Every year, Monaco’s port fills with the world’s newest and most dazzling yachts, attracting buyers, sellers, and industry insiders to the principality to be a part of the action. And while transactions remain a core part of the event, the 2025 edition placed a renewed emphasis on depth and substance, putting the Monaco Yacht Show firmly at the center of valuable new enterprises.
This year, prestigious awards celebrated cutting-edge technologies, eco-forward initiatives set new industry benchmarks, and thought-provoking discussions challenged conventional thinking. Together, these elements shaped an experience that extended far beyond the yachts on display.
At the heart of the client experience was the Monaco Yacht Summit. This carefully curated forum brought together leading voices from every dimension of the superyacht world: naval architects, shipyards, designers, financiers and more. The format moved away from static presentations, choosing instead to focus on in-depth analysis and actionable next steps.
Key panels and roundtables explored the future of electric propulsion, the impact of underwater noise pollution, refit strategies as a path to sustainability, and the journey from yacht chartering to ownership. Accessibility of information was a key goal, ensuring that both seasoned owners and newcomers could engage meaningfully with complex or more traditionally closed-off subjects.
Gaëlle Tallarida, managing director of the Monaco Yacht Show, noted that, “Exchanges at the Monaco Yacht Summit reinforce its role as a strategic platform, placing the client experience and the industry’s future at the heart of every journey.”
Sustainability was a key theme this year and it took center stage with Blue Wake, a programme that spotlights eco-responsible innovation with a particular focus on the Monaco Yacht Show. Created in partnership with the Water Revolution Foundation, Blue Wake filters exhibitors based on verified environmental performance.
It means that when a client approaches a yacht or supplier under the Blue Wake banner, they know that certain criteria have been met. Hydrogen propulsion, recyclable materials, alternative fuels, low-carbon fuel choices and energy-saving systems are all a part of the showcase. The programme added a vital new layer to the client experience, ensuring sustainable technologies on display at the show were independently vetted and approved.
The Sapphire Experience elevated the client journey further, offering a tailored programme designed specifically for active yacht buyers. Qualified visitors enjoyed bespoke itineraries that included private yacht viewings, glitzy gala evenings, intimate cocktail receptions on board some of the most exclusive yachts, and direct access to conversations with designers and shipbuilders usually reserved for long-standing clients.
For the first time, the Monaco Yacht Show hosted a creative showcase by acclaimed superyacht photographer Guillaume Plisson. His exhibition, ‘Tribute to Yachting,’ unfolded across Port Hercule with more than 100 large-format images. Through his lens, visitors were given a look at the artistry behind the industry: dawn light on deck, the craftsmanship of a hull and the human stories that bring these vessels to life. “The exhibition also pays tribute to the men and women who bring this world to life,” said a show spokesperson.
Elsewhere, the Yacht Design and Innovation Hub gave visitors a glimpse into the future. Sixteen designers and naval architects showcased their concepts supported by immersive 3D displays and interactive installations. Located at the heart of the show beside the superyachts, the hub became a focal point for owners, prospective buyers and industry professionals alike.
The adjacent Adventure Area, spread across Quai Jarlan and Quai Antoine Ier, featured 57 tenders, a curated selection of new water toys and 23 luxury vehicles. Together, these displays highlighted the lifestyle and exploration that are all central to the show experience.
“The 2025 Monaco Yacht Show has once again confirmed its unique role as the world’s essential annual gathering for large yachting,” Tallarida said. “Each private visitor enjoyed a complete and immersive experience: discovering world premieres, meeting designers and shipyards, exploring technological and sustainable solutions, and refining the personalisation of their future yacht. Exhibitors particularly praised the exceptional quality of the private clientele, a testament to the show’s attractiveness and relevance worldwide. The MYS remains the point where dreams and expertise converge.”
