The Best
Charter Yachts
of 2026
Five size classes. Twenty-five finalists. One yacht that expands the meaning of charter.
2026 edition · Published 1 September 2026
Built for the
week on board.
Most yacht awards celebrate naval architecture, exterior styling, interior design or the achievement of a new build. The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards begin with the charter guest. We ask how convincingly a yacht turns seven days at sea into a complete experience: how naturally guests move between private and social spaces, how well the yacht connects them to the water, how strong the crew and hospitality proposition appears, where the yacht can take them, and whether the experience is exceptional for its size and price class.
The 2026 field was drawn from yachts actively listed for crewed charter in the Blue Ocean Club fleet. Five finalists were selected in each populated size class. The award is editorial, free to enter and published entirely online.
Read the complete methodologyLA DATCHA
“No other finalist makes more of the world available to its guests.”
- Length
- 77m
- Builder
- Damen
- Built
- 2020
- Guests
- 12
- Suites
- 6
- Crew
- 18
At 77 metres, LA DATCHA is not the largest yacht in the 2026 field. She is, however, the yacht with the broadest charter horizon. Damen’s purpose-built explorer combines the machinery for serious remote travel with the privacy, wellness and service expected of a flagship resort. Helicopter facilities open access from above; a submersible, dive centre and decompression chamber open the world below; an observation lounge, spa, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and beach club make the time between expeditions as compelling as the destination itself.
For 12 guests across six suites, LA DATCHA carries an extraordinary depth of equipment. The 2026 Blue Ocean Club snapshot records 18 crew and a programme spanning aviation, diving, boards, personal watercraft, inflatables and mountain bikes. More importantly, these are not decorative additions. They support a yacht conceived to move between tropical anchorages and extreme latitudes without asking guests to choose between capability and comfort.
Best for: Guests who want the yacht to be the key to the destination, not merely accommodation beside it.
Why she won
- The widest destination and activity range in the 2026 field
- True expedition systems rather than explorer styling alone
- Exceptional equipment-to-guest ratio
- Strong separation of observation, wellness, social and operational spaces
- A charter proposition that remains distinctive even against larger yachts
Five different definitions of exceptional.
Each winner is judged within its own size class. The five categories reward different charter missions—not one universal idea of luxury.
BACCARAT
Contemporary, fast and unusually complete for her length.
THE BEAST
Expedition volume and capability with a clear sense of purpose.
KHALILAH
A design icon that turns distinction into a social charter platform.
OKTO
Spatial calm, serious wellness and one of the field’s deepest water programmes.
LA DATCHA
The broadest charter horizon of 2026.
Transparent criteria. Judged within class.
The awards use a desk-based editorial assessment of current fleet records, declared specifications and amenities, build and refit information, crew and central-agent material where available, destination capability and comparable charter pricing. A Blue Ocean Club award does not imply a sea trial or onboard inspection unless the page expressly says so.
Charter experience and service proposition
25%Crew depth, hospitality information, privacy, guest flow and suitability for a complete charter week.
Guest space and layout
20%Cabins, circulation, social zones, quiet zones, deck use and indoor/outdoor connection.
Amenities and access to the water
20%Wellness, cinema, beach club, pools, tenders, toys, diving and usefulness rather than list length alone.
Design, condition and relevance
15%Build quality, refit recency, maintenance signal, design coherence and comfort.
Destination capability
10%Range, operating regions, stability, expedition systems and itinerary flexibility.
Value within class
10%The overall experience relative to comparable yachts in the same size bracket.
Eligibility
- Actively offered for crewed charter in the Blue Ocean Club fleet at the 2026 snapshot
- Verified identity, length, builder, build year and guest accommodation
- Sufficient current information to make a fair comparison
- No duplicate, inactive, private-use-only or bareboat record
- No entry fee and no requirement that an owner or manager nominate the yacht
Six-stage process
- 01Fleet snapshot
- 02Data verification
- 03Review within class
- 04Five finalists selected
- 05Category and overall decision
- 06Final fact check
Award decisions remain part of the historical 2026 record. Factual corrections, yacht renames and broken links may be updated. Later price or availability changes do not alter the award.
Best Charter Yacht 20–29.9m
BACCARAT — the complete compact charter yacht.
