The World's Biggest Superyachts Explored

For the world’s elite, the superyacht is the pinnacle of opulence. These behemoths of the sea are feats of oceanic design and engineering, offering an unparalleled experience for those with the capital to enable it.

Interest soared following the Coronavirus pandemic, with over two-hundred vessels now falling under the category of superyacht in 2026, and a growing number settling into the categories of megayacht, and gigayacht.

This article will explore these impressive nautical titans, offering a glimpse into a world many will never venture into. Keep reading to learn more…

Defining “biggest”

The first question to answer is that of measurement. The terminology around these vessels can be split down into three categories: superyacht, megayacht, and gigayacht. 

Superyachts typically fall within the length range of 24 to 60 metres, with a beam range between 6 and 12 metres. Crews will usually range in size between 6 and 15 members, and the gross tonnage (GT) typically falls between 500 and 3000.

Megayachts are the next size up, with a length between 60 and 100 metres, a beam range of 10 to 18 metres, a crew size over 15 members, and a GT between 3000 and 8000.

Finally, there is the gigayacht. Giants within this category have a length exceeding 100 metres, a beam range over 15 metres, a crew over 50 members, and a GT over 8000, representing the pinnacle of yacht classification.

It’s important to mention both the length overall (LOA) and the gross tonnage (GT), as these two measurements can result in differences between what is classed as the “biggest”.

LOA is the maximum length of the vessel’s hull, including any structural extensions. This does not include outboard motors, bowsprits, or other removable equipment. GT, on the other hand, measures the internal volume of the vessel.

The “biggest” superyacht varies depending on these measurements, so for the purposes of ranking, this article will use GT as the defining variable.

What are the world’s biggest superyachts?

While there are three variations in terminology, for the purposes of exploring the largest of these vessels, this article will band together its findings as the widely recognised nomenclature of “superyacht”:

10. Al Salamah

• Length overall: 139.29 m
• Beam: 23.5 m
• Gross tonnage: 12,234 GT
• Delivered: 1999 (and refitted in 2006)
• Builder: Lürssen

The 139.29-metre motor yacht Al Salamah was designed by Terence Disdale, and delivered in 1999 by German shipyard Lürssen. Her design and amenities make her one of the most distinctive luxury yachts of her era.

Built on a full displacement steel hull with aluminium superstructure, Al Salamah spans five decks, with an internal volume of 12,234 GT, a beam of 23.5 metres, and a draft of 5 metres. 

Her profile maximises privacy and comfort, blending classical lines with a commanding enclosed superstructure, while features such as a helipad, and spacious tender garage further demonstrate her practicality.

The yacht’s interiors are tailored to every need, with distinctive amenities including a car garage, three hospitals, a hairdressing salon and five galleys. Entertainment is supported by a dedicated dressing room for performers, while the oval swimming pool and gym provide leisure options. 

Accommodation is generous, with capacity for 40 guests across 20 suites, including two owner’s cabins, 11 VIP suites and eight twin cabins. Crew facilities are equally extensive, with quarters for up to 96 plus 59 additional staff.

Powered by twin MTU diesel engines delivering 8,837 horsepower each, Al Salamah reaches 21 knots and cruises comfortably at 17 knots.

9. Dubai

• Length overall: 162 m
• Beam: 22 m
• Gross tonnage: 12,488 GT
• Delivered: 2006
• Builder: Emirati Shipyard Platinum Yachts

The 162-metre motor yacht Dubai, delivered in 2006 by Platinum Yachts, remains one of the most striking vessels afloat, in both scale and design. With exterior and interior styling by Winch Design and naval architecture by Blohm + Voss, its intricate detail defines her commanding presence. 

Built on a steel hull with aluminium superstructure, she spans seven decks, offering an internal volume of 12,488 GT and a beam of 22 metres. Her shallow draft makes her well-suited to anchorage in the Gulf, while features such as a helipad, beach club, and tender garage further demonstrate her versatility.

