From heli-skiing in North Kamchatka to scuba diving in the Red Sea, the possibilities are endless when chartering an explorer yacht. Equipped with ice-breaking hulls, transoceanic cruising ranges and toy boxes fit for adrenaline-pumping activities, explorers are designed to travel to the farthest corners of the globe and offer guests the adventure of a lifetime. To mark the launch of the 2024 Explorer Yachts Summit, BOAT International takes a look at the best explorer yachts on the charter market, starting with the legendary 126.2-metre Octopus...
Octopus
Stats: 126.2 metres, Lürssen, 2003, 12 guests, 45 crew
Expedition capabilities: With an ice-class hull and cruising range of 12,500 nautical miles, the iconic Octopus is more than capable of reaching the earth’s most remote corners. She’s got just the right kit for off-the-grid adventures too, offering two helipads, an ROV, Triton submarines, a fully-equipped dive centre, seven tenders and her own float-in tender garage.
Home comforts: With an interior volume of 9,932 GT there’s more than enough space on this superyacht for luxury amenities. Highlights include a private cinema, a wellness centre complete with a spa, gym and treatment rooms, a swimming pool and an aquarium.
Octopus is available to charter with Big Blue Expeditions, starting from $2,200,000 per week.
Heeus
Stats: 44.2 metres, Bering Yachts, 2022, 12 guests, 9 crew
Expedition capabilities: The first in Bering's line of compact explorer yachts, Heeus is small but mighty with her high-latitude ice belt and generous fuel capacity of 95,600 litres. Unsurprisingly, another highlight is her well-stocked toy box – onboard amenities include a 9.2-metre chase tender, three Jet Skis and a selection of towable and inflatable toys. A 25-square-metre tender garage is also on hand to store all nautical gadgets and accessories.
Home comforts: Heeus has a heavy focus on al fresco spaces, with a large 92-square-metre sundeck fitted with a Jacuzzi, bar, dining and sunlounger area, as well as a barbecue and cinema screen. She also boasts a 40-square-metre beach club complete with a swim platform, Hammam and steam shower for resting and recharging at sea.
Heeus is available for charter with West Nautical, starting from €200,000 per week.
Bold
Stats: 85.3 metres, Silver Yachts, 2019, 12 guests, 20 crew
Expedition capabilities: Technically classed as a “sports activity vessel” (SAV), the SOLAS-compliant explorer Bold can carry several toys perfect for expeditions. The helipad can host an AW109S Grand helicopter while the other 400 square metres of deck space accommodates a 15-metre tender and crane. A cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles and provisions storage for up to five months means that Bold can certainly handle going off the grid – and she also has scuba diving equipment for enjoying those remote destinations to their fullest.
Home comforts: Ideal for exploring warmer climes, Bold features vast outdoor entertaining areas complete with a bar and Teppanyaki grill, an outdoor cinema, an eight-person hot tub and a lounge surrounding a firepit for balmy cocktail hour(s).
Bold is available to charter with Hill Robinson with charters starting from €875,000 per week.
Legend
Stats: 77.4 metres, IHC Verschure, 1974, 22 guests, 28 crew
Expedition capabilities: Soviet icebreaker turned ultra-luxe explorer, Legend is primed for polar expeditions with her commercial-standard helideck, state-of-the-art fire extinguishing systems and eight-tonne helifuel storage tank and bunker systems. She can also accommodate an expedition crew of 10 (helicopter pilot, doctor, expedition leaders, naturalists and so on) in addition to her roster of guests.
Home comforts: Don't be fooled by her Cold War aesthetic – Legend has all the leisure hallmarks of successful charter yacht. In particular, her 2016 refit saw the stern extended by 3.6 metres, allowing for both a new swim platform and a 16-person superyacht spa pool with a waterfall. An ultra-heated on-deck hot tub, Balinese spa, well-equipped gym and private cinema room provide ample entertainment for icy, long-term expeditions.
Legend is available to charter with Y.CO with charters starting from €625,000 per week.
