Supreme Luxury: The Superyacht Industry’s Next Chapter at Monaco Yacht Show 2025

By Rebecca Whitlocke

Over 30,000 people are set to visit Port Hercule, where the 34th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show will take place from September 24–27.  Monaco has always been a popular destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and a favourite among yachting enthusiasts. It should come as no surprise that Monaco Yacht Show influences future market trends, innovation, and technological advancements in the yachting sector, given that yachting companies are a significant source of economic activity for the Principality of Monaco (source: IMSEE report; ref 1).

As the world’s latest yachts, products, and craftsmanship that make the superyacht industry a centre for excellence and innovation descend on the port for four days, the show’s stellar reputation is clear, drawing over 560 exhibitors and companies from the yachting industry.

This year, internationally known shipyards and brokers will display an impressive roster of 60 tenders and 120 superyachts. The show features a unique mix of superyachts, with an average fleet length of 50 metres and many vessels exceeding 100 metres in length. Almost half of the large yachts on display will be launched as world premieres. There were significant announcements and rumours of flagship sales and acquisitions going on as I was writing this piece, but every year something new is unveiled.

I’ll be representing Luxury News Online on the ground all week in Monaco, and am expecting to see the best of yachting and luxury lifestyle.

Monaco Yacht Show 2025 Highlights

Renowned for his ability to capture the rhythm of the sea, the elegance of design or glimpses behind the scenes, photographer Guillaume Plisson brings to MYS an exclusive photography exhibition titled “Tribute to Yachting”, sponsored by Tenderworks, SuperYachts Monaco and Espen Øino International.  A short, curated selection will be revealed during the MYS Grand Opening Night on September 23rd, with nearly 100 large-format photographs displayed around the show’s zones.

Press breakfasts, superyacht brokerage tours, and invite-only cocktail soirées are all part of the daily schedule, but MYS is more than just a lavish social event. The Monaco Yacht Summit program will feature panel discussions and workshops focused on environmental sustainability and design innovation, which will promote communication and collective thinking. On September 24th, “Ocean with David Attenborough” will be screened, with director Toby Nowlan in attendance. This will be a special highlight.

At MYS, guests can find the latest in luxurious interiors and destinations at the Upper Deck Lounge, where artistry and innovation collide. Premium brands on display will include Paola Lenti, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, and the Islands of the Bahamas. The Upper Deck Lounge bar is a great place to have informal discussions over coffee, while upstairs is the restaurant with meals created by Fairmont Monte-Carlo. The Parvis Piscine exhibition tent, which is close by, features a carefully chosen assortment of opulent furnishings, lighting, and accessories.

The Yacht Design & Innovation Hub is a space where design mastery meets yachting excellence. Owners, potential customers, and industry experts working on yacht construction projects can discover novel ideas and trends that will impact future superyachts.  Sixteen designers and naval architects will be exhibiting including Argo Navis, Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, Cor D. Rover Design, Hydro Tec, Victory Design and Winch Design.

This year, the MYS Innovation Deck is a new addition. Don’t miss a closer look into the technological development of superyachts and the advancements that have influenced life on board up to this point through interactive screens. Exploring the newest yacht designs will be possible, thanks to the return of the MYS Immersive Experience, which is in partnership with VBH. Visitors can explore every area of the yacht and get a hands-on look at its design.

On the quays there’ll be plenty of conversations about the latest headline-grabbing yacht concepts and designs.  I’m looking forward to stepping on board the Swan 128 from Nautor Swan,  the second-largest Swan in the history of the yard, completing the upper segment of the builder’s Maxi range and shadowed only by the launch of the Swan 131 Aristarchos in 2006. Longtime collaborator of the yard Germán Frers is responsible for naval architecture, with exterior design by Micheletti & Partners and interiors taken care of by Misa Poggi; she also offers a sportier appeal than her fellow cruisers and a slender profile, which is defined by a sculpted deckhouse.

Set to be one of the most talked-about vessels, Alexander McDiarmid Design is gaining attention for their new 105-metre Ghost Yachts project, the GWP-345. An extrapolated version of the Ghost G250 technical platform, the exterior styling is inspired by the military aesthetic of modern naval frigate and warship designs as seen in the superstructure, with her high speed wave-piercing hull and stealthy lines. Another standout project is their 130-metre GEx, a true and certified aviation capable, Ice-Class, Polar Explorer Yacht that sees the design studio joining forces with a team of leading superyacht naval architects and engineering consultants.

