Welcome to 2026! Renowned for its legendary New Year's celebrations, St Barts effortlessly showcases how it's done every year, and when the ball dropped for 2026, the sky above Gustavia Harbor lit up in vibrant hues on a record-breaking event that witnessed the largest attending fleet of Caribbean yacht charters ever.
Completely smashing last year's attending fleet of 170 superyachts (including 118 charter yachts with an average length of 178.54ft (54.42m)), the charter routes of St Barts welcomed no less than 226 superyachts over 78ft (24m) this year, hosting an eyebrow-raising display of 155 luxury yacht charters in the mix.
With the facts and figures sourced from YachtBuyer MarketWatch Intelligence showing a slightly older fleet of 12.75 years (compared to 12.23 years in 2024), and a marginally shorter average of 176ft (53.66m) from 178.54ft (54.42m), this year's attending fleet was strong and effortlessly stylish, providing further proof that the demand for yacht rentals is indeed on the rise.
Witnessing the arrival of many industry favorites and their owners, visitors at the St Barts New Year's Eve festivities mingled with many A-listers of the SuperyachtSet, including the likes of Jeff Bezos and Michael Jordan.
Home to a broad range of exquisite restaurants, nightlife hotspots, and beautiful palm-fringed beaches, St Barts is the place to be to live the life of a billionaire during the festive period.
So, if you're planning on being a part of the most extravagant superyacht event of the year in December 2026, start gathering inspiration for your New Year's yacht charter as YachtCharterFleet takes a closer look at the record-breaking attending fleet.
Annually attracting some of the most iconic superyacht charters, St Barts New Year's Eve is the ultimate event yacht charter to see and be seen.
From extravagant sailing yacht charters to groundbreaking new launches, the shores around the beautiful Caribbean island are not only a playground for the rich and famous, but also a great location to gather ideas on which yacht to charter next.
Here we take a look at some of the most notable superyacht charters that were seen attending this year's festivities.
A key launch of 2025, 389.9ft (118.8m) luxury yacht charter BREAKTHROUGH hit the headlines left, right, and center last year as the world's first hydrogen fuel-cell powered yacht.
With connections to Bill Gates, the groundbreaking superyacht officially changed ownership at the time of the Cannes Yachting Festival, following a short time traveling into International waters, and has subsequently embarked on her inaugural charter season as one of the most expensive yachts for charter on the market.
Causing a huge wave of excitement at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival as she dropped anchor out in the bay for the duration of the show, 344.6ft (105m) charter yacht BLACK PEARL is a truly iconic sailing charter yacht, boasting effortless elegance and undeniable charm.
Privately owned for many years, Oceanco charter yacht BLACK PEARL began operating on the charter market in 2024, giving the industry the first opportunity to view her spectacular interiors based on the era of Louis XVI.
A yacht that can be spotted for miles around, 279.10ft (85.3m) charter yacht BOLD is one of the most recognised expedition yacht charters on the rental market, with her dominant, military aesthetics and abundance of toys.
Last refitted in 2024, SilverYachts charter yacht BOLD has ample space to entertain guests for events like the St Barts festivities at New Year, with extensive exterior deck space, an outdoor cinema, a certified helideck, and a hangar that also doubles as an exclusive nightclub.
A much smaller superyacht rental compared to the likes of BLACK PEARL, BOLD, and BREAKTHROUGH, 196.10ft (60m) luxury yacht charter ST DAVID was also seen enjoying the sights and sounds of the Caribbean at New Year.
Notable for her starring role as a Below Deck yacht charter, this streamlined motor yacht has an event-ready listing of amenities onboard, from her indulgent wellness facilities to her spacious exteriors and private nightclub.
An ideal size for accommodating family and friends, yacht rental ST DAVID was the fourth most viewed superyacht charter on YachtCharterFleet in 2025.
Find out which superyacht charters were the most popular in 2025. Did your favorite make the list?
A firm favorite on the charter market, 312.4ft (95.2m) yacht rental WHISPER, previously known as KISMET, makes her presence known wherever she berths with an effortless grace and beautiful profile.
Well known for her connections to the current 400ft (122m) superyacht charter KISMET, Lurssen charter yacht WHISPER has an opulent charm, with multiple top-tier amenities for an outstanding charter experience.
Some of the facilities onboard include a winter garden deck, a multi-level swimming pool, video walls, premium health and wellness areas, plus a range of toys to suit all ages.
With 155 superyacht charters in attendance, there was truly something for everyone in St Barts over New Year.
