Romantic Proposals

An unforgettable beginning aboard a private sailing yacht.

Where Forever Begins

Whether you’ve imagined an intimate private marriage proposal in Santa Barbara or a completely customized engagement experience… Yacht Kelpie provides one of Santa Barbara’s most romantic settings.

Your private charter is reserved exclusively for you—or up to six if you’d like to celebrate with family and friends afterward. As we quietly sail the coastline beneath the Santa Ynez Mountains. Every detail is designed to feel effortless, allowing you to focus on the moment that matters most.

Optional flowers, champagne, gourmet catering and custom enhancements are available to create a proposal that’s uniquely yours.

Couple celebrating their engagement aboard Yacht Kelpie with flowers and sunset over Santa Barbara.

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ROMANTIC SETTING
Ocean, mountains & unforgettable sunsets

FROM $518
Transparent pricing

DURATION OPTIONS
90 minutes to 3 hours

PRIVATE CHARTER
Just the two of you—or celebrate with up to 6 guests

UP TO 6 GUESTS
Celebrate together or keep it just for two

From intimate surprise proposals to celebrations with family and friends, we’ve helped couples create unforgettable engagement moments along the Santa Barbara coast.

Choose Your Proposal Package

MOST POPULAR

2-Hour Proposal

Our most popular proposal experience, with time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy authentic sailing.

From $688 for up to 6 guests

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90-Minute Proposal

A romantic private sail with the perfect setting for an intimate proposal on the water.

From $588 for up to 6 guests

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3- Hour Proposal

A leisurely private sailing experience with plenty of time for your proposal and celebration.

From $988 for up to 6 guests

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Looking for something extra special? We’ll help design a proposal experience aboard Yacht Kelpie that’s uniquely yours.

What’s Included

Private charter reserved exclusively for your group
Professional USCG-licensed captain
Advance Santa Barbara proposal planning and coordination
Beautiful ocean, mountain, and harbor views
Authentic sailing aboard classic Yacht Kelpie
Bluetooth speaker for your special playlist
Easy boarding from Santa Barbara Harbor

Every proposal is thoughtfully planned to
feel effortless, personal, and unforgettable.

Couple seated beside the helm with flowers during a romantic sailing charter in Santa Barbara.

Man proposing aboard Yacht Kelpie during a private sailing charter in Santa Barbara.

Couple enjoying a private proposal sailing experience aboard Yacht Kelpie.

Couple smiling aboard Yacht Kelpie while showing their engagement ring after their proposal.

Enhancements Available

CURATED CATERING

BEVERAGES

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

SPECIAL OCCASION ADD-ONS

EXPLORE ENHANCEMENTS

What to Expect

BEFORE YOUR CHARTER
Arrive at Santa Barbara Harbor, Marina 2 Gate, 10 minutes before departure. Your captain will meet you at the gate and walk you down to Kelpie.

BOARDING
Step aboard Yacht Kelpie and settle in as your private sailing experience begins. Whether your proposal is planned for departure, under sail, or at sunset, we’ll help the moment unfold naturally.

UNDERWAY
Relax as Kelpie quietly sails the Santa Barbara coastline. Enjoy breathtaking ocean and mountain views while your captain positions the yacht for the perfect moment to ask one unforgettable question.

RETURN
After the proposal, celebrate together with champagne, flowers, photos, or simply soak in the excitement before returning to the harbor with memories to last a lifetime.

Your Perfect Moment Starts Here

Reserve your private proposal experience aboard Yacht Kelpie.

Plan your proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

Every SunSwept Sailing experience is a completely private charter for your group. You will have the yacht and captain to yourselves—we do not combine unrelated parties or sell individual tickets.
Kelpie accommodates up to six passengers, including children and infants. Your charter price covers the private yacht rather than being charged per person, so you may bring anywhere from one to six guests.
Yes! We will curate every detail to create your perfect proposal. The captain will reach out to you shortly after booking to discuss details.
What should we bring?
We recommend dressing in layers, as it is often about 10°F cooler on the water than on land. A hat, polarized sunglasses, a camera, and non-aerosol, reef-safe sunscreen will help make your experience more comfortable.
Kelpie is a barefoot yacht, so guests will be asked to remove their footwear before boarding unless shoes are medically necessary. Warm blankets are available aboard in case you forget a jacket.
Outside food and hard-sided coolers are not permitted. Curated food and beverage options are available to add to your charter. Please contact us in advance regarding dietary or medical circumstances that may require an exception.
Your charter price includes private use of Kelpie, an experienced USCG-licensed captain, and the sailing or cruising experience you select.
FareHarbor’s booking fee is added at checkout. SunSwept Sailing covers the credit card processing fee.
Optional enhancements are priced separately. Sales tax is added to applicable items such as beverages and floral arrangements, while tax is already included in the listed price of catering selections.
A suggested 20% captain gratuity is automatically selected during checkout, but it is completely optional and may be adjusted or removed before payment.tem description

Yes! We work with Goodland Florist to create custom arrangements for you to enjoy on the charter and optionally take home.
Yacht Kelpie has a fine selection of wine, beer and champagne available on board.
You may want to add a curated picnic or cocktail platter.
Available options and ordering deadlines vary by charter. Visit the Add-Ons section of your experience page or select available enhancements during booking.
The captain will reach out to you shortly after booking to go over everything and ensure it is as perfect as you imagine.
Your captain monitors marine conditions closely and makes the final decision regarding weather and safety. Santa Barbara often has excellent sailing conditions even when the forecast appears overcast or breezy on land.
If SunSwept Sailing must cancel because conditions are unsafe, we will work with you to reschedule. When rescheduling is not possible, the options available under our weather policy will apply. Guests should not assume their charter is canceled unless they hear directly from us.
Cancellation and rescheduling terms depend on the experience and how far in advance the request is made. Most standard charters may be rescheduled for account credit when notice is provided at least 72 hours before departure. Refunds are limited, and special experiences, catering, floral arrangements, holidays, and bookings made close to departure may have different terms.
Please review the full policies which are also displayed during booking before completing your reservation.

Why Kelpie
Proposals are so Special

People often ask how Kelpie got her name.

The answer begins with my wife, Courtney. When we were choosing a name for the yacht, she wanted something that reflected both my Scottish heritage and one of our favorite memories—our engagement.

I proposed on horseback along the beach in Summerland, where I’d arranged a picnic, champagne, and a photographer waiting nearby. We said “yes” beside our horses at the water’s edge before spending the afternoon together overlooking the Pacific.

In Scottish folklore, a Kelpie is a mythical water horse said to live in the lochs of Scotland. While the legend tells cautionary tales, we’ve always loved another image the name evokes. Under sail, Kelpie feels like a horse galloping across the sea—powerful, graceful, and alive. Even her custom bowsprit was designed to resemble the bit of a horse’s bridle, making the name feel perfectly at home.

—Captain Spencer