On Board Review

Damen Xplorer 58 Review (2023 Edition)

Explorer yachts are in high demand right now, and Damen is on the crest of the wave. Part of their Xplorer range, Pink Shadow is something very special.

It's no surprise that Pink Shadow was one of the most popular and busiest yachts at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. It needs to be seen to be believed.

With an ice-class hull and a 5,000nm range, she strikes a perfect balance between commercial capability and high-end adventure yachting. She also has one of the most fascinating interiors we've ever seen. If she's good enough for Madonna to charter, she must be worth a look?

Damen Xplorer 58 Key Facts

  • LOA 58m
  • Model Year 2023
  • Cabins 6
  • Crew 18
  • Max Speed 14 knots
  • Status Discontinued
  • Yacht Type Explorer Yacht
  • Use Type Oceangoing

Review Video

Design & Build

Designed by Azure Yacht Design with naval architecture by Damen, the range SeaXplorer is built for extended onboard living and cruising to remote destinations in exceptional safety and comfort. Each yacht in the series provides a customisable platform, allowing owners to shape the design to their exact needs.

Many yachts are built on spec and are therefore designed in a safe, neutral, modern way to appeal to a broader market. But Pink Shadow shows what happens when an owner collaborates with a designer and shipyard from the start - producing truly jaw-dropping results.

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Pink Shadow is the perfect blend of leisure and commercial
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She has a 5,000nm range at 11.5 knots
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The helideck can also be used for toy/tender storage

The owner’s brief was to be able to explore in a more sociable way, with a yacht designed for entertaining in different parts of the world and extended stays aboard. For the interior, the owner returned to Design Unlimited, the UK studio behind the first Pink Shadow and King Benjiwhich are both remarkably distinct

The five guest cabins, all located on the main deck, combine a mix of double and twin suites, each with its own distinctive theme. Bespoke wallpaper, custom bed frames, and unique stone finishes in the ensuites show the extraordinary level of craftsmanship where the longer you look, the more exquisite details reveal themselves.

The design takes inspiration from Fitzcarraldo, Werner Herzog’s 1982 film set along the Ucayali and Pachitea Rivers in the Amazon basin. This influence is woven throughout the yacht - from jungle-inspired murals and natural materials to steam chests and wicker furniture. Wooden plinths shaped like tree trunks and totemic sculptures reinforce the theme, while a custom-made rug in the saloon features the steamship from the film.

Every social space onboard has a distinct character. The Fitzcarraldo Lounge immerses guests in the world of the film, with a statement rug depicting the Amazonian journey and a rustic boat bar on the exterior deck that embodies a spirit of adventure. The mix of rich velvet, leather, and durable outdoor fabrics indoors creates a layered, inviting atmosphere, while screens break up the space, adding warmth and intimacy.

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The Fitzcaraldo Lounge, inspired by the German adventure film of the same name

Up top, the Amazonas Bar is a lively gathering spot, featuring a statement bar counter, barbecue grill, alfresco dining area, and a Jacuzzi with sweeping 180-degree views.

Further forward on the upper deck, the Havana Lounge is a dedicated cigar bar, designed for late-night drinks and conversation. Doors lead to a small deck space with shaded seating, offering unobstructed views over the bow.

The beach club is an eclectic retreat, rich in texture and atmosphere. Bamboo walls, naturally weathered woods, and a mosaic ceiling give it the look of a space curated over time, as if each part was collected from past voyages.  

While explorer yachts are often associated with colder climates, Pink Shadow was designed for warmer regions, aligning perfectly with the owner’s vision of social, sun-soaked exploration.

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The interior is packed with charm and character

Interior Accommodation

Fitzcarraldo Lounge

One of the interior themes inside Pink Shadow is inspired by the 1980s German adventure film Fitzcarraldo, and the main saloon - the Fitzcarraldo Lounge - pays tribute to it. References to the film are woven throughout, most obvious in the boat depicted on the rug.

The centrepiece is this handmade resin table, with delicate flowers suspended inside, appearing to float beneath the surface. It’s an exquisite piece of design that adds to the lounge’s unique feel. And then there’s a bit of celebrity history here too - Madonna chartered this yacht and quite literally left her mark, signing her name across the top of the piano.

This is a cosy, intimate space, ideal for dining and entertaining, and it connects to the boat deck? seen earlier. But what really makes the interior stand out is the way it plays with colours, materials, and textures, creating a space that feels especially distinctive.

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The interior is awash with fascinating details
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Madonna left her mark on charter!
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The grand dining table in the upper saloon

Amazonas Bar

The bar area is located aft of the bridge and strikes a great balance between being an open, social space and a cosy, intimate spot. The overhead lighting adds to the atmosphere, making it the kind of place where you’d happily grab a shaker and mix up a cocktail.

