In contrast to the fast-paced trends of the fashion industry akin to Formula 1 cars, the yachting sector traditionally adopts new ideas at a more measured pace. However, one notable exception gaining traction is the development of explorer vessels. These yachts are born out of the desire of their owners to venture farther into remote areas while maintaining high standards of comfort, reflecting a growing urgency and interest in this specialized niche.
Today, numerous builders and designers are focusing on explorer yachts, collaborating closely with adventure travel firms that have extensive experience operating expedition vessels in remote global locales. For instance, ICON Yachts partnered with Cookson Adventures and the International Seakeepers Society on Project Mission, integrating both overarching design principles and specific yacht details. Similarly, EYOS regularly employs its expertise with Damen’s explorer vessels, such as the recently introduced 190-foot Pink Shadow. EYOS has identified 50 critical features that distinguish authentic explorer yachts from superficial imitations that lack essential infrastructure and design elements.
Expedition yachts are characterized by their ability to undertake long-range cruises, ensuring autonomy at sea through redundant systems, and providing ample storage for specialized equipment like submersibles. They feature versatile deck configurations for easy tender and toy launches, robust ice-class hulls for navigation in polar regions, and climate-controlled areas for comfort in extreme conditions.
We sifted through the latest fleet of explorer yachts, spanning various lengths and designs, pinpointing standout features that set each vessel apart. Here are our top picks:
Doggersbank 77 Offshore
Best High Bow Design: The Doggersbank series, with over 700 motoryachts built since the 1960s, continues its legacy with the latest model slated for 2025. Designed by Vripack, these robust offshore vessels feature a high, flared bow that deflects rough seas and enhances visibility from the wheelhouse, aided by a sturdy steel hull that stabilizes the yacht in challenging waters.
Columbus Crossover 42
Best Deck Configuration: The Columbus Crossover 42 combines straight and angled surfaces with a spacious bow concentrated for tender storage and a 108-square-foot swimming pool with relaxation areas. Scheduled for delivery in 2025 to a U.S. client, its compact dimensions belie its flexibility and comprehensive amenities.
Bering B165
Best Multipurpose Stern: Turkish builder Bering Yachts introduced the B165, its flagship 162-foot explorer yacht, at the Dubai International Boat Show. Notable for its 18,400-gallon fuel capacity and 4,000 nautical mile range, it features an elongated aft deck hosting a swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds. Foldable bulwarks extend the overwater terrace, doubling as storage for water toys and expedition gear.
Project Mimer
Best Family-Friendly Concept: Tillberg Design of Sweden presents Project Mimer, a 197-foot expedition concept catering to family travel with amenities like a helicopter pad, multiple tenders, and an upper deck owner’s suite with a terrace and spa pool. Built to Polar Code Category standards, it offers an array of toys including an electric luxury tender, expedition RIBs, quad bikes, and a submersible, accommodating 12 guests and 17 crew members.
Damen SeaXplorer 105
Best Ice Explorer: Damen’s SeaXplorer 105, the largest in its range, features an ice-strengthened hull and specialized icebreaking stern, designed in collaboration with Azure Yacht Design and expedition specialists EYOS. The vessel’s capabilities include heli-ski charters in Antarctica and deep-sea submersible dives, underscoring its proficiency in navigating polar environments.
Project Fox
Best Interior Design: Project Fox boasts a contemporary interior by London’s Q Design, highlighted by a full-beam owner’s stateroom with marble en suite and hardwood floors. The salon exudes luxury with bright, airy spaces, complementing its elegant design aesthetic.
Project Master
Best Autonomy Features: Originally a transoceanic offshore support vessel, ICON Yachts refitted Project Master into an explorer yacht equipped with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, a 7,200-nautical mile range, and accommodations for scientific research. The yacht’s helicopter and sub capabilities ensure operational versatility in remote, infrastructurally limited regions.
Arcadia Yachts A96
Best Use of Volume: The A96 from Arcadia Yachts integrates the spaciousness and open-plan layout of its Sherpa series with high bow design and maneuverability. With 4,300 square feet of usable space—30 percent more than similar yachts—it maximizes onboard comfort with low bulwarks and lateral walkways.
Project Shackleton
Best Bow Design: Lürssen’s Project Shackleton features an inverted bow designed to minimize hull vibration and enhance stability in rough seas. This distinctive bow shape exemplifies the evolving aesthetic of modern explorer yachts, optimizing performance while maintaining a unique exterior profile.
Azimut Magellano 60
Best Dual-Mode Hull: The Magellano 60, although not strictly an explorer yacht, showcases Azimut’s “dual-mode” hull designed for efficient fuel consumption at low and medium speeds. Its semi-planing shape enhances seakeeping abilities, combining the benefits of both planing and displacement hulls for versatile cruising performance.
These selected explorer yachts represent the forefront of maritime innovation, blending technological prowess with luxury and functionality. Each vessel not only meets but exceeds the demands of discerning owners who seek to explore the world’s most remote and challenging environments in unparalleled comfort and style.
