Standout Superyacht Aft Views

What is it: Legend, a 77.4 metre high latitude-capable explorer for up to 26 guests. Originally an icebreaking tug, she was converted to a yacht in 1999, before a massive refit to true superyacht standards in 2016.

Why we love it: Through her styling, dimensions and some of the original mechanics, Legend, which is available for charter with Camper and Nicholsons, preserves the spirit of the Russian icebreaker that plied the northern reaches of the globe during the Cold War, but her year-long rebuild at Icon Yachts – which earned her a World Superyacht Award in 2017 – turned the tough vessel into a spectacular charter yacht. This Orient Express of the sea comes with an art deco inspired master suite, fire pits, top of the line gym, a garage full of toys including a submarine, and a certified helipad for a six-passenger Eurocopter.

Design genius: Reimagining the vessel inside and out made it possible to add a large heated pool and storage for the helicopter protected from weather.

Perfect for: History buffs, large families, film directors or novelists with means.

The 73.5 metre Nobiskrug motor yacht Mogambo was launched in 2012, boasting a sinuous and achingly cool interior and exterior design scheme by the Reymond Langton studio.

Why we love it: Check out those sweeping stairs, that muted grey and white paint job, the flared sundeck overhangs — there aren’t many back ends this pretty.

Design genius: The chic interior with a 1950s Mad Men flavour translates into laid-back spaces outside, from the low-slung furniture of the main aft deck to the sprawling superyacht beach club, complete with spa area.

Perfect for: Superyacht charterers with a penchant for mid-century glamour. Or Don Draper.

The 98 metre Aviva from Abeking & Rasmussen was designed inside and out by Reymond Langton.

Why we love it: Aviva has one very special bonus room on board — a full-size padel tennis court.

Design genius: That sculpted silver superstructure and blue hull. The almost canoe stern is pretty tasty, too.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to stay in shape while cruising the world’s party hotspots.

Launched in 2010, 67.5m motor yacht Icon was the first yacht by Dutch yard Icon Yachts, with design by RWD and Studio Linse.

Why we love it: The top two decks essentially hold a two-level sundeck, with sunbathing areas spilling down on to the bridge deck aft, with a bar and other treats.

Design genius: The beach club is gorgeous — the casual oak and teak space includes a bar, sofas, gym and scuba room — and there’s direct access to guest cabins so that water babies can head straight to the ocean waves.

Perfect for: Those who like a refreshing morning dip — or a midnight cocktail on the water.

Icon Yachts’ inspired 62.5 metre Party Girl features classic exterior lines courtesy of British studio RWD. Party Girl has become a charter favourite since her launch in 2012.

Why we love it: The yacht’s emphasis on outdoor living and socialising is infectious. From her large superyacht beach club to her various alfresco dining, bar and lounge spaces, she has been designed to enjoy with company.

Design genius: Cristiano Gatto was responsible for her unique interior, which offers art deco vibes with Oriental touches. Highlights include a 17 metre main saloon, perfect for entertaining, and a large owner’s penthouse with spectacular 180 degree views.

Perfect for: As her name suggests, having a good time.

One of the most famous yachts in the world — 119 metre Motor Yacht A was designed by Philippe Starck with technical and naval design by Martin Francis, and launched by Blohm+Voss in 2008.

Why we love it: Look at her. There is simply nothing as original on the water — except perhaps the yacht that has followed her, Sailing Yacht A, which also comes from the fascinating mind of Starck.

Design genius: Her exterior may be the showpiece but her interiors don’t disappoint, from a loft-like owner’s suite that also includes an aft facing balcony to her multiple superyacht swimming pools, one of which has a glass floor.

Perfect for: Those who don’t mind camera flashes — this slice of superyacht history will be recognised in every port. 

Lürssen’s 63.4 metre explorer yacht Polar Star, launched in 2005, was recently lengthened and refitted in sumptuous style by her original designer Espen Øino plus FM Architettura d’Interni, at MB92.

Why we love it: This refit has taken her closer to her purpose as a boat for exploring nature. The classic interior has been replaced with contemporary design inspired by the seascape: silver grey tones accented with bronze, as well as mosaics in aquamarine.

Design genius: They weren’t afraid to take the interior back to basics to get what the owners wanted. The rearranged layout creates cohesive flowing spaces, rather than a series of separate ones, and routing made more logical for both guests and crew.

Perfect for: Diving into nature, both outside and inside your yacht.

The shiny new 70 metre Joy is the first exterior project by Bannenberg & Rowell, with interiors by yachting newcomers Studio Indigo. It was delivered by Dutch powerhouse Feadship in 2016. 

Why we love it: She may be big, but she has the interior volume of a smaller yacht because vast swathes of space have been given over to exterior decks, putting the focus firmly on outdoor living.

Design genius: If maximising exterior space sounds like you’ll miss out on design treats, think again — there’s a basketball court on the huge foredeck, some gorgeously angular styling and, when you eventually head inside, a spectacular movie lounge, bar area and much more.

Perfect for: Fans of fresh air.

This is the curvaceous rear end of Okto, ISA’s 66 metre steel and aluminium head-turner.

Why we love it: Wedding cake? Forget it. This platform could easily have taken another deck, but the designers have kept things cool – with the result that there’s nothing else quite like it out there.

Design genius: It takes skill to make 66 metres of yacht look like a low-slung sportsboat, but designers Andrea Vallicelli and Alberto Pinto, working closely with the owner, managed it. We’re also promised stellar performance thanks to four months of tank testing.

Perfect for: The highly sensitive. Vibration and noise levels have to be experienced to be believed, we’re told.

The 115 metre Luna  was built for Roman Abramovich as a replacement for his explorer Le Grand Bleu in 2010. 

Why we love it: Luna may be hard as nails – built to Ice Class at the German commercial yard Lloyd Werft in 2010 – but her graceful lines by Newcruise could still turn heads on the dock at Monaco.

Design genius: Her main aft deck is vast – about a third of the yacht’s length overall – but when the weather cools the massive beach club provides a chic shelter with an on-deck feeling.

Perfect for: Voyaging into the wild; making other explorer yachts look dull; then amping up the envy by inviting their owners on board for a cocktail party. You’ll have them weeping into their martinis.