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The 10 Best Explorer Yachts for High-Seas Adventures

A 350-foot gigayacht or 60-foot cruiser size isn't what defines an explorer yacht. the devil's in the details when it comes to authenticity., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Unlike fashion trends that seem to move as fast as a Redbull F1 car, the yachting industry takes its time adopting new ideas. There seems to be one exception. Explorer vessels, born out of the owners’ desires to go farther and stay longer, without sacrificing creature comforts, is developing with some urgency.

Several dozen builders and designers are now focusing on explorers, but they are also consulting with adventure travel firms that have a long history of using expedition yachts in remote parts of the globe. ICON Yachts, for example, collaborated with Cookson Adventures and the International Seakeepers Society on its Project Mission in both the overarching design and the details found across the yacht. Adventure outfitter EYOS employs its expertise routinely with Damen’s explorer vessels, most recently with the 190-foot Pink Shadow.   EYOS has a list of 50 features that separate authentic explorers from faux versions that might look the part but lack the necessary infrastructure and design elements.

Long-range cruising, system redundancy for autonomy at sea, and storage to carry specialist equipment like submersibles are some of the requirements that define expedition boats. There’s also deck configuration for the easy launch of tenders and toys, along with strong, ice-class hulls and climate-controlled areas comfort in extreme polar and tropic regions.

We culled through the latest fleet of explorers with multiple lengths and designs, selecting a single feature that we think makes it best in class. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Best Pilothouse: Doggersbank 77 Offshore

More than 700 Doggersbank motoryachts have been built since the 1960s, with the latest model scheduled for delivery in 2025. The robust, offshore vessels are designed by Dutch studio Vripack for long ocean passages, assisted by a high, flared bow. “It prevents green water from hitting the wheelhouse windows in rough seas, and together with the Portuguese bridge, ensures the captain’s view is not obstructed,” Joost Mertens, Doggersbank fleet manager, told Robb Report . “The yacht’s steel hull ensures the yacht sits better in the water making it less vulnerable to wind and high waves.”

Best Deck Configuration: Columbus Crossover 42

The Columbus Crossover 42 is defined by both straight and angled surfaces,  tapered stern sections and a concentration of volume in the bow that is becoming on many explorers. What is atypical is the yacht’s compact but flexible dimensions that accommodate a large cockpit tender and a 108-square-foot swimming pool with relaxation areas. Sold to an U.S. customer, it’s scheduled for delivery in 2025.

Best Multipurpose Stern: Bering B165

Turkish boatbuilder Bering Yachts revealed details of its new 162-foot flagship explorer yacht, the B165 , at the Dubai International Boat Show in March. The yacht can carry 18,400 gallons of fuel, which the builder says will give it a 4,000 nautical mile range when cruising at 12 knots. It also has a 2,640-gallon holding tank. What singles the B165 out among other explorers, however, is its multi-purpose stern area for both function and form. The elongated aft deck has a swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds. When the bulwarks are folded down, the space becomes an even larger overwater terrace. When the pool is not in use, it can be used as a covered storage area for water toys and expedition equipment. The yacht’s two tenders are also stored on the aft, making it a flexible space for both equipment and guests.

Best Family-Friendly Concept: Project Mimer

This 197-foot expedition concept by Tillberg Design of Sweden caters to family travel with a helicopter pad as well as multiple tenders and toys. It’s pitched by the studio as an introduction to true explorer yachting. It has a functional crew layout for efficient operations and an upper deck owner’s suite with a forward terrace and spa pool. With a hull that will be built to the Polar Code Category, the concept also has an optional helipad aft and long list of toys, from an electric luxury tender and two expedition RIBS to quad bikes, a submersible, Jet Skis, and, of course, an amphibious vehicle. The five-decked yacht sleeps 12 guests with crew quarters for 17 and an additional staff member, such as a nanny.

Best Ice Explorer: Damen SeaXplorer 105

Damen’s 345-foot SeaXplorer 105 is the largest model in the SeaXplorer range, with exterior design by Azure Yacht Design. The platform was developed under the guidance of expedition specialists EYOS Expeditions, who considered over 150 design criteria, from the hull form and bridge layout to the tender davits and Zodiac boarding arrangements. But it is EYOS’s expertise in the polar regions—it facilitated the first heli-ski charter in Antarctica and the first 3,200-foot sub dive to the Antarctic midnight zone—that gives the vessel its point of difference. The SeaXplorer has an ice-strengthened hull and a specially shaped icebreaking stern to maneuver through rough terrain.

Best Interior: Project Fox

On top of having a cool name, Project Fox has a bright, contemporary interior, courtesy of London’s Q Design, that is becoming more common on expedition yachts. The full-beam owner’s stateroom is also one of the yacht’s standout features, with its marble en suite and hardwood floors. The salon is also luxe, with white walls that brighten up travel even in areas that are sunlight deprived. Project Fox also has four other staterooms.

