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Expedition Yachts for Sale

51 explorer yachts for sale.

Northrop & Johnson is proud to offer an extensive and all-encompassing selection of explorer yachts available for sale on the global market. Explorer yachts are ideally suited for those who want to cruise farther afield and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. We hope you find your dream yacht below. When you do, please contact a Northrop & Johnson sales broker to begin the buying process.

With an expedition yacht, you can discover new locales luxuriously and safely. Our experienced team will have you cruising the seas in style.

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Reach Remote Destinations in Your New Expedition Yacht

Almost all expedition yachts are custom built and designed to offer the highest level of luxury, stability, and comfort as you explore faraway horizons. Their ability to cruise to unique world areas allows you to experience these remote destinations through an extraordinary lens.

Your expedition yacht is designed for longer trips at sea, equipped with the safety and power of a motor yacht with robust hulls shaped to move effortlessly through any weather, and built with long-range capabilities. With these features, there will be no limits to your exploration. Venture through icy waters, to remote islands, and into bustling cities.

Purchasing an expedition yacht is not for the faint of heart, and if you’re choosing this extraordinary lifestyle, you’ll want a team of experienced brokers behind you.

Finding your dream expedition yacht for sale is easier than ever with Northrop & Johnson

Our brokers have a comprehensive knowledge of the yachting industry, so you can rest assured you’re in the best hands in the business. Contact Northrop & Johnson’s team of expert brokers to get started.

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A REAWAKENING

THE DOGGERSBANK LEGEND

Doggersbank is a story of seaworthy endurance. The rugged offshore design, named after a large sandbank in a shallow area of the North Sea and brought to life by Vripack founder Dick Boon in 1968, continues to excite adventure-seeking owners around the world.   The pocket-sized explorer’s robust pedigree derives from its design characteristics. The high bow for traversing rough waters and ample tank capacity for long distance exploration. With a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, a Doggersbank is a true seafaring ambassador for Dutch quality and precision naval architecture.   Today, the Doggersbank Offshore build package gifts clients the chance to own a new build based on an existing platform, with the benefit of shorter lead times, proven performance and safety records, and fully updated systems.

A LEGENDARY RANGE IN CONSTANT EXPANSION

A fully engineered build platform for four model lengths paired with the availability to personalise interior design to individual tastes and needs.

EXPERTISE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

A tailored service from concept to refit, underpinned by bespoke design and expert naval architecture in close collaboration with Dutch design studio Vripack.

A TRADITION OF INNOVATION

More than 60 years of evolution distilled into one award-winning brand, the proven Doggersbank concept takes innovation to next level exploration.

VENTURING BEYOND BOUNDARIES

The Doggersbank fleet leaves conventional exploration in its trailblazing wake, demonstrating pure capability in the world’s most remote and inhospitable waters.

FEED YOUR INTEREST

From new build announcements to astonishing ocean-going passages, follow our fleet and the latest instalments from the exciting world of Doggersbank.

Beothuk: blazing an icy trail

Boat focus by ocean navigator – Doggersbank 60 Offshore

Doggersbank 60 Offshore: A new take on a time-honoured classic

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EXPLORER EXPEDITION VESSEL 85

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Broker's comments.

The Sirius explorer 85 is the bespoke all oceans long range expedition trawler for private & commercial use or chase and support vessel for super yachts. Dutch design and construction under Lloyds Class and powered by a fuel efficient main engine and backup homer system. Remote controlled engine, bow & stern thrusters allow single handed docking. She has a 4 cabin layout, separate cargo hold and crew compartment and twin dinghy storage on deck. Commercial grade equipment and paint system guarantee low cost operation and maintenance. Sirius is well under 24 Meter between perpendiculars!!

Hans Visser Yacht Broker

General - EXPLORER EXPEDITION VESSEL 85

Accommodation

Explorer Yachts for Sale

Purpose-built for world-cruising and comfortably travelling long distances through rough seas, explorer yachts are an adventurer’s ideal vessel.

With huge fuel tanks, low fuel consumption, and ample volume for storage of tenders, toys, provisions, and adventure equipment, explorer yachts are designed to cruise to some of the world’s most remote locations in the lap of luxury. For those that wish to avoid tourist hotspots and discover the secluded beauty of the world’s most far-reaching destinations , they are simply the perfect expedition yacht.

WHAT ARE THE DEFINING FEATURES OF AN EXPLORER YACHT?

