Ringing in 2026: Which yachts were in St Barths for New Year’s Eve?

Known for its crystal-clear waters, world-class beach clubs and lively festive atmosphere, St Barths remains the epicentre of the Caribbean superyacht scene as owners and guests gather to ring in the New Year. Once again, the French island is awash with some of the world’s largest and most recognisable yachts, making it one of the most closely watched destinations on the global yacht-spotting calendar in the final days of December.

Familiar heavyweights have returned for the celebrations, including Lürssen's 122-metre Kismet, Freire's 112-metre behemoth Renaissance and Oceanco's 110-metre Kaos, while the 138-metre Lürssen Rising Sun makes a commanding comeback after also being spotted here in 2022. Joining them on the anchorage are several newly delivered yachts of 2025, with Feadship’s 101-metre Moonrise leading a strong contingent of fresh arrivals, alongside recent deliveries from Amels, Benetti, Baglietto and Royal Huisman. According to BOATPro, as of 29 December, there were around 135 yachts docked in or around St Barths for New Year’s Eve and the number has increased to 180 by 31 December.

Classic favourites have already been spotted, but last-minute additions are making a splash: the sporty 42-metre Dragonfly and the cutting-edge Breakthrough lead the charge, followed by the innovative 105-metre Black Pearl with her zero-fuel transatlantic capabilities, and the freshly refitted 88-metre Maltese Falcon.

BOAT takes a closer look at the yachts ringing in 2026 in Caribbean waters…

Dragonfly

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 142.1m

Delivered in December 2024, the 142.1-metre Dragonfly is one of the most significant recent launches from German shipyard Lürssen and among the largest yachts currently in St Barths for the New Year celebrations. Previously known as Project Ali Baba during construction, the 9,500GT superyacht features a grey-hulled profile with an elongated bow and bold exterior lines across four decks, with exterior styling by German Frers and interiors by Italian studio Nauta Design. On board, Dragonfly houses a glass-bottom swimming pool on the main deck, alongside a cinema, spa and expansive watersports centre, while a dedicated business deck includes a large office, gym, games room and helicopter hangar. One of her most distinctive innovations is a bespoke double-folding stern platform system, which transforms the aft decks into a vast beach club with direct sea access. Powered by a highly efficient diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system developed in-house by Lürssen, Dragonfly combines global cruising capability with cutting-edge engineering as she makes an appearance as the largest yacht in St Barths on New Year's Eve.

Rising Sun

Builder: Lürssen  
Length: 138m

At 138 metres, Rising Sun is the largest yacht currently on the St Barths scene and should be easy to spot from Gustavia – if not for her sheer size then for the extensive use of structural glass running the length of her two upper decks. Built by Lürssen, the yacht was the final design to come from the late Jon Bannenberg’s drawing board, resulting in a clean, stripped-back profile that remains instantly recognisable decades on. Commissioned by tech mogul Larry Ellison and later sold to media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun boasts standout features including a double-height cinema, a basketball court and a top deck reserved entirely for owner use. A regular on the global cruising circuit, she was also spotted in St Barths in 2022 and has long been known for hosting a star-studded guest list over the years.

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Koru

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 127m

Recently spotted by BOAT in the warm Caribbean waters of St Kitts & Nevis, Jeff Bezos's 127-metre superyacht Koru returns to St Barths for the New Year festivities. The Amazon founder's yacht was the largest attendee in St Barths in 2024, and this year she returns with her 75-metre support vessel Abeona from Damen Yachting, although she is eclipsed as the largest attendee by the 138-metre Rising Sun. The yacht’s name, Koru, is the Māori word meaning "new beginnings" and she is recognisable by her intricate gold paintwork, scarlet bootstripe and elaborate figurehead made of polished wood. She is one of the largest Dutch-built yachts by LOA and one of the largest sailing yachts in the world. 

Read More/Koru: The best photos of Jeff Bezos’ record-breaking sailing yacht

Kismet

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 122m

It's fitting that one of the most-talked-about yachts of 2024 is one of St Barth's largest attendees. A superyacht not just to be talked about, but to be seen, Kismet has spent the Christmas and New Year period perusing Caribbean waters, including Anguilla and St Martin, before finally arriving at Gustavia, the capital of St Barths, in time for New Year. Built by the German yard and delivered in 2024, the yacht's exterior design is the work of Nuvolari Lenard, while the interior is owed to Reymond Langton. Expect the most unusual of features on board – from a Balinese-inspired spa to a partially underwater, Art Deco cinema and a main saloon inspired by Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. When yacht spotting, look out for her giveaway – a stainless steel bowsprit in the shape of a jaguar.

