expedition yacht with submarine

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Introducing the Xplorer 105 (345 ft) built by Damen Yachting. Right at the top of our Xplorer range, she represents everything that drives us to be leaders of the luxury expedition yacht market. Join us to explore this magnificent vessel. Curious about the Xplorer 105 layout, deck plans and General Arrangement? Request our brochure. 

The future of luxury explorer yachting

We do things a bit differently. A luxury expedition yacht born from an innovative crossover of yachting and shipbuilding technology, the Xplorer is unlike any yacht on the market. To design a beautiful luxury yacht that also has real capability with professional safety and ocean-going seakeeping performance is an enormously challenging ambition.

Expedition Excellence

Heading to the polar zones doesn’t need to mean leaving your comfort zone. Xplorer expedition yachting means taking the safety, reliability and performance you expect from your yacht right to the edges of the world.

Spectacular landscapes, fascinating wildlife and an otherworldly isolation. The polar regions offer extraordinary experiences at the edge of our planet. The Arctic and Antarctica are challenging, sometimes hostile, environments. But with the right yacht, you can live in 7-star comfort without compromise.

Experience the Xplorer 105

Exterior design

We selected Azure Yacht Design, the highly experienced Dutch design and naval architecture studio, as our design partner for the Xplorer’s exterior lines. Their unique and instantly recognisable philosophy is visible throughout the Xplorer range. The masculine and virile lines communicate the exceptional nature of the yacht as well as the deep heritage of Damen’s shipbuilding.

Interior concept

Every moment on board inspires you – the moments you spend together enjoying the great outdoors and soaking up the world around you; the moments appreciating the interior finishes and objects that have meant so much to you during the voyage of your lifetime.

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This Insane Superyacht Concept Is 384 Feet of Exploration with a Helipad, Hangar, and a Submarine Garage

Alexis, part of the goliath polar-explorer series, is a go-anywhere vessel with many luxurious touches., geri ward's most recent stories.

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Designer Steve Kozloff, creator of the Goliath polar-explorer series , recently unveiled its most impressive member yet. The Alexis design blends grace and bulk across six decks. The 384-foot behemoth looks like the ultimate expedition yacht, or even a sizable research vessel, designed to explore the ends of the earth .

The California-based Kozloff incorporated a lot of luxury into the polar-class hull, including features like a swimming pool on the bow and another for the owner’s private use on the stern. And Alexis not only has a certified helipad, but also a 3,000-square-foot hangar, with enough space for four small helicopters . Kozloff designed the landing pad so that the boat’s fleet of aircraft could take off and land in all conditions, and then be safely stored in the hangar out of the elements. Having different types of helicopters turns the yacht into a base for exploring remote, out-of-the-way land destinations that cannot be reached any other way.

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The 384-foot Alexis polar- explorer yacht from Goliath.  Photo: Courtesy of Goliath

Kozloff’s laser-focused attention to detail makes Alexis more than just the usual explorer concept. The two pools, for instance, have hard retractable covers so the pools do not have to be drained. That’s a detail that many superyacht crews, who have to drain thousands of gallons from superyacht pools before traveling, will appreciate.

Other features include heated handrails and doors to mitigate icing problems while visiting cold regions. The ice-class hull is even designed for breaking through moderate ice. Alexis also has an unusually large tender garage that holds two submarines , multiple tenders, and many other water toys. Plus, there are four “freefall” lifeboats that can be launched in all conditions.

Inside the intrepid, go-anywhere exterior are not one, but three master suites, and luxury accommodations for up to 20 guests. The exterior spaces forward are designed for guest use, featuring a handsome stair-step series of decks amidships that culminate in an outdoor sky bar on the top deck. The swim platform at the stern of the yacht is a special place for the owner to enjoy private and immediate access to the water.

If Alexis is ever built, it promises to be one of the most magnificent explorer yachts ever, a vessel that can travel anywhere without skimping on the luxuries that make yachting special.

