There is something uniquely seductive about seeing the world’s most extraordinary yachts gathered together in one harbour. For a few days each September, Port Hercule becomes a floating exhibition of architecture, engineering, craftsmanship and imagination — a place where the boundaries of contemporary luxury are tested on the water.
The Monaco Yacht Show 2026 once again brought together more than a hundred superyachts, from highly technical explorers to sophisticated floating residences and high-performance Italian creations. Yet size alone is no longer enough to make a yacht memorable. The most interesting vessels are those that reveal a distinct point of view: a different way of travelling, entertaining, living or connecting with the sea.
For Chic Icon, these are 7 yachts that stood out for precisely that reason. Some impressed with their extraordinary scale; others with design, craftsmanship, technology or sheer personality. Together, they offer a fascinating portrait of where modern yachting is heading.
Amor À Vida
When craftsmanship becomes the experience
Some yachts impress immediately. Others reveal themselves slowly. Amor À Vida belongs to the second category.
Built by CRN and delivered in 2025, the 67.55-metre yacht is an exercise in highly considered craftsmanship. Nuvolari Lenard designed both the exterior and the interiors, working with Valentina Zannier on a material palette that gives the yacht an unusually tactile character.
The details are where the project becomes truly fascinating. In the main saloon, stone extends across walls and ceilings, creating a sculptural environment rather than simply decorative surfaces. The sycamore flooring incorporates concentric patterns that align with the circular elevator floor — an almost theatrical moment that only becomes apparent as the doors open.
Elsewhere, rope-inspired motifs are translated into unexpected materials including cork and plaster, giving traditional nautical references a contemporary interpretation.
The yacht also has a distinctly residential approach to privacy. A secluded crow’s nest provides an elevated retreat, while the owner enjoys an entire upper deck and 180-degree sea views.
A glass-bottom pool creates a visual connection between the water and the beach club below, while hybrid propulsion and heat-recovery technology support longer periods at sea. Amor À Vida is a reminder that true luxury often resides in details that are noticed only by those who spend time onboard.
Leviathan
A yacht with a purpose beyond luxury
At 111 metres, Leviathan is impossible to overlook. But its significance extends well beyond its extraordinary dimensions.
Delivered by Oceanco in 2025, the yacht was conceived not simply as a private floating residence, but as a platform for exploration, scientific research and extended life at sea. That philosophy is reflected in spaces that feel almost unexpected on a superyacht: a fully equipped dive centre, scientific laboratory, medical facilities and even a 3D printer.
Its connection to the world of technology is also unmistakable. A dedicated games room houses 15 computer stations and racing simulators, while recreational spaces include a basketball hoop and spa pool. Yet the overall concept is remarkably human. Leviathan was designed around the idea of bringing people together, with equal attention paid to the experience of guests and crew.
Mark Berryman’s interiors favour European oak and tactile, durable materials rather than excessive ornamentation, creating a warmer and more residential atmosphere.
There is also a serious technological dimension. Diesel-electric propulsion and a substantial battery system allow the yacht to operate quietly for extended periods, while her role within Gabe Newell’s Inkfish research fleet gives Leviathan a purpose rarely associated with yachts of this scale.
Angelique
Turkish craftsmanship meets contemporary glamour
Angelique represents a milestone for Turkish yacht building: at 88 meters, it is the largest yacht ever constructed in Turkey and the new flagship of Turquoise Yachts.
Yet her appeal is not simply a matter of scale. Designed by H2 Yacht Design inside and out, Angelique combines a deep-blue exterior with interiors influenced by the glamour of Art Deco, creating a sophisticated atmosphere without sacrificing the sense of fun that defines the yacht.
One of its most striking features is a 6.5-metre glass-sided counterflow pool positioned on the main deck aft. Above it, the yacht unfolds into a succession of spaces designed for different moods — from a private owner’s terrace with hot tub to a winter garden, outdoor cinema, bar and teppanyaki and barbecue facilities.
Even the helipad has been given a second life: when not being used for a helicopter, it can transform into a basketball court. Wellness occupies an entire deck, while locally produced polished stainless-steel details introduce a distinctly Turkish element into the otherwise international design language.
Angelique is ultimately about hospitality on an impressive scale. Every deck offers another reason to remain outside, another place to gather, or another perspective over the Mediterranean.
