Largest Yachts in the World: Top 5 Superyachts and Sailing Giants

The world’s oceans are home to some large vessels, from cruise ships to cargo ships and tankers. Superyachts, too, play a role in pushing the limits of nautical exploration and technological development. These are privately owned pleasure crafts larger than 245 feet (74.7m), though ships over 200 feet have been called megayachts, and over 300-footers are sometimes called gigayachts. Which are the largest yachts in the world? That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.

largest yachts

Not everyone can own a superyacht. These vessels represent the pinnacle of shipbuilding design with sleek exteriors and lush, luxurious interiors that would put most five-star hotels to shame. Some are intended for exploration, while others are simply for rest, relaxation, and recreation.

Biggest Yacht in the World – #1 Somnio

Right now, the largest superyacht the world has ever seen is currently being completed. This is the Somnio, a 728-foot (222M) gigayacht being finished in the VARD shipyard in Norway at a cost of roughly $541 million and set to be launched this year. This project was cofounded by Captain Erik Bredhe, previously the master of M/V The World cruise ship and is conceived as a residence yacht. 

Somnio - largest superyacht in the world

Source: somniosuperyachts.com

What does this mean? Somnio is built with 39 apartments on board, ranging in size from 1959 to 10,365 square feet (182 to 963 square meters). Each apartment can be purchased by a separate owner (by invitation only), with prices starting from $21.6 million. These apartments can be custom-designed by famed designers like Luttenberger, Winch, and Tillberg Design of Sweden to match the preferences and lifestyle of each owner. The yacht will then continuously circumnavigate the globe, and owners can join the voyage when they’re free – by helicopter, of course. So, this unique vessel will be co-owned by an exclusive group of apartment owners, just like a floating condominium.

World’s Largest Yachts

While Somnio, which technically isn’t even quite finished yet, is set to become the biggest yacht ever constructed, there are some other leviathans on the high seas. These are the superyachts rounding out the list of the world’s top 5.

#2 – REV Ocean

REV, or Research Expedition Vessel, is another superyacht currently being finished at the VARD shipyard in Norway. This vessel was planned as a 460-foot (140m) superyacht with some research facilities but was later upgraded and enlarged to 639 feet (195m). Owned by Norweigan billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke, this boat’s purpose will be to circle the globe on ocean research missions. 

#3 – Azzam

Currently the largest completed superyacht, the 590-foot (180m) Azzam was completed in 2013 by the German builder Lürssen Yachts for a reported cost of $605 million. This yacht was commissioned by the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ex-president of the United Arab Emirates, and is now owned by his family.

azzam super yacht

Source: lurssen.com

#4 – Fulk Al Salamah

The Fulk Al Salamah, or “Ship of Peace,” was built by Italian builder Mariotti Yachts. It was completed in 2016. This 538-foot (164m) gigayacht is worth around $500 million and is part of the Oman Royal Yacht Squadron owned by the Sultan of Oman.

fulk al salamah yacht

Source: superyachttimes.com

#5 – Eclipse

Once the largest yacht on the seas, Eclipse has been eclipsed by several others since its completion in 2010. At 533 feet (162.5m) in length, however, it’s no small craft. This yacht was commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for a price of roughly $400 million. 

eclipse yacht

Source: boatinternational.com

Big Yachts for Sale

If you’re in the market for a superyacht (aren’t we all?), you’ll generally be looking for ships built within the past 10-20 years. Anything older will likely feature out-of-date designs, though some superyachts have been retrofitted or even completely overhauled and even enlarged. It’s also important to realize that size and price don’t exactly go hand in hand. This is because while yacht size can certainly influence price, the quality of the design and amenities on board generally have a much larger influence.

Right now, the largest superyacht on sale appears to be the 404-foot (123.2m) Golden Oddessy. Built in 2015 by German builder Lürssen and retrofitted in 2023, this sleek superyacht’s exterior was created by renowned designed Martin Francis. This vessel is currently on the market with yacht broker Burgess

However, the most expensive superyacht currently for sale is an H3 by Oceanco. This 345-foot (105.3m) superyacht was completely rebuilt over a three-year period and is now up for sale to the right owner. If you’ve got €295,000,000 (roughly $319 million) burning a hole in your pocket, that could be you!

Largest Sailing Yacht

So far, we’ve only been exploring motor yachts but there’s a whole other category to mention – sailing yachts. The size of these crafts is generally limited by wind forces and maneuvrability, but that’s not to say they don’t also reach incredible lengths. While still steeped in luxury, sailing yachts are also more tied to maritime history and harken back to the adventure and romance of the era of large sailing ships. 

The largest sailing yacht in the world that can travel under wind power alone is the 417-foot (127m) Koru, commissioned from Oceanco in 2021. In 2023, the Dutch builder delivered this sailing yacht to its owner, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, for a cost of over $500 million. 

A larger but more controversial craft is the 468-foot (142.81 m) Sailing Yacht A, owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. This craft, though longer than Koru, is a motor-assisted sailing yacht that doesn’t travel purely by wind power. It’s still an incredible vessel and a force to be reckoned with.

FAQs About the World’s Largest Yachts 

  • What is the biggest yacht in the world?
    Somnio. It is currently being completed and is scheduled for delivery in 2024, will take soon the crown as the world’s largest superyacht.
  • How much does the world’s largest yacht cost?
    Somnio is currently being constructed and outfitted at a price of roughly $541 million. The ship’s creators will recoup their investment by selling 39 apartments on the vessel for a minimum of $21.6 million each. 
  • Are there large yachts available for sale?
    Yes. While most of the newest, largest megayachts are commissioned by their owners, pre-owned superyachts often come onto the market as their owners either upgrade or divest themselves from the yachting lifestyle.

The Largest Yachts Keep Getting Larger

Wealthy yachting enthusiasts keep pushing boundaries, driven both by the desire to outdo others and to push both luxury and maritime technology to its limits. In the past few decades, superyachts have been getting incrementally bigger, more lavish, and more expensive. While we’re seeing a new record being set by Somnio this year, there will certainly be even bigger and better boats to marvel at in the future.

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