Best Autonomy: Project Master

ICON Yachts’s Project Master was a transoceanic offshore support vessel before the Dutch shipyard began a refit to turn it into an explorer yacht (see before and after inset). It’s equipped with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, a wide beam for multiple tender spaces, a 7,200-nautical mile range, and flexible cabin arrangements for expedition crew. Other features include a science lab and a certified heli-deck. “The yacht’s helicopter and sub capability mean it can offer assistance in areas with challenging access and little infrastructure,” Micca Ferrero, owner of ICON Yachts, told Robb Report . “The design is for the demands of self-sufficient voyages.”

Best Use of Volume: Arcadia Yachts A96

The A96 mixes the lines, volume, and open-plan layout of Arcadia’s Sherpa series with the speed, joystick maneuverability, and quality of the yard’s A range. It’s the first Arcadia to have an Igor Lobanov-designed interior, as well as a high bow and high deckheads for traversing rough water. But its big differentiator is the 214 gross tonnes of volume and 24-foot beam that generate big volumes—4,300 square feet of usable space, which is 30 percent more than on other similar-sized yachts. Low bulwarks and lateral walkways emphasize the sense of openness.

Best Bow: Project Shackleton

This 351-foot build from Lürssen has an inverted bow that looks like an eagle’s beak. The shape is designed to slice through waves with much lower vibration through the hull, while also reducing rock and roll in rough seas. Unlike the quasi-research vessel exteriors of many explorers, this vessel is representative of the changing look of many in this growing segment. 

Best Multi-Mode Hull: Azimut Magellano 60

The Magellano 60 isn’t technically an explorer yacht. Think of it as a cruiser  designed for some long-distance travel. But it does have one very interesting feature, what its builder Azimut calls a “dual-mode” hull. The semi-planing shape is designed to optimize fuel consumption (and therefore lower emissions) by about 20 percent (compared to similar-sized vessels) at low and medium speeds. The yacht’s bow is also designed to cut through waves for better seakeeping at a range of speeds. The boat cruises very efficiently at 18 knots but will hit a top end of 26, thus delivering the performance of a planing hull with the benefits of a displacement hull.

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Expedition Yachts for Sale

51 explorer yachts for sale.

Northrop & Johnson is proud to offer an extensive and all-encompassing selection of explorer yachts available for sale on the global market. Explorer yachts are ideally suited for those who want to cruise farther afield and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. We hope you find your dream yacht below. When you do, please contact a Northrop & Johnson sales broker to begin the buying process.

With an expedition yacht, you can discover new locales luxuriously and safely. Our experienced team will have you cruising the seas in style.

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Reach Remote Destinations in Your New Expedition Yacht

Almost all expedition yachts are custom built and designed to offer the highest level of luxury, stability, and comfort as you explore faraway horizons. Their ability to cruise to unique world areas allows you to experience these remote destinations through an extraordinary lens.

Your expedition yacht is designed for longer trips at sea, equipped with the safety and power of a motor yacht with robust hulls shaped to move effortlessly through any weather, and built with long-range capabilities. With these features, there will be no limits to your exploration. Venture through icy waters, to remote islands, and into bustling cities.

Purchasing an expedition yacht is not for the faint of heart, and if you’re choosing this extraordinary lifestyle, you’ll want a team of experienced brokers behind you.

Finding your dream expedition yacht for sale is easier than ever with Northrop & Johnson

Our brokers have a comprehensive knowledge of the yachting industry, so you can rest assured you’re in the best hands in the business. Contact Northrop & Johnson’s team of expert brokers to get started.

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Explorer yacht vs motor yacht: What makes an explorer yacht?

The trend for long-range explorer yachts has been well chronicled, but what exactly makes an explorer yacht? What's the difference between explorers, expedition yachts and motor yachts? And are explorer yachts capable of crossing the Atlantic? Ahead of the Explorer Yachts Summit at the Yacht Club de Monaco on 13 November, BOAT unpacks what it takes to meet the long-range explorer checklist.

While all expedition yachts can be classed as explorers, not every explorer can come under the expedition yacht category. The term explorer yachts encapsulates more widely a range of motor yachts and sailing yachts, whereas an expedition vessel usually has more of a purpose behind it. This can appeal to both charter guests and yacht owners wanting to whet their appetite when it comes to research, scientific expeditions or learning more about marine life.

Essentially, explorer yachts have the range and capability to undertake an oceanic crossing unsupported. When it comes to the best design features on an explorer yacht , things like deep storage, emissions control and a high degree of maneuverability are some considerations – while things like dive centres, helicopters and snowmobiles enhance adventure capabilities. Compared to explorer yachts, expedition yachts need to be more autonomous when operating in areas with little access to shore-side support or infrastructure.