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This Epic Antarctica Cruise Offers Adventures Like Helicopter Rides, Submarine Trips, and Whale Sightings

Luxury expedition cruise Scenic Eclipse offers a stunning new perspective on Antarctica.

"You know the Drake Passage can be terrifying?" replied my motion-sickness-prone dad, speaking of the infamously rough body of water between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula , after I'd informed him that I was heading to the world's greatest wilderness on a 13-day Antarctica in Depth voyage.

That potentially wild rite of passage is the price paid for the privilege of experiencing the pristine majesty and serenity of an entirely ice-clad continent bigger than the United States and Mexico combined.

I was sanguine. I've traveled rough seas on everything from tramp steamers to a full-size replica of HMS Bounty . But never have I experienced such astonishingly smooth sailing as aboard the Scenic Eclipse , a veritable game-changer that launched in April 2019 as the world's most advanced and luxurious expedition vessel.

On our second day heading south from Ushuaia, Argentina , the "Drake Lake" briefly turned into the "Drake Shake," with swells of 20 feet that would have sent the crockery flying on other ships. But the Scenic Eclipse 's cutting-edge oversize stabilizers held her steady. The 551-foot-long, 228-passenger (200 in polar waters) Discovery Yacht sliced through the swells like a laser beam cutting through ice. I dined comfortably as I watched albatross skim the waves and a screaming wind slice streaks of foam off the whitecaps.

Next morning, I raised my stateroom's electronic blackout curtain to a thrillingly quintessential Antarctic view: Electric-blue icebergs floated in an ink-black sea framed by towering, snow-covered mountains laden with great crevassed glaciers. We were "anchored" in Marguerite Bay, some 75 miles south of the Antarctic Circle. (Well, not quite anchored. The Polar Class 6-rated vessel employs computerized GPS dynamic positioning to stay glued in place, using thrusters and its revolutionary Azipod propulsion system featuring twin electric motors housed in propeller pods — each capable of rotating independently through 360 degrees — outside the ship's hull. With no throbbing diesel engines rattling the cutlery, we were as one with Antarctica's otherworldly serenity .)

Scenic's Discovery Team of polar and naturalist experts entertained us during our passage with fascinating lectures on Antarctic glaciers, whales of the Southern Ocean, penguins, and the infamous Scott versus Amundsen race to the South Pole. For the next week, my fellow travelers and I would go ashore daily, or partake of Zodiac cruises, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and first-of-a-kind James Bond-worthy indulgences that elevate polar cruising to the level of a 007 movie.

This being the tail end of austral summer, temperatures hovered just above freezing. Scenic provides a waterproof, fleece-lined, hooded jacket for every guest. But once we were zipping in the Zodiacs across choppy waters to Horseshoe Island for our first landfall, the biting wind sent the thermometer plunging. I was glad I wore two extra fleece jackets, plus warm fleece leggings beneath waterproof pants.

Two Adélie penguins waddled the pebbly shoreline. A Weddell seal bobbed beside a neon-green-and-blue ice floe; two others snoozed atop the snow, totally uncaring of our human presence. Far out in the fjord, humpback whales exhaled steamy plumes. The next few days would deliver ever more sensational all-star wildlife encounters .

I Cruised to Antarctica to See a Solar Eclipse — and It Was the Trip of a Lifetime

That afternoon presented a unique and unforgettable highlight as I strapped into one of Scenic Eclipse 's two remarkably quiet Airbus H130-T2 helicopters and lifted off for a 30-minute flightseeing adventure. The polar landscapes appeared even more spectacular as we swooped low over miles-wide glaciers and vast ice sheets receding into an all-white infinity. Below, our sleek eight-deck vessel seemed dwarfed.

Before Scenic Eclipse launched, heli-flightseeing in Antarctica was the preserve of private megayachts. It's also the first expedition ship with its own submersible for submarine Antarctica adventures. And each of 114 spacious staterooms is a stylishly contemporary suite with an entire wall of glass opening to a broad balcony (which made up for the limited public deck space).

