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Most beautiful superyachts: 10 of the best as chosen by top designers

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What turns a superyacht into a thing of beauty? We asked scores of the world's leading yacht designers to list the 10 most beautiful superyachts ever built...

The only rules were that they couldn’t pick one of their own and they had to be luxury superyachts over 30 metres. With the votes counted, we can now reveal our definitive rundown of the most beautiful yachts in the world.

We’ve even enlisted some of those same designers to explain what makes the final ten yachts so special. Scroll down to see the full top 10 and read more about each model.

10 of the most beautiful superyachts of all time

10. Limitless

James Roy, managing director of BMT Nigel Gee believes her to be one of the most beautiful superyachts in the world and writes:

“One of the earlier breed of superyachts Limitless is in my opinion from a period when the volume of superstructures were not over imposing producing a well balanced yacht. These proportions coupled with the sheer line and well matched angles of bow profile and rake of superstructure ends all work together.”

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Certainly with her dark blue hull and glistening white superstructure she cuts quite a dash and at night her comprehensive array of on deck illumination and underwater lighting make her look nothing short of spectacular proving that yachts can have beauty 24 hours a day.

Year: 1997 – LOA: 96.25m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Jon Bannenburg – Interior: Catroux

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“It’s a great pleasure to pay tribute to an iconic thoroughbred such as Skat , still standing tall on the horizon,” says Tim Saunders of Rainsford Saunders Design. “Despite her military looks, this is a true superyacht, engineered as a ship at heart and built from the keel up, with every square metre fulfilling the owner’s brief. Skat is a unique design but has not broken traditional yachting rules for the sake of it.

She is a superyacht that has been devised to offer the owner a well-considered relationship between external and internal living spaces, and unlike many of her sisters, she doesn’t opt for maximum density. Skat ’s combination of poise, elegance and balance comes from a clever use of straight, angular lines, facetted surfaces and enhanced ship details.

Each component comes together in a harmonious relationship to offer a daring and bold statement that from a distance has the grace and elegance of something far more organic. She is a yacht that catches your eye from all angles.”

Year: 2002 – LOA: 70.7m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Espin Oeino – Interior: Marco Zanini

8. Alfa Nero

“When we first saw Alfa Nero we were impressed by her smooth exterior lines,” say Mareid Moosbrugger and Georg Decker of Egg and Dart Design. “The superstructure is sleek and elegant without any angular or hard corners. We consider her to be one of the most beautiful yachts afloat today, and we can easily understand why our colleagues agree.

“Walking around her at the 2007 Monaco Yacht Show , we felt the three-dimensional use of space was harmonious with the elements, and there was a true balance between the inside and outside areas of the yacht, with the exterior spaces maintaining a close connection with the natural environment of the sea and sky.

“The decks are open and airy, yet there is a feeling of being safely cocooned, and the superb aft deck in particular maintains a feeling of being at one with the ocean, which is emphasised by the huge pool. The yacht impressed us as a gentle giant: on the one hand huge, voluminous and technically advanced; on the other, stylish, glossy and surprisingly cosy.

“The beautiful interior features a timeless but modern design with elements of Art Deco, and everywhere you can see that the smallest details have been attended to. This yacht is a perfect combination of design, functionality and vision, and offers a unique ambience.”

Year: 2007 – LOA: 81.27m – Builder: Oceanco – Exterior: Nuvolari-Lenard – Interior: Alberto Pinto

Designer Reymond Langton says: “At the time of her creation, she was the largest yacht that we had signed and would be the largest the yard had built. The client is a very experienced yacht owner and for him to have put his trust in us when we had nothing of our own in the water at the time was a massive vote of confidence.

“He allowed us to be a little experimental with the design – this was the first large yacht with a plumb bow. It was fantastic to have landed another contract where we were able to design the exterior and interior as it gave us much more control over the whole project, and gave us the scope to really harmonise the spaces.

“It also allowed us to work hand in hand together, which we thoroughly enjoy and believe delivers the best results for the client. We think she stands out because she has a very striking profile that is easily recognisable from a distance.

“She has a lot of presence on the water due to her powerful lines. Anyone who has been on board will tell you that the high-volume interior feels incredibly luxurious.”

