Starlink experts

[geem]

I just purchased a Starlink mini in the UK. The Mrs is nipping home from the Canaries to visit her parents, so she will be bringing it back to Tenerife. We are heading across the pond at the end of November. So newbie questions.
Where do you register the Starlink and what tariff do I need to select for the crossing? it looks like a bit of a minefield to work out. Seems to be a fair amount of info about online, but with the tariffs changing so often, I could do with the latest info please.
Has anybody used the Mini in an ocean environment? Any tips and tricks I should know about?
We are a 24v boat, so I plan to wire the power supply directly into one of the boats 24v circuits

 

[chris-s]

as a fellow mini owner but only used in Europe where you register it governs the area you are free to ‘roam’ in, at least under a ‘roam’ plan. So in my case, registering it in the uk with a ‘roam 50’ plan I have used it freely in France, Spain and Greece. Actually, here let ai answer it for you…

1) Where/how to register (activate)

• You activate a Mini in the Starlink app or on the web at starlink.com/activate. You’ll enter the kit’s serial (starts with KIT…) and your email, then pick a plan.

2) What plan for Tenerife (and general travel)

• Put the Mini on a Roam plan (personal plans: Roam 50 GB or Roam Unlimited). Roam works across live Starlink markets (Spain/Canaries included), and in-motion use is allowed. You can change plans anytime.
• Important 60-day rule: If you use Roam outside the country your account is registered to for more than ~60 days, Starlink may require you to transfer the account to that country or service may be restricted. (UK-registered account using the Mini in Spain/Canaries: fine for short trips, but don’t park it there for months without transferring.)
• FYI: Starlink now uses a paid “Standby Mode” (£/€5/mo) instead of the old free pause. You can still cancel and re-enable later if capacity allows.
• Hardware origin note: Starlink sometimes charges an “outside region” activation fee if a kit is first activated in a different world region from where it was sold (e.g., Europe vs. North America). Your UK→Spain use is the same region (Europe), so this shouldn’t apply—but good to know.

3) What to use for the Atlantic crossing

You’ll be outside coastal waters, so regular Roam alone isn’t enough. You’ve got two practical options with the Mini:

A) Roam + “Ocean Mode” (Global Priority pay-per-GB)

• In your account you can enable Ocean Mode for Roam. That unlocks service on international waters and bills data per GB while Ocean Mode is on (and it gives higher priority than standard Roam). You can toggle it off after the passage. Pricing is billed per-GB; recent docs and industry trackers place it around $2/GB for Roam Unlimited users (Starlink’s wording: billed-per-GB; amount shown when you opt in).
• Mini is approved for in-motion use, including on water (subject to local rules near shore). Mount it solidly with clear sky view; obstructions kill performance.
• Good for a private yacht crossing where you want to keep costs tight and only use a few dozen GB for weather, emails, messaging, and light browsing.

B) Switch to a Business “Global Priority” (Maritime-style) plan for the month of the crossing

• These plans include priority data buckets that work globally (land + ocean). As of 2025, typical options are 50 GB ($250/mo), 500 GB ($650/mo), 1 TB ($1,150/mo), etc. (Starlink has been standardizing priority data into fixed buckets with a monthly “access” component; after you use the bucket, speeds drop to ~1 Mbps unless you buy more.)
• This is the simpler “set-it-and-forget-it” option if you expect heavier usage (crew, streaming, big weather GRIBs, video calls) and want predictable capacity throughout the passage.

Which should you pick?

• Light/controlled use (GRIBs, WhatsApp/iMessage, emails, a bit of web): Roam Unlimited + Ocean Mode for the crossing is the cheapest path—pay only for what you actually use during those open-ocean days.
• Heavier/guaranteed capacity (multiple users or streaming): Global Priority 50–500 GB for the crossing month.

4) Coastal & in-motion rules (quick checks)

• In-motion is allowed with Roam and on the ocean with the right plan; certain countries restrict in-motion on land. Spain/UK are fine; just be aware some countries (e.g., Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia) prohibit in-motion use on land.
• Territorial vs. international waters: Territorial/coastal waters coverage depends on local approvals; international waters are covered with the proper plan (Ocean Mode/Global Priority).