The next morning, I used my balcony rail like a tripod to photograph kayakers paddling among the ice floes of Holtedahl Bay. A snow flurry had cleared and the waters, dead calm beneath a slate-gray sky, were punctuated by cyan icebergs and yellow and red kayaks. Suddenly, a humpback whale emerged, exhaled, then dove, trailing its flukes in the air.

The interior of Antarctica is a desolate, lifeless environment. But marine life is astonishingly abundant thanks to the Antarctic Convergence, a circumpolar strip of merging oceans marked by an upwelling of deep, nutrient-rich waters that nourish a phenomenal profusion of phytoplankton and, in turn, krill. Resembling tiny shrimp, these small invertebrates travel in massive swarms that can stretch for miles — both wide and deep — forming the prime food source for whales, seals, penguins , and other birds.

Later that morning, I bundled up for my first Zodiac cruise and, in the afternoon, donned a dry suit and slipped into a kayak to paddle the slushy sea off Prospect Point. Icebergs as phantasmagorical as Henry Moore's abstract sculptures floated out of the mist. Their haunting beauty held me spellbound. Both crabeater and Weddell seals — cream-colored and gray, respectively — snoozed atop flatter ice floes, while a few lone Adélie penguins had also hauled out, perhaps to escape hungry leopard seals. I captured a penguin for posterity as it dove, wings spread, into its own reflection.

I loved photographing during gloomy, moody afternoons such as this. The soft, subdued, even light allowed for perfect exposure without extreme contrast and ugly shadows.

In late afternoon, the weather cleared for a bluebird day ideal for a polar plunge off the ship's stern. Amazingly, almost half of the 165 guests opted to dive into the 32-degree water. They emerged shivering, exhilarated, and craving the ship's top-deck hot tubs or Senses Spa steam room and sauna.

Notwithstanding the 5,920-square-foot spa, the plush lounges, and my stateroom's boutique hotel comforts (and butler service), I'd been somewhat skeptical about Scenic's claim of "setting the benchmark for ultra-luxury cruising ." But dining that night in the 10-guests-only Night Market, I grasped Scenic Eclipse 's defining distinction. Where other upscale expedition ships offer only one or two restaurants, the Scenic Eclipse boasts eight. Six are gourmet, including Sushi @ Koko's, Lumière for contemporary French cuisine, and Elements for Italian fusion. At Night Market, a young Filipina chef named Strawberry conjured a mouthwatering panegyric to Middle East cuisine. And at the invitation-only Chef's Table dégustation, I savored 14 creative dishes curated by executive chef Alexander Parahovnik, including a cigar-themed Mexican-style flauta served from a smoke-filled humidor into an ashtray with a crumbled gray veggie for ash.

"We're different because we've learned how to marry extra luxury with expedition," operations manager Jason Flesher told Travel + Leisure . "For example, we're the first ship to offer commercial submarine dives south of the Antarctic Circle."

The vessel's futuristic, seven-person U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub seemed like something MI6's Q had a hand in designing. I sure felt like James Bond as I settled into my seat within one of the submersible's twin 18-inch-thick acrylic spheres. Hovering above the seabed at almost 200 feet down, I marveled at giant sponges, otherworldly jellyfish, ghostly looking icefish (glycerol in their clear, hemoglobin-free blood acts as an antifreeze), and starfish as colorful as those on a coral reef. All were illuminated by our sub's spotlights. (Scenic cruises are all-inclusive except the submersible and helicopter rides, and spa services. Even the gratuities are included for wallet-free cruising.)

During the next two days, we disinfected our boots and scrubbed our outer leggings before wet landings ashore to visit gentoo penguin rookeries at Neko Harbor, Cuverville Island, and Orne Harbor. The adorable birds seemed oblivious to our presence (we were briefed not to approach the wildlife, but this wasn't explained to the penguins) as they waddled along well-worn lanes in the snow, fed their young chicks, and tended to their pebble nests. As we gradually moved north along the Antarctic Peninsula, we encountered fur seals, Antarctic shags, snow petrels, and chinstrap penguin colonies — including atop the wind-blasted black spire of 938-foot-high Spigot Peak (which we hiked to, plodding uphill through deep snow with the aid of poles).

