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Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters

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Written by Maria Korotaeva

With plenty of various amenities, superyachts offer comfortable and truly opulent travel experience, while yacht helicopters are an essential part of it. Just imagine: you can reach the most remote destinations to explore some hidden gems in the finest yachting locations in the world or land in busy city centres. All that includes total flexibility of point-to-point travelling, getting you to places you need to be at in luxury and style. The magnificent charter yachts nowadays offer the ultimate fun experiences for you and your group, including heli-fishing, heli-skiing and private island dining, due to their capabilities of landing and carrying helipads. Let’s take a look at the top 15 private and charter yachts with helicopters.

1. Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games)

The incredible 50m charter superyacht Amarula Sun offers everything her guests would wish to have on a charter yacht: a spa pool with a swim-up bar, huge sun pads, BBQ area, gym, Xbox, Playstation, Plasma TV with satellite connection and luxury dining spaces are among her outstanding amenities. Amazing yacht charter experience is guaranteed. The guests have the opportunity of travelling to and from Amarula Sun by helicopter, as her sundeck area can serve as a touch-and-go heli pad. Amarula Sun can sleep 10-12 charter guests and is available for charters in the Bahamas and Florida from US$ 195,000.

Amarula Sun (ex. Mine Games) with helicopter

 2. Cloudbreak

Cloudbreak is certainly one of the most popular superyachts of 2016 . There is no wonder, as the team of acclaimed engineers and designers worked on the naval architecture, as well as her interior and exterior. She is a 72m expedition yacht, capable of cruising anywhere in the world. This head-turning floating masterpiece has some special features including a Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, an elevator operated on all decks, and a large tender garage.  Charter Cloudbreak this summer from €750,000 per week plus expenses.

Motor Yacht Cloud Break – top view. Photo credit @brandondax

 3. Lady Christine

Undoubtedly, the list of the top 15 superyachts and their helicopters has to include a Feadship superyacht. The bespoke Dutch shipyard is best known for building exceptional quality superyachts . Motor yacht Lady Christine is one of those. Not only Lady Christine provides absolute comfort to her guests, but she also has enormous storage space for a rescue boat, a large tender and a small sailing boat. This section of the vessel also serves as a helipad and stores two helicopter fuel tanks.

Lady Christine and helicopter

4. Attessa IV

Upon her re-launch in 2010 Attessa IV became the largest superyacht in North America. She made it to the top 25 largest yachts in the world, and back in 2010 was at the 23rd position. Originally built by  Hayashikane Zosen Kk in 1999 and called Evergreen, she was sold to a new owner in 2007. She underwent an extensive rebuilt by Washington Yachting Group , where she was also extended by 30 feet. Attessa IV accommodates 36 guests, assisted by 21 crew members. This massive five-level yacht measures 100.60 metres and features a helipad on the upper aft deck and forepeak.

Attessa IV. Photo credit @rickyracer

Although Garcon is not an opulent superyacht but a fast yacht support vessel, she deserves the praise for carrying a huge luxurious helicopter, as this is what support vessels are for. Built specifically to serve Lurssen   mega yacht Ace  and to carry her water toys and tenders, Garcon measures 67m LOA.  Garcon also features a fully SOLAS certified helipad with 5,000 kg take-off weight for commercial use. Garson was built and launched in 2012 by Damen Shipyards , and in 2013 was honoured with the ISS Awards of Distinction for Innovation .

Garcon. Photo credit Jeff Brown

Motor yacht Sunrays was launched in 2010 by Oceanco , and in the same year received an award for the “Best Power Yacht over 65 metres” at the ISS Design and Leadership Award Ceremony . Her striking teal coloured aluminium hull is a work of Bjorn Johansson Design , while the interior styling is by famous  Terence Disdale . Sunray’s heavenly interior design is unique, and have an airy and welcoming ambience. Indulge in luxury and add a helicopter ride when booking Sunrays this for charter in the Mediterranean .

Sunrays at Abu Dhabi Yas Marina. Photo @yachthelicopters

If you are into yachts and luxury travelling, you probably know by now that the 155-metre mega yacht Luna is one of the largest yachts with some extraordinary features. She carries a submarine, multipurpose limousines and has not just one, but two helipads. Her 20-metre swimming pool is another wow characteristic. We wish Luna would be available for charter one day, as this expedition yacht could take her charter guests to breathtaking  Galapagos , Alaska and the Pacific .

