St Barts Records Its Biggest Ever Superyacht Gathering for New Year’s Eve 2025

Note: The figures in this analysis have been updated to reflect the superyachts that were actually present in St Barts to celebrate New Year’s Eve. According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch Intelligence, several yachts departed ahead of the celebrations while others arrived late, and the final numbers are based on vessels confirmed on location when the New Year was marked.

The yachts were spread across Port de Gustavia, the Gustavia anchorage and surrounding bays, creating an unprecedented concentration of some of the world’s most significant vessels. Alongside an impressive selection of brand new yachts making their debut during the season, the fleet also included many of the world's largest superyachts currently in operation, underlining both the depth and diversity of the New Year’s Eve gathering.

In 2024, the fleet comprised 170 superyachts over 78 feet, while 2025 rose sharply to 226 yachts, an increase of 56 vessels, representing approximately 33 percent year on year growth. The scale of the increase was unprecedented for a single season and firmly established 2025 as the largest superyacht gathering ever recorded in St Barts.

The growth was reflected not only in yacht numbers but also in overall scale. Total combined yacht length increased from 9,326.9 metres in 2024 to 12,840.5 metres in 2025, adding more than 3.5 kilometres of superyacht length to the waters around the island. This confirmed that the record breaking year was driven by both a higher volume of yachts and a greater concentration of large vessels.

The average yacht length increased from 54.86 metres in 2024 to 56.82 metres in 2025, confirming a continued shift toward larger yachts attending the New Year’s Eve gathering. The average age of the fleet rose slightly from 12.15 years to 12.6 years, reflecting a mix of newly delivered yachts alongside established large vessels returning to the island.

Motor yachts continued to dominate in both years. In 2024, 151 motor yachts accounted for 90 percent of the fleet, compared with 199 motor yachts in 2025, representing 89 percent. Sailing yachts increased from 17 in 2024 to 25 in 2025, reinforcing a gradual increase in diversity, including the presence of larger sailing yachts alongside the predominantly motor driven fleet.

Market activity among the yachts present in St Barts also shifted year on year. The number of attending yachts listed for sale declined from 42 in 2024 to 38 in 2025, while the average asking price increased from $29.9 million to $35.1 million. Despite fewer yachts being actively marketed, the total asking value remained at approximately $1.3 billion, pointing to stronger pricing and a higher concentration of premium assets within the fleet.

Charter activity expanded significantly in 2025, with 155 yachts available for charter, up from 118 in 2024. These yachts accounted for a combined charter fleet length of 8.32 kilometres, compared with 6.42 kilometres the previous year, reinforcing St Barts’ position as the world’s most important winter charter destination and a focal point for high value charter demand.

According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch Intelligence, the data confirmed that 2025 was not a marginal increase over 2024, but a transformational year for the St Barts New Year’s Eve superyacht gathering. The fleet was larger, longer and more valuable, reflecting the continued growth of ultra high net worth participation and cementing St Barts as the undisputed global epicentre of the superyacht calendar at year end.

The composition of the St Barts New Year’s Eve fleet also highlighted clear ownership patterns among the world’s leading builders. Feadship topped the list with 21 yachts, reinforcing its dominance among predominantly North American and European owners, particularly from the technology and finance sectors. Benetti followed closely with 19 yachts, reflecting the Italian builder’s broad appeal across private, charter and family owned yachts. Amels accounted for 13 yachts, continuing to benefit from the global success of its Limited Editions platform.

Lürssen contributed 11 yachts, although a number of the German yard’s largest and most prominent vessels were notably absent. Many Lürssen yachts are traditionally associated with Russian and Middle Eastern ownership, groups that have historically favoured alternative New Year destinations or, in some cases, have faced operational and travel restrictions linked to international sanctions and regulatory conditions. As a result, Lürssen’s presence in St Barts was more selective this season despite the yard’s dominant position at the very top end of the global fleet. Trinity Yachts recorded 10 yachts, reflecting the longevity of the American builder’s fleet, while Oceanco rounded out the top group with eight yachts, many of them representing some of the most advanced and high profile builds of the past decade.

While St Barts has long been recognised as the ultimate New Year’s Eve destination for superyachts, the jump from 170 yachts in 2024 to 226 in 2025 marked a decisive moment. The island moved beyond being simply a seasonal hotspot and firmly established itself as the undisputed epicentre of billionaire social life at sea.

From long established icons to the newest ultra large builds, these megayachts stood out as the largest vessels attending the St Barts New Year’s Eve gathering.

At 142.08 metres, Dragonfly was the largest yacht to attend the St Barts New Year’s Eve celebrations and one of the biggest yachts ever built. Delivered in 2024, the Lürssen flagship is owned by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and represents a new generation of ultra-large private yachts defined by immense volume, advanced technology and understated contemporary styling. Her presence set a new benchmark for scale at the event.

Owned by American media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun remains one of the most iconic superyachts in the world. Delivered in 2004 and refitted in 2011, the 138.6 metre yacht is instantly recognisable for her powerful profile and vast proportions. Despite her age, Rising Sun continues to command attention at major global gatherings and remains a symbol of classic superyacht grandeur.

The 125.82 metre Koru, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is one of the largest sailing yachts ever built and a standout in any anchorage. Delivered in 2023, her towering masts and elegant silhouette brought a dramatic sailing presence to St Barts, offering a striking contrast to the predominantly motor yacht fleet. Also present was Koru’s shadow vessel Abeona, underlining the scale and logistical complexity that accompanies one of the most closely supported private yachts in the world.