In Antarctica , the weather can change on a dime. On day nine, after a sunny morning ashore at the old, bone-strewn whaling station of Mikkelsen Harbor, a storm system socked in as we repositioned to Cierva Cove for our last Zodiac outing. We were blitzed by snowflakes as we zipped between honeycombed brash ice and Instagram-worthy icebergs that had calved off the glaciers, stirring up nutrients, bringing an abundance of seals, penguins, and whales.

It seemed like humpbacks were foraging all around us. Individuals would emerge for an instant to gulp a mouthful of krill, or breathe, then dive and appear minutes later somewhere else. Just as I'd aim my camera in anticipation of that hoped-for perfect tail shot, another whale would pop up nearby. On one occasion, three whales emerged together just 20 yards from our Zodiac. It's difficult to conceive of how enormous these behemoth mammals are until one appears next to your relatively tiny inflatable.

After two hours, with numb fingers and the light fading, we headed back to the luxurious comforts of the Scenic Eclipse . As we arrived, we encountered one last humpback whale circling the vessel as the clouds broke, bathing the scene in evanescent early evening sunlight. I clicked the shutter one last time as the whale exhaled, then submerged and disappeared, leaving me with an indelible memory of Antarctica's unimaginably impactful enchantment.

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EXPEDITION SUPERYACHT LEGEND

THE ULTIMATE POLAR VESSEL

The Legend superyacht offers an expedition experience that few yachts can match. Originally built as a Class 1 Icebreaker, she possesses an astoundingly strong hull that can deliver the ultimate polar cruise.

FULL SPECIFICATION

Description

Built for the wanderlust explorer, 77.4m expedition yacht Legend features all the facilities required for Arctic and off the beaten track adventures, from submersibles and snow mobiles to heli operations and jet skis. Comfortable in the harshest of environments, she is as at home in the polar regions as she is in the fjords of South America or Northern Europe, and a crew experienced in expedition charters prioritise guest comfort and safety.

Key Features

• 37’ Targa Chase Boat – Summer Only
• Polar Expedition Equipment – Antarctica Only
• Cinema Room
• Main Deck Gym
• Balinese Spa

Gross Tonnage

EXPEDITION EQUIPPED

• 1 x Submarine
• 3 x Jet Skis
• 2 x Water Skis
• 10 x Snorkeling Sets
• 1 x Fishing Equipment
• 1 x Heli Deck
• 10 x Diving Equipment
• 2 x Wakeboards
• 6 x Stand Up Paddle Boards
• 4 x Seabobs
• 7 x Tenders
• 5 x Inflatable Toys

THE VAST WILDERNESS IS WAITING, WHERE COULD SHE TAKE YOU?

Northwest Passage

Navigate icy waters and trace the storied route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. From witnessing polar bears on remote shores to marveling at towering glaciers, each moment is a brushstroke in a masterpiece of untamed nature.

Antarctica may be the most challenging cruising ground for any expedition yacht, but it offers the right vessel and those aboard the most incredible experience.

From vast ice sheets to towering fjords, this pristine wilderness offers a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. For the more adventurous, discover heli-skiing and carve through untouched powder amid dramatic landscapes.

South Georgia and The Falklands

Rich in history and surrounded by pristine natural beauty, these islands offer a unique journey through time and culture.

This archipelago, situated midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, offers a unique Arctic experience. With its stark beauty and austere landscapes, Svalbard invites adventurers to delve into a world where untouched wilderness meets resilient communities.

Norwegian Fjords and Lofotens

Cradled in Norway’s embrace, this unique destination offers a stunning voyage for those aboard a yacht.

Chilean Patagonia

Whether trekking through ancient forests or navigating pristine rivers, this remote expanse promises an immersive journey into the heart of one of Earth’s last frontiers.