Luna: Helicopter landing. Photo credit Muscapix

Motor yacht Samar is a 77m steel-and-aluminium luxury motor yacht designed by Laurent Giles and built by Devonport Yachts of England in 2006.  She is a very large and luxurious charter yacht which boasts everything that can be offered on a private motor yacht. Samar is capable of extended global cruising, where her charter guests will never get bored. Samar has a helipad, a large Spa Pool pool, an open bar, large outdoor living areas, a garage, as well as a movie theatre. Accommodation is offered for 12 guests, assisted by a professional crew of 26. Portofino , Naples ,  Capri , Amalfi , Monaco , and France are the places she will be available at for charter in summer 2017. She is available from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Samar. Photo credit @kdewet

9. Skyfall  (ex. Mi Sueno)

Skyfall is a symbol of a high-quality motor yacht, which features the latest marine technology and exquisite styling. Launched in 2010 by Trinity Yachts , luxury yacht Skyfall measure 58 metres and offers accommodation for a party of 10. Her cabin configuration consists of a master suite, 2 VIP cabins, one double and one twin. Her name comes from the James Bond famous movie series, which implies that this superyacht surely has an outstanding feature. Aboard Skyfall, the guests will have an opportunity to have delicious breakfast prepared by a private chef and continue the day by taking off in a helicopter to explore the best of Mediterranean. The Ionian Islands , Grenadines , Greece , Turkey , East and West Mediterranean , and Croatia is where motor yacht Skyfall will be available for this summer from $275,000 per week plus expenses.

Skyfall. Photo credit @yachthelicopters

10. ICE  (ex. AIR)

Motor yacht ICE became the Superyacht of the Year at the 2006 World Superyacht Awards . No doubt that the title of one the best yachts in the world implies that ICE is a very special vessel. The two famous designers Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood worked on her interior and exterior respectively. The result is the striking exterior profile and divine interior decor. ICE can sleep 14 guests in 7 well-appointed cabins. She has been spotted in various locations with her massive helicopter.

Superyacht ICE. Photo credit Julien Hubert

At 134 metres, motor yacht Serene boasts a huge beam of 18.5 metres. Can you image how much luxury living space is offered on board this beauty? Serene provides a full seven decks of exterior and interior space. With an abundance of amenities, this mega yacht stands out among other luxury yachts. The two helicopter landing platforms, an enormous internal sea water pool, several spa pools, plus storage for a large submarine are some of the superb features. Serene has enough space to accommodate 24 guests and 52 crew members.

Superyacht Serene. Photo credit Mark O’Connell

12. Madame Gu

Madame Gu is a superyacht that has it all for a luxury vacation in style. A helipad, excellent water toys and tenders, a spa pool and a night club guarantee lots of entertainment to her guests. Although Madame Gu is not available for private luxury charters, we still admire this vessel. She was built by Feadship to the design by De Voogt Naval Architects . Her interior is by Andrew Winch . She has 6 lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests, and 18 crew cabins to sleep 36 crew members. This floating masterpiece was photographed in Port Vell in Barcelona where is always a very welcomed guest.

Madame Gu. photo credit Jeff Brown

 13. Triton

Back in 2004 motor yacht Tritone became the largest composite yacht built in the U.S. upon her delivery. Her capabilities include prolonged cruising distances, as well as cruising in the most distant locations. Triton was built for her owner, who is passionate about sports fishing, deep-sea scuba diving, and water games and various activities. Hence, the yacht was built with an advanced hull laminate schedule utilising carbon fibre to ensure strength and durability. Triton’s red-coloured striking helicopter is seen in the photo of her cruising in the icy waters.

Triton and Helicopter

14. Vibrant Curiosity

Another outstanding superyacht built by Oceanco, Vibrant Curiosity is an 85-metre displacement vessel that turns heads at any port. She was photographers in Auckland , New Zealand with her large helicopter a few weeks ago. This giant luxury vessel can sleep 18 guests in 7 beautifully furnished cabins. A professional crew of 26 professionals take care of everything on board. Vibrant Curiosity reaches a top speed of 20 knots and is powered y a pair of MTU 16V 595 TE70 engines.

