Each week, we spotlight one yacht worth knowing. Not just for how it looks or the amenities it has on board, but for how it changes the experience of where you are. This week, our chosen charter yacht is the 126.3-metre explorer icon, and one of the world’s best-travelled yachts, motor yacht Octopus.
Octopus Charter Yacht
Close your eyes and imagine a superyacht designed with exploration in mind. Chances are, you’ve conjured up something similar to Octopus. Originally commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen back in 2003, Octopus charter yacht was ahead of its time thanks to its exceptional capabilities, adventure-ready amenities and colossal size.
Built by German shipyard Lürssen, at the time of its delivery, Octopus was, and still remains, one of the most recognisable explorer yachts in the world. Thanks to its scale, range, and technical capability, it was conceived as a genuine expedition platform rather than a conventional leisure yacht.
Unusually for a yacht of its size, which will often prioritise lifestyle, Octopus charter yacht was designed for long-range global cruising: a trait which has been fully taken advantage of by those lucky enough to travel on board.
With an ice-class hull, twin helipads, submarine capability, extensive dive facilities and a transoceanic range of approximately 12,500 nautical miles, Octopus charter yacht was built to operate far beyond traditional cruising grounds. Over the years, Octopus has supported scientific missions, deep-sea discoveries and international expeditions while maintaining the standards expected from a world-class charter yacht.
Just some of Octopus’ destinations include Antarctica, French Polynesia, Fiji, Hong Kong, the remote Kimberley region in north-western Australia, Argentina, the Caribbean, the Northwest Passage, Svalbard and Greenland, as well as making its presence felt in the more typical European charter hotspots of the Mediterranean.
A Yacht Built for Exploration
At 126 metres, Octopus is among the largest explorer yachts available for charter, standing alongside such legends as Black Pearl, Kismet, Lana and Christina O. Designed by Espen Øino, the yacht’s exterior combines functionality with clean, purposeful lines. Its blue hull and distinctive profile make it immediately recognisable on the water. Arrive at any harbour in the world and you can guarantee that every phone will appear to capture the image of Octopus charter yacht.
One of the defining aspects of Octopus charter yacht is its operational capability. On board are two helipads, a floodable tender dock, multiple tenders, a dive centre complete with hyperbaric chamber and facilities for submarine operations. These are fully integrated into the yacht’s design and intended for real expedition use.
For charter guests, this creates access to destinations and experiences that would be difficult to achieve on most superyachts. Remote archipelagos, polar cruising routes, isolated dive sites and hard-to-reach coastlines become realistic itinerary options, supported by the yacht’s outstanding range and onboard infrastructure.
Inside Octopus
Stepping inside, Octopus has the scale and atmosphere of a private floating residence. Interiors by Jonathan Quinn Barnett combine warm materials with expansive living spaces, panoramic observation areas and understated detailing throughout.
Accommodation is arranged across 13 guest cabins for up to 12 charter guests, supported by a crew of approximately 45. The owner’s deck includes private lounge areas, a jacuzzi, elevator access and extensive ocean views.
Despite being built over 22 years ago, Octopus charter yacht can keep up with any newer build, thanks, in part, to its extensive nine-month refit at Lloyd Werft’s facilities in Bremerhaven, Germany, during which it underwent a 20-year survey, full paintwork job and AV/IT upgrades.
Wonderful Wellness and Entertainment
The fifth deck aboard Octopus charter yacht is dedicated entirely to wellbeing. A fully equipped gym, spa, sauna and steam room provide space to unwind after days spent exploring remote coastlines, while the adjoining sports bar adds a more relaxed social atmosphere for post-workout drinks and evening gatherings. Personal trainers and massage therapists are available on request.
For top-tier entertainment, travellers can settle into the yacht’s luxurious private cinema, complete with plush seating and curated screenings, or enjoy cocktails in the Musashi bar before dinner in the observation lounge.
A library stocked with rare and carefully selected volumes offers a contemplative retreat, while table tennis, board games and informal social spaces are ideal for kids.