The exact features defining an explorer yacht for sale will differ depending on its intended use. Whilst some are designed to comfortably cruise anywhere on Earth, some explorer yachts are designed with a specific purpose in mind. From cruising through the icy waters of Antarctica to discovering the uninhabited islands of French Polynesia , there are some features that all explorer yachts for sale have in common.

1 Seaworthiness

From rough seas and high winds to ice fields and extreme heat, explorer yachts are designed to keep guests comfortable through the most severe weather conditions. Their robust hull (usually full displacement to cut through the water) puts explorer yachts in a better position to cruise through what can sometimes be considered treacherous waters, all whilst limiting the roll of the boat to ensure maximum comfort and safety for guests on board.

2 Designed For Distance

Explorer yachts are not your average superyacht. With superior navigation autonomy, and generous fuel tank capacity, long range expedition yachts can generally travel 5,000 nautical miles or more before needing to dock for fuel - that’s the equivalent of 9,260 km or the distance between Los Angeles and Tokyo!

These yachts are also made with durable, hard-wearing materials to limit the wear and tear you would expect from harsh weather conditions. As a result, explorer yachts can require regular maintenance and servicing to ensure they can withstand the longer voyages.

3 Ample Internal Space

Needing to carry enough equipment and supplies for extended periods of cruising, explorer yachts are built with generous internal storage space for guests and crew. This often includes spare parts and provisions for the journey, alongside basic maintenance, and travel supplies.

Living accommodation will also be finished to the highest superyacht standards. Designed with the occupant’s experience as the focus, expect expansive rooms and decks, incredible views, and all the amenities you’ll desire, from Jacuzzis and saunas to state-of-the-art gyms and cinemas.

Many expedition yachts will also have storage space for a personal submarine and/or helicopter, offering those on board the opportunity to explore the remote destinations they visit from every angle.

4 Sufficient Speed

Whilst the average cruising speed of an explorer yacht sits at around 10 knots, you also need to know that these yachts can move faster if needed to avoid a storm or make up time in a tight itinerary. Modern explorer yachts are now pushing the boundaries of what’s previously been possible in the realm of speed, allowing some to reach around 14 knots when needed thanks to fast displacement hull designs and higher horsepower.

5 Steel Hull

Strength, stability, and sturdiness are all critical features of a modern explorer yacht. With a steel hull, these yachts can withstand rough waters as well as the impact of additional debris that may be encountered whilst cruising. They are also easier to repair should they be damaged, as remote ports may not have access to industry-leading yacht service and repair facilities.

Top 4 Explorer yachts for sale

If it’s adventure, luxury, and exploration in the utmost comfort that you seek, then look no further. An expedition yacht offers all the decadence, relaxation and indulgence you expect from a superyacht, combined with high performance, stability, and stamina for once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Ready to take the plunge? Here is a selection of some of the top explorer yachts for sale currently on the market at Ocean Independence:

1 Northern Sun 51m - Narasaki Zosen

A majestic explorer yacht with uncompromising go-anywhere ability, NORTHERN SUN is the perfect vessel to explore the remote corners of the world. Take her cruising around Australia and the Whitsundays , or discover the many hidden treasures of South East Asia . Her oriental design influences, robust structure and long-distance cruising make this Narasaki yacht a true gem of the yachting world.

Asking price: USD 15,000,000

2 Hawk Ranger 68 68m - Hawk Yachts

Robust and ocean-ready,  HAWK RANGER  is a 68-metre explorer yacht built with function and practicality in mind. Her 6,800 mile range gives you the freedom to explore the most remote locations, and accommodates 14 guests over a spacious 5 decks. HAWK RANGER 68 will safely and comfortably allow you and your guests to visit any location, no matter the conditions.

Asking price: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

3 DARNET 38M MODERN EXPLORER 38m - Ocea SA

Due for delivery in 2024, the DARNET 38M MODERN EXPLORER yacht for sale combines sleek aesthetics with uncompromising stability and strength. Designed by renowned naval architect Joubert & Nivelt and designer Franck Darnet, she features light filled interiors, smooth cruising, and accommodation for eight guests across four staterooms. Packing in all the latest technology and equipment into an incredibly stable hull design, she makes the perfect family explorer yacht.

4 Adytum 34m - Hakvoort

Truly a work of art, this award-winning explorer yacht from Royal Hakvoort boasts a 5,000-nautical-mile range, guaranteeing global reach without sacrificing comfort. Timeless Ken Freivokh interiors deliver an elegant and light filled living space, featuring a master stateroom with a dedicated study for uninterrupted remote work. Thoughtfully planned crew routing maximises service efficiency, while her Dutch build quality and ample storage space meets all expeditionary needs.