SIMILAR YACHTS

CONTACT EYOS TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR YACHT CHARTER

+1 801 390 7025 | [email protected]

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Seabourn Pursuit

557 feet length

78 feet width

To reach some of the most coveted, remote destinations in the world, Seabourn Pursuit is constructed with the hardware and technology necessary to operate capably while delivering a guest experience filled with luxury comforts that leave travelers wanting for nothing.

Seabourn announce Traditional Owners, Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

We are thrilled to announce the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, our newest ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners serves as a symbolic gesture of stewardship and responsibility toward the environment and the communities that we visit, as well as our commitment to sustainable tourism. 

Ready to Sail

Seabourn Pursuit is designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and includes modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships’ global deployment and capabilities. It carries two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, kayaks, and a 24-person expert Expedition Team enabling guests to engage in up-close wildlife encounters, off-the-beaten-path excursions, and enriching cultural experiences. A fully-inclusive yacht-like experience, Seabourn Pursuit blends state-of-the-art capability with world-class service and luxury. Seabourn Pursuit proudly entered service on August 12, 2023.

Introducing Seabourn Pursuit

Learn more about Seabourn's newest purpose-built, ultra-luxury Expedition ship. She is truly a state-of-the-art vessel, with a yacht-like atmosphere, and incredible design details that stimulate all the senses and seamlessly blend the worlds of luxury with exploration and discovery. No compromises – now you can have it all!

The Expedition Experience

Explore new worlds, adventure ready.

Custom Submarines

Expedition Team Members

RETURN TO TOP      

Inspired Designs

In every area of the ship, an elegant aesthetic awakens the senses to capture the romanticism of early explorers and the thrill of discovery.

Seabourn Pursuit: Culinary Spaces

At Seabourn, we pride ourselves in delivering the finest culinary experiences that rival the best restaurants in the world. Our Michelin-level Chefs bring their skills, passion, and their personal travel inspiration to life for our guests on all of our ships. Explore all eight dining venues on Seabourn Pursuit and get a virtual taste of our culinary world.

Seabourn Pursuit: Enrichment Spaces

Seabourn Pursuit features luxurious, elegant, and generously appointed public and enrichment spaces designed by famed designer Adam D. Tihany. Learn more about the spaces that make your expedition voyage special.

PDF Deck Plans | Accessible Routes (PDF)

Download PDF

Accessible Routes

Download Accessible Routes PDF

Onboard Activities

Every day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment and enriching activities.

In-Suite Dining

Around the clock for service in your suite. Dinner from The Restaurant menu is served, course by course, in your suite or on your veranda.

The Restaurant

Come when you like, with whom you please, and be seated as you wish. The cuisine is exquisite and the service is flawless. 

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center is academic center for natural history and cultural programming, in an environment spacious enough to accommodate all guests at one time.

Seabourn Square

The Card Room is a great choice for the sea-loving cruiser who craves that languorous feeling of lazy leisure.

Seabourn Submarines

Discover the Wonders that Wait Under the Waterline in Seabourn’s Luxurious New Expedition Submarines

Spa & Wellness

Seabourn’s Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil is the first-ever program of its kind at sea. Seabourn has partnered with Dr. Weil, a visionary pioneer in integrative medicine, whose groundbreaking research 

Ultra-Luxury Accomodations

Your home away from home is a superbly appointed luxury suite. Here, you can revel in sublime comfort as the world passes by.

Seabourn Pursuit: Ultra-Luxury Suites

Designed with meticulous attention to detail and with the Seabourn traveler in mind, Seabourn Pursuit's luxurious suites define elegance and comfort. Your personal Suite Host and Suite Attendant are at your service for any extra needs, always with a warm and heartfelt smile. Explore your ultra-luxury home away from home.

Veranda Suite

Approximate total space: 355 sq. ft. (33 sq. m.) including veranda of 75 sq. ft. (7 sq. m.)* Suites on Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; extra-large walk-in closet for expedition gear; personal safe; interactive flat-screen TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalized stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom with double vanities, tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.