Read More/On board Lürssen's 122m Kismet, the Motor Yacht of the Year 2025

Breakthrough

Builder: Feadship
Length: 118.8m

A landmark arrival on the St Barths anchorage, Feadship’s 118.8-metre Breakthrough is the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht and one of the most technically ambitious yachts ever built. Launched in 2024 and delivered by the Dutch yard as its flagship project, Breakthrough made history as the largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands at the time. Her sleek five-deck exterior, defined by a navy hull and crisp white superstructure, is the work of British studio RWD, which also designed the interiors. Beneath her contemporary profile lies a 7,295GT interior housing an extensive suite of amenities, including a semi-submerged viewing area, an 8.2-metre aft-deck pool with contraflow, cinema, library and even a dedicated hospital facility. A foredeck sports court can be configured for tennis or basketball, while multiple Jacuzzis and expansive exterior balconies blur the boundaries between inside and out. At the heart of the yacht is her pioneering hydrogen fuel-cell system, designed to significantly reduce emissions associated with hotel load, underscoring Breakthrough’s status as a defining project of the next generation as she joins the New Year celebrations in St Barths.

Ahpo

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 115.1m

One of the most recognisable modern launches from Lürssen, the 115.1-metre Ahpo remains a headline presence on the global superyacht circuit and a standout arrival in St Barths for the New Year celebrations. Designed inside and out by Nuvolari Lenard, her striking black-and-white profile is defined by sweeping decks and distinctive half-moon windows that have become a signature of the Italian studio’s work. Sold as a new build in 2017 to a repeat Lürssen client and delivered in 2021, Ahpo made history again with her landmark resale in May 2023, then considered the largest brokerage deal ever completed. While no longer on the market, she continues to attract attention for her refined onboard offering, which includes accommodation for 16 guests across eight cabins, a nature-inspired spa complete with a Himalayan salt sauna and Turkish-style hammam, a 12-seat cinema with a starlit ceiling and a protected winter garden designed for comfortable use in all climates.

Renaissance

Builder: Freire
Length: 111.9m

The largest private yacht built in Spain and one of the world's most expensive charter yachts, Renaissance was delivered by Spanish yard Freire, a commercial shipyard that had only built one private yacht prior: the 73.6-metre Naia. British studio Bannenberg & Rowell took the reins on exterior and interior design, presenting a superyacht built to Passenger Yacht Code which can take up to 36 guests on charter. To give an insight into the layout: there are six decks with one entirely catered towards wellness, a "palatial" owner's deck with a private terrace,and one decked-out beach club. Even the double-height main saloon is carved into two living areas, thanks to a mezzanine level.

Read More/Renaissance: On board the 112m yacht that’s both highly personal and tailored for charter

Kaos

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 110.1m

The brainchild of Barcelona-based designer Igor Lobanov, Kaos once stood as the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands. Built by the Dutch yard with naval architecture by BMT Nigel Gee, the yacht was first delivered in 2017 as Jubilee with design by Sam Sorgiovanni. By 2018, she was sold and a year-long refit kicked off, where existing and new interior spaces were penned by Reymond Langton Design. Today, she can be recognised by her distinctive "floating island" design, whereby a troupe l'oil effect gives the illusion of extra decks. Kaos is also known for being able to cruise far, taking guests on voyages up to 5,000 nautical miles at her cruising speed.

Bravo Eugenia

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 109m

Famously commissioned for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Bravo Eugenia has the svelte proportions of a sports yacht with an elongated bow and slender form. Her design is the work of studio Nuvolari Lenard and she is powered by a hybrid engine with a waste heat recovery system and a single-tier engine room. This layout helps free up valuable space for two helipads, a wellness centre, and a large tender garage beneath the foredeck. Delivered in 2018, the motor yacht is christened after Jones's wife, Eugenia Jones.

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I.J.E.

Builder: Benetti
Length: 108m

Benetti’s 108-metre I.J.E. is a study in understated elegance with the capability of a true long-range explorer, making her a compelling presence on the St Barths anchorage for the New Year. Designed from a blank sheet by British studio RWD, her elongated bow, raked stern and uninterrupted lines conceal a highly functional platform beneath the sculptural exterior. Delivered in 2019, I.J.E. is the Italian yard’s flagship by length and was conceived to combine sleek proportions with serious cruising credentials, including the ability to carry three large tenders and an extensive toy inventory. Interiors were developed in-house by Benetti in close collaboration with the owner’s team, resulting in light-filled, contemporary spaces defined by oak finishes, expansive glazing and a seamless connection to the outdoors. Highlights include a multi-level beach club and gym, cinema, nightclub and a full owner’s deck, while advanced stabilisation and propulsion systems allow for quiet, efficient cruising over long distances. Often travelling far from the spotlight, I.J.E. cuts a refined and unmistakable silhouette as she joins the Caribbean fleet for the festivities.

