Poised to grace the high seas later this year, a spectacular array of superyachts, megayachts, and gigayachts are scheduled for delivery to their very lucky – and no doubt very wealthy – new owners in the coming months.
Veritable floating palaces packed with state-of-the-art technology, these are the highest end of high-end boats, and come with the price tags to prove it.
From the world's largest sportfish vessel to one of the largest ultra-luxe designs in history, read on to feast your eyes on 2023's most sensational new superyachts, megayachts, and gigayachts.
All dollar amounts in US dollars.
A slew of breathtaking superyachts, megayachts, and gigayachts have already hit the water in 2023.
They include Feadship's secretive 221-foot (67.4m) Project 823, as well as Lürssen's super-striking 295-foot (90m) Norn (pictured), which was launched in February. The vessel, which was originally known as Project 1601, boasts a warship-esque exterior and unusual greenhouse-style glazing on one of its upper decks.
Arguably the most showstopping launch of 2023 so far, however, is the $500 million (£402m) Koru, which began its maiden voyage on 6 April.
Owned by none other than Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the majestic 417-foot (127m) Oceanco-made beauty has a height of over 123 feet (70m), which makes it the tallest sailing yacht on the planet.
It also holds the record for being the largest-ever yacht built in the Netherlands.
But onto the upcoming launches. Perfect for the roving adventurer with plenty of cash to splash, this compact explorer yacht is scheduled for launch later this spring.
Dubbed Project Fox, the 115-foot (35m) vessel is currently under construction at the prestigious Pendennis shipyard in Falmouth, England, with Pendennis promising that it will "represent the very best of British engineering and interior design".
The superyacht features a sizeable open aft (back) deck with ample space for tenders, jet skis, and other belongings. With space to accommodate up to 10, it pairs chic minimal interiors designed by hip studio Q London with a glass sky lounge and DJ booth, along with a number of other cool add-ons.
With no owner as yet, Project Fox is up for sale with Burgess Yachts for $18.9 million (£15m), which, dare we say it, is actually pretty reasonable for a superyacht of this calibre.
The first unit of the Atlantique 47 was sold back in 2021 for an undisclosed price, though you can bet your bottom dollar that it was an eye-watering sum.
Built by Columbus Yachts at Italy's Ancona shipyard and designed by Milan-based studio Hot Lab, the 141-foot (43m) stunner gives a nod to Italian supercar styling and has a low-profile aesthetic, with its decks situated much closer to the water than other superyachts.
Atlantique 47 has space for 10 guests, who'll be able to cruise in style thanks to its four double cabins and full-beam owner's suite.
Most impressive of all are the exterior spaces, which feature not just one but two swimming pools, an Instagram-worthy beach club (complete with fold-out platforms), and a spacious sun deck.
X-Space is a something of a hybrid between an explorer and a traditional yacht.
The handiwork of Sanlorenzo, which is keeping the boat's price tightly under wraps, this distinctive 144-footer (44m) offers the intrepid owner a high-end vessel that can take them further afield than a classic superyacht, without compromising on the style and luxuriousness expected of such a craft.
Designed by Zuccon International Project and Piero Lissoni, X-Space packs a lot in for a craft of its size.
The vessel has accommodation for 10 guests, including a very generously sized owner's apartment that's almost entirely encased in glass.
Offering the owner and their guests the last word in privacy, the boat features two good-sized swimming pools and five decks, including an upper-deck aft area that can function as a grand open-air living room.
Staying with Italian-made superyachts, the 145-foot (44.3m) explorer vessel Maverick from Cantierre delle Marche (CdM) was sold in 2021 to an experienced yacht owner who plans to cruise the Mediterranean and navigate the Northwest Passage.
For this reason, the superyacht, whose current asking price is $30.5 million (£25m), is a multitasking marvel.
Maverick has capacity for 13 guests across its seven staterooms.
Its highlights include an A-frame crane, an infinity pool (which can be covered to provide added space for water toys and deck furniture), and an aft deck that doubles up as a beach club. There's also a gym, sauna, and diving centre on board.
