Gorgeous photos of billionaire luxury yachts in romantic, exotic, and remote locations spark the imagination. To that end, today’s yacht owners are forever seeking the perfect accessories to fulfill the wildest dreams of their families and guests. Whether private or charter, super yachts often employ a variety of trendy accessories and luxury yacht toys to keep their passengers enthralled.
While at sea, many of these top superyacht accessories enable more intimate and fun water time and more appreciation of local sites while in port. Here are a few of the most popular favorites on the market.
To entice charter guests, keep megayacht owners happy, and to be trendsetters while enjoying the water, manufacturers provide super yachts with an array of inflatable docks, platforms, seats, and tents.
Inflatable docks are pumped up and then attached to the stern while at anchor. These provide extra space for swimmers and sun-bathers. Some of these designs can even accommodate personal watercraft for storage or quick access.
(Photos courtesy of NAUTIBUOY)
A growing category of megayacht accessories is bicycle watercraft. Surprisingly, these are not a new invention. These creative machines were introduced in the 1800s and were known as aquatic velocipedes. Today’s popular designs include upright or recumbent seating, solo or tandem configurations, and monohull or multihull floatation. Some of these designs even include hydrofoils.
(Photo courtesy of MANTA5)
Yacht toys are not only for the water. Some are intended for use when in port. Often seen on land in bicycle-sharing systems, e-bikes come in as many flavors as the riders who use them. From fast street bikes like the Cero (right) to fat-tire mountain bikes, super yacht guests enjoy their ease of use in almost any destination. The versatility of e-bikes allows for a night on the town or a day trip to a secluded beach. Most importantly, the ability to pedal or use the rechargeable battery power ensures the rider is never stranded or tired.
A range of functionality has created an explosion of new inflatable shapes, like platforms with a cabana and tent structures to keep guests cool and out of the sun. Several varieties also include inflatable chair and sofa designs.
Photo courtesy of FUNAIR
An extremely popular billionaire luxury yacht accessory comes in the category of inflatables. Dropping from the uppermost yacht deck, kids and adults alike enjoy giant inflatable slides that come in a variety of heights, widths, and colors. Diverse options include covers, landing areas, and water features. Also popular are inflatable climbing walls that provide climbers with a safe water landing in case of a fall.
Smaller boats that can be blown up when needed add versatility and functionality, as well as providing another boat for safety. Since inflatables can be packed and stowed away, they easily provide superyachts with one more vessel if needed as a spare, or just for fun for guests to runabout. Foldable RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) are increasingly popular, too.
Ever innovating, sea pool platform areas attach to the mega yacht stern for an accessible swim deck complete with a netted “swimming pool” that helps keep sea creatures out and swimmers safe. Some even include stairs to easily enter and exit the water.
Speed is the goal for many people today, and a variety of superyacht toys provide speed to keep guests happy as well as enable them to experience nature for longer distances. Underwater scooters, such as the jet-powered SEABOB, use control grips to pull guests through the water on the surface or below the surface, wherever they are steered. Superyacht guests can experience the waters of each destination with an invigorating, powered trip to a coral reef or a unique dive spot.
(Photo courtesy of SEABOB)
Over-the-water yacht toys include jet packs equipped with powerful engines that generate a water nozzle propulsion force to achieve stable, controlled flights. This technology allows exciting flight maneuvers above and even below the water surface.
(Photo courtesy of JETLEV-FLYER)
Another popular over-water toy is the electric surfboard. Electric surfboards can navigate even when waves are light or non-existent. And some electric boards come complete with hydrofoils to lift the rider for speed and accessibility in a variety of sea conditions.
For the largest of the yachts, who doesn’t want access to a helicopter and/or a personal submarine? Helicopters and personal submarines are indeed popular additions to superyachts, providing owners with additional means of exploration and transportation.
The maximum size of the helicopter depends on the size of the yacht because a helipad takes up significant space. A helipad should be 1.25 times longer than the helicopter’s tail rotor. Typically, this is at least 40′ x 40′, and should include a surrounding safety zone that is at least 82′ x 82′. Helicopters can range from small two-seaters to large helicopters that can transport four to eight passengers. (Don’t forget to allow room for luggage when deciding how many passengers you can fly.)
(Photos courtesy of AIRBUS HELICOPTERS)
Private submarines and other types of submersibles are evolving to meet more needs for the yacht market. Whether you just want a quick trip to the bottom of the sea, or plan to do some marine research while you are down below, there is a submersible for you. Super yacht subs typically carry from one to six passengers. As their popularity has increased, yacht designers are even starting to allocate storage space onboard for subs.
(Photos courtesy of TRITON SUBMARINES)
Some of the most important items on any yacht do not fall under the “fun” category but are, instead, vital. These are PFDs, or personal flotation devices. Commonly known as life jackets, these top safety tools continue to see innovations in design and comfort, so they are no longer bulky and uncomfortable. New PFDs are designed to meet any need, whether riding onboard personal watercraft, snorkeling near the yacht, scuba diving off the stern, preparing for an offshore trip, or just on a near-shore day cruise. Some models are exceptionally streamlined, and there is even a waist-belt design and a throwable inflatable raft that meets U.S. Coast Guard safety standards.
No matter the guest’s age, ability, or interests, there are scores of mega yacht accessories to meet every passenger’s wish list for a memorable billionaire luxury yacht voyage.