It's also not just the largest explorer yachts that have the most allure – small explorer yachts are enjoying their moment in the spotlight. The Global Order Book indicates 70 per cent of all explorer yachts fall within the 24- to 40-metre range and during the  Explorer Yachts Summit 2023, BOAT International further analysed why owners are opting for pocket explorers as they embark on global adventures to far-flung destinations.

The five largest explorer yachts in the world

Nord | 141.6m| Lürssen | 2021

Solaris | 139.7m | Lloyd Werft | 2021

Octopus | 126.2m | Lürssen| 2003

Multiverse | 116.2m | Kleven | 2018

Luna   | 115m | Lloyd Werft | 2010

With the number of explorer yachts on order at an all-time high , deliveries from explorer yacht builders are expected every year until at least 2026. It seems as though the superyacht fleet has itchy feet, eager to venture to new pockets of the globe in search of ocean life, wildlife, shipwrecks and more. BOATPro reveals that the ten furthest-travelled superyachts alone recorded 151,955 nautical miles in the first half of 2023. The motivation behind a superyacht expedition is clear – but what are the criteria for an explorer yacht?

Ocean crossing range at a reasonable speed

A common measurement for whether a yacht is a true explorer or not comes with its maximum cruising range – how far can it explore without needing to refuel? Most yachts measuring over 40 metres will be able to cross the Atlantic with a transatlantic cruising range of around 3,000 nautical miles, but serious explorer yachts will have an even longer range. 

EYOS Expeditions co-founder Rob McCallum said: "In one sense, an explorer is simply any reasonably seaworthy boat that can cover the 2,600 nautical miles between Gran Canaria and Barbados on a single tank of diesel. To be suitable for expeditions, however, a yacht must go further – much further."

Andrea Pezzini, founder of charter management and brokerage firm Floating Life , argues: “For us, the minimum range for a yacht to be considered a true explorer yacht is 5,400 nautical miles and a speed for long distances of no less than 10 to 12 knots.” The 90-metre Lürssen yacht  Ice satisfies this criteria, as she can cruise for 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots without having to fill up.

A robust hull

Explorer yachts need to be able to withstand rough seas and expedition yachts especially need to be able to operate within the weather conditions at the destination they are travelling. When venturing to remote areas of the world, particularly the Polar Regions, a robust hull is an essential. Steel is the most popular material, with Ice Class being a common yardstick for measuring strength. This can range from Polar Class 7 vessels, able to stray into waters first-year ice less than a metre thick, through to Polar Class 1 yachts, capable of operating all year round in any ice conditions.

However, not everyone agrees with the supremacy of steel. Frederic Jaouen, managing director of JFA Yachts , argues: "Explorer yachts should be built in aluminium for the safety aspect — deformation in case of impact as opposed to a tear in a steel or composite hull — but also the weight aspect and performance: [higher] speed, seaworthiness and [lower] fuel consumption.”

Higher crew capacity

The rise of explorer yachts has seen many projects specified with far more crew space. Specialist crewmembers are often needed for long-range expeditions, such as local guides, helicopter pilots, ski instructors or even documentary videographers.

126-metre Octopus , regarded as one of the world's largest explorer yachts, is a fine example of this, with room for a colossal crew of up to 57 people.

Superior storage space

When exploring varied and unpredictable cruising grounds, it is a good idea to have a whole arsenal of tenders and toys at your disposal. As Captain Stan Antrim puts it: "What matters is what you hang on to them – the seaplanes, the helicopters, the sportfish yachts – the whole gamut. Even though you can do the exploring on a 40-metre yacht and be happy, you can’t take all of that stuff with you.”

Autonomous expedition yachts, sometimes on a 40-day operation away from fresh supplies, also need to be equipped with provisions for storage, garbage management and additional berthing for guides and researchers.

Size matters, but it’s not everything

While the definition of a superyacht is longer than 24 metres, some would argue that explorer yachts should be at least 40 metres long to carry all the necessary equipment. However, there are exceptions to the rule, with Cantiere Delle Marche proving highly successful in building compact, yet long-range explorer yachts. The Italian yard’s fleet includes the 33.4-metre Narvalo , which has been designed to cruise with the narwhals that she was named after.

The Explorer Yachts Summit on 13 November 2024 at the Yacht Club de Monaco , held in collaboration with ExplorerYachts.com and in association with Damen Yachting, is the only international summit dedicated solely to the explorer yachting sector.  Attendees can expect an exciting lineup covering all areas within the sector. Click below to find out more and buy tickets.

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“An increasing number of our clients wish to explore destinations that are well and truly off the beaten track. This quest for adventure in far-flung places has led to a surge in demand for expedition yachts, with more and more customers looking for explorer motor yachts for sale. At YACHTZOO, we are perfectly placed to help you buy an expedition motor vessel. Our team looks forward to sharing with you details of the wide range of expedition yachts for sale that we currently have in our portfolio.”