Opposite, there’s a comfortable seating area, and at the heart of it all is what’s essentially an elevator running through the boat, reinforcing the design’s accessibility - this yacht is built to accommodate wheelchair users, with thoughtful features throughout. There’s also a day head just off to the side.

The glass doors here can fully close, sealing off the space when the weather turns, but on a day like this, it’s ideal to have everything opened up. The bar flows naturally into the huge al fresco dining table.

Access to the bridge deck aft has routes from the bridge, side deck, and a door leading back up to the crow’s nest.

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The Amazonas bar on the bridge deck
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The bar is a fixture in this area
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The elevate links to the accommodation on the main deck

Havana Lounge

Right at the front of the upper deck, the Havana Lounge sets the tone with its sumptuous red Chesterfield sofa and custom-made cigar humidor. This atmospheric cigar lounge is the perfect spot for a nightcap, positioned just a short walk from the guest accommodation for when it’s time to retreat to the cabins. Overhead glazing floods the space with natural light, while a forward door leads out to an observation deck.

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The cosy Havana Lounge, forward on the upper deck

Owner's Cabin

The owner's cabin is on the main deck forward and it is an extraordinary space - full beam, beautifully designed, and packed with character. The interior styling is anything but typical for a superyacht, with bold textures, intricate lighting, rich flooring, and unique wallpaper. There’s a real sense of curiosity throughout, it's all a refreshing difference from the usual superyacht look.

There's also a proper living space with a spacious seating area, a TV, and one of the best spots on board - a separate daybed nook that can be closed off from the rest of the cabin. It’s a good place to read a book, or let the kids or grandkids sleep while still being connected to the suite.

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The owner's suite is forward on the main deck
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The dressing room separates the bedroom from the bathroom
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This day bed in the owner's suite is a glorious spot

Beyond that, the full-beam dressing room acts as a natural divide between the cabin and the bathroom, which is another stunning space. The styling in the ensuite is just as impressive, with beautifully detailed wallpaper, elegant sinks, and a well-laid-out shower cubicle. Every detail has been thought through, making this one of the most inventive, distinctive, and genuinely inviting owner’s suites found on a yacht of this size.

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The lounge area inside the owner's suite

Crew Areas

Off the main deck passageway, there’s a dedicated crew pantry, providing access to the crew accommodation and the ship’s galley. From here, the 17-strong crew can move efficiently through their quarters, with a direct route to the engine room, where a pair of 1491kW (2000hp) MTU motors are housed.

Up on the upper deck, the Captain has a private cabin and an office, giving them their own space within the layout.

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The crew pantry on the upper deck

Helm Station

Nowhere is the crossover between superyacht and commercial vessel more apparent than in the bridge. The first sign of this is that the wing stations are fully enclosed. Normally, these are out on deck on superyachts, hidden under lids, but on Pink Shadow they’re a permanent fixture, fully sheltered and part of the bridge itself.

As there are floor-to-ceiling windows with wipers, there’s a clear line of sight right down to water level, and even if that weren’t enough, cameras provide full visibility to the aft end of the boat. With stations on both sides, it’s the ideal setup for close-quarters manoeuvring.

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Guests can relax and enjoy the view from the bridge

But there’s much more going on here. This bridge doesn't have the kind of arrangement you expect on a superyacht - it feels genuinely commercial. The helm seats are fully adjustable, mounted on tracks so they can slide forward and aft, and everything is designed for easy operation. Rudder, throttles, thrusters are all built into the armrests for quick adjustments.

The screen layout is just as impressive, with huge displays directly in front of each seat, a pair in the centre, and more positioned up in the brow. The central work area is completely uncluttered, leaving space for paperwork and navigation tools, with mirrored controls on both sides for efficiency. The inwardly raked windows create an outstanding vantage point, offering a high commanding view of the surroundings.

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The playful decor extends to this area
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Wing stations within the bridge
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Commercial spec equipment on the bridge

Yet, despite the commercial-grade functionality, there’s an immediate, undeniable luxury to this space. The sofa space sits behind the bridge but with its view unimpeded by the helm chairs. There are additionally two more sofas next to each wing station on both sides.

It looks like a comfy place to spend time, whether working or a guest enjoying the atmosphere. The deckhead is blue velvet with handwoven red and pink birds, while the handmade jungle-themed wallpaper behind the sofa adds to the richness.  

On Deck

Crow's Nest

The crow’s nest is a prime spot to take in all the nav gear packed into Pink Shadow. The spotlights look powerful, with radar mounted above and satellite domes positioned on either side - proper, high-spec equipment.