Silver Fox
The private residence at sea
Sanlorenzo’s 74Steel series makes a particularly compelling statement with Silver Fox, the largest yacht ever built by the Italian shipyard.
The defining feature is perhaps the most obvious: an approximately 300-square-metre private owner’s deck that feels closer to a contemporary penthouse than a conventional yacht suite. A private lounge, office and forward terrace with hot tub create an entire level devoted to the owner.
But Silver Fox becomes even more interesting lower down. A glass-bottom swimming pool allows daylight to filter into the beach club beneath, where the waterfront area expands to approximately 290 square meters. A gym, spa and family room make the lower deck feel like a private wellness and recreation club.
The interiors by Francesco Paszkowski Design and Margherita Casprini balance marble, matt woods and curved forms, avoiding the overly formal aesthetic traditionally associated with large yachts.
There is also an unusually practical touch: a hydroponic growing area allows the yacht to cultivate fresh vegetables onboard. Silver Fox demonstrates how the superyacht is evolving into something more intimate — not simply a vessel for travelling between destinations, but a fully autonomous private environment in which an owner can spend weeks or months at sea.
Riva 54Metri
The Riva legend, enlarged
There are yacht brands whose identity is instantly recognisable. Riva is one of them.
With the 54Metri, the Italian brand takes the visual language that has defined it for decades and translates it into its largest yacht yet — without losing the proportions and detailing that make a Riva unmistakable.
At 54.83 metres, the yacht accommodates ten guests across a master suite and four guest cabins. The sleek profile comes from Officina Italiana Design, Riva’s long-standing design partner, while the exterior palette of Moon Grey, London Grey and Bright Black is punctuated by polished metal and the brand’s signature aquamarine waterline.
Inside, teak, Sahara Noir and Bianco Rhino marble, leather and polished steel continue the unmistakably Riva aesthetic. But this is a yacht designed for living as much as looking at. The aft beach area expands beyond 60 square metres, with a swimming pool that can remain filled while underway. A 100-square-metre-plus sun deck offers a hot tub, bar and dining area for ten — with a concealed television for evenings beneath the stars.
The result is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the 54Metri: it manages to feel like a larger Riva rather than a smaller superyacht.
Azimut Grande 44M
A new idea of private space
Azimut’s Grande 44M signals a significant step for the Italian shipyard. At 44 metres, it is the company’s largest yacht to date, but its real innovation lies in how that volume has been organised.
More than half of the yacht is built using carbon fibre, allowing Azimut to create a four-deck configuration while keeping weight under control. The result is an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner.
This private level can change according to the moment: a dining veranda for twelve, a media room or an additional guest space. Outside, a firepit creates a more intimate setting for evenings at anchor.
The relationship with the sea continues elsewhere. A mezzanine overlooks a transparent plunge pool and the beach club, while expansive glazing opens the interiors towards the horizon.
The yacht also introduces a mild-hybrid system that allows extended periods at anchor with the generators switched off, reducing noise and fumes and creating a quieter onboard environment.
Designed by Alberto Mancini with interiors by m²atelier, the Grande 44M demonstrates a broader shift in contemporary yachting: technology is increasingly being used not to show off, but to make the experience of being at sea calmer, quieter and more effortless.
Mangusta 165REV
Italian performance, redefined
There is a particular kind of yacht that does not ask to be admired from the quay. It asks to be taken out to sea. The Mangusta 165REV is one of them.
At 50 metres, this latest evolution of Mangusta’s Maxi Open range combines the visual drama of a performance yacht with surprisingly generous spaces for extended time onboard. Four Rolls-Royce engines and waterjets propel the yacht to a top speed of 35 knots — placing performance firmly at the heart of the experience.
But speed is only part of the story. The yacht’s interiors use walnut, marble and gunmetal-grey finishes to create a sophisticated residential atmosphere. Glazed walls open the main saloon onto two fold-down terraces, while the master suite is arranged over two levels.
Outside, a 69-square-metre sun deck becomes the natural stage for long Mediterranean days, while the beach club places guests directly beside the water. An aft dining area can accommodate up to 20 people, making the yacht as suitable for entertaining as it is for moving quickly between destinations.
The 165REV captures something quintessentially Italian: the desire to combine engineering with emotion. It is fast, dramatic and unmistakably designed for people who believe that getting somewhere should be part of the pleasure.
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