Year: 2007 – LOA: 68.0m – Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen – Exterior: Reymond Langton Design – Interior: Reymond Langton Design

6. Carinthia VII

The Austrian supermarket heiress Heidi Horten replaced Carinthia VI (see below) with this very secret yacht rumoured to run at 26 knots. Voting her as his most beautiful yacht, Rupert Mann of Rainsford Mann Design said, “97m is a good length for a designer to work with, as it gives an opportunity to design longitudinally not vertically and therefore create an elegant yacht which appears low and sleek.

“What makes the design of Carinthia VII so successful is the enhancement of this due to the pure and elegant sheer line that draws your eye from the bow to stern so effortlessly. The clever trick of dropping the sheer line one deck down aft, gives it a dynamic and purposeful bow shape forward, as if carving its path with consummate ease.

The horizontal lines of the super structure are equally uncomplicated, in this instance resisting the addition of unnecessary detail such as fashion plates that often complicate a design. Ultimately I think the strength of the design manifests through its simplicity. It is the most successful of designs, which can be called a ‘timeless classic’.

“A design that will be successful in every genre modern or classic and in every decade, that even 7 years later still is relevant and pleasing to the eye. I would suspect it is this timeless styling and the sheer simplicity, coupled with the poise and balance of the whole composition, that is so appealing to so many of us.”

Year: 2002 – LOA: 97m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Tim Heywood – Interior: Tim Heywood

5. Maltese Falcon

The designer Ken Freivoch, responsible for the way this beautiful yacht looks says, “We are delighted that our fellow designers should have included Maltese Falcon within their shortlist. She was designed without any attempt to be ostentatious or to conform to a set style – it was very much a case of “form follows function”, albeit with very careful attention to essential design principles, balanced proportions and uncluttered and purposeful shapes totally derived from the function they are designed to perform.

The yacht is significant in her innovative sailing system, and our studio took this as a clue to develop the design around such technology, with every effort to develop beautiful and unique solutions aimed at highlighting her unique rig. I can only surmise that a reason why she may have been selected by designers is that she is not a “trendy” design, but the result of going back to first principles, coming out with original and unique solutions, and achieve continuity of concept through from the external styling to the interior design.

A case in point would be the design of the “spider” feature at the aft deck – originally the result of a last minute request from the naval architects to achieve optimum separation between the bearings at the mizzen mast, the announcement from Gerry Dijkstra came something like: “Hey Ken, if we had to place the top bearing for the aft mast 1m above the deck, in the middle of the aft deck – would that be a problem?

“Can you come up with a way to do this, which Tom will not object to? We took this as a clue to design an elegant and purposeful set of arches or buttresses to shore up the bearing in question, and at the same time underline what a unique “machine” the Falcon is – express such function very much along the lines of a watchmaker showing the inner workings of a beautifully crafted watch. Maltese Falcon was a great challenge, exactly the type of challenge that our design team relishes.

For us, the thrill, the excitement and the ultimate satisfaction is to come up with totally unique, “out-of-the-box” solutions, and achieve a design which the owner can feel was truly conceived and executed in response to his brief, to his preferences and to the very specific requirements set out for the project.”

Year: 2006 – LOA: 88m – Builder: Perini Navi – Exterior: Gerard Dijstra – Interior: Ken Freivoch

Espen Oenio was at the time of the design working with Martin Francis and describes the commissioning owner – Mexican media magnate Emilio Azcarraga – as a wonderfully charismatic man. He remembers one meeting in particular early on in the project.

They were at the time sitting on board the owner’s then yacht Lady Azteca (now Achilles ), when he laid out what was to become the mission statement for the whole design process. He told the design team: “I am a very private man. I never spend time in port, I am always cruising. But when I do go into port, I want my presence to be felt through my boat.”

James Roy of BMT Nigel Gee is one designer who voted for Enigma . “It was not until I set eyes on her in the flesh at Cowes Week in 1999 that I really came to appreciate her beauty,” he says.

“The reverse sheer, the sweeping aft deck and those iconic windows – they all meld together to produce a yacht that visually works to perfection and is thoroughly striking even today, 18 years after her launch. It’s very different from anything else that is around.”

Theo Werner of Werner Yacht Design is equally enthusiastic. “When the design of this yacht was first published, I was stunned,” he says. “And when the first photographs appeared in the magazines, I was even more stunned.

“She introduced a new way of thinking that even surpassed the designs of Bannenberg, who I admire very much. Eco included many aspects that are foreign to other ships and yachts, yet Martin Francis managed to combine these with everything that make a ship pretty, such as sleekness, the suggestion of a low freeboard a small superstructure.”