Beach Club & Dive Centre
The beach club aboard Octopus charter yacht serves as the gateway to life on and beneath the water. The yacht carries an impressive collection of water toys alongside a fully equipped dive centre complete with professional scuba equipment and a decompression chamber: a rare feature even among explorer yachts. Guests can dive alongside experienced instructors before returning to the swim platform to relax on sun loungers.
Amenities on board Octopus charter yacht include:
A 15-seat cinema
Professional music studio
Library and sports bar
Full spa and wellness facilities
Hammam and massage room
Large swimming pool with cocktail bar
Fully equipped gym
Glass-bottomed observation lounge
Why Charter Yacht Octopus?
There are very few yachts floating today which are capable of combining global expedition capability with the infrastructure and amenities found on Octopus charter yacht. Chartering the yacht offers access to itineraries that extend beyond the traditional Mediterranean and Caribbean charter circuits, including remote wilderness regions, isolated islands and highly technically demanding cruising grounds.
The yacht’s aviation facilities, dive infrastructure, tenders and exploration equipment support a highly customised style of travel. Travellers on board can combine diving, watersports, remote land excursions and extended cruising without compromising on comfort or service.
At the same time, Octopus functions as a large-scale private retreat, with generous wellness facilities, entertainment spaces and accommodation suited to multigenerational groups, private events and long-range charters.
Tenders & Toys
Octopus charter yacht carries a substantial collection of tenders and watersports equipment, reflecting the yacht’s expedition-focused design and ability to operate independently in remote cruising grounds. The setup is designed not only for guest transfers and leisure use, but also for diving operations, shoreline exploration and extended time away from marina infrastructure.
The primary tender is an 18.10-metre Delta Marine 54’, supported by a custom 9.34-metre Vikal International limousine tender powered by twin 260hp engines. The yacht also carries two 5.8-metre Zodiac Milpro MK V heavy-duty inflatables with Volvo Aquatic Duoprop 70hp drives, alongside a dedicated 8.7-metre Zodiac Milpro custom dive tender and an additional 8.7-metre Zodiac Marine guest tender known as the “Owners Zodiac”. A further 4.7-metre Zodiac Marine RIB completes the support fleet.
For watersports, travellers have access to four Yamaha FX140 WaveRunners and two Yamaha SuperJet stand-up jet skis, offering a mix of high-speed and more technical riding experiences. The yacht also carries a selection of kayaks, including two Hobie Pursuit two-man kayaks, two Hobie Pursuit single kayaks and two Epic V5 single kayaks, suited to coastal exploration and quieter excursions. Three surfboards are also available on board.
Combined with the yacht’s helicopter facilities, dive infrastructure and expedition capabilities, the tender and toy inventory reinforces Octopus’s position as a yacht designed for active, destination-led charter experiences rather than conventional coastal cruising alone.
The Legacy Behind the Yacht
Part of Octopus’s reputation comes from its operational history. Delivered in 2003 for the late Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with childhood friend Bill Gates in 1975, the yacht soon became associated with scientific research, exploration projects and deep-sea expeditions.
Allen was a committed researcher and historian, and Octopus played a central role in several major discoveries during its years under his ownership. Among the most notable was the discovery of the wreck of Musashi, the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship sunk during the Second World War. The yacht also supported marine research initiatives and exploration programmes, helping establish its reputation as one of the best-known explorer yachts on the water.
Its arrival on the charter market introduced a different type of yacht experience to charter clients, focused less on marina-hopping and more on capability, autonomy and destination-led travel.
Why Octopus Stands Apart
Many large yachts include explorer styling or adventure-focused features, but Octopus charter yacht was designed from the outset as a functioning expedition yacht. That distinction is reflected in its engineering, range, onboard systems and operational flexibility.
Whether cruising Greenland, the South Pacific, the Norwegian fjords or Indonesia, the yacht is built to operate comfortably across a wide variety of environments while still delivering the service and amenities expected at the highest level of the charter market.
Currently available for charter with Big Blue Expeditions from approximately USD 2.2 million per week plus expenses, Octopus charter yacht remains one of the most technically capable and recognisable explorer yachts operating in the global charter sector.
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