It's not just a functional area - there’s also a small sofa right at the highest point of the boat, creating a brilliant perch to enjoy the view.

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The sofa at the top of the yacht is the perfect observation spot

Bridge Deck Aft

This is the main exterior dining area flanked by bench seating and chairs at either end, and just beyond that, there’s a grill for barbecues. 

For handling, there are wing stations on both sides, so if the captain wants a better view while manoeuvring, those controls are right where they need to be. And then, of course, there’s a hot tub, surrounded by sunbathing pads, all overlooking the boat deck.

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Bridge deck aft features a hot tub flanked with sun pads
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The exterior dining table on bridge deck aft
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The BBQ grill is adjacent to the dining table.

Boat Deck & Heli Deck

Heading aft along the starboard side deck, there are boarding gates on both sides at the level. Stern access won’t always be an option in the remote places this boat is built to reach, so having side boarding is important.

The area sitting between the boat deck and the lounge serves as a fantastic living space. There’s another bar, plenty of relaxed seating, and, hard to miss, an enormous telescopic crane. The commercial influence is always present on this boat, and that crane is a prime example. It needs to be that size for a reason, because of the serious kit it’s designed to handle.

On the boat deck, alongside Jet Skis and a rescue tender, there are two Rupert R9 RIBs, built to professional classification. One runs on outboards, the other on diesel inboards, giving the crew plenty of flexibility. The outboard version is the faster of the two, topping out at 60 mph - ideal for moving kit and running quick errands. The diesel RIB is set up for transporting guests in more comfort. Together, they offer a serious range of capability.

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Bridge deck aft adjoins the heli deck
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A pair of Rupert RIBs - one petrol, one diesel - live on the aft deck
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Now that's what you call a crane!

The deck itself is multi-purpose, because this is also the helipad. The railings pop up and fold flat, and the perimeter lighting and H marking leave no doubt about its purpose. This isn’t just a touch-and-go setup either. The boat carries a helicopter on board, with all the necessary equipment to secure it for travel.  

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You can carry a range of vehicles/items on the aft deck

Observation Deck

In front there's some seriously heavy-duty deck gear which is exactly what’s needed for venturing well off the beaten track. The sofas at the bow are still well-protected from the elements, and offer a brilliant spot to take in the surroundings as Pink Shadow cruises along at 12 knots.

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These sofas tucked in the bow would be a cool place to enjoy the journey

Tahiti Plage

Aft on the main deck is the first space guests see when arriving on board - unless they’re coming in via helicopter. Named the Tahiti Plage, thanks to its distinctive pillars and mosaic roof, it’s unlike anything else on a yacht. This is a wonderful entertaining space, featuring a large central bar and a swimming pool at the aft end.

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The central bar in the Tahiti Plage

It’s a hybrid deck area, designed as both a living space and a storage area for tenders and toys. If a helicopter is on board above, on the boat deck, the tenders can be secured down on this deck using the gantry cranes positioned on either side.

These cranes, the crew can use to rig up swing chairs, that swing out over the sea. The louvres, which help control shade and airflow, can be adjusted remotely from behind the bar, while the bulwarks drop down to create balconies, opening the area even further.

Originally, the Tahiti Plage was conceived as a working deck, but its role evolved during the design process. Now, it sits at the core of what makes this yacht such an exciting and unconventional design.

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This vast deck area is a fantastic entertaining space
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The large pool aft on the main deck
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Swing seats can be mounted to the gantry cranes

Our Verdict

If a superyacht is all about autonomy at sea, having your own floating island, ready to take you anywhere in the world with the people you love - then there aren’t many boats, especially at this size, that do it better than Pink Shadow. But it’s not just about the journey; it’s about how much there is to enjoy when the boat is at rest. With a flotilla of toys and access to some truly extraordinary destinations, this is exactly what superyacht ownership should be about.

Reasons to Buy

  • Polar certified explorer
  • Jaw dropping interior
  • Vast boat deck with crane
  • 5,000nm+ range

Things to Consider

  • We're scratching our heads...

Looking to own a Damen Xplorer 58? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Damen Xplorer 58 Yachts for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Damen Xplorer 58, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used yachts for sale and find your perfect yacht today!

Specifications

  • Builder Damen Yachting
  • Range SeaXplorer
  • Model Xplorer 58
  • Length Overall 58m
  • Beam 11m
  • Draft 3.6m
  • Hull Steel
  • Cabins 6
  • Berths 12
  • Crew 18
  • Cruising Speed
  • Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 188,000 Litres
  • Fresh Water Capacity 35,700 Litres
  • Engine Model 2x MTU 12V 4000 M65R
  • Engine max range (speed type) 5000 (nm)
New Model Specs & Options

Damen Xplorer 58 Layout

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