She was subsequently sold to Larry Ellison and is now owned by the British businessman Aidan Barclay and his brother.

Year: 1991 – LOA: 74.5m – Builder: Blomhm & Voss – Exterior: Martin Francis – Interior: Francois Zuretti

3. Endeavour

“Endeavour is one of my favourite yachts for a number of reasons,” Ed Dubois told SuperYacht World . “Firstly, she is a J Class yacht – one of only a few ever built. This class epitomised the very peak of yacht design before World War II and remains still, in technical terms, a class apart. These yachts were extreme in every way and demanded technology that was then in its infancy.

“They were superb yachts to sail upwind, but they were also fast reaching and downwind. They demanded a very high level of sailing skill, and indeed a high level of boatbuilding skill.

“ Endeavour , I believe, is the most beautiful of all the Js built. Her purity of line is exquisite and I think the shape of the sheer is slightly better than any of the others including Velsheda (by the same designer).

“Charles Nicholson designed Endeavour in 1933 and she was used to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1934. It was universally acknowledged that she was faster than the defender Rainbow , and she won the first two races, but better sailing by the Americans allowed them to win overall.

“She has captured the imagination of so many people including, happily, Elizabeth Meyer, who acquired the yacht in the seventies and rebuilt her almost from scratch.

“I believe there is some original plate still present but the hull was rebuilt in the UK and then taken to Royal Huisman Shipyard to be fitted out. The interior, by John Munford, is beautiful – obviously not what was fitted originally when she was a pure racing yacht, but Munford created something that is entirely fitting.

“Endeavour is not a practical yacht to own. She can only be sailed in reasonable conditions, she requires a large crew to race her, most of whom by necessity must sleep ashore, and maintaining a yacht of this type, particularly with regard to sails, rigging, etc is not inexpensive. However, for sheer sailing performance, romantic appeal and beauty I believe she is second to none.”

Year: 1934 – LOA: 39.6m – Builder: Camper & Nicholson – Exterior: C & N – Interior: C & N

Designer Tim Heywood says: “When a client gives you carte blanche to create a design, it is a blessing and a curse, if you do not rise to the challenge, you will not gain the approval of your client or, eventually, the respect of your peers.

“ Pelorus was a great project for us and we are extremely pleased with the end result, as was the client. I was able to develop the internal general arrangement plan, the external global styling themes and the practical engineering details to a level I had not achieved before.

The organic curves & forms of the superstructure are echoed in the lines of the hull, tying the two forms together, to produce a harmony that is easy on the eye, was quite unique at the time and, hopefully, will not date.

“The belt line that runs forward from the stern and sweeps down towards the anchor pocket, is inspired by the armour plating of the light cruiser HMS Belfast , which still lives just up stream from our old London studio.

“If I succeeded in creating a yacht that is thought of as attractive, by my brothers in arms of the design world, I am very pleased. Informed comments from professional, talented designers and client, means more than from any other source, especially if they are not negative!

“My partner, Vanessa, came up with our project name, we always give a name to our yachts, rather than a sterile number, and the client liked the name so much that he confirmed Pelorus as the yacht’s eventual name. The yacht has changed hands, but we are very pleased to see that she has retained her original name.”

“If I succeeded in creating a yacht that is thought of as attractive by my brothers-in-arms of the design world, I am very pleased. Informed comment from professional, talented designers and clients means more than from any other source – especially when they are positive!”

Year: 2003 – LOA: 115m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Tim Heywood – Interior: Terrence Disdale

1. Carinthia VI

Dickie Bannenburg of Bannenburg Designs say: “Famously, and perhaps notoriously, Carinthia VI owes her existence to the fact that her elder sibling Carinthia V survived for only a few months before ending her days several fathoms down in Greek waters.

:The unfortunate captain struggled ashore to find a phone to have an awkward phone conversation with Helmut Horten, his Owner. Mr Horten rang my father up almost the following day and told him to start work on her replacement which has now become, in an often over used phrase, a yachting icon.

“She certainly wasn’t an icon when she appeared out of the Lürssen shed for the first time. With dramatic superstructure on a slim frigate-based hull, grilles and that distinctive blue windshield forward of the wheelhouse, my father’s design scared the pants off people and the perception of him hardened amongst conventional designers and naval architects as a dangerous radical. But now her pared down lines and slender masculinity scream good taste, restraint and a sense of suave style that is rarely seen these days.

