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One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology. Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft. The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths. Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

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World's largest explorer yacht 126m OCTOPUS joins charter fleet

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By Nina Done   3 August 2021

Following her recent sale, the spectacular 126m/414ft Lurssen  explorer yacht OCTOPUS marks her debut onto the charter market for the very first time since her celebrated launch in 2003. She is expected to be made available for charter from January 2022 following a winter yard period, where the new Owner will undoubtedly want to put his own stamp on the yacht ensuring she is in turnkey condition for luxury yacht charters for her up-coming two-year world tour.  

This extraordinary yacht has been shrouded in secrecy for years, but now we are able to share some of the world-class features and amenities OCTOPUS has to offer. 

Showcasing an understated elegance, her stunning interiors are an artful blend of classic styling combined with state-of-the-art technology, which all come together to create a delightful and welcoming ambience, with large flanking windows acting to emphasize the space and usher in plenty of natural light.

She can accommodate up to 26 guests in 13 exceptional suites, including a vast dedicated Owner's deck replete with a bar, Jacuzzi, alfresco dining area and private elevator. 

Vast array of standout amenities

Onboard highlights include a spectacular aft swimming pool surrounded by loungers and seating areas and overlooked by her bridge deck. She also boasts a spa, library, sound studio, cinema, basketball court and glass-bottomed observation lounge, to name a few of her impressive features.

On top of this, she also houses several tenders, including a superlative 13-meter Hinckley tender and luxurious custom limo tender, as well as 2 helicopters with their own private hangar, a dive centre complete with its own hyperbaric chamber and a submarine which can accommodate 8 people, plus 2 crew for up to 8 hours of astonishing underwater exploration. 

This impressive ocean explorer also boasts a whopping 12,500nm range, perfect for navigating the far-flung corners of the globe. Make no mistake, this is one truly outstanding yacht.

Interested in booking a luxury expedition charter?

To find out more about chartering popular destinations across the globe, check out our in-depth yacht charter guides for more information.

If you’d like to learn more about chartering explorer yacht OCTOPUS, please contact your yacht charter broker .

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Motor Yacht

Octopus is a 126.20m (414.04ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2003 and last refitted in 2008.

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology.

Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft.

The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths.

Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

With a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, this giant is owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. With a full-time crew of 60 including former Navy Seals, maintenance and salaries on the ship cost a rumoured $200 million. Octopus is well-known for hosting famous faces onboard its well-equipped decks, serviced only by world leaders in their fields.

• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
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• Interior Designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett No profile available

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Octopus Yacht Uncovered: An Insider’s Look at the Luxury Yacht

Launched back in the year 2003, the Octopus yacht was built by famous shipyard Lurssen out of Germany. Lurssen has been behind numerous other superyachts such as Kismet and Dilbar and many more. The exterior design was handled by Espen Øino Naval Architects while the interior was handled by American designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

Who Owns the Octopus Yacht?

The Octopus yacht was owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft. In addition to being a private pleasure yacht for Allen, the Octopus has served a variety of purposes over the years thanks to him loaning it out. It has served as an exploration vessel, been used for scientific research and has even seen use as a rescue vessel.

Allen died in 2018 and at that time the yacht underwent a refit at Blohm + Voss. In 2019 it was put on sale for a price of €295 million. The price was dropped by about 60 million and in 2021 it was picked up by an anonymous buyer. However, the anonymity didn’t last long and it was later revealed that Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson.

How Big is the Octopus Motor Yacht?

The Octopus more than qualifies as a superyacht coming in at an incredible 126.2 meters or 414 feet. While the largest yachts in the world are over 500 feet, the Octopus is clearly massive and could rightly be labeled a megayacht and one of the world’s largest yachts as well.

Aside from the incredible length of the vessel, it features a beam just shy of 69 feet across. The gross tonnage is 9,932.

How Much Did the Yacht Octopus Cost?

Paul Allen purchased the Octopus back in 2003. At that time the vessel cost him $200 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would work out to about $327 million by today, clearly making this one of the more expensive yachts in the world. That said, it still doesn’t meet the bar for one of the most expensive yachts ever by quite a bit.

Can You Charter the Octopus Yacht?

The Octopus is available for charter through the yacht firm Camper and Nicholsons but it’s definitely not available for most budgets. We’ve covered other yachts before that are owned by billionaires and are available for charter at some steep prices that often range around $1.2 million per week. The Octopus goes to the next level. 

You can charter the Octopus for about $2.2 million per week and that doesn’t include expenses. So you’ll be paying for things like food and fuel separately. Suffice it to say that this is not a charter for everyone but the option is there. 

Is the Octopus Yacht for Sale?