Under 30 metres, the best yacht is rarely the one with the longest list of features. It is the yacht that wastes the least space and asks for the fewest compromises. BACCARAT’s 29.6-metre Amer platform brings together a 2022 build, a seven-metre beam, five guest suites and accommodation for 10. A deck jacuzzi, stabilisation at anchor and a useful collection of boards and towable toys support relaxed days, while a 21-knot cruising speed keeps a Riviera or Balearic itinerary moving.
BACCARAT wins because the proposition is coherent. She is contemporary without feeling clinical, quick without becoming a day boat, and large enough for five couples or a multi-generational family without entering full superyacht pricing. In this class, that balance matters more than excess.
- Length
- 29.6m
- Builder
- Amer
- Built
- 2022
- Guests
- 10
- Suites
- 5
- Crew
- 5
Why BACCARAT won
- Five-suite capacity for 10 guests
- Modern 2022 build and contemporary interior
- Strong speed, comfort and itinerary flexibility
- Jacuzzi, at-anchor stabilisation and practical water toys
- Persuasive value relative to the class
Best for: Five couples, families and charterers who want modern design and performance without moving into a larger crewed superyacht.
Explore BACCARATThe shortlist
Five finalists, unranked beyond the winner.
BACCARAT
Amer · 2022
Best complete package
MALKIA
Sanlorenzo · 2020
Best quiet contemporary cruiser
YOYITA II
Riva · 2017 / refit 2023
Best performance pedigree
ESMERALDA OF THE SEAS
Monte Carlo Yachts · 2018 / refit 2020
Best relaxed Mediterranean layout
X2
Sunseeker · 2022
Best compact value and speed
Best Charter Yacht 30–39.9m
THE BEAST — adventure architecture with nothing ornamental about it.
THE BEAST makes her purpose visible. This custom-built 2019 expedition catamaran, designed by LOMOcean, carries a 12-metre beam and the internal volume of a substantially longer yacht. Her five suites accommodate 12 guests, supported by a current Blue Ocean Club crew listing of 10. The platform was conceived for remote South Pacific cruising, serious fishing, diving and the transport of large tenders rather than marina theatre.
What makes THE BEAST the category winner is not rugged styling; it is the way the design unlocks a different charter. Broad, stable guest spaces and expedition equipment allow the itinerary to move beyond the familiar circuit. Luxury remains present, but it serves the mission rather than replacing it.
- Length
- 39.2m
- Builder
- Custom
- Built
- 2019
- Guests
- 12
- Suites
- 5
- Crew
- 10
Why THE BEAST won
- Exceptional volume for a 39.2-metre yacht
- Mission-led expedition design and remote-cruising capability
- Strong platform for diving, fishing and tender-led exploration
- Five-suite accommodation for 12
- A charter identity no other finalist in the class replicates
Best for: Families and groups whose ideal charter begins where the standard Mediterranean itinerary ends.
Explore THE BEASTThe shortlist
Five finalists, unranked beyond the winner.
THE BEAST
Custom · 2019
Best expedition platform
TASTY WAVES
Riva · 2024
Best new-generation performance yacht
AQUA LIBRA
Sunseeker · 2018
Best all-round Mediterranean amenities
PERSEVERANCE I
Baltic Yachts · 2021
Best modern sailing experience
SI DATU BUA
Konjo Boat Builders · 2012
Best intimate Indonesia and dive charter
Best Charter Yacht 40–49.9m
KHALILAH — unmistakable, but never distinction for its own sake.
KHALILAH’s metallic-gold profile makes the first impression, but the award rests on what the design gives the charter guest. The 49.5-metre Palmer Johnson Super Sport uses carbon construction, a 10.8-metre beam and a shallow, fast platform to create remarkable deck and interior volume. She accommodates 11 guests in five suites, carries nine crew and reaches a reported 25-knot maximum speed. A beach club, deck jacuzzi and one of the class’s most varied water-toy programmes turn the visual statement into a genuinely social charter yacht.
Built in 2014 and refitted in 2020, KHALILAH is not the newest finalist. She wins because the proposition remains singular and complete: high performance, generous connection to the water, family-friendly flexibility and an identity guests will remember long after the week ends.
- Length
- 49.5m
- Builder
- Palmer Johnson
- Built
- 2014 / refit 2020
- Guests
- 11
- Suites
- 5
- Crew
- 9
Why KHALILAH won
- Category-defining exterior and carbon construction
- Exceptional 10.8-metre beam and social volume
- Beach club, jacuzzi and deep toy programme
- 25-knot maximum speed and broad itinerary potential
- A distinctive design that also works operationally
Best for: Charterers who want high design, fast passages and a yacht that becomes part of the memory of the trip.
