The A-Z of Expedition Yachts

Comfort & Luxury

Expedition yachts deliver the same high-end comfort, flawless service and world-class cuisine expected of any superyacht, while adding the unique advantage of taking these luxuries into the world’s most remote and challenging destinations.

Range

Built for endurance, expedition yachts are capable of ocean crossings and remote itineraries, with many boasting ranges of over 7,000 nautical miles. Factors such as size, cruising speed and fuel capacity determine how far they can go, but their design ensures you can venture well beyond traditional yachting grounds.

Storage and Autonomy

Expedition yachts are designed for self-sufficiency, carrying expanded fuel reserves along with vast provisioning storage. Commercial-grade refrigeration and freezer units as well as built-in system redundancies allow guests and crew to thrive in safety and comfort far from shore for extended periods.

Tenders & Toys

Beyond classic superyacht toys, expedition yachts carry vehicles for enhanced exploration, from helicopters and submarines to snowmobiles and motorbikes. 77m expedition yacht LEGEND/AQUA LARES proved how vital this can be during a Pelorus-curated Antarctic charter in January 2025, where her fleet of exploration tenders, snowmobiles and helicopter enabled guests to reach otherwise inaccessible terrain.

Onboard Amenities

From spas, gyms and cinemas to glass-bottom observation lounges, dive rooms, medical suites and extra cabins for guides and pilots, today’s expedition yachts go far beyond the basics. As demand grows, many vessels now boast even greater amenities: 92m LA DATCHA features world-class wellness and dive facilities, while 194.9m REV OCEAN, launching in 2027, will have eight research labs, a media suite and a lecture auditorium.

Crew and Guest Capacity

Expedition yachts are built or converted to support larger crews and specialist teams needed for operations in remote, high-risk environments. Many meet Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) or other commercial standards, allowing them to carry more than the standard 12 guests, alongside experts such as ice pilots, helicopter pilots, scientists, dive teams or expedition leaders.

Explorer yachts, however, are usually coded as private pleasure vessels and therefore remain capped at 12 guests, even if physically large. They typically carry fewer specialists and operate with a lighter crew footprint.

Ultimately, the difference in capacity comes down to regulatory coding: expedition yachts are far more likely to meet commercial standards that permit larger guest numbers and expanded operational teams, whereas explorer yachts generally do not.

Crew Experience

Expedition yachts require crews with specialised expertise, not just in extended navigation but in operating complex technical systems and managing risk in remote, often hostile environments. These vessels frequently rely on professionals trained in polar operations, heli-ops, advanced seamanship, diving support or scientific logistics. Pelorus Yachting also facilitates targeted training, including Polar Code and helicopter operations, to ensure crews are fully equipped for the demands of true expedition travel.

Explorer yachts, while still needing capable teams, generally operate with more conventional yachting skill sets and do not require the same level of specialist training or high-intensity operational readiness.