Penthouse Suite

Approximate total space: 527 sq. ft. (49 sq. m.) including veranda of 97 sq. ft. (9 sq. m.) All Penthouse Suites feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalized stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.

Panorama Penthouse Suite

Suites 513-516, 611-614, 711-714, 802-805; Total space: 417 sq. ft. (39 sq. m.) incl. veranda of 85 sq. ft. (8 sq. m.) All Panorama Veranda Suites feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalized stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets. *Some veranda sizes vary.

Owners Suite And Above

Suites 700, 701 Total space 1,023 sq. ft. (95 sq. m.) incl. veranda of 484 sq. ft. (45 sq. m.) Owner's Suites on feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; extra-large walk-in closet for expedition gear; personal safe; interactive flat-screen TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalized stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom with double vanities, tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.

Recommended For You

The only ice breaking mega yacht

Onboard, 13 staterooms provide rather glamorous accommodation for up to 22 guests, while other luxurious amenities include a Balinese spa, sauna, panoramic jacuzzi, gym, cinema, whisky bar and cigar room.

Kit and equipment include a 3-person U-Boat Worx submarine capable of taking you 300m below the surface, a range of tenders, kayaks, scuba equipment and more for a range of adventure activities. A helicopter can also be arranged as Legend has a fully certified commercial helipad.

With a fully certified commercial helipad, Legend can be a base for scenic flights and shore excursions unreachable by tender alone.

Submersible

Legend’s U-Boat Worx submersible opens up a whole new perspective to a yacht expedition, allowing you to experience the wonders of the deep whether its a wreck-diving operation in the Mediterranean or an exploration dive in the Arctic Sea.

Class 1 Icebreaker

Originally built as a Soviet icebreaker, Legend is a step above other Ice Class vessels, making her a true ‘go anywhere’ vessel.

Onboard opulence

It’s not all about adventure with Legend. After a day of exploration, come back to her spa, cinema, panoramic jacuzzi or whisky bar.

Technical specs

Toys and tenders

Closer to civilisation in Norway

Preparing the helicopter on a Cookson Adventures expedition

Exploring Antarctica with Cookson Adventures

Legend’s welcoming interior

Under a cascading waterfall in Norway’s fjords

Legend’s tenders in the Antarctic

Lowering Legend’s submersible

One of 13 luxurious cabins on Legend

Where even a 77m superyacht can feel small

Legend’s stern pool

Our favourite destinations for Legend

Contact our expert team today and see where it takes you..

Begin your adventure

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Top 10 largest explorer yachts in the world

Helipads. Dive centres. Ice-breaking hulls. Submersibles. What makes an explorer yacht? True to their name, explorer yachts are well equipped to take on adventurous journeys to the most far-flung places in the world. Equipped with a long-range and vast storage capacity for food, fuel and water to enable weeks at sea, expedition yachts are increasingly popular with owners wanting to leave behind the popular Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising grounds for more challenging adventures. We round up the top 10 largest explorer yachts in the world, starting with a new entry from German shipyard Lürssen...

Solaris | 139.7m

One of the most memorable launches of 2021, the 139.7 metre super explorer yacht Solaris travelled to the top of this coveted list of expedition yachts when she hit the water last year. The highly secretive project is built by Lloyd Werft , which also delivered the 115m explorer Luna in 2010, the fourth largest explorer yacht in the world. Spread across an impressive eight decks, Solaris was designed by Australian designer Marc Newson and hit the water for the first time at the German yard in February 2021. While nothing has been made public about the project, images of the superyacht show a large helipad, sun deck and spacious beach club aft.

• Builder: Lloyd Werft
• Country of build: Germany
• Delivery year: 2021
• Length Overall: 139.7 m
• Gross Tonnage 11247 t

More about this yacht

More stories, octopus | 126.18m.

Originally built yacht for the late Paul Allen, one of the founders of Microsoft, Octopus  is one of the most famous explorer yachts in the world. The yacht has the capacity for two helicopters at the same time, with landing pads on the aft deck and foredeck. The helipad on the aft deck also has a hangar to store the helicopter away in big seas.