“Certainly her interior was purposeful, code for slightly austere, and by today’s standards there was not much interior volume for lavish living, not least due to the presence of three mighty MTU diesels. There are no swoops, no complicated fashion plates and absolutely no ability to walk down steps at the transom to a nice bathing platform.

“But all the better for it. Life on board was, I understand, conducted with a certain Austrian precision and Carinthia ’s elegant and taut exterior, with deep blue paintwork and her gold coachwork stripe cut an unmistakeable dash in the harbours of the Cote d’Azur as she still does today.

“My father was very proud of her. Of course I’m even more proud that his design of almost forty years ago has such an enduring impact.”

Year: 2003 – LOA: 115m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Bannenberg – Interior: Bannenberg

First published in the January 2015 issue of Superyacht World.

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Spotted: where to find the world's coolest superyachts

The global superyacht fleet is always on the move. In fact, last year, the fleet travelled a cumulative total of 18.7 million nautical miles . BOAT keeps track of some of the most famous yachts in the world, spotting them in locations such as Dubai, Antarctica and Thailand.

Promise.D in Poole, UK

Following her delivery last month , the 65-metre Feadship Promise.D has been sighted docking at Poole Marina in the UK. The highly-secretive superyacht has only been seen by the public a handful of times, most recently on her sea trials in December 2023. Little information is available on Promise.D , but images reveal a sheltered foredeck, large helipad on her upper deck and a fold-down beach club. Her interiors are also known to be the work of Bannenberg & Rowell .

Infinity in Miami

In February, the 117-metre Infinity was seen in Miami, Florida – no doubt docking for the Miami International Boat Show . She was delivered in 2022 as Oceanco 's flagship superyacht and the largest superyacht to be constructed in the Netherlands, though she was recently superseded by Jeff Bezos' 125.8-metre sailing yacht Koru . Infinity features accommodation for up to 16 guests and a wellness area with a spa, sauna, gym and yoga studio. Espen Øino is responsible for exterior design, while her contemporary interior is by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates .

Athos in Mexico

Recently sighted in Isla Partida, Mexico, the 63.3-metre Athos was originally launched by Holland Jachtbouw in 2010 (and remains its flagship). Her classic build is owed to Hoek Design Naval Architects , while an extensive, 14-month refit saw the schooner leave Huisfit in November 2023 with a 1.25-metre stern extension and a total rebuild of her interiors. Onboard highlights include a cosy media room, a "classic-looking" deckhouse bar and new, professional-grade galley. Athos was BOAT International's June issue cover star in 2023.

Obsidian in Portland

The 84.2-metre Obsidian is the newest hybrid vessel to emerge from Feadship 's shed. Formerly known as Project 710, the yacht has a futuristic exterior look designed by RWD in collaboration with MONK Design . One of her coolest features is an "Aqua Lounge" with large windows below sea level (similar to the Nemo lounge on Savannah ) and a staircase that leads to a hidden terrace sitting just 75 centimetres above sea level. She was recently photographed in Portland, UK.

More about this yacht

Octopus in cowes.

The 126-metre superyacht Octopus was most recently sighted off the coast of Cowes, the Isle of Wight's maritime gateway. Delivered by Lürssen in 2003 (and still ranking among the largest superyachts in the world ), Octopus was commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Outstanding features include an Espen Øino exterior, a glass-bottom pool that rises to create an on-water dance floor and a drive-in garage that qualifies as a "mini marina". Since her delivery, Octopus has explored the coast of Antarctica, traversed the Northwest Passage and even discovered the wrecks of long-lost WW2 battleships off the Philippines. 

Carinthia VII and Tranquility in Dartmouth

Two superyacht legends were spotted crossing paths in Dartmouth Harbour this week. The 97.2-metre Lürssen Carinthia VII and 91.5-metre Oceanco Tranquility have both recently finished up summer refit work at their home shipyards and spent a brief moment on the British coastline. Carinthia VII then hot-footed it to Gibraltar and has now entered the Mediterranean in time for some cruising ahead of its grand debut at the Monaco Yacht Show , while Tranquility has doubled back on itself and is back in the Netherlands. 

Artefact in Alaska

World Superyacht Award winner Artefact came out victorious in the Motor Yacht of the Year category in 2021 – thanks to her cutting-edge exterior and interior design, and an innovative general arrangement to environmental and technical considerations. Built by Nobiskrug , the 80-metre Artefact has been cruising nonstop since leaving Germany in early 2020. She has recently been spotted near Alaska, fulfilling the owner’s desire to have a home that was able to travel the world.

