A Guide to Spotting the World’s Largest and Most Astounding Superyachts

Superyachts are the pinnacle of boat design, and for most boat-lovers, setting eyes on these incredible behemoths of the private maritime world is a fascinating experience. We aren’t all in the position to be buying a superyacht, or even chartering one, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate their beauty, innovation and design. Yet despite their size, many superyachts can be notoriously elusive, their owners and guests preferring to remain incognito. While getting a tour around a superyacht is pretty unlikely, there are several superyacht hotspots where fans can get an up-close glimpse of these incredible vessels. Here we take a look how you can get to see some of the best and largest superyachts in the world.

Find a Yacht by Name Using Vessel Finder Technology

Using vessel finder websites such as https://www.vesselfinder.com you can do a quick and easy search for any yacht in the world. Simply enter the name into the search bar and, using AIS data, it will give you an exact location of the yacht. While not all yachts use their AIS regularly, preferring to fly under the radar, for the most part it is a quick and easy way to find out where your favourite yacht is at any given moment. Alternatively, use the map to navigate to your location and discover which yachts are in your vicinity. 

Take a Walk along the Promenade in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma’s marinas accommodate some of the largest yachts in the Mediterranean and it is a sure-fire place to clap eyes on some of them. With several shipyards here, Mallorca is a popular winter destination for superyachts who come to complete maintenance or refits. Palma has long been the yacht capital Europe, and there is a huge infrastructure built to support their esteemed guests. Take a leisurely walk along Palma’s Paseo Maritimo, past the beautiful Cathedral and enjoy a day of spotting everything from superyachts to tiny fishing boats. 

Join in the New Year Celebrations in St Barts, Caribbean

If you want to see some of the biggest and most famous superyachts in the world all in one place, head down to the pretty island of St Barts for its legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations. In 2022, there were over 90 superyachts crammed into Port de Gustavia – one of the most expensive marinas in the world - and anchored nearby. This year superyacht-spotters laid eyes on yachts including 162.5 metre Eclipse, 80 metre Excellence, 112.8 metre Le Grand Bleu and 100 metre Moonrise. In addition to the yachts themselves you might even spot a famous face or two, with celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos having been seen enjoying one the world’s best places for yacht parties. 

Join the Glitterati in the Superyacht Hotspots

There are destinations which for decades have been superyacht hotspots during the peak summer months. Venture to any one of the following destinations and you’re bound to spot a fair few of the most glamorous yachts in the world.

• French Riviera: The beautiful elegance of the French Riviera has long lured superyachts. During July and August visit Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez or any of the little bays along the picturesque Cote d’Azur and you’ll be certain to find the latest superyachts anchored offshore or nestled into impossibly small marinas. 

• Florida: Miami and Fort Lauderdale and the superyacht capital of the United States, and their marinas are packed with some of the most impressive superyachts in the Americas. 

• Costa Smeralda, Sardinia: The Emerald Coast is a glittering blend of beautiful coves, turquoise seas and glitzy marinas. It is the perfect combination for those on a superyacht charter in Italy and guarantees sightings for superyacht-spotters. 

• The Caribbean: When it’s winter in the Mediterranean, the sun is shining in the Caribbean and superyachts chase the weather to the dazzling Caribbean Islands. St Barts is a top superyacht destination, but you’ll certainly find an impressive collection of yachts in the Bahamas, British and US Virgin Islands and Antigua. 

Get Tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix

Fast cars and large boats have always gone hand-in-hand and the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix is the epitome of this. The tiny principality plays host to one of the year’s most anticipated motor races, the cars weaving between the iconic landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Casino. And squeezed into some of the most coveted berths in the world are superyachts who line the quays of Port Hercules. Charter a superyacht for the Monaco Grand Prix and you’re guaranteed one of the best seats for an adrenaline charged weekend of racing. For the rest of us, it gives us an incredible opportunity to see these beautiful yachts up-close. 

Attend a Superyacht Show

Any boat lover will no doubt have attended their fair share of boat shows. From local shows to regional or national ones they are the best place to discover the latest industry developments, buy equipment, meet brokers and enjoy sharing your boating passion with others. They make for a truly fun family day out too. To see the largest superyachts however, grab tickets to one of the world’s famed superyacht shows and spend a day or weekend getting truly up-close. September and October are yacht show season, with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and Cannes Yachting Festival showcasing some incredible yachts. The Monaco Yacht Show however is the real superyacht spectacle, and while tickets can be eye-watering, it is one of the best places to get the whole superyacht experience. At any yacht show, be sure to hop on a water taxi to get a closer look at the superyachts as you cruise beneath their vast hulls. 

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