Black Pearl

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 105m

A modern sailing icon, the 105-metre Black Pearl is one of the largest and most technologically advanced sailing yachts in the world, and a striking sight among the motor yacht-heavy St Barths fleet. Delivered by Oceanco in 2018, she is instantly recognisable for her dramatic DynaRig sail system, developed by Dykstra Naval Architects, which unfurls nearly 3,000 square metres of sail in minutes and allows for transatlantic crossings powered entirely by wind. With naval architecture by Lateral and exterior styling by Nuvolari Lenard and Ken Freivokh, Black Pearl combines performance-led engineering with theatrical design. Her interiors, revealed publicly only after she joined the charter market, are rich and neoclassical in character, featuring ornate wood panelling, gold detailing and grand social spaces more akin to a motor yacht than a traditional sailing vessel. Capable of speeds exceeding 20 knots under sail and equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that significantly reduces emissions, Black Pearl remains a benchmark for sustainable innovation as she joins the New Year celebrations in St Barths.

Moonrise

Builder: Feadship  
Length: 101m

Freshly delivered in 2025, Feadship’s 101-metre Moonrise marks the Dutch yard’s latest evolution of the highly recognisable Moonrise lineage. Carrying over the hallmark exterior styling by Studio De Voogt, the yacht features the same powerful vertical bow, sleek profile and grey-and-snow-white colour palette as her predecessor, while Rémi Tessier has once again been responsible for the interiors. Despite the visual similarities, Moonrise distinguishes herself through a series of technological and design refinements, including the complete removal of satellite domes in favour of Starlink receivers seamlessly integrated into the superstructure – a first for Feadship. Other highlights include an expansive sundeck with a gym, massage area and hairdressing salon, an owner’s deck, extended exterior spaces and a private cinema on the bridge deck. Particular attention has also been paid to noise reduction, resulting in an exceptionally quiet onboard experience as she joins the St Barths fleet for the New Year celebrations.

Moonrise

Builder: Feadship
Length: 100m

The Dutch yard's 100-metre is a regular on the French Caribbean island around the New Year, spotted there in both 2023 and 2022. Although most details have been kept under wraps, Moonrise's strong and attractive masculine exterior design and clean lines hail from Studio De Voogt, while Rémi Tessier created a modern interior. The combination of these details won her a World Superyacht Award in 2021 in the Displacement Motor Yachts 3,000GT and Above category.

Mayan Queen IV

Builder: Blohm & Voss
Length: 96.8m

The 96.8-metre Mayan Queen IV is a familiar name on the global superyacht circuit and makes a notable appearance in St Barths for the New Year celebrations. Delivered by German shipyard Blohm+Voss, the yacht is part of the long-running Mayan Queen lineage commissioned by Mexican billionaire Alberto Baillères. While she is best known for her robust build and long-range cruising capability, Mayan Queen IV drew international attention in 2023 for her role in a major humanitarian rescue operation off the coast of Greece, where she assisted in saving more than 100 people following the sinking of a migrant vessel. Designed to operate comfortably across long passages, the yacht combines a purposeful profile with generous deck spaces and remains a discreet but commanding presence at the St Barths anchorage as festivities get under way.

Sophia

Builder: Feadship
Length: 96.6m

Previously known as Faith until her name change in October 2024, Sophia was originally commissioned for Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll. Her list of amenities includes a nine-metre glass-bottomed swimming pool, a sundeck gym and two 10-metre custom tenders to whisk guests to shore. Alternatively, evenings on board are best spent on the sundeck, where guests will find a wood-fired pizza oven and wine cellar. Guests can also make use of a basketball court that can be arranged on the foredeck, or retreat to a private deck for aperitifs around a firepit – perfect for enjoying New Year's Eve.

Vava II

Builder: Devonport Yachts
Length: 96m

Delivered in 2012, the 96-metre Vava II was the largest yacht ever built in the UK at the time of her completion and the final yacht to emerge from Devonport Yachts before the yard’s acquisition by Pendennis Shipyard. Her exterior design was penned by British studio RWD, with interiors by Rémi Tessier, resulting in a highly discreet profile that has kept the yacht largely out of the public eye. Owned by Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Ernesto Bertarelli, Vava II was conceived with a strong focus on exploration and education, having hosted scientific research expeditions in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London and universities worldwide. A dedicated “school room” on board can be converted into a floating laboratory, with deck space designed to accommodate specialist research equipment, making her as purposeful as she is imposing on the St Barths anchorage.