Explore KHALILAHThe shortlist
Five finalists, unranked beyond the winner.
KHALILAH
Palmer Johnson · 2014 / refit 2020
Best design-led charter platform
LUMIERE
Benetti · 2023
Best contemporary refinement
NO BAD IDEAS
Trinity Yachts · 2000 / refit 2024
Best transformational refit
ANIMA MARIS
Custom · 2021
Best new-generation sailing volume
ACAPELLA
Custom · 2021
Best sailing value and crew depth
Best Charter Yacht 50–69.9m
OKTO — a study in calm, with a serious appetite for play.
OKTO’s low black profile suggests speed and minimalism; the charter experience is considerably richer. Across 66.4 metres she balances clean monochromatic interiors with a six-metre pool, cinema, elevator, beauty and therapy spaces, gym and broad open decks. Six suites accommodate up to 11 overnight guests in the current Blue Ocean Club record, with 16 crew supporting the experience.
The water programme is equally convincing: personal watercraft, boards, towables and an inflatable waterpark create options for different ages and energy levels. OKTO wins because wellness, privacy, visual coherence and active days coexist without the yacht feeling crowded or over-programmed.
- Length
- 66.4m
- Builder
- ISA
- Built
- 2014 / refit 2022
- Guests
- 11
- Suites
- 6
- Crew
- 16
Why OKTO won
- Exceptional balance of quiet luxury and active charter use
- Six-metre pool, cinema and wellness spaces
- Strong crew-to-guest proposition
- One of the deepest verified toy programmes in the 2026 field
- Clear, enduring design identity
Best for: Groups that want resort-level wellness, elegant entertaining and a serious programme on the water.
Explore OKTOThe shortlist
Five finalists, unranked beyond the winner.
OKTO
ISA · 2014 / refit 2022
Best total charter balance
TOP FIVE II
Hakvoort · 2021
Best private-space and wellness planning
SOUNDWAVE
Benetti · 2015 / refit 2025
Best fresh refit proposition
SAMURAI
Alia Yachts · 2016 / refit 2019
Best performance-to-amenity value
SILVER STAR 1
Admiral Yachts · 2024
Best new-build modernity
Best Charter Yacht 70m+
LA DATCHA — the world is the amenity.
The 70-metre-plus class contains larger pools, more cabins and more crew, but LA DATCHA wins by making scale purposeful. The helicopter facilities, submersible, dive systems, expedition equipment and cold-climate capability expand the map; the spa, observation spaces, beach club and six-suite plan make that map comfortable for 12 guests.
She is both the 70m+ winner and the Blue Ocean Club Charter Yacht of the Year 2026: a yacht conceived to make remote destinations accessible without asking guests to trade away privacy, wellness or service.
- Length
- 77m
- Builder
- Damen
- Built
- 2020
- Guests
- 12
- Suites
- 6
- Crew
- 18
Why LA DATCHA won
- The widest destination and activity range in the 2026 field
- True expedition systems rather than explorer styling alone
- Exceptional equipment-to-guest ratio
- Strong separation of observation, wellness, social and operational spaces
- A charter proposition that remains distinctive even against larger yachts
Best for: Guests who want the yacht to be the key to the destination, not merely accommodation beside it.
Explore LA DATCHAThe shortlist
Five finalists, unranked beyond the winner.
LA DATCHA
Damen · 2020
Best destination and experience range
CC-SUMMER
Lürssen · 2019
Best resort-scale family and entertainment yacht
SOLANDGE
Lürssen · 2013 / refit 2024
Best wellness and celebration programme
AIR
Feadship · 2011
Best minimalist pedigree and aviation access
CHRISTINA O
Canadian Vickers · 1943 / refit 2020
Best heritage and large-group hospitality
Five answers to five different charter briefs.
| Winner | Best for | Guests | Defining strength | 2026 base rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BACCARAT 20–29.9m | Five couples, families and charterers who want modern design and performance without moving into a larger crewed superyacht. | 10 | Contemporary, fast and unusually complete for her length. | €95,000/week |
| THE BEAST 30–39.9m | Families and groups whose ideal charter begins where the standard Mediterranean itinerary ends. | 12 | Expedition volume and capability with a clear sense of purpose. | €180,000/week |
| KHALILAH 40–49.9m | Charterers who want high design, fast passages and a yacht that becomes part of the memory of the trip. | 11 | A design icon that turns distinction into a social charter platform. | €225,000/week |
| OKTO 50–69.9m | Groups that want resort-level wellness, elegant entertaining and a serious programme on the water. | 11 | Spatial calm, serious wellness and one of the field’s deepest water programmes. | €517,000/week |
| LA DATCHA 70m+ | Guests who want the yacht to be the key to the destination, not merely accommodation beside it. | 12 | The broadest charter horizon of 2026. | €657,000/week |
Rates are the published base rates captured for the 2026 edition and exclude taxes, APA, gratuity, positioning or delivery fees and other charter-specific charges.