Asking price: EUR 6,900,000

Interested in buying an explorer yacht?

Like what you see? If you are interested in an explorer yacht for sale, contact our Team of specialist yacht consultants.

Need help or advice?

The yachting journey can be complex with many decisions to be made. Get in touch with Ocean Independence, and one of our specialist consultants will help you make the right choices.

As a truly global company with 15 offices worldwide, we’re available 24/7 to help with any enquiries.

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Introducing the Xplorer 105 (345 ft) built by Damen Yachting. Right at the top of our Xplorer range, she represents everything that drives us to be leaders of the luxury expedition yacht market. Join us to explore this magnificent vessel. Curious about the Xplorer 105 layout, deck plans and General Arrangement? Request our brochure. 

The future of luxury explorer yachting

We do things a bit differently. A luxury expedition yacht born from an innovative crossover of yachting and shipbuilding technology, the Xplorer is unlike any yacht on the market. To design a beautiful luxury yacht that also has real capability with professional safety and ocean-going seakeeping performance is an enormously challenging ambition.

Expedition Excellence

Heading to the polar zones doesn’t need to mean leaving your comfort zone. Xplorer expedition yachting means taking the safety, reliability and performance you expect from your yacht right to the edges of the world.

Spectacular landscapes, fascinating wildlife and an otherworldly isolation. The polar regions offer extraordinary experiences at the edge of our planet. The Arctic and Antarctica are challenging, sometimes hostile, environments. But with the right yacht, you can live in 7-star comfort without compromise.

Experience the Xplorer 105

Exterior design

We selected Azure Yacht Design, the highly experienced Dutch design and naval architecture studio, as our design partner for the Xplorer’s exterior lines. Their unique and instantly recognisable philosophy is visible throughout the Xplorer range. The masculine and virile lines communicate the exceptional nature of the yacht as well as the deep heritage of Damen’s shipbuilding.

Interior concept

Every moment on board inspires you – the moments you spend together enjoying the great outdoors and soaking up the world around you; the moments appreciating the interior finishes and objects that have meant so much to you during the voyage of your lifetime.

Used Expedition Yachts for Sale

Expedition or Explorer yachts are self-sustaining vessels that are built for long range cruising in the most remote regions of the world. They feature a robust hull, large crew capacity, long cruising range, and vary in their level of comfort and luxury. These types of vessels are growing in popularity as a great number of owners are seeking more remote locales. SYS Yacht Sales offers a wide range of used expedition yachts for sale worldwide. Don't see the vessel you're looking for here? Contact our experienced yacht brokers for assistance, we look forward to helping you find the yacht that's right for you.

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Heesen Explorer Xventure 57m yacht for sale

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Yachts by Heesen

Yachts sale Heesen

Founded in 2003

Timmerman Yachts is a Russian builder of quality luxury motor yachts. Based in Moscow, it is owned by a group of Dutch and Russian investors and operates out of Moscow Shipyard. Several noted naval architecture and yacht design firms are involved with Timmerman, including Vripack, Guido de Groot Design, Ginton Naval Architects, Jon Bannenberg Ltd., and Francis Design Ltd.

Founded in 2003, the company was named for 17th century Dutch boat builder Franz Timmerman who brought Dutch boat manufacturing techniques to Russia and co-founded the Russian navy. Timmerman Yachts has more than 1,000 employees working at the Moscow Shipyard.

Timmerman has delivered a number of semi-custom luxury yachts between 26-47 metres in length, including TM26 and Timmerman FD-51, designed by Francis Design Ltd. Other notable Timmerman yachts include Victoria M, Alexandra (now Latitude) and Olsten 125′.

One of the 10 largest yacht builders in the world, Timmerman is focused on building high-quality luxury yachts at more competitive prices. Its Russian-Dutch partnership provides great yacht-building capabilities. Timmerman builds yacht to the highest standards and holds DNV, MCA and Russian River Register certification. The company reportedly has more than a dozen yachts in some phase of construction.

Yachts built by Timmerman

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Life on the Most Remote Human Settlement in the World

If luck is on your side, it’ll take 7 to 10 days to get to Tristan da Cunha, a 38-square-mile volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. If the weather is bad, that timeline shoots way, way up—sometimes reaching several weeks. And even once you reach Tristan, as it’s colloquially called, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to set foot on land. “Our harbor is too small to accommodate ocean-going vessels, so the seas need to be calm enough for our ferry rafts and boats to come and collect you from the ship,” explains Kelly Green, the island’s head of tourism. These tame conditions “happen roughly 70 days a year.”