The historic Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman has gone all out with its 171-foot (52m) Project 406, which, when finally completed this year, will rank as the world's largest luxury sportfish yacht, making it the ultimate boat for marine recreational angling.
Commissioned in 2020 by a multimillionaire diehard yachtsman and fisherman, the record-smashing craft has been described as a "sportsfisher on steroids".
The Vripack-designed vessel certainly lives up to that description. Spread over six decks, and featuring a fishing cockpit and skylounge viewing platform atop for observing the angling action, the towering boat, which is illuminated by cutting-edge laser lighting, is perfectly suited for catching fast-moving swordfish and marlin.
Details about the accommodation are yet to be revealed and the boat's price is currently unknown.
Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts has teamed up with Dutch design firms Azure and Diana to create the 172-foot (52.5m) custom Alia Sea Club.
Dreamed up by these companies for their client as an amenity-loaded explorer, the superyacht – which can host 10 guests – is all about the toys...
Alia Sea Club's standout features include a helideck, a vast toy and tender garage, a capacious water sports centre, and a fun slide.
It has room for everything from a submarine to two sailing catamarans, as well as diving equipment and Seabobs.
In terms of cost, Alia Yachts is keeping its cards close to its chest – but it certainly won't be cheap.
Now let's move on to this this year's megayacht launches. If you're wondering what the difference is, superyachts are generally considered to measure from 98 feet to 197 feet (30m to 60m), while megayachts span between 197 feet and 295 feet (60m to 90m).
At 220 feet (67m), Project Sparta fits comfortably in the latter category.
With both its interior and exterior designed by the UK's Winch Design, Project Sparta was built at Heesen's shipyard in the Netherlands. Based on the yachtmaker's Project Avanti vessel, the megayacht boasts a streamlined sporty profile.
It can accommodate 12 guests in fabulous style and, when finally completed, the craft will be decked out with plenty of luxe amenities, including an infinity pool, jacuzzi, bar, sauna, steam room, beauty salon, and gym.
The vessel's owner is a frequent charterer who decided to take the plunge and splash out on a megayacht of their own, with the cost estimated to be around $88 million (£71m).
Winch Design is also behind the exterior design of the Project Black Shark megayacht, which has been receiving its finishing touches at the Nobiskrug shipyard in Germany.
The interiors, on the other hand, are the work of the Dutch Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design studio.
The project experienced a delay when Nobiskrug filed for insolvency in 2021, but was up and running again in 2022 when the shipyard got back on its feet and renewed the contract. The cost of the boat is being kept a secret.
In keeping with its name, the 253-foot (77m) megayacht has a dramatic shark-like profile and matte-black finish, making it impossible to miss on the water.
Project Black Shark is designed to accommodate 12 guests, who'll no doubt be bowled over by its swish amenities, including a deck whirlpool, spa area, and beach club. They can also cruise with a clear conscience, knowing that the megayacht is one of the most environmentally efficient vessels to ever hit the seas.
Turkey's Turquoise Yachts is in the final stages of constructing its Project Toro megayacht, which spans 259 feet (79m).
With the exterior and interiors designed by British studio Harrison Eidsgaard – which, in addition to its portfolio of yachts, is also behind some of the world's most luxurious private jets – the end result will undoubtedly be a cut above the rest.
Delighting onlookers with its neo-classical exterior, the fully custom beauty will have room for 14 guests. They'll get to enjoy interiors that are "the definition of serenity and calm", according to Turquoise Yachts, as well as making use of a beauty salon and gym.
The megayacht, which was sold in 2021 for an undisclosed sum, is also set to feature a substantial swimming pool.
We've now arrived in gigayacht territory, which are vessels that measure over 295 feet (90m).
First up on our list is the minimally named H (officially 1050H, if we're being formal) by the Dutch yacht builder Oceanco, which is owned by Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, a billionaire from Oman.
