In the Mediterranean every summer, the world's wealthiest vacationers turn superyachts into highly personalized playgrounds, whether they own them or not. Jeff Bezos has been seen sailing the Balearics on his 417-foot yacht, “Koru,” since its debut in 2023, while Google founder Sergey Brin's 466-foot “Dragonfly,” launched in 2024, has appeared on the French Riviera. Meanwhile, charging is still visible: Beyoncé and Jay-Z have visited the 450-meter “Flying Fox” in Ibiza several times in recent years, while Kim Kardashian used the 241-meter “Naia” as a floating base during the Monaco Grand Prix in June 2026.
Owning a superyacht is the ultimate sign of wealth, but even among the top 0.1 percent who can afford one, the purchase isn't always a good idea. Instead, a growing class of billionaires choose to lease these vessels, popping in and out of the lifestyle for a few weeks each year without committing to ownership.
Global yacht dealer Burgess Yachts said bookings for yachts across its fleet were up 6.5 per cent year-on-year, while charter bookings were up 15 per cent. Fraser Yachts, which owns a portfolio of yachts worth more than $7.4 billion, reported earlier this year that last-minute charter bookings are on the rise, too, suggesting flexibility as a key driver.
“Charter was something that someone could do before they bought it,” George Jousma, president of yacht broker Italian Yacht Group in Florida and New York, told the Observer. He noted that both chartering and ownership are growing rapidly, especially in the superyacht segment, which typically includes fully-manned luxury vessels at least 79 feet in length. “There is a lot of economy generated in the upper areas,” he said. “It's kind of exponential.”
There are 3,428 billionaires in the world today, up from just over 3,000 last year. The number of high-net-worth individuals is expected to jump 31 percent over the next five years, creating more than 166,000 new potential customers, according to Fraser. “The rise of high-profile entrepreneurs in the technology sector has fueled growth,” said Adam Moorey, head of business intelligence at superyacht dealer Edmiston, told the Observer.
Ownership remains firmly at the top. Bezos bought “Koru” in 2023 for $500 million, and Sergey Brin bought “Dragonfly” in 2024 for $450 million. In June of this year, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman received “Destiny” for $ 400 million. However, creativity, flexibility and the ability to explore new areas without long-term commitment all push billionaires to hire.
Musk is famously reluctant to take vacations, but he rented the 79-meter “Zeus” in Greece in 2022, reportedly costing about $7,000 a day. Bill Gates sold his $645 million yacht “Breakthrough” in 2025 before he could use it, even though it was custom-built. Instead he chose charter vessels such as the 351-foot “Lana” and the 436-foot “Serene,” which are valued at around $200 million and $400 million, respectively.
On the celebrity side, Beyoncé and her family have been regular guests on the “Flying Fox,” the world's most expensive charter yacht that costs an estimated $4 million a week. Kim Kardashian used “Naia,” which charges an estimated $700,000 a week, during the Monaco Grand Prix in June. While not billionaires, other high-profile figures also rely on charter: Kevin Hart vacationed with his family on the 236-foot “Axioma” in June, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris spent time aboard the 238-foot “Coral Ocean” during last year's Monaco Grand Prix.
“Many young high-net-worth individuals are less focused on accumulating assets and more focused on spending their time,” Alex Guy, a broker at Burgess in London and Palm Beach, told the Observer. “That said, there are still many who view a yacht as an extension of their home and workplace. With remote working now more common, both chartering and ownership allow people to stay connected to the business while spending quality time with family and friends.”
Billionaires and their superyachts
Billionaires spend a lot of money to buy, maintain and operate superyachts, with their annual maintenance typically consuming around 10 percent of the vessel's value. Notable examples include:
- Steve Schwarzman's $400 million “Destiny”: The 332-foot yacht, acquired in June, accommodates 15 guests and a 30-person crew, with a helipad, glass-bottom pool and beach club.
- Jeff Bezos' $500 million “Koru”: Delivered in 2023, the 417-foot sailboat has three 230-foot masts, room for 18 guests and up to 40 crew, plus a pool and multiple jacuzzis.
- Sergey Brin's $450 million “Dragonfly”: Delivered in 2024, the 466-meter vessel includes a glass-bottom pool, spa and helipad, accommodating 24 guests and 53 crew.
- Roman Abramovich's “Eclipse” and “Solaris” ($1.3 billion combined): “Eclipse,” at 533 meters, remains one of the longest yachts in the world, with room for 36 guests and 74 crew and advanced safety systems. “Solaris,” launched in 2021, has a helicopter hangar, a beach club and capacity for 36 guests and 60 crew.
