Each week, we place a spotlight on the world’s finest superyachts for charter. This week, BOAT takes a look at the gleaming beacon of exploration that is 58.3-metre custom SeaXplorer, Pink Shadow.
A boat destined for “globetrotting exploration”, or so was original brief from Pink Shadow's owner when they first came into the project in the construction phase. And, certainly, Damen Yachting didn’t cut any corners in her design and construction, for this luxury charter yacht is the ultimate explorer – a Swiss-Army-Knife-of-yachts, and one that can cater to all intrepid adventurers looking to charter.
Delivered in 2023, Pink Shadow was the first SeaXplorer model to have been built at the yard's site in Antalya, Turkey. While construction on the custom explorer started on speculation, making sure she was expedition-ready has always been a key priority throughout the build process and the charter yacht was designed with purposeful contributions from the travel specialists EYOS.
As a result, she boasts a long list of exploration credentials, including a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 11.5 knots, an ice-class hull and 30 days of autonomy - all hugely impressive features for a charter yacht. But it's her magnificent interior design celebrating the spirit of exploration which is what really sets Pink Shadow apart.
Key Features
LOA: 58.3-metres
Year: 2023
Builder: Damen Yachting
Guests: 12
Crew: 17
Cruising: South America, Antarctica
“'It's just such a cool vessel it's hard to be succinct about what makes her such a good charter proposition,” says David Price, charter manager at Y.CO. It’s true, around every corner on Pink Shadow, there is something exciting and explorer-esque. This is immediately apparent upon stepping into the beach club on the main deck. “It’s amazing,” adds Price. “It's an incredibly social space and when both sides fold down, between the aft pool, the great bar in the middle and the sun pads suspended over the water, you could easily spend all your time there.”
The main deck beach club – or the 'Tiki Plage' as it’s known – is richly-coloured and eclectic, courtesy of superyacht design studio Design Unlimited. The central bar is a colourful, wood-clad affair, surrounded by pillars disguised as palm trees. Pink Shadow’s interiors were inspired by the classic 1982 Amazonian film Fitzcarraldo and this theme is nowhere more evident than in the exuberant "Habana Room", an upper deck cigar lounge complete with bespoke humidor.
Another major communal space on board the yacht for charter is up on the sundeck – although for Antarctic expeditions, guests may need to wrap up while gathering around the large dining table or take refuge in the Jacuzzi.
Come evening, the lower deck features a cabana-style bar, lounge and infinity-edged pool, where guests can gather and share stories of the day’s expedition or listen to talks from the expedition leader. There is also an interior bar and lounge area with a crocodile-teeth table and sofa.
“There's lots to enjoy on board,” says Price. “The commercially-registered helipad gives guests the freedom for extra exploration, while the bridge is among the most distinctive I have ever seen, with a lot of space and visibility for guests to sit and watch everything that's going on while underway. There are six guest cabins, all individually styled, and one is wheelchair accessible so there's a lot of flexibility for any charter group. Of course, all of this is done without mentioning the excellent crew, who are so friendly and professional.”
Life on board Pink Shadow
Accommodation on board is for 12 across six main deck cabins, with the owner's cabin featuring a lounge area, a separate bed chamber and a bathroom with steam shower. There is further space for 17 crew.
Thanks to her quirkiness of her interiors, Pink Shadow conjures an all-year-round feeling of adventure – even if you’re just hanging out in the western Med. When she is in her natural habitat, like Antarctica or Iceland, the energy ramps up a notch: daily pursuits include heli-skiing, whale watching or polar plunging and she also has the SeaXplorer signature observation lounge tucked into the bow to spot penguins, humpbacks and leopard seals from the warmth of the interiors.
Like all great explorers, Pink Shadow also has an impressive toy box which is brimming with inflatables and adrenaline-fuelled fun.
Toybox
Tenders
E-Foil
Kayaks
Jet Skis
Wakeboards
Inflatable Toys
Seabobs
Water Skis
Where will Pink Shadow be cruising?
Pink Shadow is available for charter with Y.CO. This winter season, she will be heading down to South America and Antarctica where she will be available for charter.