The Most Expensive Yachts In The World (And Why They Cost So Much)

Quick Links

• Pelorus

• Radiant

• Dubai

• Motor Yacht A

• Flying Fox

• Koru

• Motor Yacht A+ (Topaz)

• Azzam

• Eclipse

Luxury yachts have introduced a glittery (and technologically advanced) era of seafaring, and the most expensive yachts in the world are their epitome.

The ultra-wealthy owners of "megayachts" and "superyachts" do not just own floating palaces that help them navigate the oceans, they possess massive, floating symbols of prestige and decadence.

Every superyacht on this list is a work of art with a unique design, cutting-edge technology, and of course, ultimate luxury.

These vessels range from the glittering History Supreme adorned in gold, to the advanced motor yacht A, symbolizing abundance and class in the shipping world.

9 Pelorus

Value: $300 Million

As a representative example of maritime luxury and engineering, there is the Pelorus, valued at approximately $300 million.

This yacht measures over 115 meters and has an elegant design with current technology.

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It was constructed by the German shipyard Lürssen and designed by Tim Heywood, with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure.

Pelorus is a luxurious yacht that provides myriad services, like different swimming pools, helipads, and a lavishly appointed category of guest suites.

She has a high-tech stabilization system for a smooth sail.

Over the years, the yacht has been owned by eminent personalities and serves as a sign of wealth in the realm of luxurious yachts.

8 Radiant

Price: $320 Million

The Radiant, valued at an estimated $320 million, is a fantastic example of marine lavishness in secure vessel.

Built in 2009 by Lürssen, this super yacht comes with a sophisticated design created by Tim Heywood and an exquisite interior by Glen Pushelburg.

In addition to the luxury-focused features expected on a yacht of her pedigree, she has up-to-date security attributes – like a missile defense shield for maximum security:

Boat International shared that she is also equipped with an arsenal of sonic guns that fire low-frequency sound waves that can burst the eardrums of approaching assailants and a military water cannon capable of sinking an approaching boat at more than 100 yards.

The Radiant boasts luxurious facilities such as a swimming pool, beach club, a theater room, and a well-equipped gym.

She offers the finest in luxury, technology, and safety, earning her a spot among elite nautical craft and providing an exceptionally safe experience at sea.

7 Dubai

Price: $400 Million

The Dubai yacht, valued at $400 million, is another example of extreme maritime luxury.

Spanning an impressive 162 meters, she is among the largest yachts traversing the seas today.

Commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei and later acquired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, this floating masterpiece was crafted by Platinum Yachts.

Her lavish features include a mosaic swimming pool, a helipad, and a striking circular staircase.

Her interior, adorned with opulent fabrics and handcrafted materials, offers a sumptuous visual experience rivaling the extraordinary comfort and luxury she boasts.

Dubai is not just a vessel but a symbol of regal luxury and architectural grandeur on the seas.

6 Motor Yacht A

Price: $440 Million

Motor Yacht A, valued at $440 million, is a striking example of maritime luxury and architectural innovation ... with a highly unassuming moniker.

Designed by Philippe Starck and engineered by Blohm + Voss, this 119-meter vessel stands out with her futuristic, submarine-inspired silhouette.

Launched in 2008, she boasts an opulent interior, including a 2,500-square-foot master bedroom and disco, alongside six guest suites that can be converted into four larger staterooms.

Her unique features include three swimming pools (one glass-bottomed) and a helipad.

Emphasizing luxury and privacy, Motor Yacht A is a floating masterpiece, blending avant-garde design with state-of-the-art technology.

5 Flying Fox

Price: $455 Million

The Flying Fox, valued at $455 million, is a textbook example of maritime luxury and engineering.

Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen in 2019, this yacht stands out for her sheer size and opulent features.

She spans an impressive length, offering ample space for a vast array of amenities and to accommodate a number of guests.

Her interior design is a blend of elegance and modernity, providing unparalleled comfort and luxury.

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The Flying Fox is not just a vessel; she is a floating sanctuary which offers a unique and indulgent experience, making her one of the most prestigious yachts in the world today.

4 Koru

Price: $500 Million

You won't find Jeff Bezos' Koru yacht on the majority of "most expensive yacht" rankings, which appears to be by design.

Crafted by shipbuilder Oceanco, Bezos' Koruwas the subject of a May 19thNew York Times profile, "Jeff Bezos’ New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail."

After briefly touching upon the Koru's specs, the Times noted that Oceanco declined an opportunity to discuss the yacht, effectively turning down what amounted to free advertising in one of the world's largest newspapers:

A spokesperson for Mr. Bezos did not comment for this article; neither did Oceanco, Koru’s builder. Here is what to know about the boat ...

Before the Koru was christened, Bezos was the subject of a tellingly-titled BBC.com article: "Jeff Bezos and the secretive world of superyachts."

The BBC didn't mention the Koru by name in its May 2021 article, but the outlet reported on a vessel matching her description (417 feet long and priced at around $500 million):

The 417ft (127m) vessel is being built in the Netherlands by Oceanco, according to a new biography of Bezos by Bloomberg News ...

... The highly secretive superyacht project, known as Y721, is due to be completed sometime next month, according to Bloomberg. It's likely that Bezos' order was placed several years ago, since custom-made ships like this can take around five years to build.

Bezos' reluctance to comment on the Koru for the Times' profile may have been due in part to a controversy over the yacht and the putative dismantling of a bridge to enable her passage in 2022.