Vibrant Curiosity in Auckland. Photo credit CharterWorld

15. Pegasus VIII  (ex PEGASUS V, PRINCESS MARIANA)

At 78.60 metres, luxury motor yacht PEGASUS VIII provides a lot more than you would think. Her amazing interior layout includes a large salon with sophisticated decor, a cinema theatre, formal and casual dining spaces, as well as other great living areas. There are five lavish cabins to accommodate 12 guests. Those who love water activities will love the beach club of Pegasus VIII, which can be “flooded” and therefore provides the easiest access to the water with embarkation and disembarkation inside the yacht. Pegasus VIII is ideal for charter with family and kids . The 12m swimming pool with an underwater light, six wave runners, jet-skis and tenders will add extra enjoyment when on a charter vacation. The helipad on board also transforms into a golf driving range. Secure motor yacht Pegasus for charter in the Italian and French Rivieras this summer, from US$ 650,000 per week plus expenses.

Pegasus VIII. Photo credit @yachtmasters

You can view a great selection of luxury yachts available for charter here . To find out more or to make a booking, please contact our friendly charter brokers . They will be able to assist you with all enquiries, as well as provide impartial advice and professional service. With the Mediterranean yachting season being just around the corner, superyachts are booking up very fast. Check out the 2017 Mediterranean charter specials and 10 brand new superyachts for charter .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Top 15 Superyachts with Helicopters".

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YACHTS FOR SALE WITH HELIPAD

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Home > Superyachts with helipad

Luxury yachts with helipads

A luxury yacht with a helipad offers complete flexibility. The convenience of owning a yacht with a fully certified helipad can not only increase your time on board but also provides a way to explore uncharted territory and enjoy a yachting experience at its finest. 

When you own or charter a yacht with a helipad, you can fly to your boat, saving considerable time and the potential stress that comes with taking multiple forms of transport. It also makes it easy to reach on-land destinations, from remote terrain to the world’s most elegant cities.

Helipads are generally positioned on the bow of a luxury boat or the aft deck, with careful planning to ensure health and safety regulations are met and that they don’t take up valuable guest space.

From touch-and-go helipads to full-scale helicopter hangars and commercially compliant helipads, here’s what you need to know about buying or chartering a superyacht with a helipad.

Length (ft)

Number of cabins.

• Motor yacht
• 110 m / 361 ft
• OCEANCO - Please enquire
• 18 guests in 9 staterooms

• 107 m / 351 ft

• 105 m / 344 ft

PHATHOM 80M

• 80 m / 262 ft
• TBD - Please enquire
• 12 guests in 7 staterooms

• 74 m / 243 ft
• PROTEKSAN TURQUOISE - Please enquire
• 14 guests in 7 staterooms

STELLA MARIS

• 72.10 m / 237 ft
• VIAREGGIO SUPERYACHTS - 2015

T700 MILANO

• 70 m / 230 ft
• TANKOA - 2028

• 68 m / 223 ft
• TANKOA - Please enquire

CYNTHESIS 180

• Catamaran yacht
• 58.3 m / 191 ft
• 12 guests in 6 staterooms

• 55 m / 180 ft
• HEESEN - 2011

• 51.56 m / 169 ft
• WIDER - 24 months

Nothing matches the prestige of owning a superyacht and joining an exclusive club of yacht owners. A superyacht puts the world at your fingertips, giving you the freedom to travel whenever, wherever all while enjoying a highly exclusive and private experience onboard your own self-sufficient sanctuary. Cruise bluewater havens or explore the world’s most remote regions aboard a luxury yacht with loved ones. YACHTZOO offers an exquisite selection of superyachts for sale. Our luxury yachts for sale are built by the world’s most esteemed shipyards and boast world-class amenities, pioneering cruising technology, and the finest craftsmanship.

Yacht Sales FAQ

What are the benefits of a superyacht with a helipad.

Having a helipad on board a superyacht is a highly desirable feature, especially with charter guests seeking an elevated experience at sea. There are several benefits, including convenience, easy access, privacy, and enhanced peace of mind in the event of an emergency.

