The best animal-inspired superyacht concepts

Characterised by a large "glass eye" towards the bow, this 110-metre superyacht is owed to India-based studio Bhushan Powar Design. The eye acts as a viewing gallery that provides guests with 360 degree views of the ocean, while resembling a large sea-creature from an outside glance. Amenities include a glass-bottom swimming pool and owner's cabin with electrically-operated balconies. A total of 20 guests can be housed alongside 20 crew.

With its silver colour and fluid lines, the 120-metre Mako was inspired by the shark species of the same name. London-based State of Craft is behind the design which, equipped with  long-range cruising and ice-breaking capabilities, offers an "adventurous take on explorers".  Continuing the marine theme, the aft deck has a large seating area conceived as a soft, sunken "island" with 270-degree ocean views.

Aperio's open, flush top deck and wing-like fins are meant to resemble the manta ray when viewed from above. Created by VPLP Design, this marine theme is polished off with a "sea green" hull and hardtop. Aperio comes from the Latin to mean "to reveal", based on the 46-metre yacht's ability to serve as both a powerful sailing vessel underway and a "seaborne resort" at anchor where up to 10 guests can live and work.

This striking swan-inspired superyacht concept comes from the boards of Lazzarini Design. The 137-metre design features an extendable control tower intended to resemble the head of a swan. The control tower and bridge, which is used to operate the yacht, is moved by an extendable crane. The head can even be detached from the yacht entirely and used as a separate 16-metre chase boat. Spread across five decks, Avanguardia accommodates 24 guests, 10 crew and 12 staff.

Sporting a minimalist yet sinister-looking exterior, the 70-metre concept Black Swan comes from the boards of designer Timur Bozca. The superyacht is designed around the helipad, from which guests can descend into the yacht thanks to a concealed lift. Black Swan features plenty of al fresco relaxation spaces on the aft deck. Two forward balconies provide far-reaching ocean views and an infinity pool sits aft. Accommodation on board is for a total of 12 guests, split across a master suite and six guest cabins.

With an upper deck specifically designed to resemble the shape of a shark, Lazzarini Design's 153-metre concept Prodigium is spread across six decks and would be constructed from carbon and aluminium if built. Other features include garages large enough to store eight tenders and three helicopters. The design also features three swimming pools with waterfalls cascading from each pool into the one on the deck below. Accommodation on board is for a total of 44 guests, 18 staff and 12 crew.

Designed to mimic the movement of a whale, this wild superyacht concept features two submerged pods creating waves to drive the yacht forward. Other features include a trailing aft section, a pair of superyacht swimming pools and a tropical garden. Seataci was designed by Montreal based designer Charles Bombardier in collaboration with industrial designer Martin Rico.

The 25-metre, solar-powered amphibious catamran concept from Lazzarini Design takes its inspiration from the shape of a giant crab. Named Pagurus (after the Latin for crab), the concept features screw cylinders along the bottom of its twin steel hulls which allow the catamaran to move across sand or mud terrain. The yacht’s exterior is covered with solar panelling providing a full electric sailing mode with a range of six to seven hours at a speed of five knots. Total accommodation on board is for a total of eight guests and four crew members.