Harbour scene in a class of its own: The most spectacular superyachts at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix

Over 100 superyachts have already been in Port Hercule and the bay of Roquebrune, directly in front of the harbour entrance to Monaco, is also getting crowded. Over 70 yachts are currently anchored there, with a similar number further west off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer according to ship trackers. Owners, charter guests and motorsport fans use their boats as exclusive box seats and floating bases for the extraordinary race weekend.

Who will win the Monaco Grand Prix?

Lando Norris is the favourite ahead of the race. The Briton has shown impressive consistency this season and leads the drivers' championship. His McLaren MCL40 is considered to be particularly competitive on the tight street circuit in Monaco, and Norris himself has recently proven that he can withstand pressure. He will be challenged by Max Verstappen in the Red Bull, who has Monaco statistics on his side, and by Charles Leclerc, who will be competing in front of his home crowd as a Monegasque and insists on his home track advantage. The Tifosi - and quite a few yacht owners in the harbour - will be rooting loudly for the Ferrari driver.

The yachts - sorted by length

"Kismet" - 122 metres | Lürssen

Anyone looking along the Monegasque coast, can't get past "Kismet. The 122 metre long Lürssen is one of the most expensive charter yachts in the world.

The exterior styling comes from Studio Nuvolari Lenard, while the interior design is the work of Reymond Langton. A cosmos of superlatives awaits guests on board: a Balinese-inspired spa area, an Art Deco cinema partially located below the waterline and a main salon that draws its inspiration from the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. "Kismet" is available for charter via Cecil Wright - for a remarkable 3,000,000 euros per week.

"Breakthrough" - 118.8 metres | Feadship

"Breakthrough" is a technical masterpiecewhich made yacht building history: it is the world's first and so far only hydrogen fuel cell-powered superyacht.

The Dutch shipyard Feadship delivered the new build in 2025, and last autumn it was sold to a new owner for an incredible 645 million euros, making it the most expensive yacht in the world.

The British design studio RWD is responsible for both the exterior appearance and the interior design. The technical centrepiece is 16 hydrogen fuel cells that generate 3.2 megawatts of electrical power.

The interior is impressive: an owner's deck, a library stocked with 5000 books, a wellness centre, a cinema, a Nemo lounge below the waterline and an impressive number of folding balconies and terraces make "Breakthrough" a milestone in modern yacht building.

"Renaissance" - 112 metres | Freire

"Renaissance" is one of the largest yachts this yearwhich were spotted off Monte Carlo. Spanish shipbuilder Freire delivered the voluminous displacer (7,200 gross tonnes) in 2023 - as the realisation of an idea that had been waiting decades to be realised. The design office Bannenberg & Rowell realised a concept originally sketched out in the 1980s by the late pioneer Jon Bannenberg.

Built in accordance with the Passenger Yacht Code, "Renaissance" can accommodate up to 36 guests, making it one of the most commercially efficient charter yachts ever. Those who come on board will experience a main saloon with a floating mezzanine level, a private spa deck with a first-class wellness area, a spacious beach club and an owner's deck with a private bow terrace. Particularly noteworthy: the owner's many years of charter experience were directly incorporated into the layout. Charter broker: Burgess.

"Symphony" - 101.5 metres | Feadship

As the first Feadship yacht to pass the 100 metre mark, the "Symphony" has a firm place in the history of modern yacht building. Commissioned by LVMH boss Bernard Arnault, it was the flagship of the Dutch shipyard for three years. The sculptural appearance was created by British designer Tim Heywood - and the name is no coincidence: Arnault's passion for classical music is reflected here and in a concert grand piano on board.

Spread over six decks are an open-air cinema, a pool with a glass floor and an owner's deck including a sauna, jacuzzi terrace and an office designed by François Zuretti. A ship that is as sophisticated as it is extraordinary.

"Attessa IV" - 101.2 metres | Hayashikane / Conversion by Washington Yachting Group

Few yachts can look back on such a dramatic transformation as the "Attessa IV". Originally launched in Japan as a freighter of the "Evergreen" type, the ship was completely redesigned in one of the most ambitious conversion projects in yachting history. The American industrialist Dennis Washington had the ship fitted with a new bow, new stern, new superstructure and a completely revised interior by the Washington Yachting Group - completed in 2010.