Fast & private transportation

The primary benefit of a helipad on a yacht is that it allows for fast and private transportation of guests to and from the boat, avoiding lengthy tender rides and allowing guests to explore their surroundings further.

Ideal for extreme sports

A helipad can also be used for extreme sports, such as helicopter water skiing and heli-skiing, ensuring an incredible experience on the water.

Peace of mind

Having a fully certified helipad also provides enhanced peace of mind. Should there be, for example, a medical emergency, you have complete peace of mind that a swift transfer to a land-based medical centre can be quickly arranged.

Maximise a yacht's potential

A mega yacht with a fully certified helipad is highly desirable and will typically attract a higher resale value. Additionally, yachts with helipads are particularly sought-after charter yachts, enabling owners to maximise their boat’s income potential. Finally, a yacht's helipad can also be repurposed, and the large deck space cleared for a variety of activities, such as a dance floor at night and a recreational space during the day.

How big does a yacht have to be to have a helipad?

Generally speaking, a yacht must be at least 40-metres to accommodate a helipad on the bow. Boats under 40-metres generally do not have space to have a helipad on the bow, but clever design means that it may be possible to accommodate a touch-and-go helipad on the stern.

What is a touch-and-go helipad?

A touch-and-go helipad is a type of landing pad for helicopters that allows for quick take-offs and landings without stowing the aircraft on the yacht. It is becoming increasingly common on luxury superyachts and can be a significant bonus for yacht charterers, providing a quick and convenient way to access the vessel. Having a touch-and-go helipad on a yacht can also increase a boat's resale value and charter potential.

Can a yacht have more than one helipad?

Yes, it is possible to have more than one helipad on a yacht, depending on its size and layout. Multiple helicopter decks are often found on the world's largest mega yachts and expedition vessels, allowing for multiple helicopters to be stored at the same time. Having two helipads or more can be especially useful for vessels that accommodate a large number of guests or crew members who may need to travel to different locations at the same time.

What other amenities will a yacht with a helicopter deck have?

As helicopter decks are typically found on larger vessels, you'll also benefit from an enhanced selection of amenities. The world's finest superyachts typically boast voluminous beach clubs, swimming pools, spa facilities, cinema rooms, fully equipped gyms, VIP suites, and spacious salons and deck areas. They also typically boast a garage filled with tenders and a fantastic selection of water toys, including jet skis, water skis, inflatables, diving equipment, kayaks, submarines, and more.

How can YACHTZOO help me find a luxury yacht with helipad?

YACHTZOO has access to the finest yachts with helipads for sale and charter. Our yachts are built by the world's finest shipyards and boast enviable amenities and luxurious interiors for an enhanced yachting experience. Whether you are seeking a charter yacht with a helipad or wish to buy a boat with a helicopter pad, contact our team of yacht brokers today.

Browse our yachts for sale or contact YACHTZOO’s sales brokerage team; they will be delighted to help you find your ideal superyacht for sale.

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Standout superyacht helicopter decks

Once the luxury of a select few, the not-so-humble helipad is having a bit of a moment. With the explosion of interest in the explorer yacht market, a touch-and-go landing pad is becoming more of a necessity than the extravagance it once was. Sure, a tender will get you from shore to superyacht in good time, but there's nothing that quite compares to touching down on the bow. We take a closer look at some of the best helidecks afloat...

Bold carries a certified helideck with a D value of 13 making it suitable for a craft such as the 3.2-tonne, twin-engine, eight-seat AgustaWestland AW109S Grand. Equipped with proper lighting and fire-safety gear, it is far from any structure that can create turbulence and features opening bulwarks to expand the deck width. While there is plenty of room to stow the craft on deck, the ocean environment is notoriously detrimental to delicate electronics, and big waves or wind can tip even a large heli over. So Bold transports its helicopter over long passages in a garage with a ceiling that adjusts in height to accommodate the craft with its rotors removed.

More about this yacht

Yachts for charter.

A defining feature of Geco's exterior design is the touch-and-go helipad on the foredeck. The minimalist platform complements the modern and slender profile of the 55 metre superyacht, and when not hosting a chopper, this round platform is instead transformed into a Moroccan-style cocktail area best enjoyed at sunset. After dark, the helipad also works as the perfect spot for stargazing.

