As summer returns to the Mediterranean, so too does a now-familiar spectacle: the arrival of superyachts. These floating mansions are seasonal fixtures in Europe’s glitziest harbours, drawing attention from onlookers and their cameras.
Once, birdwatching and trainspotting held the public’s gaze. Today, yacht-spotting is the pastime of choice for many summer travellers. And for those holidaying along the Med this season, the odds of catching a glimpse of one of the world’s most iconic vessels are high – if you know where to look.
Europe’s superyacht hotspots
Data from superyacht tracking service BOATPro, covering movements between May 1 and September 30 2024, offers a snapshot of the summer’s most popular superyacht locations. While the rankings reflect last year’s patterns, they’re a strong indicator of where the world’s largest yachts will be seen again this summer.
The French Riviera is set to remain one of the busiest superyacht regions. St Tropez (#1) tops the list with its harbour buzzing day and night – ideal for both people-watching and yacht-spotting. Cannes (#2) is another mainstay.
During the Cannes Film Festival this May, iconic yachts were spotted including the 125.8-metre Koru, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and 43.5m catamaran This is It, which hosted parties attended by the likes of Rihanna.
One of my most memorable Riviera sightings was Sailing Yacht A, a futuristic, eight-deck schooner with masts taller than Big Ben. Once owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, she was seized by Italian authorities in 2022 as part of EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
With its dense concentration of wealth, Monaco (#3) is a prime yacht-spotting destination year-round. The Principality’s prestigious Port Hercules regularly hosts some of the most iconic yachts – in July 2024, I spotted the 105-metre H3, owned by Saudi billionaire Waleed bin Ibrahim al Ibrahim.
By September, the 122-metre Kismet, owned by Shahid Khan, was moored ahead of her Monaco Yacht Show debut. I’ve also frequently seen the 90-metre Lion Heart here, owned by British billionaire Sir Philip Green, a Monaco resident.
Elsewhere in France, the historic city of Antibes (#5) has embraced the yachting boom with the extended Port Vauban and a new yacht club, which is attracting more large vessels – and yacht spotters.
Across the Ligurian Sea, Porto Cervo (#4) on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is the jewel of Italian sailing and its marina is the launch point for legendary sailing vessels. Among the regular visitors is the extraordinary 88-metre sailing yacht Maltese Falcon, built for Silicon Valley mogul Thomas Perkins and now owned by hedge fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou. Events hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, such as the Giorgio Armani Sailing Regatta (early June), are magnets for both yachts and their high-net-worth owners.
Elsewhere in Italian waters, Capri (#6) and Naples (#7) are popular thanks to their easy access to the Amalfi Coast. In the Balearics, Palma de Mallorca (#9) has cemented itself as a yachting hub. Superyachts already spotted this summer include the 109-meter Seven Seas, owned by filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and the 88-metre Fountainhead, belonging to American billionaire Eddie Lampert.
The eastern Mediterranean may see less traffic, but its coastlines – from the Greek isles (I spotted the sleek 75.5-metre Wheels off Zakynthos in May) to the Turkish Riviera – continue to attract the owners and guests of the world’s finest yachts. And with growing interest, traffic here is only expected to rise.
Know when to go
To maximise your chances of spotting the finest superyachts this summer, follow the social circuit – the world’s ultra-wealthy tend to sail between the same high-profile events. The Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix in May serve as unofficial openers to the Mediterranean season. Many F1 teams charter yachts for the Grand Prix weekend, and this year McLaren celebrated its Monaco win aboard the 72.6-metre Coral Ocean, with winning driver Lando Norris photographed onboard.
Other key dates include the Superyacht Cup Palma (June 25-28), Venice Film Festival (August 27) and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (September 27-October 5).
Yacht shows also offer prime yacht-spotting opportunities, as the world’s top shipyards and brokerages bring their finest vessels to showcase before the entire industry. The Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14) is an unmissable highlight, but the Monaco Yacht Show (September 24-27) remains the pinnacle event.
Spotting made easy
For those curious to know more about the vessels they spot, several tools can help. Apps like MarineTraffic offer real-time data on yacht positions using AIS tracking. Simply open the app, zoom into your location and tap on a yacht to view its name, flag and destination.
For deeper insights, paid-for platforms such as BOATPro provide more detailed information including vessel specifications and travel history, making it easier to identify and learn about individual yachts.
While these platforms don’t disclose ownership details, a bit of old-fashioned Googling can go a long way. Reliable sources include specialist publications such as BOAT International and SuperYacht Times.
Alternatively, the enthusiast-run site SuperYacht Fan often provides ownership information, though it may not always be fully up to date.
Whether you’re watching from the coastline or you’re out on the water yourself, there’s an undeniable allure to watching these extraordinary vessels sail by. And with a little insider knowledge, you’ll be yacht-spotting like a pro in no time.