Washington, known for his penchant for reinventing existing ships rather than commissioning new builds, teamed up with Seattle designer Glade Johnson to create a floating home of the highest standard. On five decks and over 2,300 square metres of interior space, there is a spectacular central staircase, a spa area with direct access to the bathing platform, a cinema and the legendary Chihuly Lounge - designed around a monumental glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly. Attessa IV" is currently for sale.

"Lionheart" - 90 metres | Benetti

"Lionheart" was delivered in 2016 as the largest Benetti new build at the time and remains a familiar face in Port Hercule. It was the third yacht built by Sir Philip Green at the Italian shipyard and at the same time one that keeps secrets. While its curved silhouette and striking private balconies are visible to all visitors to the harbour, the interior has always been kept discreet.

What is known is that the exterior design was a collaboration between Stefano Natucci and Benetti, while Green & Mingarelli Design was responsible for the interior. "Lionheart" was the largest yacht in Port Hercule in 2025 - but this year she has to admit defeat to other mega yachts.

"Fountainhead" - 87.8 metres | Feadship

"Fountainhead" was delivered by Feadship in 2011. She was built in parallel with her sister ship "Musashi". The exterior design was created by De Voogt Naval Architects, while the interior is the joint work of Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and the renowned Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, whose minimalist signature is unmistakable.

A world for families and nature lovers awaits on board: a private library, spacious play and relaxation areas, a fully equipped gym, a counter-current pool and an impressively sized tender garage. With a range of 6,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 21 knots, "Fountainhead" is not only attractive - she was also designed for long journeys.

"Alfa Nero" - 81.3 metres | Oceanco

"Alfa Nero" is one of those rare yachtsthat you recognise at first glance. Since her delivery by Oceanco in 2007, the striking yacht has helped shape the face of contemporary yacht design. The dramatic appearance is the work of the Venetian design studio Nuvolari Lenard, while the late star designer Alberto Pinto was responsible for the bold interior - inspired by the pop art of Roy Lichtenstein, vibrant and unmistakable.

The layout prioritises spaciousness rather than maximum volume, which allows for generous outdoor decks. The most famous feature is the glazed infinity pool at the stern with a waterfall effect, which can be transformed into an entertainment area if required. Almost two decades after her debut, Alfa Nero is still one of the most iconic yachts and a reliable regular at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"Chopi Chopi" - 80 metres | CRN

For twelve years " Chopi Chopi" the title of flagship of the Italian shipyard CRN - a status that it will only relinquish to a new 85-metre vessel next year. This week, CRN is delivering the 70-metre-long "Thunderball". The "Chopi Chopi" was commissioned by an owner from the Middle East, who previously owned the 52.3 metre long "Lady Brave". From the outset, the new yacht was to be a purely private vessel for his family - Zuccon International Project was responsible for the exterior design.

The vibrant blue interiors by Laura Sessa Design create an inviting atmosphere that combines exclusivity with cosiness. The owner's deck offers a private terrace, while the helideck has a load capacity of three tonnes.

"Faith" - 79.9 metres | Feadship

The new "Faith" is still young - she was launched by Feadship in February 2025 and delivered three months later - but is attracting attention. She follows in the footsteps of her famous namesake: the 96.6 metre-long predecessor "Faith" is one of the most influential buildings in Feadship's shipyard history.

The new "Faith"designed by the British firm RWD with hull lines and structural calculations by Feadship De Voogt, is recognisable by her striking blue and white paintwork and combines classic Feadship elegance with state-of-the-art propulsion technology. Her hybrid diesel-electric drive shares the technical basis with the 84.2 metre long "Obsidian" and scores points with increased battery capacity and pod drives for greater efficiency and less noise.

"Energy" - 77.8 metres | Amels

The brief was both unusual and clear: "Break with convention and find ways to create a real connection to the ocean." The result of this brief is the 78-metre Amels "Energy", the result of a collaboration between designer Espen Øino and interior designer François Zuretti.

"Energy" offers space for 14 guests in spacious cabins. Highlights include a stern swimming pool on the upper deck, a spacious fitness and wellness area at the beach club and a glass lift connecting the decks. Previously used exclusively for private purposes "Energy" now for sale - a rare opportunity.