hardware, durability, good features andease of user interface.With the Peplink Pepwave Surf SOHO Router, you can connect to the Internet using a USB cellular modem, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
Hook the Surf SOHO up to your WiFi and cellular connections, and it will allow you to set priorities so that if there is WiFi available, it will connect to the WiFi. Then if WiFi becomes unavailable, it will automatically switch over to your cellular connection. Once WiFi is available again, it connects back up, always keeping WiFi as the priority.
Now that you know all of the mainequipment needed to setup internet on your boat using WiFi and cell signals, here’s an illustration showing the basic components of a WiFi and Cell Signal internet setup on your boat. Please note, this is just a simple illustration, and there may be extra components needed to complete the system:
WiFi and cell service – with the proper equipment – provide excellent internetif close enough to the hotspot / shore. But once out of the hot spot range, and cruising 10 miles or beyond from shore, your only option for internet is satellite.
While the most steady boat internet service, and available pretty much anywhere, satellite internet dishes and services come with a heavy price tag – substantially more than any other option. If you rarely venture offshore, your WiFi and cell internet solutions will be more than good enough, but if you can afford it, and would like to stay connected while traveling significant distances offshore, then satellite is the way (and only way) to go.
The satellite dish itself will cost no less than $1,500, and can go up to as high as $50,000. Monthly costs can be quite high as well. Premium boat internet, but comes at price. For more information on marine satellite and pricing, this is a helpful article.
To give you a rough estimate on the cost of the equipment and monthly charge for service, please see the table below. We carry KVH, Intellian and Iridum dishes, so if interested in adding satellite internet service to your boat or yacht, please contact us or chat with us below for best pricing.
| Manufacturer | Type | Model | Equipment | Hardware Cost | Speed | Price / Month |
| Iridium | Sat | Pilot | Dish plus software | $4800 | 128 kbps | $50 – $1000 |
| Furuno Inmarsat | Sat | FleetBroadband Felcom 250 | Dish | $11000 | 432 kbps | $106 – $2000 |
| Furuno Inmarsat | Sat | FleetBroadband Felcom 250 | Dish | $16000 | 432 kbps | $1060 – $2000 |
| Inmarsat | Sat | Sailor 150 | Dish | $6000 | 150 kbps | $106/5MB |
| Raymarine | Sat | 33STV | Dish | $2500 | $995 | |
| KVH | Sat | Mini Vsat V3 | Dish | $13000 | 2 Mbps | Starts at $49 |
| KVH | Sat | Mini Vsat V7 | Dish | $30000 | $995 | |
| Inmarsat | ISAT | IsatHub | Dish | $1400 | 384 kbps | $59.99 for 10 MB |
| Ground Control | BGAN | MCD-4800 | Standalone / Dish | $14200 | 464 kbps | $69 – $995 |
Hopefully this internet for boats primer will give you a better understanding of what it takes to stay connected while out at sea. You have plenty of internet solutions for your boat, depending on how much you are looking to invest, and where you will be traveling. And remember, if you have any questions, we’re here to help.
For different products to help setup internet on your boat, see here: Marine Wifi Boosters – Marine Cell Signal Boosters
Have a good one!
CitimarineStore.com
3300 NW 112th Ave,
Doral, FL 33172
(800) 766-5256
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FAQs
How does internet work on boats? ›
- Cellular data (requires a mobile hotspot or your phone + data plan + booster)
- Public and private Wi-Fi hotspots at docks and marinas (requires your device + booster or extender to strengthen the signal)
It is possible to use your mobile phone while at sea, to make calls, send texts and use data. While close to land, you phone will connect to a terrestrial mobile network, and EU roaming rules apply.
Can you get 4G on a boat? ›4G Connect is a 4G (LTE) internet access solution to get internet for your boat. It utilises the latest MIMO technology with dual antennas for fast, long range access and incorporates a full function WiFi router so multiple devices can connect wirelessly.
How do I get better Wi-Fi in my boat? ›WiFi range extenders or boosters can be effective tools to amplify the signal coming from on-shore networks to your boat. These devices can help to boost weak signals by vastly expanding your typical router's WiFi visibility range – some even extend this range to 5+ miles!
How do you get free internet on a cruise? ›Use onboard credit to pay for a Wi-Fi package
You can use your credit to pay for onboard internet access, thereby getting Wi-Fi on your cruise for free! On most cruise lines, you'll need a minimum of $100 in onboard credit per device for a week's worth of free basic Wi-Fi.
You will first need a satellite internet provider who can provide access even while you're at sea by installing a satellite dish. This provides the most flexibility since you can access it whenever you need or want it. You can also get the same type of internet that's accessible on a smartphone or a laptop.
Can you get 4g out at sea? ›So can you get a mobile signal at sea? In short - Yes. But it could be weak and inconsistent. This was an interesting test of our coverage solution and shows how patchy mobile coverage can be around our coastline.
Is satellite Internet a Wi-Fi? ›Is satellite internet the same as Wi-Fi? You can get Wi-Fi through a satellite internet connection, but it's not the same as Wi-Fi. Satellite internet is a type of internet connection, while Wi-Fi refers to a wireless network.
Can you use satellite Internet anywhere? ›Instead, a home satellite dish communicates with a satellite in space to provide internet service. So satellite with internet is available virtually everywhere. That means you can get satellite internet anywhere you are, so long as you have a clear view of the southern sky and a place to install your satellite dish.