Dr No in Denmark

Capable of carrying a 6.9-metre Super Falcon submarine, the 36.7-metre motor yacht Dr. No ’s primary purpose is adventure, exploration and underwater expeditions. She has recently been spotted in Denmark and is no stranger to expeditions, having ventured to Raja Ampat, Indonesia and New Caledonia. Formerly known as Blue Hunter, Dr. Do went through an extensive refit in 2011 to bring the vessel closer to superyacht standards and to accommodate her all-important submersible. Her unusual lines are the work of HYS Yachts and she was delivered in 1995 from Japanese shipyard Narasaki .

Enterprise in New York

The 38-metre Enterprise was recently spotted docked at the North Cove Yacht Harbor in New York. This Baglietto motor yacht was designed, built and delivered in less than three years, with construction seen through the height of the pandemic. Baglietto claims her to be the world’s largest yacht by volume for her length, thanks to an impressive 8.8-metre beam. Her sundeck is the real showpiece, fitted with a transparent perimeter, a glass-side spa pool and a large bathing platform courtesy of Francesco Paszkowski .

Yachts for charter

Multiverse in florida.

The 116.5-metre Multiverse (formerly known as Ulysses ) was recently spotted in Tampa, Florida bearing a new nameplate. The 2018 build has only been known as Ulysses since delivery, built as the successor to the 2015 yacht of the same name (now renamed Andromeda ). The hardy explorer can accommodate 66 guests and can also carry a 20-metre tender in a recessed well on the foredeck.

Kaos in Miami

The 110-metre Oceanco superyacht Kaos has been spotted moored in Miami. She was delivered in 2017 as Jubilee and the previous flagship of the Oceanco fleet. Her iconic profile and blue superstructure, courtesy of Igor Lobanov, is hard to miss, with her “faux decks” and smoked glass masking her true height. The year-long refit at Lurssen saw Sam Sorgiovanni make alterations to the exterior and interior, while maintaining her recognisable design. She is equipped with multiple standout features across the yacht's 4501 GT volume, including a pool deck with a built-in aquarium. 

Koru and Black Pearl in Mallorca

Two Oceanco sailing giants were spotted docked side by side in Port Vell in Palma. The 125.8-metre Koru made her maiden voyage to Palma following delivery earlier in the month and joined the 106.7-metre Black Pearl during the Palma International Boat Show 2023. The pair measures a collective equivalent of 2.5 football pitches, and Koru marks the new flagship for Oceanco, as well as the largest yacht ever built in the Netherlands. She is also the largest sailing yacht in the world — excluding motor-assisted Sailing Yacht A — while Black Pearl is the third-largest. 

Faith in Saint Martin

The 95.6-metre Faith was spotted seeking some serenity in the waters around Belmond La Samana, one of the most exclusive hideaways in Saint Martin. The yacht dropped anchor just opposite the beach, showing off her elegant RWD -designed exterior, twin ten-metre tenders and unfolding sea terraces, which lead into a spacious beach club with a glass-bottomed pool. In eight weeks' time, the hotel will play host to the inaugural Between the Bays event, which is being held in partnership with Anguilla Tourism, St. Martin Tourism and Feadship.

Octopus in Antarctica

The 126.2 metre Octopus has been busy since she sold in 2021. Since then, she has joined the charter fleet with Camper & Nicholsons and voyaged across central and south America, finishing her ambitious charter tour in the wintry waters of Antarctica. The superyacht, which was famously commissioned for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen , is widely considered the world's first 'true' explorer and is packed from bow to stern with adventurous amenities including pools, a helipad and an ROV.

Stardust in Thailand

The 62.5 metre Amels yacht Stardust was spotted cruising through Phuket and the shallow waters of Phang Nga Bay shortly after delivery. Led by Captain Fraser Gow, the yacht explored the remote beaches and limestone karsts studded throughout the region's emerald waters. Stardust was delivered in 2020 by Amels and is no stranger to adventure — in the first half 2022 she was the world's eighth most-travelled superyacht and she even paid a visit to London . 