Rather than a new gigayacht per se, the 344-foot (105m) vessel is reported to be a complete rebuild of Oceanco's Indian Empress, which was originally constructed under the name Al Mirqab in 2000.
The lavishly upcycled dazzler is 33 feet (10m) longer than the original and has a sleeker, more attention-grabbing superstructure, along with brand spanking new interiors by the Bath-based Reymond Langton Design, the studio that took care of the originals.
When completed, the gigayacht will likely have accommodation for 20 guests and a whole host of upscale amenities.
The cost of the transformation hasn't been revealed but its original price back in 2000 came in at $150 million (£120m), meaning that the revamp is likely to end up a whole lot more expensive...
An explorer gigayacht that most definitely means business, the 351-foot (107m) Project Icecap, which may end up being renamed Shackleton after the great Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer, will be able to cut its way through the frozen seas as if they were butter thanks to its extra-tough ice-classed hull.
Under construction at Lürssen's shipyard in Wolgast, Germany, the gigayacht is designed by the Norwegian studio Salt Ship Design.
The expedition vessel was commissioned by Canadian seafood magnate John Risley at a reported cost of $350 million (£281m), though it may have since changed ownership.
It's been built to accommodate 20 guests across 10 staterooms, and will feature a helipad, deep swim platform, and spacious forward observation lounge. Reports suggest that Project Icecap also has its own infinity pool: this appears on the renders but seems to be absent in photos of the uncompleted vessel.
Freire's shipyard in the Galician port of Vigo is currently working on what will be the largest yacht to ever be crafted in Spain – not to mention one of the biggest ever to be built in Europe.
NB-724 is set to span 367 feet (112m) and is believed to feature a beauty salon, beach club, and gym, as well as an elevator. The naval architecture and design work have been carried out by Norway's Marin Teknikk and the British studio Bannenberg & Rowell.
Judging by photos of the gigayacht during its construction and sea trials, the explorer vessel will feature expansive deck spaces, as well as a helipad.
YachtCharterFleet reports that the NB-724 can hold up to 36 guests across 19 suites, with the additional option of accommodating up to 44 crew. All aboard, people...
Lürssen's 400-foot (122m) Project JAG belongs to Pakistani-American billionaire businessman and sports tycoon Shahid Khan, who's said to have shelled out $360 million (£289m) for the gigayacht.
Khan owns the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, hence the name of the vessel, which is a replacement for his $200 million (£160m), 312-foot (95m) Kismet megayacht. Kismet, which was built by Lürssen in 2014, is currently for sale.
Khan previously owned a 220-foot (67m) Lürssen megayacht, which was also named Kismet. It was delivered in 2007, later sold, and is now called Global.
With exterior design by Italy's Nuvolari Lenard and interiors overseen by Reymond Langton, the gigayacht can accommodate 20 guests across its 11 decadent staterooms.
Wow-factor amenities will include a helipad, swimming pool, beauty salon, and gym. There will also be an indoor and outdoor cinema, a dance floor, and a selection of toys and tenders, ranging from a submarine to sea scooters.
The biggest gigayacht set for completion and delivery in 2023, Lürssen's Project Luminance spans a staggering 475 feet (145m), making it as long as three Olympic-sized swimming pools and one of the largest gigayachts in the world.
Currently undergoing sea trials, the enormous vessel is five years in the making and benefits from the exterior design expertise of Monaco's Espen Øino, with inside décor by esteemed French studio Zuretti Interior Design.
This masterpiece of yacht design and engineering can accommodate at least 24 guests across its 12 fantastically opulent staterooms.
Recent images show that the mammoth vessel has two helipads, a multitude of deck space for entertaining, and a huge swimming pool, complete with an adjacent dip pool.
Reported to have cost in excess of $500 million (£401m), Project Luminance was commissioned by Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest person. However, a report in The New York Times last year suggested that he's already considering selling the vessel due to Russia's invasion of his home country. There's hasn't yet been any news regarding a sale, so watch this space...
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