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The most exciting explorer yachts of 2024

2 September 2024 • Written by Dea Jusufi

Equipped with ice-classed hulls and transoceanic ranges, explorer yachts are designed to discover the most remote corners of the globe with ease. BOAT takes a closer look at the intrepid new fleet ahead of the 2024 Explorer Yachts Summit, which will take place on 13 November at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

The only international summit dedicated solely to the explorer yachting sector, a stellar line-up of yacht owners, captains and inspiring adventurers will take the stage at the one-day event. Tickets for the 2024 edition are now on sale.

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Promise.D

Builder: Feadship
Length: 65m
Most exciting feature: a helipad

Sighted for the first time last year, Promise.D. belongs to a highly-secretive roster of projects by Dutch yard Feadship. She was photographed on transport through the Dutch canals in December 2023, revealing a sheltered foredeck typical of explorer yachts, a large helipad on her upper deck and a fold-down beach club. Exteriors are the work of Studio De Voogt, while interiors have been styled by Bannenberg & Rowell.

Xplorer 60

Builder: Damen Yachting
Length: 60m
Most exciting feature: an observation lounge-cum-cinema room

A "yacht for all seasons", this entry is the first 60-metre addition to Damen Yachting's "luxury expedition" range. H2 Yacht Design was enlisted for the Xplorer 60's interiors, with the British studio drawing from earlier, high-profile expedition projects Andromeda, Victorious and world's largest yacht REV Ocean. Economy of space is key when on longer voyages, and the Xplorer 60 fits the brief with an observation lounge that turns into a snug cinema room at night and a sheltered, outdoor space aft that can become a cabana lounge and bar, dive deck, wellness zone or even a ski lodge. Her exterior and engineering is owed to Azure Yacht Design.

King Benji

Builder: Dunya Yachts
Length: 46.7m
Most exciting feature: an upper deck dedicated to the owner

As King Benji's owner told BOAT International: "The goal [with King Benji] was to make something that was focused on doing instead of sitting." The superyacht certainly delivers with a secret Jacuzzi underneath the bow sunpads, an inflatable climbing wall and jousting arena alongside an extensive catalogue of toys. Interiors may not have been been the owner's focus but Design Unlimited's colourful, tropical design certainly captures guests' attention, complete with natural bamboo ceilings and wooden floors. She was a nominee at the 2024 World Superyacht Awards.

Project T

Builder: Cantiere delle Marche
Length: 45m
Most exciting feature: a full-beam owner's apartment

This full-custom explorer yacht was commissioned by her experienced owner in 2021. Designed by Giorgio Maria Cassetta, Project T features sleek, rigorous exterior lines that connect an almost vertical bow to the transom (and its generous beach club). The owners will have the entire forward section of the main deck to themselves, encompassing a full-beam apartment with his and hers bathrooms, a dressing room and an adjoining lounge area for "total privacy".

Maverick

Builder: Cantiere delle Marche
Length: 44.3m
Most exciting feature: an infinity pool that converts into storage

Maverick is the inaugural yacht in the shipyard's Flexplorer 146 series. In true explorer style, her robust displacement hull and hardy Hydro Tec exterior houses a custom-built crane with a lifting capacity of 4.4 tonnes, a 22-millimetre "ice belt" above and below the waterline and a diving centre. Leisure highlights include a sauna, a gym, a 135-square-metre beach club and a large infinity pool that can be covered and used as storage for deck furniture when Maverick is underway. She was sold to an "experienced" German owner in 2020.

Irish Rebel

Builder: Bering Yachts
Length: 39.5m
Most exciting feature: a sauna and wellness facilities

Little is known about the B125. Currently under construction in Turkey, the explorer is said to "harness a proven platform of naval architecture and engineering" to deliver the ocean-going capacities of a much larger vessel. On board elements include a 30-square-metre beach club and the option to include a sauna and wellness facilities or a dedicated tender garage. Exterior design has been completed in-house, while interiors are by Red Yacht Design.

Fox

Builder: Pendennis
Length: 34.9m
Most exciting feature: an aft deck measuring 103.5 square metres

Fox represents "the very best of British engineering and interior design" according to Falmouth-based shipyard Pendennis. The compact explorer has an open aft deck that measures 103.5 square metres and is capable of storing a pair of 7.5-metre tenders, plus the option of submersibles, Jet Skis, quad bikes and any other gadgets the owners fancy. A DJ station, glass-walled sky lounge and a dedicated wine fridge complete the list of crowd-pleasing features. Exterior and interior design is owed to Q London.

Mereley I

Builder: AES Yacht
Length: 34.6m
Most exciting feature: a sundeck with a Jacuzzi and bar

Mereley I is one of this year's newest entries following her completion and christening in August 2024. Milan-based studio Hot Lab is the mind behind her striking exterior – complete with bright-red bootstripe – and cool, contemporary interiors, which can accommodate up to 12 guests and seven crew. Al fresco spaces abound, including a sundeck with a forward Jacuzzi and bar; an upper deck dining arrangement; a cockpit lounge space and sunpads and coffee tables on the foredeck. This explorer yacht is currently listed for sale with TWW Yachts at an asking price of €13,950,000.