Bold in Dubai

BOLD is a born explorer and has been on the move since the day she left the SilverYachts shipyard in 2019. From Australia to Fiji and Papua New Guinea, to Canada and across the Indian Ocean, she has racked up more than 90,000 nautical miles circumnavigating the globe. Her latest adventure has seen the 85.3 metre explorer drop anchor in Dubai where her guests could observe the regatta action unfolding at the Dubai SailGP event - the first to be held in the Middle East. The Espen Øino design may resemble a battleship but conceals a colourful interior behind her aggressive lines and tinted windows. 

Dragonfly in The Netherlands

After checking in for a refit at an unknown shipyard in Harlingen at the beginning of the year, the 73.3 metre Dragonfly has been spotted on the move. Not one often found sitting still in a shipyard, Dragonfly started 2021 exploring Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands, moving northwards to West Papua and crossing the pacific to the Galapagos and Costa Rica, before making passage across the Atlantic to Harlingen. Her slender form is the work of Espen Øino and she is the second of two sisterships from Australian shipyard SilverYachts . 

Blue Jeans in London

The latest launch from Van der Valk made a trip to London on its maiden voyage from the Dutch shipyard. Her custom lapis-blue hull stood out against the grey skies of the British capital as she posed for a picture in front of the iconic Tower Bridge. Highlights of the 33 metre include a sundeck firepit, a folding bulwark that doubles as a diving board, and a foredeck "chillout lounge" with sun pads tucked into the bow and a dining table that pops up from the deck.

Gene Machine and Gene Chaser in Miami

The 55 metre Amels Gene Machine and its Damen support vessel Gene Chaser have been spotted at Yacht Haven Grande Marina at Island Gardens in Miami. The two have been cruising in tandem since 2021 after its owner, Dr Jonathan Rothberg, purchased and refitted the Damen support vessel formerly known as Blue Ocean . In an interview, Rotherbeg said that Gene Machine is operated like a Four Seasons and Gene Chaser is run more like a Holiday Inn Express. Gene Machine carries a Fjord 42, pictured, and a Hatløy Maritime Oxpro AL8 landing craft. The 74 metre Lady Jorgia can also be seen moored side-to the pair.

O'Pari in Greece

The 95 metre O'Pari is one of the largest superyachts built in Greece, and is an active cruiser around the Hellenic coastlines. She was spotted here, coming into the port of Spetses, during a busy summer season island-hopping around the Saronic. She marks one of the most expensive superyachts available to charter and was famously chartered by basketball star Michael Jordan around Croatia. As the flagship for Athens-based shipyard Golden Yachts, she follows in the footsteps of a number of superyachts that all begin with 'O' - a nod to an ancient Greek character that was formerly used as a greeting. 

Fulk Al Salamah

• Mariotti Yachts

This 164-metre (538ft) superyacht was built in Italy by Mariotti Yachts and now sits in the Omani capital as part of the royal fleet. The Italian built superyacht is currently the second largest privately owned yacht in the world, after Lurssen's Azzam.

• Blohm + Voss

Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse has received a huge amount of industry attention, not just for its size but for the celebrity of its owner. Eclipse is the largest and most expensive superyacht ever built. When initially ordered she was estimated to cost approximately £330million, by the time she was delivered however, her overall costs were closer to the £1billion mark due to the extra luxury fittings and security measures required by her owner. With a crew of up to 60, Eclipse is a giant of the sea. She was the fourth superyacht comissioned by Abramovich.

• Platinum Yachts

This magnificent yacht was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Construction was suspended in 1998 and the vessel left unfinished until HH Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum secured the rumoured $300 million project. Platinum Yachts took the mega yacht to completion and in 2006 launched Dubai to become the world’s largest private yacht. Today however, Dubai is the second largest privately owned yacht in the world.

Launched in February 2022, Project Blue is Lurssen's latest secretive yacht project. With little revealed about her specifications and designers, her expansive size was confirmed by the German shipyard following her launch: an incredible 160m. Project Blue will be Lurssen's second-largest superyacht, and is due to be delivered in 2023. She was recently spotted in Bremerhaven, Germany, making her way out to sea for her maiden sea trial. She is expected to have a beam of 21m, and a gross tonnage of 15,320 GT. Her other specifications are currently unknown.

Originally known as Project Omar, the 156 metre superyacht Dilbar was launched in 2016 after over 4 years of construction. A favourite with yachtspotters worldwide, Dilbar is considered the largest superyacht in the world by volume.

