Who is João Franco from Below Deck? Age, career, and Instagram explored

João Franco, one of the most talked-about personalities from the Below Deck franchise. Known for his leadership skills as well as his polarizing behavior, João originally joined the Below Deck Mediterranean series, where he served as lead deckhand in Season 3 and bosun in Season 4. He quickly climbed the ranks in the yachting world and has continued to pursue a serious maritime career since leaving the show.

João Franco is currently 35 years old and works as a licensed yacht captain. His official Instagram handle is @joaograntfranco, where he regularly posts about life at sea, yachting responsibilities, and his personal interests. Over the years, he has transitioned from on-screen crew member to a full-time maritime professional.

---

João Franco’s Journey on Below Deck and beyond

João Franco made his Below Deck debut on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 3, which aired in 2018. He was promoted to bosun in Season 4, earning the respect of Captain Sandy Yawn, who saw leadership potential in him.

João once said he admired Captain Sandy and considered her a mentor. Their working relationship developed into a friendship during his two seasons on Below Deck Mediterranean, although João later revealed in 2021 during an interview on the Behind The Velvet Rope podcast that their bond had deteriorated. He claimed she sent mixed messages and questioned her intentions regarding his career progression.

Although João was praised for his maritime skills on Below Deck, his interpersonal relationships stirred tension. He had conflicts with former chief steward Hannah Ferrier and became known for controversial behavior while drinking, often referred to as his alter ego "Jezabob."

During Below Deck Med Season 3, João dated Brooke Laughton while simultaneously flirting with Kasey Cohen, leading Hannah to label him a “misogynist.” He and Hannah clashed frequently but managed to reconcile during Season 4.

After leaving the franchise in 2019, João focused on advancing his maritime qualifications. He shared during a March 2021 Instagram Live with Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Captain Glenn Shephard that he had completed his officer of the watch courses and served as a captain on a 30-meter yacht for about a year and a half.

“I’m gonna do my exam in a month, and then I’m gonna most likely head back to Europe and look for a job on a sailboat,” João said at the time.

He also opened up about the challenges of captaining a vessel, stating,

“I think the hardest part of being a captain is the responsibility of dealing with people’s lives on board.”

João began captaining small vessels in 2021 and announced in 2023 that he was certified to captain larger yachts.

João returned to the franchise in Below Deck Down Under Season 2 in 2023 as a replacement bosun after Luke Jones was fired. Despite initial positive reception and efforts to prove he had changed, João resumed old patterns, including a failed boatmance with Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph. He ultimately left the season with his previous reputation largely intact.

---

João Franco's Instagram explored

João Franco shares regular updates on his Instagram account @joaograntfranco, giving followers insight into his work and lifestyle. On June 21, 2025, João posted about arriving in Lyon, France, writing,

“Touch down: Lyon, France! Welcomed by La Fête de la Musique… a celebration of musical freedom and community.”

On June 28, he posted a picture of himself indoor rock climbing, captioning it,

“Many fails and just a few wins but my stubbornness prevailed 😎😂 #bouldering #fitnesss #training.”

On July 1, 2025, he detailed his work schedule on a yacht.

“On the vessel I run, we do 4 hours on watch, 6 hours off… and let me tell you, those ‘off’ hours aren’t exactly peaceful sleep! 3 days at sea and I take the shifts with the most traffic or when we’re closest to the coast,” he wrote.

He added that he follows guidelines such as “MGN 315” for maritime safety and emphasized the importance of trusting his team during night shifts. In another Instagram post dated July 3, João shared a behind-the-scenes video of a paint inspection process on a yacht, writing,

“It’s a bit nerve racking, having to guarantee that the paint is worth the few million and flawless… Special tools worth tens of thousands to test the gloss, flatness, and finish.” He ended the caption with “Perfection isn’t cheap… yachts are NOT cheap!😂 #captain #YachtLife #NoShortcuts #Craftsmanship #LuxuryYachts #MirrorFinish.”

---

Below Deck season 12 airs every Monday on Bravo.