Golden Yachts is ready to debut their latest GY 60 delivered in summer, M/Y O’Madeleine, defined by cutting-edge design and custom interiors.  Accommodating up to 12 guests across 7 opulent staterooms, O’Madeleine marks the continuation of Golden Yachts’ successful collaboration with Studio Vafiadis and Studio Massari. The interiors blend Nordic and Mediterranean influences with finely grained wood paneling that lines the walls, handwoven rugs, and sculptural custom furniture.

Expect yacht interiors and aesthetic trends to be a dominant focal point all week, showcasing a range of luxury brands representing bespoke furniture to artisan tiles, soft furnishings and opulent artwork that reflects the lifestyle and preferences of each yacht owner. And the trends you see at MYS are good indicators of what’s in the pipeline for the superyacht market a year or two later.

Monaco Yacht Show is an indispensable show for interior-focused businesses seeking new partnerships across international markets. “I will be attending for the third consecutive year – my experience in Monaco reaffirmed how important it is to be present where the professional industry gathers,” says Vanja Pedisić-Švraka, Managing Director at Frey Personal Yacht Stylist. “Shows like Monaco are not just exhibitions of innovation and prestige; they are living spaces where relationships are shaped and the future of our industry is built. It provides the most valuable outcomes – quality contacts, exchange of ideas, and collaborations that cannot be created virtually.”

As you’d expect from a team with their expertise and design pedigree, the Frey studio has completed numerous challenging projects that reflect the breadth and complexity of their work in the superyacht industry.  “This year, we have carried out artistic leather restoration on a superyacht limousine tender, and executed a refit of a superyacht tender for 52-metre Sanlorenzo M/Y Enigma; each project presenting its own specific challenges. We’re further strengthening our presence in the new build sector, such as our contribution to the 80-metre M/Y Al Reem, where we created sustainable soft loose furniture.”

Head to the Adventure Area at Quai Antoine 1er where prestige, adventure and exploration merge with exhibitors representing state-of-the-art superyacht tenders, yacht toys and elegant vehicles, from classics to contemporary masterpieces.  Brands include Brabus Marine, Lamborghini Monaco, Mansory, Ribeye Tenders and Seabob.

Buy-in from stakeholders for emerging businesses and startups is crucial. Many businesses attend MYS to showcase crew-centric products or services targeting crew members at sea, from innovative technology to wellness initiatives.  Fiona Grey, Founder of Crewdar, says that MYS is a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to engage in industry-relevant discussions and build meaningful connections. “I founded Crewdar following my own personal struggle as both recruiter and recruitee in the yachting industry. My aim is to provide a safe, transparent, and efficient platform for connecting vessel managers with qualified crew, free from the frustrations I experienced during my own yachting career. Built with Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) compliance at its core, Crewdar’s intelligent matching system ensures that only corresponding jobs and profiles are visible to each other. In an industry where safety, professionalism, and compliance are crucial, we ensure data privacy, identity verification, and thorough background checks.”

Over at the Yacht Club de Monaco side of the port, captains and crew are invited to discover premium amenities and daily catering at the C&C Lounge.  This dedicated space will provide happy hours and entertainment, wellness services and culinary masterclasses by Maison del Gusto.

About Monaco Yacht Show

Created in 1991, Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) is renowned for the exceptional quality and impressive size of its superyachts. The event attracts private visitors interested in purchasing or chartering superyachts, as well as market experts. The show is also committed to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions for yachting.

Since 2001, the Monaco Yacht Show has been actively supporting the Monaco Association Against Myopathies, rebranded as A.M.M – Only Project in 2024. This leading organisation focuses on research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with the goal of developing therapeutics for patients affected by this condition. Through this partnership, the MYS helps raise public awareness about scientific research aimed at advancing treatments for this serious genetic disease. The MYS also contributes to funding research efforts, donating €41,000 in 2024.

Since 2010, the show has also been a dedicated partner of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, actively supporting its international environmental efforts. During the official visit of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco to the 2024 show, the Monaco Yacht Show proudly donated €53,000 to the Foundation.

The MYS is organised under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

For more information, visit www.monacoyachtshow.com

Reference 1: Source IMSEE Monaco Statistics report; €567.1 million revenue and 1,429 jobs generated by the yachting sector in Monaco (2022).

Credits:  Drone / Upper Deck Lounge – MYS, Swan 128 – Nautor Swan, GWP345 – Alexander McDiarmid Design & Ghost Yachts, O’Madeleine – Golden Yachts, Frey Personal Yacht Stylist, Crewdar

Rebecca Whitlocke is a regular writer for Luxury News Online covering yachting news and luxury events.