Quick setup plan for you

1. Activate the Mini in the app or at starlink.com/activate. Pick Roam (50 GB if you’re frugal, or Unlimited if you prefer no cap) while in the UK.
2. Use Roam in Tenerife. If you’ll keep it in Spain >60 days, plan to transfer the account to Spain to avoid restriction.
3. For the crossing (end of November):
   • Either toggle Ocean Mode on your Roam plan a day or two before you leave (then off when you arrive), or switch to Global Priority 50–500 GB for that month.

 

[st599]

Parts of the UK were at capacity last time we were using some for work. Has that settled down yet?

 

[Sea Change]

What chris-s said.
And just to add our own experience: we bought ours in St Martin in March and left the country almost immediately. We've been waiting for the 60d limit to kick in ever since, but it's still working just fine, four counties and thousands of miles later.
We didn't bother mounting it, it's just on the cabin top with a bit of line to the handrail. Occasionally we move it around to get a better signal. The only times it ever lets us down is during torrential, tropical rain.

We'll be pausing it soon and it will be interesting to see how it behaves- some people have reported that it carries on working at low speed, but still good enough to stream YouTube, which would be amazing if true. Fire £5 a month I'll happily take a bit of buffering...

 

[geem]

as a fellow mini owner but only used in Europe where you register it governs the area you are free to ‘roam’ in, at least under a ‘roam’ plan. So in my case, registering it in the uk with a ‘roam 50’ plan I have used it freely in France, Spain and Greece. Actually, here let ai answer it for you…

1) Where/how to register (activate)

• You activate a Mini in the Starlink app or on the web at starlink.com/activate. You’ll enter the kit’s serial (starts with KIT…) and your email, then pick a plan.

2) What plan for Tenerife (and general travel)

• Put the Mini on a Roam plan (personal plans: Roam 50 GB or Roam Unlimited). Roam works across live Starlink markets (Spain/Canaries included), and in-motion use is allowed. You can change plans anytime.
• Important 60-day rule: If you use Roam outside the country your account is registered to for more than ~60 days, Starlink may require you to transfer the account to that country or service may be restricted. (UK-registered account using the Mini in Spain/Canaries: fine for short trips, but don’t park it there for months without transferring.)
• FYI: Starlink now uses a paid “Standby Mode” (£/€5/mo) instead of the old free pause. You can still cancel and re-enable later if capacity allows.
• Hardware origin note: Starlink sometimes charges an “outside region” activation fee if a kit is first activated in a different world region from where it was sold (e.g., Europe vs. North America). Your UK→Spain use is the same region (Europe), so this shouldn’t apply—but good to know.

3) What to use for the Atlantic crossing

You’ll be outside coastal waters, so regular Roam alone isn’t enough. You’ve got two practical options with the Mini:

A) Roam + “Ocean Mode” (Global Priority pay-per-GB)

• In your account you can enable Ocean Mode for Roam. That unlocks service on international waters and bills data per GB while Ocean Mode is on (and it gives higher priority than standard Roam). You can toggle it off after the passage. Pricing is billed per-GB; recent docs and industry trackers place it around $2/GB for Roam Unlimited users (Starlink’s wording: billed-per-GB; amount shown when you opt in).
• Mini is approved for in-motion use, including on water (subject to local rules near shore). Mount it solidly with clear sky view; obstructions kill performance.
• Good for a private yacht crossing where you want to keep costs tight and only use a few dozen GB for weather, emails, messaging, and light browsing.

B) Switch to a Business “Global Priority” (Maritime-style) plan for the month of the crossing

• These plans include priority data buckets that work globally (land + ocean). As of 2025, typical options are 50 GB ($250/mo), 500 GB ($650/mo), 1 TB ($1,150/mo), etc. (Starlink has been standardizing priority data into fixed buckets with a monthly “access” component; after you use the bucket, speeds drop to ~1 Mbps unless you buy more.)
• This is the simpler “set-it-and-forget-it” option if you expect heavier usage (crew, streaming, big weather GRIBs, video calls) and want predictable capacity throughout the passage.