Owned by billionaire businessman and sports team owner Shahid Khan, Kismet is widely regarded as one of the most visually spectacular yachts afloat. Delivered in 2024, the 122 metre Lürssen build is renowned for its bold exterior design, highly customised interiors and extensive entertainment spaces, making her one of the most talked about yachts at the New Year’s Eve gathering.

At 118.8 metres, Breakthrough ranks among the world’s largest yachts and was one of the most significant vessels to attend the St Barts New Year’s Eve celebrations. Built by Feadship for Bill Gates, the yacht became globally recognised for pioneering liquid hydrogen fuel cell technology before being sold to Canadian entrepreneur Patrick Dovigi in what was reported as the largest brokerage transaction in superyacht history. Delivered in 2025, Breakthrough represents a landmark moment for the industry, combining record breaking scale, advanced sustainability technology and historic market significance.

Delivered in 2021, Ahpo is a 115.1 metre superyacht built by Lürssen, widely admired for her elegant proportions, expansive interior volume and refined detailing. She is rumoured to be owned by Dimitri Burkhman, a gaming industry entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co founder of Playrix, the mobile game developer behind globally successful titles including Township, Homescapes and Fishdom. Combining understated exterior styling with generous deck spaces designed for private use, Ahpo remains one of the most recognisable large yachts of her generation and a standout among the largest yachts to attend the St Barts New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Renaissance is a 112 metre superyacht delivered in 2023 by Spanish shipyard Freire, and is owned by American telecommunications entrepreneur Craig McCaw. Noted for her elegant, restrained exterior lines and expansive interior volume, Renaissance was designed with a strong emphasis on privacy, comfort and long range cruising. Her arrival adds another ultra large yacht to the St Barts New Year’s Eve fleet, further reinforcing the exceptional scale and calibre of vessels gathering off the island this year.

Owned by Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, Kaos is a 110.1 metre superyacht that has remained firmly in the spotlight following a major refit in 2020. Her size, bold profile and extensive onboard facilities make her a regular fixture at high profile global events and a commanding presence within the St Barts New Year’s Eve fleet.

Owned by Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Bravo Eugenia is widely regarded as one of the most efficient large yachts ever built. Delivered in 2018, the 109 metre Oceanco yacht is celebrated for her advanced hull design and fuel efficiency, demonstrating that innovation and performance can coexist with luxury at the very top of the market.

The 108 metre IJE, delivered in 2019, is owned by Australian businessman James Packer and is distinguished by her sleek exterior lines and contemporary interior design. With a strong emphasis on privacy and lifestyle, IJE brought understated sophistication and modern elegance to the St Barts New Year’s Eve lineup.

At 106.7 metres, Black Pearl remains the world’s largest sailing yacht by gross tonnage and one of the most technologically advanced sailing yachts ever built. Delivered in 2018 and owned by the estate of the late Oleg Burlakov, her revolutionary DynaRig system and focus on renewable energy make her a landmark vessel in sustainable yacht design and a standout at any major gathering.

Delivered in 2024, Ulysses is a 116 metre Feadship and one of the newest ultra large yachts to join the St Barts New Year’s Eve fleet. Built for New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart, she is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated private yachts ever delivered by the Dutch shipyard, combining immense volume with highly refined exterior lines and a discreet, private layout. Ulysses’ arrival further strengthens the presence of newly delivered flagships in St Barts, underlining the exceptional calibre of yachts gathered around the island this season.

Delivered in 2025, Moonrise is a 100.75 metre Feadship owned by Jan Koum, co founder of WhatsApp. Built as a full custom project, she is defined by crisp modern exterior lines, expansive deck spaces and a highly refined interior by Rémi Tessier. With substantial volume and a strong emphasis on privacy, wellness and outdoor living, Moonrise represents the latest evolution of Feadship’s ultra large yacht design and stands out as one of the most significant newly delivered yachts to attend the record breaking St Barts New Year’s Eve gathering.

Delivered in 2020, Moonrise is a 99.95 metre Feadship and one of the most recognisable yachts in the global fleet. Built for Jan Koum, co founder of WhatsApp, the yacht is now offered for sale, with the owner having since taken delivery of a new his Feadship above.

Delivered in 2017, Sophia is a 97 metre Feadship admired for her robust exterior styling, advanced security features and highly private onboard layout. Owned by Michael Latifi, the yacht was designed with a strong emphasis on discretion, performance and long range capability, making her one of the most distinctive Feadship builds of her generation. Sophia’s presence among the yachts gathered off St Barts adds another significant ultra large Feadship to the New Year’s Eve fleet, reinforcing the calibre and diversity of vessels attending the celebrations.

Vava II is a 96 metre explorer style superyacht built by Devonport Yachts and owned by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli. Delivered in 2012, she is widely regarded as one of the most capable long range yachts afloat, combining substantial volume with ice class capability and a highly practical layout designed for global cruising. Her arrival adds another proven world cruising yacht to the St Barts New Year’s Eve fleet, reinforcing the mix of ultra large flagships and expedition focused vessels gathered around the island.

While this year marked the largest superyacht gathering ever recorded in St Barts by number, the largest yacht to ever attend the New Year’s Eve celebrations remains Eclipse, the 162.5 metre Blohm and Voss built superyacht formerly owned by Roman Abramovich. During her appearances in St Barts in the 2010s, Eclipse was widely regarded as the ultimate symbol of scale, security and spectacle, dwarfing every other yacht in the anchorage at the time.

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