The yacht’s exterior features broad decks, private verandas and a tapering stern, while her interiors are replete with opulence and artistry. A four-deck atrium with a colour-changing spiral staircase and mosaic flooring is complemented by a Majilis-style saloon and dining for 80 guests. Leisure facilities include a mosaic-clad swimming pool with waterfall, spa, gym, cinema and dance floor, ensuring guests experience both grandeur and comfort at sea.

Dubai features accommodation to 44 cabins, including five VIP suites and a split-level owner’s suite, supported by crew quarters for 88 plus additional staff. Powered by four MTU engines, Dubai can achieve 25 knots and has a range of 8,500 nautical miles. 

8. Opera

• Length overall: 146.35m
• Beam: 21.5m
• Gross tonnage: 12,518 GT
• Delivered: 2023
• Builder: Lürssen

Opera is one of the newest additions to the top tier of the world’s largest motor yachts. Designed by Terence Disdale, and delivered in 2023 by Lürssen, the 146.35-metre yacht Opera illustrates the latest in gigayacht design.

Built on a displacement steel hull with a 21.5-metre beam and 6-metre draft, Opera has an internal volume of 12,518 GT. Construction began in 2015 under the name Project Sassi, with launch in 2022 and delivery the following year.

The vessel’s design brief favoured flexible social spaces, robust auxiliary engineering and enhanced service zones to support extended cruising with a reduced shore dependency.

As a modern Lürssen delivery, Opera benefits from the yard’s investments in digital project management, and a focus on lifecycle serviceability. This makes later adaptations to battery hybrids or alternative fuels more straightforward than older yacht designs would allow. 

Opera’s exterior features deep deck overhangs and extensive floor-to-ceiling glass, creating enclosed spaces suited to harsher climates while maximising natural light and views. A standout feature is the stone-lined swimming pool on the main deck, which transforms into a dance floor, complemented by a second pool on the sun deck.

Inside, Opera embraces natural materials, with satin-finished oak, bamboo ceilings, rattan walls and honed stone flooring. Guest cabins are uniquely decorated per deck, adding character to every level. Accommodation includes 18 suites for 36 guests, supported by 25 crew cabins for up to 50.

Powered by twin MTU diesel-electric engines, Opera reaches 22 knots and cruises at 18, with a 5,000-nautical-mile range. Amenities include a cinema, spa, gym, beach club, jacuzzi and tender garage, ensuring luxury and practicality at sea.

7. A+

• Length overall: 147.25 m
• Beam: 21.5 m
• Gross tonnage: 12,532 GT
• Delivered: 2012
• Builder: Lürssen

Originally delivered as Topaz in 2012, and renamed A+ in 2019, this 147‑metre superyacht Lürssen build that exemplifies the early 2010s turn toward high‑volume, multi‑suite layouts. Powered by twin VEM Sachsenwerk diesel engines, A+ reaches 22 knots and cruises at 19, with a 5,000-nautical-mile range. 

With exteriors by Tim Heywood and interiors by Terence Disdale, Lürssen’s naval architecture emphasised sleek, seakeeping hull lines, and expansive living spaces with discrete service planning.

Her exterior profile features sweeping curves and crisp accents, complemented by two helipads, dual Jacuzzis and generous swimming platforms. The expansive decks provide uninterrupted views, while a large tender garage houses an array of water sports equipment.

Inside, A+ offers a cinema suite, dance floor, beauty salon and conference room, encompassing both the entertainment and business needs. Amenities such as a spa, gym, beach club, and library complete the offering, making A+ a benchmark in luxury yachting. Accommodation includes 26 suites for up to 62 guests, with crew quarters for 79.

The result is a vessel with performance credentials and hospitality capability designed for both private use and high‑profile public events, ensuring that back‑of‑house areas are sufficiently staffed and equipped to support high‑profile guest stays.