Is Satellite Internet fast? ›Satellite internet is one of the slowest high-speed internet services available. While it can get to fixed broadband internet speeds (classified by the FCC as 25 Mbps or higher), it can't reach the speeds cable and fiber optic can.
Can you put a router on a boat? ›
Boat WIFI Routers
If you're looking to get multiple people online from your boat, a wireless router is the best option. It will create its own local hotspot for multiple users. Adding a high-gain antenna will significantly improve the signal. You can plug it right into the router via the ethernet port.
Cable TV — A cable TV drop is delivered to your slip, possibly by your marina or via direct subscription with a cable company. When the boat is in the slip, you connect the boat to the cable; when you're away from the slip you don't get any programming.
How far out to sea will a cell phone work? ›Being away doesn't mean being disconnected
Even on the water. The good news is that cell signals do tend to travel very well over the water. If there's a cell tower close to shore, you'll easily get 1-2 miles distant from it. That's typical for cell signals traveling on shore.
SpaceX's satellite internet service provides fast download speeds for coastal cruisers, and global coverage isn't far off. Editor's Note: As of June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission authorized SpaceX to provide Starlink internet service to vehicles in motion, including boats, cars and RVs.
Is there signal at sea? ›One of the main ways those on the sea communicate is through VHF or very high frequency equipment. Unlike cellphones, VHF radios have much larger communication range. Depending on the circumstances, ranges of 100 miles or more are not uncommon.
Is it worth getting internet on Royal Caribbean? ›Considering how incredibly expensive cell phone roaming can be on a ship, as well as spotty internet access in places your ship may visit, buying a Royal Caribbean internet package is the easiest way to stay connected while on your ship, and it works fine most of the time.
What cruise lines offer free Wi-Fi? ›- Royal Caribbean.
- Celebrity Cruises.
- Norwegian Cruise Line.
- MSC Cruises.
- Silversea Cruises.
- Carnival Cruise Line.
In general, expect to pay about $15-20 per day, per device for wi-fi access. Carnival offers three different tiers of service: Social, Value, and Premium wi-fi plans. Each offers different levels of access to the Internet. One tip to save money: purchase your plan ahead of time to save off the rates on the ship.
Can I get satellite internet for free? ›You can find free satellite Internet service -- for a short time. While it is possible to get free satellite Internet access for a short time, there is no way to keep it.
Will my internet work on a cruise ship? ›Yes, all cruise ships today offer an internet connection, but it might not be the seamless experience you've come to expect on land. For most of the many years I've been writing about cruising, the typical internet connection at sea hasn't just been slow.
Why is internet so slow on cruise ships? ›
Internet access at sea is much slower and less reliable than on land. Cruise ship internet access works by sending a signal 22,000 miles to a satellite, then 22,000 miles again back to earth. This limits what applications can be used. Generally, high-data applications, such as video and VOIP services do not work.
How does the ocean keep the internet online? ›Currently, 98% of international internet traffic flows through undersea cables, according to Google data: "A vast underwater network of cables crisscrossing the ocean makes it possible to share, search, send and receive information around the world at the speed of light." These cables are made of optical fibre.
Is there Wi-Fi on boats? ›Many marine Wi-Fi systems are essentially local network devices that simply integrate several devices on your boat, while others network your boat with the World Wide Web.
Is Wi-Fi available in ship? ›Yes, all cruise ships today offer an internet connection, but it might not be the seamless experience you've come to expect on land.
Will Starlink work on a boat? ›SpaceX's satellite internet service provides fast download speeds for coastal cruisers, and global coverage isn't far off. Editor's Note: As of June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission authorized SpaceX to provide Starlink internet service to vehicles in motion, including boats, cars and RVs.
How are we connected to the internet? ›Computers connect to each other and to the Internet via wires, cables, radio waves, and other types of networking infrastructure. All data sent over the Internet is translated into pulses of light or electricity, also called "bits," and then interpreted by the receiving computer.
Where is the source of internet? ›A data center in Ashburn, Virginia, which is the biggest data center market in the world. Today, the internet is basically housed in the data centers located in the Washington-area suburb, which is the biggest data center market in the world.
How many internet cables are in the ocean? ›As of 2021, we believe there are over 1.3 million kilometers of submarine cables in service globally.
How much does it cost to put Wi-Fi on a boat? ›Its hardware will set you back $10,000.
Is satellite internet a Wi-Fi? ›Is satellite internet the same as Wi-Fi? You can get Wi-Fi through a satellite internet connection, but it's not the same as Wi-Fi. Satellite internet is a type of internet connection, while Wi-Fi refers to a wireless network.
Is satellite internet fast? ›
Satellite internet is one of the slowest high-speed internet services available. While it can get to fixed broadband internet speeds (classified by the FCC as 25 Mbps or higher), it can't reach the speeds cable and fiber optic can.
Why is internet so slow on cruise ships? ›Internet access at sea is much slower and less reliable than on land. Cruise ship internet access works by sending a signal 22,000 miles to a satellite, then 22,000 miles again back to earth. This limits what applications can be used. Generally, high-data applications, such as video and VOIP services do not work.
Is it worth it to buy Wi-Fi on a cruise? ›You can find nominal savings on a wifi package if purchasing it before your cruise. Typically most cruise lines give a 10%-15% discount if you book a wifi package before you get on the ship.
Do seafarers have internet? ›Access to the internet and social connectivity while onboard ships have become a mandatory right for seafarers as per updates to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC).