Standout Superyacht Aft Views

The 98 metre Aviva from Abeking & Rasmussen was designed inside and out by Reymond Langton.

Why we love it: Aviva has one very special bonus room on board — a full-size padel tennis court.

Design genius: That sculpted silver superstructure and blue hull. The almost canoe stern is pretty tasty, too.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to stay in shape while cruising the world’s party hotspots.

One of the most famous yachts in the world — 119 metre Motor Yacht A was designed by Philippe Starck with technical and naval design by Martin Francis, and launched by Blohm+Voss in 2008.

Why we love it: Look at her. There is simply nothing as original on the water — except perhaps the yacht that has followed her, Sailing Yacht A, which also comes from the fascinating mind of Starck.

Design genius: Her exterior may be the showpiece but her interiors don’t disappoint, from a loft-like owner’s suite that also includes an aft facing balcony to her multiple superyacht swimming pools, one of which has a glass floor.

Perfect for: Those who don’t mind camera flashes — this slice of superyacht history will be recognised in every port. 

The shiny new 70 metre Joy is the first exterior project by Bannenberg & Rowell, with interiors by yachting newcomers Studio Indigo. It was delivered by Dutch powerhouse Feadship in 2016. 

Why we love it: She may be big, but she has the interior volume of a smaller yacht because vast swathes of space have been given over to exterior decks, putting the focus firmly on outdoor living.

Design genius: If maximising exterior space sounds like you’ll miss out on design treats, think again — there’s a basketball court on the huge foredeck, some gorgeously angular styling and, when you eventually head inside, a spectacular movie lounge, bar area and much more.

Perfect for: Fans of fresh air.

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 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 69.3m debut yacht from Italian yard Tankoa Yachts, Suerte was designed by Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini, and launched in 2015.

Why we love it: Weary travellers arriving by tender can step directly into Suerte’s spectacular spa-like beach club. This sprawling space is extended with fold-out terraces and contains a hammam, massage tables and a sauna with its own window out on to the seascape.

Design genius: On many yachts a beach club feels like an afterthought, awkwardly connected to the rest of the yacht and incoherent in décor. On Suerte, this popular feature is where it should be, at the centre of the design, the showpiece at the end of a grand central staircase from the main deck lobby – with décor to match its status.

Perfect for: Spa junkies and beach bums who take relaxation seriously.

The 85m motor yacht Ace was penned inside and out by Winch Design and launched in 2012 at Lürssen’s yard in Rendsburg, Germany.

Why we love it: The most striking features of this seriously big boat are massive, sculptural superstructure arches that sweep from foredeck to stern platform, topped with huge oval balconies. Can’t see them here? No, but you can see the aft deck layout they usually conceal.

Design genius: Those arches, in combination with the yacht’s 14.5m beam, allow for dramatic staircases that sweep up to the first three aft decks. They give an open, relaxed air to these exterior spaces but, thanks to Winch’s unusual superstructure, they remain private-feeling.

Perfect for: Design junkies or shameless show-offs – there’s no way this distinctive profile will escape attention from the dock.

The 66 metre motor yacht Elysian (ex-Ester III) was launched in spring 2014 by Lürssen. She features an angular design by Espen Øino and ornate “French classical” interior styling by Reymond Langton.

Why we love it: Priorities. Øino put a helipad and tender garage forward on the yacht so that arrivals and departures wouldn’t break the spell back here, lounging by the water in seclusion and peace.

Design genius: Exterior spaces have been planned as carefully as interiors, with protection from sun, wind, rain, heat and cold, a stunning bar up top and a large glass-backed pool on the main deck.

Perfect for: A-list soirées and private family time. Although Espen Øino left the toy store in the stern in case it gets too quiet. Don’t tell the kids.

This is the curvaceous rear end of Okto, ISA’s 66 metre steel and aluminium head-turner.

Why we love it: Wedding cake? Forget it. This platform could easily have taken another deck, but the designers have kept things cool – with the result that there’s nothing else quite like it out there.

Design genius: It takes skill to make 66 metres of yacht look like a low-slung sportsboat, but designers Andrea Vallicelli and Alberto Pinto, working closely with the owner, managed it. We’re also promised stellar performance thanks to four months of tank testing.

Perfect for: The highly sensitive. Vibration and noise levels have to be experienced to be believed, we’re told.

This 95 metre Blohm+Voss superyacht Palladium is utterly bespoke – from custom electronics to a throw-out-the-rule-book layout, the coolest of pools, and furniture that coils and flows its way through the interior.

Why we love it: The curving lines of Michael Leach’s design are either space-age or 1970s, we can’t decide which; in any case their undulating, organic forms meld beautifully with the seascape.

Design genius: The central section of the 12 metre bathing platform lowers into the water and tilts forward to ease launch and retrieval of toys. The garage, meanwhile, holds two 10 metre Cougar tenders and so many toys that the stern sometimes looks like a Formula One pit.

Perfect for: Action junkies with a sense of retro style. Or cutting-edge cool. Or both.