A permanent edition, published every year.
Each edition is a snapshot of the charter fleet in that year. Winners remain visible as a historical record even when a yacht changes name, central agent, cruising region, rate or availability. The next edition begins with a new eligibility snapshot rather than reopening the previous result.
Visit the Yacht Awards archive- 01
Fleet eligibility snapshot and duplicate removal
- 02
Data verification and central-agent fact-check window
- 03
Category assessment
- 04
Finalists locked
- 05
Winner review, copy and image-rights verification
- 06
Winners published
- 07
Factual corrections and archive maintenance
Owner and manager fact-check window
Owners, captains, managers and central agents may send current charter brochures, crew profiles, refit information and authorised imagery before the annual fact-check deadline. There is no fee. Supplying information does not guarantee eligibility, finalist status or a win.
Submit a yacht update for 2027The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are researched and published by Blue Ocean Club. Blue Ocean Club is a charter broker and may earn commission when a client charters a yacht featured on this page. No yacht paid to enter, become a finalist or receive an award. Commercial rates, advertising spend and ownership relationships were not used as judging criteria.
The 2026 edition is a desk-based editorial assessment using the fleet information and authoritative supporting material available at the time of publication; it does not imply that every yacht was personally inspected or sea-trialled by the editorial team.
Report a factual correctionQuestions behind the honours.
What are the Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards?
The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are an annual editorial selection of yachts actively offered for crewed charter. The awards focus on the guest experience, layout, amenities, water access, destination capability, condition and value within each size class.
Is there a Yacht Awards ceremony?
No. The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are published online and there is no physical ceremony, venue, ticket or gala. Winners receive a digital distinction and may use the official year-specific badge in accordance with the award guidelines.
How were the 2026 finalists selected?
The editorial team screened the active Blue Ocean Club charter fleet, removed ineligible or incomplete records, reviewed comparable yachts within five populated size classes and selected five finalists in each class. The published methodology explains the criteria and weighting.
Why is there no under-20m or separate 100m+ category?
The 2026 active fleet snapshot did not contain enough eligible yachts in those brackets for a credible five-yacht field. Rather than create an empty or unbalanced award, the edition uses five populated categories from 20 metres to 70 metres and above.
Are sailing yachts and explorer yachts eligible?
Yes. Any eligible crewed charter yacht may be considered. A yacht is assessed in the context of its intended use, so a sailing or explorer yacht is not penalised for having a different mission from a planing motor yacht.
Can a yacht pay to enter or win?
No. There is no entry fee, paid shortlist or sponsored winner. Blue Ocean Club may earn a normal brokerage commission if a charter is booked, and that commercial relationship is disclosed, but it is not part of the judging.
Does finalist status guarantee live availability?
No. Finalist status confirms that the yacht was actively listed at the edition’s fleet snapshot. Owner use, existing bookings, positioning and cruising permissions change. Blue Ocean Club verifies live availability for the requested dates before any charter is confirmed.
Can an owner, captain or central agent submit updated information?
Yes. Authorised representatives may submit a current brochure, crew profile, refit details and licensed images during the annual fact-check window at no cost. Providing material does not guarantee a finalist place or award.
Do the winners receive a physical trophy?
The 2026 award is a digital editorial distinction. Winners receive a year-specific digital badge and media kit. No physical presentation or ceremony is implied.
How often are the awards updated?
A new edition is published annually. Each year remains available as a permanent archive. Factual corrections may be made after publication, but the historical award decision does not change because a yacht later changes rate, name or availability.
How can I charter one of the finalists?
Open the yacht’s Blue Ocean Club profile and request live availability, or send the charter desk your dates, destination and guest count. A dedicated charter manager will verify the yacht, rate and operating terms with its authorised representative.
Let the right yacht turn a week into a world.
Share your dates, destination and guest count. A Blue Ocean Club charter manager will verify live availability and build a private shortlist around the experience you want.