Tristan da Cunha, a constituent part of the British overseas territory of St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha , is home to the world’s most remote human settlement, officially called Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. (It got its name after a visit in 1867 from the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Alfred, who was the second son of Queen Victoria). Located roughly between South Africa and South America, the closest inhabited place—St. Helena—is 1,514 miles to the north. To the south there is only ocean between the island and Antartica, while Montevideo, Uruguay, is about 2,434 miles to the west and Cape Town is 1,732 miles to the east.

Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean

Because of its remoteness, residents on the island have established a history of self-sufficiency: This is true in everything, from the sheep and cattle that locals rear to the homes that people live in. “There are no building companies here, so all infrastructure is built by the islanders or [occasionally] by contractors that come in [for specific projects,]” Kelly explains. Skills are passed down from one generation to the next, and most building techniques have decades—if not more—of tradition.

However, a few young couples on the island have recently started experimenting with new materials and construction approaches, which could have long-lasting impacts on the settlement and its future residents. “This is not something that would have been passed down by older generations,” Kelly explains. “Hopefully now, though, they will themselves be able to pass on these skills to their children.”

Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, the settlement’s official name.

A History of Home Building

Kelly is one of 238 residents on Tristan (yes, they all know each other) and has lived there for 12 years. “I very rarely feel the sense of distance, in fact when I am on the island I feel less ‘distance’ here than anywhere else in the world,” she says. Thirteen years ago, she visited her parents on the island when her father was appointed island administrator, a position employed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, who acts as president of the island council and chairs the heads of department meeting. “I met my now husband,” she says of the fateful vacation, prompting her to take up permanent residence.

A sign welcomes guests to the world’s most remote inhabited place.

Today, the settlement is largely a farming and fishing community, and the biggest source of income comes from the island’s lobster concession. The main island is part of an archipelago (also called Tristan da Cunha), which consists of four primary islands and was first discovered in 1506 by Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha. The rough seas kept him from disembarking, but he nonetheless named the main island after himself.

A Dutch crew was the first to land on the uninhabited isles in 1643, but it wouldn’t be settled permanently until 1817 when three members from a British garrison—William Glass (the founder), Samuel Burnell, and John Nankivel—stayed behind after the rest of the crew went back to the mainland. (Glass’s wife, Maria, and their children were also members of this founding group.)

The original settlers established a unique social contract, called The Firm, which was “a signed voluntary agreement of communal living, including: equal shares of stock and stores; equally divided profit; equal shares in paying for purchases; no one superior over another,” Tristan’s website explains .

The next 150 years would see residents come and go, but by 1942 the settlement became a thriving colonial outpost. Even a volcanic eruption in 1961 couldn’t stop the community—the island had to be evacuated for a year, but nearly every family returned between 1962 and 1963. Though the exact number of inhabitants has changed occasionally, it’s often hovered around 150 to 250 people throughout the past 70 years.

For the first settlers, building shelter was among the most important tasks upon arriving on the remote, uninhabited lands. “The original Tristan da Cunha Settlement contained robust stone houses, which were designed by Nankivel and Burnell, two Devon stonemasons,” Kelly says. “They set a tradition of house-building, which used local materials to provide wind- and largely weather-proof dwellings.”

A historic photo shows early settlers in front of their home.

The original houses, which were all bungalows to keep them safe from strong winds, were made from volcanic tuff, a “sandy-colored consolidated ash, known by islanders as ‘soft stone,’” Kelly explains. The material is easily cut into building blocks and then used to form the gable ends of homes. “These stones are still in many of the island homes, including my own,” Kelly adds.

The island is a farming community, though it does rely on shipments for some things that can’t be grown.

Some residences were finished with wood panels, though the lack of material means many were only stone walls, thatched roofs, and dirt floors. Interiors were slowly completed over time when passing ships—and sometimes shipwrecks—brought additional materials. “Some houses were lucky enough to even have wallpaper, though this was just old newspaper cuttings,” Kelly adds.

Today, most of the island homes are made with either concrete or brick, topped with zinc roofs, and finished with hardboard on the interiors. Other infrastructure on the island includes a school, a hospital, two churches, a small shop called the Island Store, and one café located in the Post Office & Tourism Center. “Construction is really a community endeavor,” Kelly adds. “Everyone will chip in and help.”

But the settlement’s climate—which can be damp and cold—has prompted some couples to consider a fresh material that could provide potentially better insulation: drywall.