Whisper

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 95.2m

Delivered by Lürssen in 2014 and refitted in 2024, the 95.2-metre Whisper is a quietly elegant presence on the St Barths anchorage, balancing scale with a refined, understated profile. Her exterior lines are by Espen Øino, while the interiors are the work of Reymond Langton Design, centred around a striking double-height main saloon complete with an Art Deco-inspired chandelier. Designed with guest comfort firmly in mind, Whisper offers extensive wellness facilities, including a spa with hammam, plunge pool and hair salon, alongside a private cinema and an observation deck for panoramic views. One of her standout features is the expansive 12-metre swimming pool on the sun deck, making her particularly well-suited to long, relaxed days on the water as she joins the Caribbean fleet for the celebrations.

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CC-Summer

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 95.3m

CC-Summer is one of the world's most expensive superyachts for charter and recently made her debut at the 2024 Antigua Charter Yacht Show. Previously Madsummer, the yacht was commissioned by an owner in the market for both a new plane and a boat. As a result, the sundeck was reinforced to serve as a seaplane berth with a crane hidden in the bulwark. Other highlights include a helideck on the foredeck, a brightly coloured interior by Laura Sessa, a spa and a 12-metre swimming pool.

Luna

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 90m

Delivered by Oceanco in 2018, the 90-metre Luna is instantly recognisable for her dramatic, glass-heavy profile and shark-inspired design. Conceived by Luiz De Basto, the yacht features an extraordinary 360-square-metre glass-sided superstructure made up of 186 panels, including 28 double-curved architectural glass sections, creating an almost uninterrupted connection between interior spaces and the surrounding seascape. Interiors by Nuvolari Lenard continue the fluid, nature-led theme with a refined palette of light timbers, textured fabrics and bespoke artistic details throughout. One of Luna’s standout exterior features is the oval six-metre pool on the upper deck, complete with a waterfall cascading from the owner’s deck above, while accommodation is for up to 12 guests across seven cabins, including a full private owner’s deck with its own terrace and spa pool. With her sculptural silhouette and striking use of glass, Luna brings a distinctly contemporary edge to the St Barths anchorage for the New Year celebrations.

Lionheart

Builder: Benetti
Length: 90m

Launched in 2016, Lionheart was the largest yacht ever built by Benetti at the time of her delivery, a title she held until being surpassed by the 107-metre Mar (ex Lana) four years later. Commissioned by Sir Philip Green, she was the third yacht ordered by the owner from the Italian shipyard. Her curvaceous exterior lines and distinctive private balconies are the work of Stefano Natucci in collaboration with Benetti, giving the yacht a recognisable profile even among St Barths’ largest arrivals. True to form, the interiors have remained closely guarded since delivery, though it is known that Green & Mingarelli Design was responsible for the interior styling. Cutting an imposing figure on the anchorage, Lionheart remains one of Benetti’s most talked-about large yachts nearly a decade on.

Barbara

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 88.5m

The client’s brief to designer Sam Sorgiovanni was to create a timeless design, something that had never been seen before. As a result, Barbara has an unusual and interesting layout that the owner devised with Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture, which produced the general arrangement. As BOAT reported in 2021, the yacht is "the product of an experienced designer-builder-owner team" and "is a travelling beach house with roots in the wilds of the Asia Pacific region". 

Read More/Barbara: On board Oceanco’s 88.5m force of nature

Maltese Falcon

Builder: Perini Navi
Length: 88m

Few yachts carry true icon status, but the 88-metre Maltese Falcon firmly earns the title as one of the most revolutionary sailing yachts ever built. Delivered by Perini Navi in 2006 and recently relaunched following her first major refit at Lusben in Livorno, the trailblazing superyacht retains her instantly recognisable DynaRig sail system, flying nearly 2,400 square metres of sail from three freestanding, rotating masts. Commissioned by the late Tom Perkins, Maltese Falcon was the first superyacht to adopt the DynaRig, combining ease of handling, safety and impressive efficiency. The extensive refit has modernised her interiors, refreshed exterior deck spaces and enhanced onboard systems while carefully preserving the yacht’s original spirit and silhouette, including her signature “Perini blue” hull. Capable of setting sail in minutes and delivering exhilarating performance under wind power, Maltese Falcon remains a benchmark sailing yacht as she joins the St Barths New Year fleet.

Read More/On board Perini Navi's legendary 88m Maltese Falcon fresh from a sensitive refit

Project X

Builder: Golden Yachts
Length: 87.6m

Project X was aptly named for her defining triple-X design down the waist of the boat's superstructure, courtesy of exterior designer Ken Freivokh. Onboard highlights include a three-deck atrium connected by a circular glass elevator, an aft deck pool and a private office-conference room spanning the width of the vessel's 14.8-metre beam. She is the Greek shipyard's second largest delivery, following the 95-metre O’Pari in 2020. BOAT also spotted Brooklyn Beckham holidaying on board the charter yacht this summer with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.

Read More/How the 88m Project X came to life over 14 years