Planet Nine
Stats: 73.2 metres, Admiral - The Italian Sea Group, 2018, 12 guests and 20 crew
Expedition capabilities: Planet Nine’s meticulous owner ensured that she was built to cruise the waters of Greenland, Antarctica and everywhere in between with ease. This is realised in the specially-designed ice-classed hull, constructed with thick hull plates, strong frames and bulkheads, and careful protection for her seawater intakes, to protect from cold temperatures and deal with sea ice up to 15 centimetres thick. Planet Nine also boasts an impressive 6,000 nautical mile cruising range that allows her to cross the oceans with minimal fuel stops.
Home comforts: If you’re not exploring the great outdoors, enjoy 180 degree-views from the forward observation lounge, take a dip in the sundeck Jacuzzi, or relax in the spacious cinema. The dedicated owners' deck also comes complete with its own private lounge, terrace and study.
Planet Nine is available to charter with Burgess with charters starting from $650,000 per week.
Hanse Explorer
Stats: 47.8 metres, Fassmer, 2006, 12 guests, 18 crew
Expedition capabilities: Hanse Explorer has all the requirements of a hardy expedition yacht. Her steel hull boasts the highest level of commercial ice classification, plus she also has a cruising range of 8,000 nautical miles and six-week autonomy capabilities. Her toybox is well-equipped for expeditions with two Zodiac tenders on board, scuba diving equipment, and cold weather gear for polar expeditions.
Home comforts: Equipped for both warm and cold climes, the refurbished top deck boasts a hot tub, al fresco cocktail lounge and Bali beds for sunbathing and sleeping under the stars.
Hanse Explorer is available for charter with EYOS Expeditions.
Ourway
Stats: 37m, Tenix Defence, 2003 (2020), 8 guests, 7 crew
Expedition capabilities: With zero-speed stabilisers, impressive deck space and a range of 4,800 nautical miles, Ourway is a top choice for those looking to veer off the beaten path. Delivered in 2003, the explorer yacht had a refit in 2020 which saw new interiors. She can house keen anglers, divers and intrepid explorers.
Home comforts: Accommodating up to eight guests, Ourway has four elegantly designed cabins, including a spacious full-beam master suite. After a thrilling day on the water, guests can retreat to the sundeck to unwind in the hot tub or enjoy a cocktail in the luxurious main saloon.
Ourway is available for charter with Fraser with a weekly rate starting from €85,000.
Pink Shadow
Stats: 58.3m, Damen Yachting, 2023, 12 guests, 17 crew
Expedition capabilities: Delivered in 2023, Pink Shadow is certainly a head-turner of an expedition yacht with her striking green hull and gunmetal superstructure. She also has many exploration credentials that make her an epic adventurer. The 58.3-metre yacht has a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 11.5 knots, an ice-class hull, and 30 days of autonomy, which fares well for those who want to visit remote locations. Pink Shadow also has an impressive toy box brimming with inflatables, Jet Skis, and tenders.
Home Comforts: Pink Shadow’s magnificent interior design celebrates the spirit of exploration and features a Tiki Plage and a cabana-style bar, among much else. In keeping with her exploration credentials, Pink Shadow’s interiors were inspired by the 1982 Amazonian film Fitzcarraldo.
Pink Shadow is available for charter with Y.CO with a weekly rate from €510,000.
Bleu De Nîmes
Stats: 72.25m, Clelands, 1980, 28 guests, 23 crew
Expedition credentials: Life began for Bleu de Nîmes in 1980 as a British Royal Navy degaussing vessel, but in 2005 she was converted into an explorer with an enormous range of 20,000 nautical miles. Built in steel, the yacht today (having undergone another transformation, completed in 2020) is as exciting as ever for the charter market with exceptional credentials such as huge deck space, a wellness area and a dive centre.
Home Comforts: Perfect for larger groups or extended families, the yacht has 13 cabins across her Pier Vittorio Cerruti-designed interiors. The large sundeck is another crowdpleaser with its two large Jacuzzis, drinks bar and ample sunloungers.
Bleu de Nîmes is available to charter with SuperYachts Monaco with a weekly rate from €490,000.