The World Superyacht Awards

The World Superyacht Awards celebrate the finest superyachts of the year, recognizing and rewarding ingenuity and innovation in the design, engineering and construction of luxury yachts.

About the World Superyacht Awards

Usually hosted in May, the World Superyacht Awards have been held in a variety of different locations over the years including the popular European hotspots of London, Venice, Amsterdam, and Istanbul.

Run by BOAT International, all yachts nominated for the World Superyacht Awards must have an LOA of at least 30m (98.4ft). Presenting around 17 awards each year across a range of categories, the event annually welcomes some of the biggest names in the yachting industry.

Overview of the World Superyacht Awards ceremony in 2021. Presenter on stage speaking to room full of tables and nominees.

The judging panel for the awards is made up of current and former superyacht owners who have the final say on who will take home the Neptune trophy in each category. Making the World Superyacht Awards the only peer-reviewed yachting awards in the world.

The World Superyacht Awards accolades

Taking place over two days, the World Superyacht Awards kick off with welcome drinks and canapés on the first night, followed by a glamourous black-tie gala evening on the second day. The awards for sailing and motor yachts presented during the event include:

  • Motor Yacht of the Year
  • Sailing Yacht of the Year 
  • Refitted Yachts
  • Rebuilt Yachts 
  • Classic Rebuilt Yachts 
  • Sailing Yachts, 30m to 39.9m 
  • Judges' Special Award 
  • Sailing Yachts, 40m and above 
  • Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 30m to 34.9m 
  • Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 35m to 39.9m 
  • Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 40m and above 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 30m to 39.9m 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 40m to 44.9m 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 45m and above 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts 500GT to 999GT 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts 1,000GT to 1,499GT 
  • Judges' Commendation 
  • Displacement Motor Yachts, 1,500GT and above 
  • Voyager’s Award 
  • Legacy Award 
Superyacht SPARTA at sea
Superyacht CARINTHIA VII underway, surrounded by sea

Previous winners at the World Superyacht Awards include 67m (219.1ft) superyacht SPARTA for the Judges' Commendation in 2024, and 97.2m (318.11ft) luxury motor yacht CARINTHIA VII for Best Refit, also in 2024.

To find out more about the nominees for the forthcoming event, take a look at our comprehensive listing of all yachts for sale, tracked in real-time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch.

World Superyacht Awards

Winners of the 2013 The World Superyacht Awards

Best Sailing Yacht in 40m+ size range 2013
 Rainbow
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Holland Jachtbouw

Rainbow

39.89m

Judges' Special Award 2013
Leopard 34 Primero
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Leopard

Primero

34.1m Leopard 34

Judges' Special Award 2013
Custom Yachting Developments Quintessential
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Yachting Developments

Quintessential

30.49m Custom

Judges' Special Award 2013

McConaghy Boats

Adastra

42.5m Custom

Judges' Special Award 2013
 Spirit of Malouen X
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Green Marine

Spirit of Malouen X

32.55m