Also adorning the seascape of the Leeward Islands, visitors could catch a glimpse of 290.4ft (88.5m) superyacht charter BARBARA, 288.9ft (88.01m) luxury yacht charter PROJECT X, 311.8ft (95m) yacht rental CC-SUMMER, and 268.4ft (81.8m) superyacht rental ROMEA, to name a few.
Inspiration for St Barts New Year's Eve yacht charters
In addition to the sparkling array of the world's largest yachts for charter, St Barts also welcomed a record-breaking selection of debuting motor yacht charters this year, including these YachtCharterFleet hotpicks ...
The third Amels 60 charter yacht available on the market, 196.10ft (60m) luxury yacht charter MEMORIES made her global debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2025 and has made a real statement as the newest Amels yacht for charter.
Sporting a captivating range of amenities, including a beach club, a convertible cinema, open-air lounge areas, and access to a good selection of premium water toys, charter yacht MEMORIES is aptly named with her natural flair to create lifelong memories for charter guests among some of the most indulgent yacht charter destinations.
Hitting the charter market in 2025, 248.8ft (75.8m) superyacht charter LES CINQ is an ideal addition to the fleet for those looking to explore far-reaching archipelagos and long stretches of idyllic coastlines.
Boasting an abundance of amenities such as an elevator, a cinema, a commercial helipad, spa-quality health and wellness amenities, and a range of water toys for even the most adventurous charter guests, LES CINQ is a Feadship charter yacht who knows how to deliver and has all the makings of a premium yacht rental.
Measuring up at 163.5ft (49.8m), brand-new Heesen charter yacht ORION made quite an impression for her debut in St Barts, with her streamlined silhouette and striking elegance.
Launching onto the scene in 2025 as the third Heesen 50m Aluminium FDHF yacht for charter, yacht rental ORION is a great choice for charter vacations in St Barts thanks to her extensive exterior deck space, optimal waterfront living layout, spacious beach club, premium wellness facilities, and ample alfresco lounge and dining areas.
Fresh on the scene as one of the latest Benetti yachts for charter, 133.10ft (40.8m) yacht rental LIV LOVE is a match made for those who thrive on watersports yacht charters, with an overflowing toybox and continuous connections to the sea throughout the decks.
As the latest Benetti Oasis 40M charter yacht to join the global rental fleet, LIV LOVE promises nothing less than an exceptional platform to relax and entertain family, friends, and associates while embracing the undeniable pull of the Caribbean yacht charter lifestyle.
A motor yacht charter primed to enjoy the paradisiac coastlines of Leeward Islands yacht charters, 140ft (42.67m) charter yacht CANOE CANOE is ideal for family yacht charters in the Caribbean, with spacious decks, open-air lounges, and outstanding views from every angle.
With onboard amenities including a well-appointed deck Jacuzzi, a beach club, an exterior wet bar, and a great choice of watersports equipment, this Custom Line yacht charter accommodates guests of all ages and ensures everyone can make the most of the spectacular fireworks display at New Year.
As the social event that has overtaken the Monaco Grand Prix as the pinnacle gathering of the year for the world's largest yachts, a St Barts yacht charter at New Year is a must.
With anchorages providing provisions for superyacht charters of all shapes and sizes, the St Barts New Year's Eve celebrations can comfortably accommodate the largest yachts on the market, including the world's largest charter yacht - 446.2ft (136m) superyacht rental FLYING FOX.
Although this enables a vast amount of choice on which superyacht to charter for the showstopping firework display, YachtCharterFleet highly recommends booking your preferred yacht as early as possible.
In addition to all the onboard amenities and entertainment, the fun continues on land with restaurants and venues all getting involved with flowing champagne and electrifying DJ sets.
Home to popular bars and clubs like Eden Rock, Bagatelle, and La Guerite, St Barts keeps the momentum going throughout the day and early evening until the time comes to watch the sky light up as the superyacht horns ring in in the New Year.
Sample St Barts yacht charter itineraries
Interested in joining the biggest SuperyachtSet party of the year? Now is the best time to book your chosen superyacht charter for St Barts New Year's Eve 2026.
To secure your booking now, while availability is still high, reach out to your preferred yacht charter broker today to find out more about special offers, custom itineraries, and details surrounding yacht charter costs.
Alternatively, if you want more inspiration on which luxury yacht charter to try next, view all yacht rentals on YachtCharterFleet, the largest curated collection of charter yachts.
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