For billionaires visiting St. Barts, merely owning a superyacht has lost its allure; it’s no longer the ultimate status symbol. Instead, the new measure of wealth seems to be how many additional vessels accompany their yachts. "A yacht isn’t a flex anymore," remarked a local boating enthusiast, observing what he referred to as a "superyacht parking lot" in the Caribbean paradise this week. "It’s all about the support crafts you bring along."
This holiday season, the island is buzzing with an impressive array of luxury boats owned by high-profile billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, David Geffen, Eric Schmidt, and others who have flocked to the glamorous destination for New Year’s celebrations.
The waters around St. Barts have become increasingly congested, not just with the massive yachts themselves but also with extravagant "chase vessels." These supporting boats are equipped with lavish amenities, providing accommodations for guests and crew alike, and often include features like submarines, helicopters, various recreational equipment, and diving centers.
Our insider, affectionately nicknamed The Cap’n, pointed out that Bezos’ support vessel even boasts its own helipad. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, commands the $500 million mega yacht named Koru, which features a stunning wooden sculpture of his partner, Lauren Sánchez, adorning the bow. Accompanying Koru is the 246-foot Abeona, rumored to have cost around $75 million, capable of accommodating up to 45 crew members and guests.
Other notable yachts gracing the harbor include David Geffen's $400 million Rising Sun, Eric Schmidt's Whisper, Michael Jordan's yacht M'Brace, and Walmart heiress Nancy Walton's $300 million Kaos. Additionally, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has his $225 million Bravo Eugenia anchored nearby, along with WhatsApp founder Jan Koum’s recently acquired $330 million Moonrise, which features its own gym, hair salon, and movie theater.
Walton’s secondary boat, cleverly named Kalm, is a 220-foot support craft that previously belonged to Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, complete with a submarine and helicopter. On the other hand, Koum's chase vessel, dubbed "Power Play," is valued at approximately $20 million.
Among the yachts spotted in the vicinity is the St. David, which featured in Bravo’s "Below Deck" series, further adding to the star-studded presence in the area.
The fleet also includes boats belonging to prominent figures like CAA co-founder Mike Ovitz, retail magnate Sir Philip Green, billionaire entrepreneur Gary Kelch, gaming mogul Dmitri Bukhman, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, former Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, vacuum innovator James Dyson, and many more.
Aerial views of the region reveal just how cramped the anchorage has become, with the influx of luxury vessels attracting paparazzi who have been spotted lurking on the hills overlooking the exclusive Shell Beach with long lenses at the ready. This surge in yacht activity has also led to heightened security measures on the island, with one amateur photographer reportedly receiving stern looks from Bezos’ security team while attempting to capture images from the water.
On land, celebrities have also been spotted enjoying the festive atmosphere. Stars like Patrick Dempsey, David Letterman, Heidi Klum, and Bethenny Frankel have all made appearances on the island, contributing to its reputation as a holiday hotspot.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez kicked off their holiday festivities in Aspen, Colorado, before heading to the Caribbean. Recently, they were seen celebrating at the trendy Nikki Beach, where Sánchez was lively enough to leap onto a banquet and dance as the bottles of champagne were brought to their table.
