The A to Z of Expedition Yachts

For those seeking to push boundaries, go further and travel more meaningfully, chartering an expedition yacht with Pelorus Yachting is the gateway to virtually limitless at-sea exploration.  

Two jet skis from the yacht

While the terms expedition yacht and explorer yacht are often used interchangeably, there are key distinctions. An expedition yacht is purpose-built or converted for long-range, self-sufficient cruising in extreme and remote environments, often featuring ice-class hulls and extended autonomy. Explorer yachts, meanwhile, encompass a broader range of yachts that are designed for long-range cruising but may not always include these specialised features.

Whether navigating polar ice, tropical archipelagos or crossing oceans, expedition yachts combine durability and self-sufficiency with uncompromising luxury. From large, long-range expedition yachts to sleek expedition sailing vessels, you can travel farther, stay longer and experience more.compelling content for your yacht, with a worldwide reach.

What makes an Expedition Yacht?

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 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 vessels are designed to accommodate the personnel and facilities needed to ensure smooth operations and a seamless, elevated guest experience in off-grid locations. With many large expedition yachts even holding licenses to carry more than the standard 12 guests, the need for additional crew or space for expedition staff, guides or pilots is pivotal.  

Crew Experience

Operating an expedition yacht demands a highly skilled crew experienced in long-range navigation and maintaining advanced systems. In addition, Pelorus Yachting can arrange specialist training such as Polar Code or heli-ops, to ensure crews are fully prepared for the challenges of remote expeditions.

Types of Expedition Yachts

Built with reinforced hulls and protected propulsion as well as appropriate technology to navigate through icy waters safely, these vessels meet Polar Class designations from PC7 (light summer ice) to PC1 (year-round polar navigation).

These go further than ice-class yachts, with thicker hulls and structural design allowing them to break through substantial ice fields. Often converted workboats or commercial vessels.

Built to endure harsh environments while harnessing wind, and increasingly solar energy, for sustainable, long-distance exploration. A standout example is the 70 m solar-powered CAPTAIN ARCTIC, launching in 2027, whose rigid solar sails capture both wind and sunlight to deliver near-zero-carbon voyages to remote waters.

Often former commercial vessels such as icebreakers or tugboats, these yachts are refitted for luxury expeditions without losing their rugged capabilities. A prime example is 88 m SURI, once an offshore support vessel, now transformed into a fully equipped expedition charter yacht capable of cruising the world’s most remote regions.

Increasingly popular for long-range adventures, twin-hulled catamarans offer excellent stability and spacious living areas. Generally lighter, faster, more fuel efficient and with a shallower draft than monohulls, their versatile design makes them well-suited for exploring remote waters in comfort and style.

Purpose-built for adventurous journeys, these yachts are designed from the keel up to realise an owner’s vision. From ice-strengthened hulls and hybrid engines to retractable submarines, onboard laboratories and interiors that transform for any climate or occasion, a custom expedition yacht offers virtually limitless possibilities.

Incredible Expedition Yachts for Charter

CAPTAIN ARCTIC
From 590,000 EUR • 70M • 36 Guests
KUDANIL EXPLORER
From 175,000 USD • 50M • 16 Guests
POLARFRONT
From 175,000 EUR • 55M • 12 Guests
SURI
From 350,000 USD • 63.39M • 12 Guests
A large ferry boat sits anchored in a calm, reflective body of water, surrounded by steep mountains covered in lush green forest. Snow-capped peaks are visible in the background, hinting at a rugged landscape. The boat features a Canadian flag on the side.
CASCADIA
From 282,000 CAD • 42M • 24 Guests
LA DATCHA
From 630,000 USD • 77M • 12 Guests
A luxurious yacht anchored in clear turquoise waters, with two small sailboats nearby. The yacht features multiple decks and is equipped with various water toys. Palm trees and a sandy beach are visible in the background.
BOLD
From 875,000 EUR • 85.3M • 12 Guests
AQUA LARES
From 246,905 USD • 50M • 20 Guests

Charter Vs. Ownership

Working with leading expedition yacht builders to commission a new vessel, converting a robust commercial ship, or purchasing an existing expedition yacht each offers a path into ownership. Whether tailored from scratch or adapted from proven foundations, these yachts can be shaped around your ambitions. Ownership also opens the door to purpose-driven use, with many expedition yacht owners dedicating segments of the yacht’s schedule to ocean research, scientific studies, or providing humanitarian and disaster-relief support.