Like most royal superyachts, little is known about Al Said, a giant mega yacht formerly codenamed "Project Sunflower". She was delivered to the Sultan of Oman in 2008 as a replacement for a smaller mega yacht of the same name. At a stunning 155m, Al Said consists of six large decks and features striking exterior and interior design by Espen Oeino International, the same company that designed the stunning 127m mega yacht Octopus. According to reports, Al Said is said to accommodate as many as 70 guests and 154 professional crew, as well as featuring a concert room capable of accommodating a 50 piece orchestra.

When construction of A+ (formerly named Topaz) first began she was forecast to be the 4th largest yacht in the world and to measure approximately 147m (482’3’’ft). Having left her floating shed at the Lürssen shipyard located in Bremen, Germany, she is now ready to claim that mantle and undergo the final phases of construction.

Prince Abdulaziz

• Helsingor Vaerft

As one of the yachts of the Saudi Royal Family, Prince Abdulaziz is used to conduct official business as well as for pleasure. The largest yacht built in the 20th century, the interior alone took 15 months to complete. Originally built for the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia who named the yacht after his son, it is now owned by his brother Abddullah.

Very little is known about Lurssen's mysterious superyacht OPERA. At 146m, the superyacht will be the sixth largest yacht Lurssen has built at the time of her launch in September 2022. OPERA was first spotted in May 2021 when she transported to the yard's Bremen outfitting facilities in Germany.

El Mahrousa

• Samuda Bros.

This Egyptian presidential yacht is not only one of the world’s largest but also one of the oldest. Built in 1865 in London, the yacht was intended for the King of Egypt. Originally named Mahroussa, El Horriya was extended in 1872 and again in 1905.  Nowadays she is berthed in Alexandria and is listed as a training ship by the Egyptian Navy.

Developed by German shipyard Lürssen, construction of Project Luminance is underway at their facilities near Lemwerder. Due to enter the esteemed list of the Top 10 largest superyachts in the world, information about the 145m superyacht is limited at this moment in time. Lürssen are world-famous for their incredible innovations and their capacity to build extremely large mega yachts filled with numerous features. Photos that have been captured of the boat indicate that she will have considerable deck space with plenty of room left over indoors to be packed out with luxury.

SAILING YACHT A

Sailing Yacht A is a highly unique vessel, with an LOA of 142.81m. She is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with a number of unique features, including an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and premium navigation systems. Her three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. Her futuristic design was created by Philippe Starck, her smooth silver-metallic surfaces challenging the expectations of conventional aesthetics.

As one of the most well-known builders of Top 100 yachts, Lurssen's NORD (formerly Opus and Redwood) has been highly anticipated as one of the largest ever to launch from the German yard. Also the largest project set to launch in 2020, at 142m, she will accommodate up to 36 guests in 20 cabins and was designed by Nuvolari Lenard.

• ADMShipyards

The 141m superyacht Swift141, now christened 'Yas', was successfully launched by ADMShipyards in November 2011; entering the record books as both the largest launch of 2011 and most significant superyacht in recent history. ADMShipyards, members of Privinvest, has proudly announced the launch of their first superyacht. At 141 meters, this stunning private yacht ranks as the sixth largest superyacht in the world.

• Lloyd Werft

Project Solaris is the revolutionary explorer yacht built by German masters of engineering Lloyd Werft. Topping off the yard's record for ultra large luxury yacht build, Project Solaris is an estimated 139m+ explorer yacht at the German giant's shed.

Scheherezade

As with most yachts in construction at Lurssen, little is known about this 140m project. We do not yet know the designer or architect, but she has been spotted moving around the build-hall. Her sightings have lead yacht spotters on the docks of the yard to aptly name her 'Project Lightning.' We hope to see her launch towards the end of 2019.

Ocean Victory

• Fincantieri Yachts

The largest yacht ever built in Italy and one of the ten largest in the world, Fincantieri has announced the successful delivery of Project Victory - a 140 metre superyacht launched in 2014 - under the official name of Ocean Victory.

Code named as Mipos (short for Mission Possible) during her construction, Al Salamah belongs to Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. Kept a great secret, rumours tell that she has over 80 rooms, a helipad, and an indoor swimming pool complete with glass roof. A real working wonder, this yacht was completed in 1999 after only two years.

Owned by media bigwig David Geffen, Rising Sun is rumoured to have been commissioned by Ellison specifically to be larger than Paul Allen’s Octopus. This 2004 yacht is spread over five decks and is equipped with everything from Jacuzzi bathrooms and wine cellars to a top deck basketball court.

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