After its initial purchase in 2003 the Octopus was not available for sale until 2019 after owner Paul Allen passed away. There are currently some websites that claim the Octopus is for sale now and you can make an offer but the reliability of those sites is unknown and they do list the previous sale price from 2019 so they may not be current.

How Fast is the Octopus Yacht and What Engines Does it Use?

The Octopus has a cruising speed listed at 12.5 knots and a top speed listed at 19 knots. This is provided thanks to 8 MTU diesel engines that can generate a total of 19,200 hp. The yacht has an impressive range of up to 12,500 nautical miles at cruising speed thanks to her 1,034,000 liter fuel tanks 

What’s the Octopus Yacht Interior Like?

The Octopus covers eight decks and has room on board for a total of 26 guests and 63 crew. The guests can find accommodations in a full-beam master suite, two VIP suites, seven double rooms and three twins, one with an additional single bed.

The master suite is on a dedicated owner’s deck and features a king size bed, his and hers en suite bathrooms and a private observation deck that includes an al fresco dining area. There’s also a private bar and Jacuzzi There is also an owner exclusive private elevator for use. 

For years the details of the interior were a closely guarded secret while Paul Allen was still the owner. In fact, designer Espen Oeino said that this was the first yacht that ever required him to sign an NDA to keep its design secret. Since then he’s signed many more, but the Octopus was where it started. However, since Allen’s passing and the sale of the yacht, the transition to a vessel available for charter has allowed us to learn a lot more about the Octopus and its amenities and entertainment facilities.

Features and Amenities

The Octopus is an ice-class exploration yacht so it can go where many other luxury yachts cannot. It has two helipads as well as garages to house two helicopters. In addition, guests can find the following on board.

• There’s a large swimming pool to the aft of the yacht on the main deck. It features numerous loungers and its own cocktail bar. There’s also a retractable glass floor that covers the pool when not in use.
• A dance floor for parties
• A movie theater
• A well equipped gym for working out
• A relaxation spa that includes a sauna
• A large indoor/outdoor beach club area
• A large deck Jacuzzi
• A glass bottomed observation lounge
• A well-stocked library for those evenings when you want to curl up with a good book

For those who want to have some more intense fun out on the water, the Octopus has a number of toys that can be used.

• 59’5” Delta Powerboats 54′ Tender
• 30’8” Vikal Custom Limo Tender with a pair of 260 HP engines
• A 10-person submarine named Pagoo which we’ll talk more about shortly
• A dive center with a hyperbaric chamber and scuba gear
• A large swim platform
• A diving platform
• 4 separate 2 seat Yamaha FX140 Waverunners
• 2 separate 2 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayaks
• An Epic V5 Kayak
• 3 Windsurfers for a range of skill levels
• A stand up Yamaha jet ski
• 3 surfboards
• Kite surfers 
• Water skis and a variety of towable toys 
• Snorkeling gear
• Fishing gear

Octopus Rescue Work

The Octopus also features a not entirely typical on board submarine and also a very rare ROV or remote operated vehicle which is essentially a remote control sub. These had been used a number of times on rescue operations when Paul Allen owned the vessel.

The sub and ROV were used to help find a pilot and two officers who vanished off the coast of Palau, and even aided the Royal Navy in finding the bell from the HMS Hood which sank off of Denmark in WWII.

The Octopus has also aided in scientific research, most notably when researchers were studying coelacanth, a species of prehistoric fish thought to have been extinct for millions of years. 

What is the Octopus Yacht Deck Plan?

You can see the full deck plans here. The Octopus was designed to feature some things you would never expect to find on a yacht. For instance, it had a fully equipped recording studio where the band U2 did some recording. The studio also hosted Usher, Mick Jagger and Joss Stone. However, the studio has since been replaced with a bar and lounge area.

In addition to the studio the yacht was designed with a storm cabin to help minimize the effects of bad weather and a full medical center in case of emergencies. Many of these features no longer exist since the retrofit after Paul Allen’s death.

One extremely unique feature is the central clock. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel were strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck. The designer enlisted the aid of a 102-year-old German clock making company to help bring the idea to life. It also uses digital audio software so that on a regular basis the strings can play snippets from literally any song to indicate the passage of time.

The Bottom Line

The Octopus yacht was once owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen until his death in 2018. Afterwards, some of the yacht was redesigned and it was sold for close to $300 million to Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson. 

The Octopus is a massive exploration yacht measuring 414 feet making it large but nowhere near as big as something like the massive Azzam . It has been used for scientific research and rescue missions in the past and is now available for charter though at a steep price.