6. Sailing Yacht A

• Length overall: 142.81 m
• Beam: 24.88 m
• Gross tonnage: 12,558 GT
• Delivered: 2017
• Builder: Nobiskrug

Sailing Yacht A (S/Y A) is the world’s largest sail-assisted motor yacht, a radical and controversial vessel that marries a futuristic design with truly cutting-edge engineering. 

Construction began in 2012 under the project name White Pearl, with launch in 2015 and delivery in 2017, she was designed inside and out by Philippe Starck, with naval architecture by Nobiskrug and Dykstra Naval Architects.

At 142.81 metres in length, with a beam of 24.88 metres and a gross tonnage of 12,558 GT, she dwarfs most private yachts. Her three unstayed carbon masts are among the tallest ever built, with the mainmast reaching 100 metres above the waterline, taller than Big Ben. Together they support a sail plan of 3,747 m², operated entirely at the touch of a button without crew intervention. 

The yacht’s futuristic silhouette conceals machinery within the hull, while features such as a touch-and-go helipad, tender garage, and deck jacuzzi enhance both practicality and luxury. 

Inside, Starck’s design embraces light and natural materials. The bridge deck features the largest piece of curved glass ever manufactured, while the hull incorporates a 193-square-foot underwater observation pod with 12-inch-thick glass, offering guests a unique view beneath the waves. Wellness facilities include a gym and spa, while a professional galley delivers Michelin-level dining. 

Accommodation is provided for 20 guests in 10 suites, supported by 54 crew. The bridge, equipped with custom aerodynamic wings, reflects the yacht’s fusion of futuristic design and functionality.

Performance is equally impressive. Powered by twin MTU diesel-electric engines producing nearly 4,900hp each, S/Y A achieves 21 knots and cruises at 16, with a range of 5,340 nautical miles from her 850,000-litre fuel tanks. 

Her hybrid propulsion system reduces emissions and noise. Stabilisers ensure comfort at sea, while her hull and sail plan were tested extensively in wind tunnels and hydrodynamic trials to optimise efficiency.

5. Azzam

• Length overall: 180.65m
• Beam: 20.8m
• Gross tonnage: 13,136 GT
• Delivered: 2013
• Builder: Lürssen

Delivered in 2013 at an impressive 180 metres in length, Azzam is the longest private motor yacht in the world. This impressive vessel finds its name from the Arabic language, meaning “Resolute”.

Originally designed to be 145 metres, the mighty Azzam grew to 180.61 metres in the “process of optimisation”. With a staggering 13,000GT, which includes accommodation for 36 guests, and 80 crew members, Azzam features an indoor swimming pool, on-board golf training room, and a foredeck helipad.

With an interior design orchestrated by French designer, Christophe Leoni, the turn-of-the-century empire style comes replete with rich wooden furnishings, mother-of-pearl inlays, and elaborate marquetry.

Featuring an astonishing 94,000 horsepower, Azzam is one of the world’s fastest superyachts, capable of impressive speeds of up to 34 knots due to its innovative water-jet propulsion system.

Despite its impressive speeds, time aboard Azzam is peaceful, with virtually no noise or vibrations on board. This is because the vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art stabilisation systems designed to provide maximum comfort at high speeds, or in rough sea conditions.

Commissioned at an estimated cost of $605 million by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former president of the United Arab Emirates, Azzam now belongs to the estate of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

4. Eclipse

• Length overall: 162.5 m
• Beam: 22.4 m
• Gross tonnage: 13,564 GT
• Delivered: 2010 (refitted 2015)
• Builder: Blohm + Voss

Eclipse is one of the most celebrated superyachts of her generation. At 162.5 metres in length, with a beam of 22.4 metres and a draft of 5.9 metres, she was for several years the largest private yacht in the world. 

Styled inside and out by Terence Disdale, she was conceived as a vessel of elegance and restraint rather than flamboyance, built to ice-class standards with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure spread across nine decks.