Octopus also has an internal dock, which is perfect for storing the toys that every explorer yacht should have. When the dock is filled with water a 20 metre submarine and a tender of similar size are able to float in and out of their chocks. Once they are secure the water is pumped out before the yacht gets underway.

Paul Allen and the crew of Octopus used the yacht as part of an eight year search for a sunken ship. In 2015, they discovered the long-lost wreck of Japanese ship Musashi , which sunk during the Second World War.

• Builder: Lurssen
• Delivery year: 2003
• Length Overall: 126.2 m
• Beam: 21.01 m
• Gross Tonnage 9932 t

Yachts for charter

Ulysses | 116.15m.

After four years in construction, Ulysses first hit the water in summer 2018. The explorer yacht is almost 10 metres longer than her predecessor, the 107 metre Andromeda (formerly Ulysses ), which was commissioned by the same owner, New Zealand's richest man Graeme Hart. Kleven finished the yacht's technical build in Norway in December 2016, after which Ulysses was sent to Bremerhaven for interior and external completion under the project management of Dörries Maritime.

Ulysses is equipped with a heli-hangar on the top deck, a Bell 429 helicopter, and a fleet of high-speed and day-cruising tenders including a 21 metre Princess 68 stowed inside the well deck. Inside, her huge 18 metre beam is able to accommodate up to 66 guests.

• Builder: Kleven
• Country of build: Norway
• Delivery year: 2018
• Length Overall: 116.15 m
• Gross Tonnage 6862 t

Luna | 115m

Delivered in 2010, Luna  was built for Roman Abramovich as an upgraded replacement for his former exploration yacht Le Grand Bleu .

The yacht was later sold to Roman Abramovich's close friend, Farkhad Akhmedov in April 2014. The new owner sent her to the yard in Germany for an extensive 14-month refit costing €50 million and including around 130 jobs. Sporting exterior design by Frank Neubelt, Luna is famous for a low aft deck that sacrificed interior volume in favour of more space for sunbathing. The swimming pool takes centre stage and made headlines for being the largest ever seen on a superyacht at the time of delivery. Elsewhere, the yacht features two tender garages, a gym and an expansive beach club wrapping around a spa, with a steam bath, plunge pool and sauna. Two helipads sit on the upper deck while the entire lower deck is dedicated to the crew. Luna is ice-classed and built to the highest possible standards, allowing her to travel to the far reaches of the world's oceans.

• Delivery year: 2010
• Length Overall: 115 m
• Gross Tonnage 5655 t

Le Grand Bleu | 112.8m

Le Grand Bleu was built for US telecommunications tycoon John McCaw who subsequently sold the yacht to the Russian businessman Roman Abramovich who had Le Grand Bleu refitted to his own specifications. The main addition was the 4.8 metre swim platform. Le Grand Bleu is now reportedly owned by Ambramovich's friend and business associate Eugene Shvidler.

The yacht has many features that make her ideal for exploration, including a large tender garage with storage for two sports boats as well as a landing craft capable of carrying a 4x4 Land Rover for excursions ashore. Le Grand Bleu even has a 22 metre sailing yacht and a 21 metre Sunseeker motor yacht stored on the aft deck. The yacht is operated by a massive crew of 65 staff.

• Builder: Bremer Vulkan
• Delivery year: 2000
• Length Overall: 112.8 m
• Beam: 17.68 m
• Gross Tonnage 5496 t

Andromeda | 107.40m

First commissioned by New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart as Ulysses , Andromeda is now reportedly owned by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg . A capable explorer yacht ready for any conditions, Andromeda was built at Kleven Verft, a Norwegian company known for building offshore commercial vessels.  Specially designed to have a long-range,  Andromeda  is capable of carrying 36 guests to the furthest corners of the world’s oceans and is equipped with an extensive inventory of toys and tenders, including six motorbikes, two ATVs, a helicopter, a twin-hulled 50-knot support boat, a Sealegs amphibious RIB and full-on landing craft. Guests each get very generous quarters, spread across three decks, with the choicest digs being the two VIPs on the boat deck, each with its own private superyacht balcony .

