The largest explorer yachts hitting the water in 2025

According to BOATPro, 35 explorer yachts were delivered this year – the largest of which was the secretive 65-metre Feadship, Promise.D. And the appetite for adventure continues to grow. An impressive 58 new-build explorers are set for launch in 2025, providing their owners access to some of the world's most challenging and thrilling environments – from polar regions and volcanic fields to tropical archipelagoes.

1. REV Ocean

The world's largest superyacht, REV Ocean measures 194.9 metres and has staggering volume of 19,045GT. Delays in the original build schedule have now been resolved , with the ocean explorer set to make a splash in Oslo, Norway. The minds behind this record-breaking project include Norwegian shipyard Vard, Espen Øino and H2 Yacht Design.

Equipped with advanced scientific capabilities, including sonar systems, laboratories, and submarines, her core mission, as explained by REV Ocean CEO Nina Jensen at the 2024 Explorer Yachts Summit, is to serve as a research platform accessible to scientists, media, governments and paying guests.

2. Shackleton

Details behind Shackleton – best known as Project Icecap – have been kept relatively secret since the explorer yacht was commissioned in 2018. Her sharp axe bow and shifted superstructure is the work of Salt Ship Design, while her interiors remain unknown.

The Lürssen build exceeds 6,500 GT and features an ice-classed hull suitable for polar cruising. Diesel-electric powered, she is equipped with highlights such as a beach club, elevator, swimming pool, helipad and an expansive aft deck for tender and toy stowage. She was last spotted out on sea trials back in 2022.

3. Custom 75 Hybrid

Sold in 2021 by Burgess, this Custom 75 Hybrid yacht from the Damen sheds began life at 72 metres and has since increased in length by 3 metres, with input from the owner's design company. The 1567GT explorer yacht has a 6,200 nautical range and features hybrid propulsion, enabling battery-powered operations and generator-free anchoring.  Both exteriors and interiors are owed to Michael Leach Designs, which is known for the exterior design of AKYacht's 85-metre flagship Victorious.

Unique additions showcasing the yachts' self-sufficiency include commercial cultivation pods for fresh produce, a touch-and-go helipad and a deck crane supporting various tenders and toys of up to 14.6 metres.

4. Project 715

In early 2024, Project 715 was photographed while on transport to Feadship's De Vries facility for outfitting. Limited details have been released on the five-deck explorer yacht, though delivery has been confirmed for summer 2025. Featuring an ice-classed hull with a slightly flared bow, she exhibits engineering designed specifically for cruising sensitive marine environments like the Northwest Passage and Fiji.

The shipyard previously stated that Project 715 is "one of the most environmentally friendly and efficient yacht propulsion systems available today."

5. Ice 68

The flagship of Turkish shipyard AES Yacht is set for launch in spring 2025. Design is courtesy of Hot Lab Studio for exterior lines and Sinot Yacht Design for the contemporary interiors. Across her 1780GT are various amenities for off-the-beaten-track cruising, such as a sizeable tender bay, touch-and-go helipad, a hospital room. She is also equipped with a 4,000 nautical mile range. Currently for sale with Fraser, this "modern explorer yacht" has amenities well suited to charters, such as the 5.6-metre swimming pool and large beach club.

6. Horizon

Previously known as Project Lazarus, Horizon is due to make waves at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show. Currently in construction at the newly formed Dutch shipyard Leapher Yachts, naval architecture is the work of Van Oossanen Naval Architects, with Cor D. Rover and 07 Designers involved in exterior and interior design.

This explorer yacht boasts up to 40 days of self-sufficiency for adventures and has been designed with high-latitude regions in mind. Standout features include a pool, sauna, gym, diving room and plenty of tenders and toys. The broker pointed out that this 1710GT yacht is "the only polar expedition yacht in build and for sale".

7. Xplorer 60

The Xplorer 60 is the first of its kind in the Dutch shipyard's 60-metre "luxury expedition range". Exterior lines and engineering is courtesy of Azure Yacht Design, while inside, the "homely and more practical" interiors are by British studio H2 Yacht Design. Top features include the observation lounge, which transforms into a cinema room and a versatile exterior aft space that can be configured as a lounge and bar, scuba dive deck, wellness centre, or ski equipment area. The yacht will be capable of autonomous cruising for up to 30 days.