Her exterior offers a combination of grandeur and practicality. Eclipse carries two helicopters, with one housed in a forward hangar, while the principal helipad on the upper deck leads directly into a dedicated lounge. 

The aft pool is lined in blue granite, and features a rise-and-fall floor that can be raised to create a shallow wading pool or lifted flush with the deck to form a dance floor, shaded by a sliding glass roof. A 200-square-metre swim platform, folding staircases that extend into the water, and a wood-burning fire table add to her distinctive character.

The interior’s ceiling heights reach 2.8 metres, creating lounges and dining rooms with proportions more akin to grand houses than yachts. The beach club features a 15-metre pool, spa, sauna, plunge pool, massage rooms and a gym illuminated by light filtering through underwater portholes.

Eclipse accommodates up to 36 guests in 18 suites, with quarters for 70 crew and additional staff. Performance is delivered by twin diesel-electric engines producing over 17,000 horsepower, giving a top speed of 21 knots and a cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles. 

Beyond her scale and luxury, Eclipse is renowned for advanced security, with features reported to include bomb-proof glass, anti-paparazzi systems and even a mini-submarine. At launch, she was estimated to have cost between 590 and 700 million dollars, a figure that reflected not only her size, but also the extraordinary level of innovation and detail invested in her construction.

3. Blue

• Length overall: 160 m
• Beam: 22.5 m
• Gross tonnage: 14,785 GT
• Delivered: 2022
• Builder: Lürssen

Blue, delivered in 2022 by Lürssen, is a 160‑metre motor yacht that represents one of the most ambitious private vessels ever constructed. With naval architecture by Lürssen and both exterior and interior styling by Terence Disdale, she combines immense scale with a refined aesthetic.

Her steel hull and aluminium superstructure span a beam of 22.5 metres and a draft of 5.7 metres, giving her an internal volume among the largest of any yacht afloat. Construction began in 2018 under the name Project Blue, with launch in early 2022 and delivery that summer.

Her exterior is defined by a sharply raked bow and subtle curves across the decks, creating a timeless, distinctive silhouette. It features two helipads, while a covered pool on the main deck offers privacy and protection from the elements.

Blue’s interior reflects Disdale’s focus on proportion, comfort and understated detail rather than ostentation. The design employs a palette of natural tones, with lighter shades complemented by darker woods and metal accents, creating a consistent and harmonious atmosphere throughout the yacht. Materials such as bronzed panelling and silver finishes are used selectively to add depth without overwhelming the spaces. 

The arrangement of suites and communal rooms is carefully zoned to aid orientation and to give each area a distinct character, ensuring that the yacht’s considerable volume is used efficiently and coherently. 

Accommodation is provided for up to 48 guests in 24 suites. The owner’s deck features twin balconies and custom furnishings, while the VIP deck offers further elite accommodation. Crew quarters for 80 ensure that service remains seamless at all times.

Performance comes from Lürssen’s hybrid diesel‑electric propulsion system, which incorporates Azimuth pod drives and advanced exhaust treatment to reduce emissions and vibration. Powered by twin MTU engines producing nearly 7,000hp each, Blue reaches 21 knots and cruises at 18, with a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 17 knots.

2. Al Said

• Length overall: 155 m
• Beam: 23 m
• Gross tonnage: 15,850 GT
• Delivered: 2008
• Builder: Lürssen

Delivered in 2008 by Lürssen, Al Said is a 155‑metre motor yacht that at the time of her launch ranked as the second‑longest private vessel in the world. Designed by Espen Øino with interiors by RWD, she combines the proportions of a classic cruise liner with the refinement expected of a modern superyacht. 

Built on a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, she spans six decks and has an internal volume of 15,850 GT. Construction began in 2005 under the project name Sunflower, with launch in 2007 and delivery the following spring.

Her exterior lines are distinguished by balance and symmetry, with expansive decks arranged to provide both privacy and open‑air living. The scale of the vessel allows for a wide range of amenities without compromising the elegance of her profile.