New Materials

“Building a house on the remotest island in the world definitely comes with many ups and downs,” Rachel Green, who is building a new home with her partner, Leo Glass, says. (There are seven primary last names in the settlement, and Kelly and Rachel are distantly related through Kelly’s husband’s family). Rachel and Leo are both in their mid-20s and previously built a guesthouse, but they are now embarking on creating their own forever residence. “Our guesthouse was built with traditional materials used on the island, which we call Masonite or hardboard,” Rachel says. “But for our own home we wanted to try something different, so we went with plasterboard (drywall).”

Rachel Green and Leo Glass in front of their home.

The couple opted for drywall for its aesthetic appeal, but also to provide better insulation. “Since no one on the island has central heating, we were looking for ways in which we could insulate our home as much as possible,” Rachel says. Though she acknowledges that there are other materials that could also do this well, she and Leo didn’t have any experience with them, and there had already been another home on the island constructed with drywall. “Plasterboard and fiberglass insulation was used by our friends who said their home didn’t have a problem with mold or dampness, and in the winter their house was very warm, so we thought we would give it a try,” she says. “I’m someone who enjoys building and creative work, so being able to build my own house with my partner is very exciting.”

Living on Tristan offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Rachel and Leo’s friends had used plaster in their home, prompting the couple to consider it for their project too.

However, this doesn’t come without challenges. The pair have had to learn much of the technique through Google and online tutorials, in addition to asking advice from their friends that built a home with plasterboard. Most materials have to be ordered months in advance and can be extremely expensive when accounting for base prices in addition to shipping agents and freight costs. “If you happen to forget to order something, you’ll have to wait another two months, which will ultimately delay the build,” she explains.

It takes a lot of time—both from waiting for shipments and the actual labor, which is usually done by just her and Leo, though sometimes friends and family pitch in. It’s also difficult to order most materials without ever seeing the items in person, “Especially when the photos online can be deceiving,” she adds.

The challenges, however, will only make the end that much more rewarding. “The satisfaction of being able to say ‘Yes, I did that’ after all the struggles we’ve faced while living on such a remote island is very pleasing,” she says. “I can’t wait until we finally finish the build, which we are aiming to do in the middle of 2025.”

Future Impacts

Here, homes represent shelter and comfort in the most pure sense—for the most part, they aren’t assets or investments. “There are no houses for sale,” Kelly says. “When you’re building, you’re not thinking about reselling at all, as you won’t be selling it.” Unlike many other parts of the world, homeownership is not just an attainable goal on Tristan, but a stunningly normal part of community life. Following Glass’s principles of an equal community, land is communally owned, and according to Tristan’s official website, “stock numbers are strictly controlled to both conserve pasture and to prevent better-off families accumulating wealth.” (Non-locals can’t buy on land on the island and immigration to Tristan is not possible unless you already have a family connection with the island. )

Rachel working on her home’s interior.

As Kelly adds, “There are no houses or apartments that you can rent on the island, so you either build or stay with mom and dad.” For example, when a couple starts dating and decide they want to live together, they move in with someone’s parents (often the woman’s, but it can vary) and begin building their own place. According to tradition, the pair would get married soon after the residence is ready. “Then, they spend the first night of their married life in the newly built home,” Kelly says. “This does not always happen, though, as some choose to move out of their parents’ homes as soon as their own is completed.” Sometimes, couples will also renovate properties passed down from parents or grandparents.

Rachel and Leo’s home represents the beauty in taking on a challenge not for outside gain, but for personal fulfillment. Still, given construction’s forever relevance on Tristan, their efforts could have far-reaching impact. “I definitely think that others will use the plasterboard once they see the finish on Rachel’s house,” Kelly says. Some will stick with the hardboard because it’s quicker, but by bringing these new skills and knowledge into the community, it opens up a wide range of possibilities for other families and future generations.

More broadly, these changes speak to Tristan’s growing connection with the rest of the world. “Today, Tristan is much more connected to the outer world, and people can watch YouTube or TikTok and get ideas,” Kelly explains. “I can remember 12 years ago when I came there was no Wi-Fi and people were still ordering from catalogs.”

The couple hopes to finish the build by the middle of 2025.

Though it may be more linked to others than before, the island retains a number of attractive and largely unique draws that can’t be found anywhere else. “Safety here is second to none,” Kelly says, adding “I love the freedom I feel when I am here, the peace, and looking after my animals.” There are some lifestyle challenges, and they mirror those of construction—things such as long wait times for orders and difficulty in getting on and off the island. Nonetheless, Kelly says that the drawbacks are often well worth it. “As a family, we all enjoy spending time at the black sand beaches and swimming in the rock pools in the summer,” she says. “And I love walking over the fields and taking in the epic views.”

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