• Delivery year: 2016
• Length Overall: 107.4 m
• Gross Tonnage 5937 t

Tranquility | 91.5m

The 91.5m explorer yacht Tranquility was the first yacht built to PYC standard when it was first delivered in 2014 by Dutch yard Oceanco originally called Equanimity. Since then, the yacht has enjoyed a colourful reputation, after being seized by Indonesian authorities at the request of the US Department of Justice in 2018 . The yacht hit the headlines again in 2019 as the renamed Tranquility when it played host to Kylie Jenner, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on board . However, one thing has remained constant. Tranquility has remained among the top 10 largest explorer yachts in the world since being it was first delivered in 2014. Spanning five decks, Tranquility is packed with premium superyacht features, including a foredeck helipad, spa and wellness area and 20 metre swimming pool. The tender garage houses two 10.5 metre Hodgson tenders – one sport and one limousine that can carry up to 12 guests and two crew each. Tranquility is well equipped for adventure with a range of water toys including Jet Skis, Wave Runners, SeaBobs and an electric surfboard.

• Builder: Oceanco
• Country of build: Netherlands
• Delivery year: 2014
• Length Overall: 91.5 m
• Beam: 14.6 m
• Gross Tonnage 2999 t

Voyager | 91.4m

The 91.4 metre explorer yacht Voyager is not only one of the largest explorer yachts in the world, but one of the most adventurous . The yacht travelled more than 27,000 nautical miles in 2020, exploring a selection of far-flung locations such as South Africa, Madagascar and Antarctica. The explorer entered this list in 2019, when it completed a three-year conversion from a supply ship into an explorer yacht. The yacht was first built by Swiftships in 1997 as Candy Trader with an initial length of 63 metres. It was later renamed HOS Trader in 2003 and used as an offshore supply ship. Now, the yacht features five decks and a crew of 70. Other features include multiple galleys, pantries and media rooms and a standout deep dive centre – one of the primary purposes of the yacht.

• Builder: Swiftships
• Country of build: United States of America
• Delivery year: 1997
• Length Overall: 91.4 m
• Gross Tonnage 1194 t

Ice | 90.1m

One of the most iconic yachts in the world , Ice  was sold to Suleiman Kerimov following delivery and is more than just imposing and stylish. Ice is also environmentally friendly, extremely quiet and free from vibration thanks to two Azipod units powered by up to eight Deutz generating sets. This provides household power and doesn't sacrifice performance, with the yacht still capable of reaching 18.6 knots.

One of the world's largest explorer yachts, Ice has an arsenal of toys and sailing dinghies as well as a helipad for the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter. A range of 6,000 nautical miles means she can travel anywhere in the world.

• Delivery year: 2005
• Length Overall: 90.1 m
• Gross Tonnage 3268 t

Olivia O | 88.5m

Like many explorers on this list, the 88m Olivia O was built by a yard better known for its commercial vessels. The yacht was delivered by Ulstein Verft in 2020 and designed by legendary superyacht designer Espen Øino . Characterised by a striking reverse bow and explorer profile, Olivia O is believed to be the first time Ulstein’s trademarked X-Bow has appeared on a yacht. The feature pierces smaller waves and reduces pitching and roll in high seas. With a reported gross tonnage of just under 5000GT, Olivia O has plenty of room down below, including accommodation spread over five decks for a total of 20 guests in eight cabins, including Pullman beds. Olivia O also carries a full-time crew of 30. The interior, which was designed by Droulers , is “orientally themed”, specifically around Japan. Other features include a gym, cinema room, large swimming pool and helipad.

• Builder: Ulstein Verft
• Delivery year: 2020
• Length Overall: 88.5 m
• Beam: 16.3 m
• Gross Tonnage 4989 t

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