Standout Superyacht Aft Views

The 74 metre Lürssen superyacht Aurora  was delivered in 2017. 

Why we love it: Her exterior by Winch Design evokes the romance of classic transatlantic liners, including the dashing navy-striped mast base and plenty of stylish portholes. The interior, by the same studio, continues the theme with art deco styling (the boat was known as Project Gatsby during build).

Design genius: Moran Yacht & Ship, which managed the project, says the owner wanted a big volume family yacht so that individuals wouldn’t feel they were on top of one another. This translates into lots of intimate and personal spaces — and a wealth of on-water gizmos.

Perfect for: The family that plays together — but also appreciates a quiet afternoon with a book.

The 88.5 metre Oceanco superyacht Barbara features exterior styling and a nature-inspired interior design by Sam Sorgiovanni — a master at creating tactile spaces inspired by the natural world.

Why we love it: The incredible luxury is understated and discreet rather than in your face, and fun is built right in with a formal saloon that transforms into an amazing party space, complete with light and laser show and a cinema with supremely comfortable seats.

Design genius: Extending over two decks is an office and master suite at the centre of the yacht. The extraordinary ceiling height of the office is put to good use with enormous glass doors that slide open on to side balconies.

Perfect for: Active adults. Aside from the cinema and disco, Barbara holds a plethora of fun toys housed in a large garage forward.

What is it: The brand new 85 metre Lürssen Areti, which was delivered in 2017. 

Why we love it: Areti is a Lürssen with interior and exterior styling by British studio Winch Design — what’s not to like?

Design genius: She sports “traditional but fresh” interiors and through that transom door you can expect to find one of the most comprehensive superyacht beach clubs on the high seas.

Perfect for: The modest. That might seem crazy to say, but at 85 metres, Areti is almost entry level when measured against the giants seen regularly slipping out of Lürssen’s sheds. But we all know size doesn’t matter, right?

The 72.1 metre VSY motor yacht Stella Maris was launched in 2013, boasting radical lines by Espen Øino and pared back interior styling in muted natural tones by Michela Reverberi.

Why we love it: Al fresco spaces abound, from the substantial superyacht beach club to the tender garage that can be converted into a party spot.

Design genius: The sundeck is a stunner. Stroll straight from the helipad for a dip in the twin pools aft, or just collapse on a sunpad with a cocktail.

Perfect for: Superyacht owners who insist on a light, bright lifestyle on the water. Inside there are rows of full-height windows that make the main deck feel like an extension of the seascape.

Tansu Yachts’ seductive 39.3 metre motor yacht Sexy Fish was developed over four years under the code name Project Cutlass, with in-house styling and naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design.

Why we love it: The yard’s design ethos, to create boats around a modern outdoor lifestyle, leads to spectacular alfresco spaces such as this sprawling aft deck and a lighting scheme that makes the most of it.

Design genius: Tansu’s previous launch So’mar boasted an owner's deck with a million dollar view up top. This one shares the wealth by placing a glamorous bar in the same spot, so you can stroll out to the upper aft deck to sip your cocktail, or linger in a sheltered nook with the barman.

Perfect for: Cool young things who like a beach house vibe.

Does she really need an introduction? 25 this year, it is, of course, Zeus, one of the greatest modern superyachts. Built in 1991 by Blohm+Voss to a design by Martin Francis, she has been known as Eco, Katana and Enigma.

Why we love it: If the 74.5 metre was launched today, she’d still demand attention. You can’t say that about too many yachts of her vintage.

Design genius: Can you imagine how radical those convex superstructure windows were at the time? They lavish the interior with light. The destroyer-like form packs a punch, too, hitting 34 knots at the top end, thanks to twin diesels and a gas turbine collectively outputting a massive 28,500 horsepower.

The aggressively cool 86 metre yacht Seven Seas, was designed by Nuvolari Lenard and launched by Oceanco in 2010 for Steven Spielberg.

Why we love it: There are few yachts that pile on this many decks and still look sleek on the water. The keys are her monochrome paint job, curving sundeck superstructure and a mast with flared satellite dome supports. From the rear she has a sexy, faintly Asian aesthetic; from the side her lines are smooth, forceful and, well, shark-like.

Design genius: A professional projection system, five metre by two metre screen and two rows of raked seating transform the main saloon into a movie theatre. Another projector throws an image on to the glass wall of the aft infinity pool, so guests can watch while they swim.

Perfect for: Black-tie Hollywood galas on the enormous aft deck – however many film stars you need to invite, it is unlikely that you’re going to need a bigger boat.

The superyacht everyone is talking about — Dilbar was built by Lürssen, and delivered to the Mediterranean in June 2016 for her debut season.

Why we love it: She is huge at 156 metres LOA, but it’s her gross tonnage that’s really making headlines. At a reported 12,917GT, she is officially the biggest superyacht in the world in volume terms. Squint and you might just be able to spot the crew member on the bathing platform.

Design genius: Exteriors by Espen Øino and an interior by Winch Design make her a yacht with some serious design pedigree. She also features the largest diesel electric set-up ever installed on a yacht.

Perfect for: When you’ve got this much space — everything!

The 88 metre Quattroelle, launched by Lürssen in 2012, with exterior and interior design by Nuvolari Lenard.

Why we love it: This boat is all about massive exterior decks – she has a 13.8 metre beam. Her American owner adores cruising the Caribbean, so he wanted space to feel the breeze and watch the sun set.

Design genius: Clever touches range from the techie – a section of the big stern platform lowers into the sea – to the simple: aft exterior stairs on all five decks so guests can stay in that sun-dazed mood all day long. Later, they cool off in the bridge-deck infinity pool.

Perfect for: Sun worshippers who want to keep in bikini- or swimmers-ready shape: Usain Bolt designed her massive gym.

Galactica Star is Heesen’s award-winning 65 metre extravaganza.

Why we love it: The whole stern is devoted to a palatial beach club, with tenders and toys relegated to a forward garage, giving designer Frank Laupman maximum space for his imagination.

Design genius: The space is backed by cascading LED lights, while a skylight in the roof opens onto the pool on the main deck above – a feature that helped her pick up a World Superyacht Award in 2014.

Perfect for: Watching the sun go down at anchor, thanks to folding platforms at the rear and port quarter, opening the whole space up.

Anything else? Access to the main deck is made easy thanks to two brilliantly lit stairways either side of the beach club, so water – either in the main-deck pool or off the bathing platform – is never out of reach.