Which should you pick?

• Light/controlled use (GRIBs, WhatsApp/iMessage, emails, a bit of web): Roam Unlimited + Ocean Mode for the crossing is the cheapest path—pay only for what you actually use during those open-ocean days.
• Heavier/guaranteed capacity (multiple users or streaming): Global Priority 50–500 GB for the crossing month.

4) Coastal & in-motion rules (quick checks)

• In-motion is allowed with Roam and on the ocean with the right plan; certain countries restrict in-motion on land. Spain/UK are fine; just be aware some countries (e.g., Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia) prohibit in-motion use on land.
• Territorial vs. international waters: Territorial/coastal waters coverage depends on local approvals; international waters are covered with the proper plan (Ocean Mode/Global Priority).

Quick setup plan for you

1. Activate the Mini in the app or at starlink.com/activate. Pick Roam (50 GB if you’re frugal, or Unlimited if you prefer no cap) while in the UK.
2. Use Roam in Tenerife. If you’ll keep it in Spain >60 days, plan to transfer the account to Spain to avoid restriction.
3. For the crossing (end of November):
   • Either toggle Ocean Mode on your Roam plan a day or two before you leave (then off when you arrive), or switch to Global Priority 50–500 GB for that month.

Great info.
We don't actually need to use the Starlink whilst we are in the Canaries. Our UK phones cover us here with unlimited data. We need to activate it just before we leave for the Caribbean. Would it be best to register in Spain or the Caribbean, since the trip across the pond is circa 3 weeks?

 

[Dockhead]

Couple of comments:

1. AFAIK, you don't get the "Ocean Mode" toggle with any Roam plan other than the Roam Unlimited. We used this crossing the North Sea last summer and it worked great.
2. FWIW, my Starlink is registered in Denmark. I left Denmark in early June and am now in the UK. Have not had any issues being out of the registered country for more than 60 days. We'll see.
3. "Standby Mode" includes "low speed" (actually, 500kbs or 1mbs, which used to be broad band not that long ago) data which apparently can be used in the ocean as well. That's plenty for weather, email, etc.

 

[Sea Change]

Great info.
We don't actually need to use the Starlink whilst we are in the Canaries. Our UK phones cover us here with unlimited data. We need to activate it just before we leave for the Caribbean. Would it be best to register in Spain or the Caribbean, since the trip across the pond is circa 3 weeks?

As I understand it, it will be registered in the country that you first turn it on. Not 100% sure on that though.

 

[robmcg]

Couple of comments:

1. AFAIK, you don't get the "Ocean Mode" toggle with any Roam plan other than the Roam Unlimited. We used this crossing the North Sea last summer and it worked great.
2. FWIW, my Starlink is registered in Denmark. I left Denmark in early June and am now in the UK. Have not had any issues being out of the registered country for more than 60 days. We'll see.
3. "Standby Mode" includes "low speed" (actually, 500kbs or 1mbs, which used to be broad band not that long ago) data which apparently can be used in the ocean as well. That's plenty for weather, email, etc.

1. Yes, you can only toggle the priority data on from the Roam unlimited package. Priority data will bill you about £2 per GB of data you use beyond the 12 mile limit.
2. Currently, the 60 day limit is only enforced if you are in a country where Starlink is yet to obtain a licence to operate. This of course is subject to change at any time as Starlink move the goalposts with alarming regularity.
3. Standby mode does not work beyond the 12 mile limit unfortunately. You will have to sign up for Roam unlimited and toggle on the priority data.

 

[geem]

Ok, thanks guys. So Roam Unlimited then toggle to ocean once 12 miles offshore. That should work

 

[Sea Change]

Ok, thanks guys. So Roam Unlimited then toggle to ocean once 12 miles offshore. That should work

That's exactly what we do.
Remember to toggle it off again, it won't automatically turn off ocean mode when you get back within 12 miles.

 

[geem]

That's exactly what we do.
Remember to toggle it off again, it won't automatically turn off ocean mode when you get back within 12 miles.

I will just have to try and remember after about 20 days at seas