Inside, much of the decorative work was carried out by artisans from the Sultanate. The centrepiece is a concert hall capable of accommodating a 50‑piece orchestra, a feature unique among yachts of this size. A 50‑seat cinema, numerous lounges and a medical suite, reportedly including an operating theatre, emphasise the breadth of facilities available to guests. 

Accommodation is provided for up to 70 guests in 26 cabins, including an owner’s suite with generous bedroom, dressing room and private salon. Two VIP cabins feature hot tubs, while the crew complement extends to 174, ensuring service of the highest standard.

Performance is driven by twin MTU diesel engines producing over 11,000 horsepower each, giving a top speed of 22 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 20. With fuel capacity exceeding 1.4 million litres, Al Said has a range of 7,700 nautical miles, enabling extended voyages without refuelling.

Al Said remains a yacht of exceptional scale and distinction, notable not only for her size but also for the cultural and technical ambition of her design.

1. Dilbar

• Length overall: 156 m
• Beam: 23.5 m
• Gross tonnage: 15,917 GT
• Delivered: 2016
• Builder: Lürssen

With its name harking from the Persian word for “beloved” Dilbar is one of the most significant superyachts ever built. 

Delivered in 2016 by Lürssen, she measures 156 metres in length with a beam of 23.5 metres and a draft of 6.1 metres. At 15,917 GT she was, by volume, the largest yacht in the world at the time of her launch.

Construction began in 2013 under the project name Omar, with launch in late 2015 and delivery in May 2016. Espen Øino was responsible for the exterior, while Winch Design created the interiors. The hull is painted in a distinctive ivory tone with bronze detailing, giving Dilbar a striking presence in any harbour. 

The interior extends over 3,800 square metres of living space, conceived to be light, airy, and welcoming. Materials include rare woods, fine metals and stone, with bespoke furniture and carefully integrated lighting to create depth and warmth. The main saloon features a grand piano and fine art, while dining options range from a formal room with chandelier to alfresco terraces.

Leisure facilities are extensive. Dilbar houses a 25‑metre indoor swimming pool, the largest ever fitted to a yacht, holding 180 cubic metres of water. A deck jacuzzi, spa, massage rooms and a fully equipped gym provide further options for relaxation and fitness. One of her most unusual features is an onboard garden, planted with grass and Mediterranean species adapted to the marine environment.

Accommodation is provided for 24 guests in 12 staterooms, including a master suite of exceptional scale. Crew capacity is 80, rising to 96 when required.

Dilbar’s engineering is equally remarkable. She is powered by a diesel‑electric plant producing 30,000 kW, the largest ever installed on a yacht. This system drives her to a continuous speed of 22.5 knots, with a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. 

The plant also supplies energy to all onboard systems, from air conditioning to entertainment. Stability is assured by advanced stabilisers working in concert with the hull form, allowing smooth operation even in challenging seas.

Dilbar has received multiple awards, including recognition at the World Superyacht Awards, and is widely regarded as a milestone in yacht construction. Her combination of scale, technical achievement and design refinement places her among the most important vessels of the modern era.

Notable mentions in the superyacht category

The 10 superyachts outlined above feature in the top spots of the YB100 - a comprehensive list of the biggest 100 superyachts by gross tonnage. However, this list excludes some of the actual biggest yachts, be it for reasons of vessel purpose, category, and completion.

For purposes of completion, this article will now look at those superyachts that didn’t make the list:

4. REV Ocean

• Length overall: 194.9 m
• Beam: 22 m
• Gross tonnage: 19,235 GT
• Delivered: 2026 (planned)
• Builder: VARD

Commissioned by Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke, REV Ocean is a research and expedition vessel rather than a conventional yacht, though her exterior and interior standards match those of the largest superyachts. 

Designed by Espen Øino with interiors by H2 Yacht Design, she was initially conceived as a 140‑metre yacht but expanded during development to nearly 195 metres. 