Designed in a military-inspired style by Espen Øino , the helideck area on 71 metre Lürssen Skat was the first to be penned by the designer for a superyacht. Located on the aft deck, the helipad has a dual purpose as a landing site for choppers and also providing shade to the deck space below.

Lürssen superyacht Ace features a foredeck helipad marked that bucks tradition by replacing the usual "H" sign with a giant "A" to represent her name. But this distinctive helideck is not actually the main landing site for arrivals from the air. Instead, landings would usually take place on support vessel Garçon , leaving the forward end of Ace, which features a swimming pool and sunbeds free for fun. 

OceanXplorer

Once an oil survey vessel, the 87 metre OceanXplorer completed a refit by Damen in 2020 that turned her into the ultimate expedition yacht complete with high-tech toys, scientific research labs and Hollywood-standard editing facilities. This includes the addition of new helipad at the bow, which has been shifted three frames (1.8 metres) further forward, in order to create enough room for a proper hangar behind it which has been finished with a futuristic top-hinged door.

Ragnar is one of the coolest conversion projects to splash in recent years. Having started life as an icebreaking tug, even the harshest environments are a walk in the park for this Viking-inspired explorer. Unsurprisingly, Ragnar is jam-packed with some serious tools for exploring ashore, including an Airbus EC145 which sits atop a certified helideck, perfect for whisking thrill-seeking guests off for an afternoon of heli-skiing.

Hodor's 220 square metre helideck is fully certified and a CAP 437-compliant helipad sits aft of the 66-metre catamaran's upper deck. The Incat Crowther shadow cat features an Airbus H145 helicopter in matching stealth-grey among its plethora of superyacht toys.

Octopus is perhaps one of the best known explorers on the water. The 126 metre Lürssen hit the water in 2003, commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and was designed for far-flung global adventures. She has two helipads on board, one fore and one aft, with a hangar that can store two aircraft. Since her delivery, Octopus has explored the coast of Antarctica, traversed the Northwest Passage and discovered the wrecks of long-lost WW2 battleships off the Philippines.

The foredeck on the 95.2 metre Lürssen superyacht Kismet is marked for half-court basketball, but it can also double up as a touch-and-go helipad. Her sport-loving owner Shahid Khan has sports interests on both sides of the Atlantic, owning both the Jacksonville Jaguars basketball team and Fulham FC.

Planet Nine

To prepare her for adventures in the Antarctic, Planet Nine's helipad was designed with a lifting platform that allows the aircraft to be stowed in the hangar beneath when not in use. This also enables the 73 metre explorer yacht to carry two helicopters at once, allowing guests to arrive on board by chopper while the owner's own helicopter is stowed safely away.

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9 Things You Didn’t Know About the 253-Foot Expedition Superyacht ‘La Datcha’

Two helicopters, a professional dive center, an on-board hospital, and other standout features are hallmarks of a world-class explorer yacht., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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The 253-foot bronzed La Datcha (meaning “summer house” in Russian) was commissioned by Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov to be the ultimate adventure vessel. It’s an ambition the boat has more than lived up to, remaining one of the few yachts in the world to have braved the remote Russian peninsula of Kamchatka and even Antarctica.

La Datcha is one of Damen’s SeaXplorer series and was originally meant to be a 236-footer, before the design was extended by another 17 feet to cater for Tinkov’s extensive list of expedition toys, equipment, and operations. So much so, in fact, the entire layout of the main deck aft was reimagined into an enclosed, functional work area for storing toys and tenders. The space includes a dedicated garage for a 30-foot RIB that is launched through a shell door, and a second custom rescue limousine tender designed by Fassmer to be a mini-me of the mothership.

The sharp-edged exterior by Azure Yacht Design is inspired by the jagged edges of polar ice shelves—a theme that continues throughout the boat in both its decor and style, such as the glass-encased elevator that spans all six decks. Delivered in 2020, the expedition superyacht’s globetrotting is set to continue into 2024, with an adventurous year-long charter itinerary that will include Antarctica, the Sea of Cortez, French Polynesia, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Micronesia and Southeast Asia are in its sights for 2025.

