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 2016 The World Superyacht Awards

Sailing Yachts 30m to 39.99m 2016

Claasen Shipyards

Atalante

38.4m Custom

Sailing Yachts 30m to 39.99m 2016
Baltic 115 Nikata
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Baltic Yachts

Nikata

35m Baltic 115

Sailing Yacht 40M and above 2016
 Topaz
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Holland Jachtbouw

Topaz

42.62m

Sailing Yacht 40M and above 2016
Custom Vitters Unfurled
Winner The World Superyacht Awards Logo

Vitters

Unfurled

46m Custom