Her purpose is scientific, and is equipped with laboratories, trawlers, submersibles and advanced sampling systems to support global ocean research. 

Propulsion is diesel‑electric with hybrid capability, allowing silent operation at 11 knots. With a range of over 21,000 nautical miles, she is capable of extended missions in polar regions. 

Facilities include luxury accommodation for scientists and guests, two helipads, and a cinema-standard lecture theatre. 

At 19,235 GT, she will be the largest research vessel ever built, reflecting Røkke’s philanthropic commitment to ocean sustainability.

3. Fulk Al Salamah

• Length overall: 164m
• Beam: 24m
• Gross tonnage: 20,361 GT
• Delivered: 2016
• Builder: T. Mariotti

Fulk Al Salamah - or the “Ship of Peace” - is the world’s largest superyacht in terms of gross tonnage. It is a distinctive and highly visible member of the very largest class of contemporary motor yachts. 

Delivered in 2016, she forms part of the fleet associated with the Omani royal family and is often admired for her sheer volume, expansive accommodation and complex service arrangements. 

The yacht’s exterior silhouette and internal arrangement prioritise long‑range diplomatic and state‑style missions. Generous guest areas, extensive service spaces and the sort of redundancy in systems and communications expected of a vessel intended to act as a semi‑official transport.

Although the yard and owner have historically constrained public technical disclosure, Fulk Al Salamah’s role and scale are that of a purpose‑built platform for prolonged voyages with a service and security envelope designed for firmly private, high‑profile operations. .

2. Somnio

• Length overall: 222 m
• Beam: not disclosed (estimated ~30 m)
• Gross tonnage: 33,500 GT
• Delivered: 2026 (planned)
• Builder: VARD

Somnio is under construction at VARD and is described as the world’s first “yacht liner.” 

At 222 metres, she will be the largest private yacht by length, conceived as a residential vessel with 39 apartments, each costing upwards of $11 million. 

Designed by Winch Design and Tillberg Design, she will blend conventional superyacht luxury with liner scale, offering bespoke interiors tailored to each owner. 

Membership is strictly by invitation, with identities kept confidential. Beyond private living, Somnio will carry advanced research equipment, reflecting a dual role as both luxury residence and scientific platform. 

Her gross tonnage of 33,500 places her among the largest yachts ever built, second only to The World in volume.

1. MS The World

• Length overall: 196.35 m
• Beam: 29.8 m
• Gross tonnage: 43,188 GT
• Delivered: 2002
• Builder: Fosen Mek

MS The World is unique among large private vessels as the only fully residential cruise ship currently in service. 

Conceived by Knut Kloster and launched in 2002, she operates as a floating condominium, with 165 privately owned residences ranging from studios to expansive apartments. Average occupancy is 150–200 residents and guests, supported by a crew of around 280. 

Registered in The Bahamas, she is managed from Fort Lauderdale, with residents themselves guiding itineraries and lifestyle decisions through an elected board. 

Facilities include six restaurants, a cinema, library, spa, golf simulator, tennis court and jogging track, making her effectively a private floating city. 

Notable achievements include transits of the Northwest Passage in 2012 and 2019, and in 2017 she set a record as the southernmost ship ever to sail, reaching the Bay of Whales in Antarctica.

Brookes Bell: the ‘go to’ superyacht consultancy

Our wealth of practical experience means we enjoy a reputation as being the “go to” firm at every stage of the superyacht life cycle and are proud to count the world’s most eminent P&I clubs, owners, underwriters, lawyers, salvors and shipyards as our clients.

We also recognise that the superyacht industry is constantly changing, which is why we place a strong emphasis on innovation; continually seeking out better ways of tackling superyacht issues. 

Whatever your project or requirements, Brookes Bell can combine the right mix of talent and expertise to ensure you only require a single supplier - saving you time and money.

Contact Brookes Bell now to discuss your superyacht requirements

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