Initial plans to dismantle the bridge were scrapped in August 2022, but secrecy around the Koru's specifications remain to this day.

3 Motor Yacht A+ (Topaz)

Price: $527 Million

Motor Yacht A+, previously christened Topaz and valued at $527 million, is a stunning vessel whose reputation precedes her.

Launched in 2012 by Lürssen Yachts, this impressive vessel spans 147 meters, making her one of the largest yachts in the world.

Designed by Tim Heywood with an interior by Terence Disdale, the Topaz is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities.

She features multiple decks, a large jacuzzi, a swimming pool, a spacious conference room, a cinema, and a fully equipped gym.

This yacht is a floating estate and mansion, fusing elegance, luxury, and high-end technology, reflecting the pinnacle of affluent living and nautical craftsmanship.

2 Azzam

Price: $600 Million

The Azzam, priced at $600 million, is a remarkable feat in yacht engineering and luxury.

Launched in 2013 by Lürssen Yachts and designed by Nauta Yachts, she stretches an impressive 180 meters, making her one of the largest private yachts ever built.

Notable for both her speed and elegance, the Azzam boasts a sleek, sophisticated design and can reach speeds over 30 knots, thanks to her powerful jet engines.

Her interior, designed by Christophe Leoni, exudes luxury with intricate, bespoke designs.

This yacht represents a harmonious blend of size, performance, and opulence, setting a new standard in luxury yachting.

1 Eclipse

Price: $1.5 Billion

The Eclipse is one of the world's most expensive yachts, towing a hefty price tag of $1.5 billion; her valuation has increased since she first launched.

This luxurious vessel is renowned for her extraordinary size and opulent amenities. She features a sleek and modern design, offering her privileged occupants the utmost in comfort and extravagance at sea.

The Eclipse set new standards for oceanic luxury with multiple decks, spacious cabins, a swimming pool, a helipad, and a mini-submarine on board.

Owned by prominent Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, this yacht once held the record for being the longest privately owned yacht, until the Azzam sailed away with her crown.

A Note About The History Supreme 'Superyacht'

"Price": $5 Billion

Across the internet, the History Supreme is routinely touted as the most expensive yacht to ever exist, purportedly fashioned entirely from solid gold and platinum, and even inlaid with precious gems.

If ever a vessel was made to be on a list like this, it's the History Supreme. But precious little information seems to exist about the yacht, and it is particularly scarce with respect to basic details like her home port and supposed owner.

Yet searches for the History Supreme lead to link after link ranking it as the most expensive yacht ever made, sidestepping obvious questions – such as ones about whether precious metals are compatible with prolonged exposure to corrosive seawater, or whether a vessel of her description could be seaworthy at all.

Thankfully, the maritime information hub BoatSafe.com has the scoop on this mysterious vessel, first pointing out that every site listing "uses the same four images" – often a sign that a concept or CGI object has been mistaken for or falsely held out as real.

Almost all the other yachts on this list have left undeniable traces of their existence – registration information, dedicated Wikipedia entries, and details about their movements and ports of call.

As for the "four images" in total, that's uncommon for notable vessels, which are often photographed by boating enthusiasts and beachgoers when yachts are docked, boarded, or when they're seen near the shoreline while at sea.

In this particular instance, it's difficult to imagine a solid gold yacht criss-crossing the planet for well over a decade (after her supposed commission in 2011) and not appearing in at least one Instagram post.

The History Supreme is described as the most unusual and lavish yacht in history, but no verifiable evidence of her seems to exist anywhere; she is brag-worthy, but never bragged about.

As BoatSafe.com explains, the History Supreme has all the hallmarks of an internet hoax:

You may have heard that the most expensive yacht in history is called the History Supreme. As near as I’ve been able to figure out, that’s not true. Not because the alleged $4.8 billion yacht wouldn’t be the most expensive – that’s far more than the next most expensive yacht.

Instead, it’s not true because the History Supreme is not a real yacht. It doesn’t exist. But you wouldn’t know that from how the internet works.

BoatSafe.com raised questions about her rumored owner (an unnamed, wealthy man from Malaysia), pointing out that her supposed cost of $5 billion amounted to over a third of the richest man in Malaysia's net worth:

People have assumed that the owner would be a man named Robert Kuok, the richest man in Malaysia. His fortune is around $14.5 billion. If he was indeed the man who purchased this boat, it means he spent one third of all of his money on it. That’s a lot of money to invest in a single boat.

Even if an individual with $15 billion decided to spend $5 billion on the History Supreme, Boat Safe uncovered what looked to be firm evidence of a hoax, pointing out the four images "looked a lot like the Baia One Hundred, a yacht made by Italian yacht makers Baia in 2008."

BoatSafe.com contacted Baia, which confirmed the images were theirs, and introduced another excellent question – how could a solid gold yacht be buoyant?

Baia’s sales manager said those photos were stolen from their website and doctored. So they were not new photos of an altered boat, but altered photos of an old boat. Moreover, and this is crucial, he also pointed out what should have been obvious to anyone working in boating news. If Hughes added 110 tons of gold to the boat, how the heck was it staying afloat?

If anything, the History Supreme is a good reminder that not everything that glitters turns out to be gold, that not everything flashy or exciting on the internet turns out to be true, and that the world's most expensive yacht would generate photographic evidence of its existence.

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