By contrast, expedition yacht charter provides flexibility without the long-term commitment of ownership. Chartering allows you to access a wide range of vessels worldwide, each specifically equipped for its cruising environment, whether polar, tropical, or somewhere in between. Chartering with Pelorus also allows your journey to take on deeper purpose, by contributing to scientific research or engaging in conservation projects, arranged either through the Pelorus Foundation or via our extensive network of global organisations. This means your time on board can contribute to meaningful projects while still delivering extraordinary exploration.

The World is Your Oyster: Where to go on Your Expedition Yacht?

Antarctica

Step aboard your expedition yacht and enter the raw, untamed beauty of Antarctica. Cruise past towering glaciers, kayak among floating icebergs, and camp on remote, uncharted islands. Encounter penguins, seals, and whales up close, contribute to pioneering research, and assist with conservation efforts, dive a century-old whaling wreck or fly by helicopter to visit emperor penguin colonies. This is an extraordinary adventure at the edge of the world.

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Greenland

Set sail through East Greenland’s pristine fjords and ice-strewn wilderness on a true remote yachting expedition. Kayak beneath ice caves, hike glaciers and observe polar bears, narwhals and musk oxen in their natural habitats. Take part in hands-on research, conservation and interactive learning experiences such as wildlife tracking and Inuit cultural workshops. To top off this wild itinerary, witness the rare spectacle of a total solar eclipse.

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Alaska

Set off on your expedition yacht through Alaska’s stunning, untamed landscapes. Observe bears, orcas and salmon sharks in their natural habitats, kayak along fjords and explore glaciers by foot or helicopter. Take part in guided wildlife tracking and conservation activities, then push your limits with heli-biking, rafting or skydiving. This experience offers an unforgettable combination of adrenaline-fuelled adventure and intimate connection with Alaska’s pristine ecosystems.

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Papua New Guinea & The Solomon Islands

Experience an adventure where ancient rituals and volcanic landscapes meet untouched rainforests and vibrant reefs on this one-of-a-kind, off-grid yacht expedition. Swim with spinner dolphins, witness fire dance ceremonies and join local rangers as they monitor the use of island resources. From lunching with locals in Tetepare to exploring active volcanoes and eerie underwater WWII wrecks, this expedition blends cultural discovery with vital conservation.

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Indonesia

This expedition will see you exploring Raja Ampat’s labyrinth of limestone cliffs and kaleidoscopic reefs, diving alongside manta rays and an abundance of marine life. Continue to the Spice Islands, where volcanic peaks and lush forests meet centuries-old spice traditions. Dive with hammerhead sharks, uncover sacred caves and connect with local communities on an expedition brimming with discovery above and below the waves.

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Svalbard

Venture deep into Svalbard aboard your expedition yacht, where glaciers, fjords and polar wildlife define the horizon. Snowmobile across the frozen tundra alongside experts from the Norwegian Polar Institute, assisting with animal surveys and recording wildlife for ongoing research. Kayak among icebergs, dry suit dive to view towering ice shelves from below and encounter walrus colonies for an immersive Arctic adventure combining exploration and conservation.

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A person in a helicopter takes photographs of a stunning coastal landscape with turquoise waters, rocky cliffs, and winding shorelines.

Australia – The Kimberley

Navigate the remote Kimberley coastline, where cascading waterfalls, hidden gorges and ancient rock art await. Cruise through the dramatic Horizontal Falls, dive on pristine coral reefs, kayak along secluded inlets and explore the King George Falls by helicopter. With untouched landscapes and rare wildlife at every turn, this journey delivers a uniquely immersive and adventurous Australian escape best experienced by expedition yacht.

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Why Choose Pelorus Yachting?

A humpback whale breaching the surface of the ocean, creating a splash as it rises against a backdrop of sandy shores and blue sky.

Choosing Pelorus Yachting ensures unparalleled expertise across every aspect of expedition yachting. With a team grounded in military precision and extensive expedition experience, Pelorus has planned and executed yacht voyages to the most remote corners of the globe, including the Arctic, Antarctica and Papua New Guinea. Our team have acted as hosts, guiding clients through complex itineraries, wildlife encounters and cultural engagements, bringing invaluable first-hand expedition experience to every stage of planning, coordination and execution.

Beyond chartering, Pelorus Yachting advises on the design, build, and modification of superyachts, collaborating closely with shipyards and designers to create vessels perfectly equipped for long-range, off-grid exploration. Whether purchasing, selling, chartering or building an expedition yacht, we leverage unmatched industry expertise, operational insight and logistical mastery, establishing Pelorus Yachting as a global leader in expedition yachting.

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Get in touch with Pelorus Yachting and let our experience guide you through every stage of your expedition yacht journey.


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Expedition Stories to Inspire

Crossing Frontiers: Pelorus’ 2025 Antarctic Yacht Expedition

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