While it has many of the expected amenities of luxury yachts it also features some more exotic fare like the minisub with room for 8 passengers and two crew, as well as a stunning array of toys and other features.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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OCTOPUS Yacht – $285M Superyacht For Charter

Measuring in at an impressive length of 126.2 meters the OCTOPUS yacht is the 21st largest yacht in the world.

With an estimated worth of $285 million, her owner is currently unknown.

This stunning vessel can comfortably accommodate up to 26 guests while having a crew of 57 on hand to cater to their needs.

Powered by Mercedes Diesel engines she can reach speeds up to 20 knots.

OCTOPUS yacht interior

The OCTOPUS yacht inter offers space for up to 26 guests in 13 cabins, including a spacious owner’s cabin and deck.

A well-trained crew of up to 63 crew members provides 5-star service onboard this luxury vessel.

OCTOPUS’ interior has several bars distributed across the different decks, a fully equipped spa, a cinema, a gym, a library, and even a basketball court.

The interior was designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett, a well-known superyacht designer from Seattle, Washington.

OCTOPUS Boat Specifications

With a length of 126.20 meters (414 ft) and a beam of 21 meters (68 ft), the OCTOPUS yacht weighs in at an impressive 9,900 gross tons.

She is powered by 8 MTU engines producing a total of 19,200 hp (14,300 kW).

Her maximum speed lies at 19 knots, while her relatively slow cruising speed of 12 knots allows her to have a range of 12,500 nautical miles.

OCTOPUS is also equipped with the latest anchor and steering technology, which helps to maneuver the vessel.

OCTOPUS yacht has two helipads, one at the stern with its own hangar and one at the bow.

She has a total of seven tenders, one of which is 13 meters long and can almost be considered its own yacht.

The OCTOPUS superyacht also has two submarines on board, one of which is remotely controlled while the other can accommodate eight people.

The internal dock of the megayacht can be used to dry lay vessels of up to 20 meters for possible repairs. The mega yacht also has a large pool on deck as well as a jacuzzi and a spacious beach club.

The onboard elevator system ensures that guests and crew can move quickly between the eight decks.

For the entertainment of the guests, the yacht carries scuba diving equipment, jet skis, and other water toys.

OCTOPUS Price & Charter

The former owner of the OCTOPUS superyacht paid a price of US $200 million for the yacht in 2003 and she generates annual running costs between US $20 and 35 million.

As of 2022, OCTOPUS is available for charter for the first time ever since her launch. She costs approximately 2.2 Million Euro’s per week.

In 2022 in Summer she will be available in Central America and the Pacific while in Winter she will be in Antarctica.

For 2023 she will be located in the Mediterranean and the weekly rate is expected to remain the same.

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In pictures: 126m Octopus explores Antarctica

Camper & Nicholsons has shared the first images of 126.2 metre Octopus exploring the icy waters of the White Continent as part of a cross-planet charter expedition. According to BOATPro , the superyacht arrived in Antarctica in late December and has since visited as far as James Ross island in the southeast and Anvers island in the west. 

The yacht, which is widely considered the first ‘true’ explorer, was famously commissioned for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and comes packed with adventure-enhancing amenities including helipads, pools and a fully-equipped dive centre.

The superyacht was sold in August 2021 and joined the charter fleet later that same month. Since then she has cruised the coasts of Mexico, passed through the Panama Canal and explored the cities of Brazil.  

Antarctica marks the final leg of her ambitious charter tour. She is currently crossing the Drake Passage on her route back to Ushuaia, Argentina. 

Octopus is equipped with an ice-class 1A steel hull and is fitted with two-hybrid ABB Industry AG E-Motors that can help her limit her environmental footprint in the delicate cruising grounds of Antarctica. She has a flotilla of tenders for getting up close to the region's soaring glaciers and penguin population. 

Additionally, she carries an ROV. Antarctica is home to a number of shipwrecks, and Octopus is no stranger to uncovering important underwater artefacts .

Octopus was delivered in 2003 by Lürssen to an exterior design by Espen Øino , with US designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett creating her interiors.

"She's the perfect yacht to undertake such a voyage," said Jacqui Lockhart, head of charter marketing for Camper & Nicholsons. 

"She's well-equipped to host intrepid charterers off the beaten track with a fully equipped medical suite and dive centre on board - complete with hyperbaric chamber - as well as a submarine and two helipads. Octopus was truly built for explorer expeditions."

Beneath her tough exterior, Octopus offers a range of features designed for rest and recreation across her eight decks, including a spa, cinema, library and observation lounge. Accommodation is offered for a total of 12 guests, including a private owner’s deck complete with its own elevator.

She can reach a top speed of 19 knots and is equipped with an impressive range of 12,500 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.

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