Discover our Selection of Explorer Motor Yachts for Sale

What characterises an explorer yacht?

An explorer yacht, expedition yacht, or icebreaker is a vessel built for long adventures in remote destinations. Clients looking to buy an expedition motor vessel typically require enhanced performance and extra stability, without wishing to lose any of the luxury or comfort of a classic motor yacht.

All of the explorer motor yachts for sale with YACHTZOO offer robust hulls that allow them to move effortlessly through all waters and weather conditions. They also boast long-range capabilities that allow their owners to adventure in exotic destinations, with interiors designed with longer trips in mind. 

Let YACHTZOO Help you Buy your Dream Icebreaker

At YACHTZOO, our team of experts are on hand 24/7 to make your dream come true. We pride ourselves in a bespoke service which prioritises the needs and wishes of our clients. The majority of our brokers have all worked on yachts, with a growing number having gained experience on expedition yachts. 

If you would like to learn more about our collection of explorer motor yachts for sale , please do get in touch.

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Aegean Yachts unveil 26m explorer yacht HEKATE

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Written by Rachel Kelly

Aegean Yachts have proudly announced the launch of 26m  (85’3″)  motor yacht HEKATE , the second hull in the Aegean Explorer series. She is a meticulously crafted explorer yacht with robust steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Incredibly stable, with a 187GT volume she offers comfort on long voyages in challenging waters.

Explorer yacht HEKATE

Accommodation on board is for up to twelve guests and has a unique configuration which includes three master suites, each on a different deck, providing extraordinary levels of privacy and space -the upper deck master even has a private exterior terrace. As well as the master suites there are two twin cabins and a VIP suite on the lower deck, all beautifully designed with guest comfort in mind.

Upper deck on board luxury yacht HEKATE

The interior makes the most of every inch of space on board and is decorated with a lovely balance of materials including matte-finished lime-washed oak, white lacquer and stainless steel, making the space elegant and inviting throughout.

The crew facilities and amenities are equally well considered with the galley being ideal for extended cruising thanks to the ample storage. The four crew cabins are well-appointed, with ensuite facilities, ensuring the crew are comfortable and rested on long voyages so they can deliver premium service.

Upper Deck Master

Performance comes from twin 650 HP MAN engines and two KOHLER 35kW generators, which deliver a top speed of 12.7 knots with a range of 3,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 9.5 knots.

Luxury explorer yacht HEKATE will be showcased at the Cannes Yachting Festival from 10-15 September and the Monaco Yacht Show between 25-28 September. She is immediately ready to cruise and awaits her new owner.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Aegean Yachts unveil 26m explorer yacht HEKATE".

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Vanguard is a design from Artnautica Naval architects. She is capable, brutally rugged, well-equipped motor yacht for short-handed operation. Long range, low draft, stable, with fully redundant commercial equipment specification for exploring places unreachable with standard production yacht designs. Built to CE Class A and UK MCA Category (0), these yachts will capably take you anywhere or that your insurance will cover!

True Explorer Yacht and Passagemaker designs from Artnautica

As of 2023, 14 motor yachts designed by the Artnautics brand are sailing or under construction to LRC and XPM specifications. These exploration yachts have been delivered from the Netherlands, Turkey, and New Zealand shipyards.

The LRC range is a passagemaker. Its rugged simplicity, low fuel consumption, extended range allied with commercial specifications, ample redundancy, and low draft allow for exploring those small summer islands and inlets. Sleek and clean internal designs complement the overall usability. LRC designs are built by best-in-class builders in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Vanguard is the true explorer yacht of the portfolio. Arguably the strongest and most capable build specification of any expedition trawler you can buy on the market today. Massive construction and specification are remarkable, and it is one of the best explorer yacht designs classified to MCA Category (0). These designs can take you anywhere your curiosity or insurance will consider. 

XPM 78 Explorer Yacht

After an extensive design process, the XPM-78 motorboat was unveiled in 2016, showcasing its distinctive and innovative features. Two yachts have been delivered, each with different design options.

XPM 85 Explorer Yacht

The XPM-85 extreme range boat emerges as a natural progression of the XPM-78 yacht, offering the owner an array of enhanced layout choices with 3 and 4-cabin options, including crew facilities, making her suitable for chartering.

LRC 58 Explorer Yacht

The LRC-58 yacht is a forward-thinking passagemaker highlighting its distinct design and fuel efficiency. Its unique hull design features a sleek profile, maximizing waterline length while maintaining an efficient interior volume.

LRC 65 Explorer Yacht

The LRC-65 and XPM-65 bridge the gap between the LRC-58 and the XPM-78. Available in two versions, the LRC-65 has the attributes of long-range, economic construction, rugged simplicity, and short-handed operation.

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