Here are nine cool facts you didn’t know about one of the world’s most serious explorer superyachts, now available to charter with TWW Yachts.

Icebreaker Hull

La Datcha was the first purpose-built icebreaker yacht compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s Polar Code. Built to cruise from the Arctic to Antarctica and able to power through 16-inch-thick ice, it has retractable stabilizers and Damen’s signature Sea Axe hull to help with drifting ice floes and submerged logs. The enclosed bridge wings also give panoramic visibility and protection for watchkeepers in bad weather.

Two Helicopters

La Datcha is one of only a handful of yachts equipped with two Airbus H125 helicopters. There is a primary helideck on the upper deck aft, a second standby deck, and a shared below-deck hangars. Both helis are stored on the main deck aft. When it’s time to take flight, they’re raised by a lift to the fully certified open flight deck. Tinkov is a passionate heli skier—for which two helicopters is a prerequisite for yachts operating outside the range of rescue services and a regulatory requirement in Antarctica. His ski guides organize bespoke heli-skiing trips across uncharted terrain. It’s a natural extension for the billionaire whose portfolio of boutique hotels carry a sports theme, ranging from ski chalets in the French Alps to villas in Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. The yacht’s two snowmobiles are also on hand to collect weary guests after a testing ski run.

Triton Submersible

When not flying in the sky, guests are exploring beneath the waves thanks to the certified dive center equipped with a decompression chamber and a three-person Triton submersible with a depth rating of 500 meters. A wood-paneled dedicated mudroom on the main deck aft is where guests return to after diving or skiing, and where expedition gear is cleaned, dried, and stored. It also doubles as storage for the heli-ski gear.

25 Specialized Crew

The 25-strong crew’s skillset is as varied as the yacht’s itinerary. That includes the captain, who holds an ice-pilot license and polar-code advanced qualifications. There are four commercial diving instructors with Nitrox certification, two submersible pilots, one submersible engineer, two helicopter pilots, and two helicopter technicians. And of course, a wealth of watersports, wellness and fitness instructors.

Elaborate Wellness Center

There are wellness centers, and then there is La Datcha’s shrine to wellbeing. With direct access to the beach club and gym, it includes two Jacuzzis—one inside, one on deck—a Turkish Hamman, a sauna, and a dedicated massage area. It’s rounded off with a stalagmite ice fountain with LED lighting (the only one of its kind on a yacht) for a frosty shock of cold ice on exiting the hot sauna.

Private Hospital

A dedicated medical room may be a luxury that few yachts have the space to afford. But La Datcha ’s onboard hospital is essential for when guests take part in higher-risk activities in remote regions. It has quarantine facilities, dedicated air-conditioning and sewage systems, and care from a trained ICU nurse. It also holds a full suite of Tempus equipment (used to monitor all vital signs of patient) and a mobile blood analysis machine that produces and prints results in nine minutes after a sample is taken.

The Interior is by a Residential Designer

The yacht’s interior is penned by Russian designer Vasiliy Shprits, who had never designed a yacht. Tinkov’s brief to bring “wildlife” aboard is shown through features like the iceberg-shaped bar in the salon, alongside jellyfish-shaped lamps and fish-themed tables. Contrary to the flashy bronze exterior, the interior features natural oak, leather, marble, onyx, stone mosaics, and wool rugs. The main and lower deck is dedicated to water, while the upper deck is devoted to earth.

Elaborate Staterooms

Six guest cabins—including two masters and two VIPs—sleep 12 guests, each with a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom. In addition to the crew’s quarters, there are two more twin-bunk cabins to accommodate up to eight expedition specialists who join private trips and charters to bring another layer of expertise. These include ski instructors, volcanologists, naturalists, professional fishing guides, photographers, and polar region experts. 

Full Autonomy

Fitted with enhanced fuel tanks, La Datcha can keep autonomy at sea for up to 35 days. Refueling is done via a tank carrying around 10,000 liters of aviation fuel (which is safer to store on board than gasoline), giving the yacht a 5,200-nautical-mile range when cruising at 12 knots.

Click here to see more photos of La Datcha.

Read More On:

• Expedition Yachts

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