OKTO Wins Best Charter Yacht 50–69.9m at the Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards 2026

Delivered by ISA Yachts in 2014 and refitted in 2022, the 66.4-metre OKTO remains one of the most recognisable yachts in the international charter fleet. Her long, low profile, near-black hull and sharply defined lines give her an unmistakable presence, while her interior reveals an altogether different character: calm, private, sophisticated and exceptionally comfortable.

OKTO was selected from a distinguished group of five finalists comprising TOP FIVE II, SOUNDWAVE, SAMURAI, SILVER STAR 1 and OKTO. Each yacht brought a compelling interpretation of the modern large-superyacht experience. OKTO prevailed because of the remarkable balance she achieves across every part of a charter—from privacy and wellness to elegant entertaining and energetic days on the water.

“OKTO is a masterclass in balance,” said Dr. Christoph Lymbersky, CEO of Blue Ocean Club. “Her exterior has extraordinary confidence and visual power, yet life on board feels calm, generous and beautifully composed. She offers serious wellness facilities, exceptional social spaces and one of the most complete water programmes in her category, but she never feels crowded or over-designed. Everything has its place, and that clarity is central to her appeal.”

An Icon That Has Lost None of Its Impact

Certain yachts make a strong impression when they are launched but gradually become defined by the period in which they were created. OKTO has achieved something considerably more difficult: more than a decade after her delivery, she continues to appear modern, relevant and unmistakably individual.

Her exterior design by Andrea Vallicelli is characterised by an elongated silhouette, sculpted surfaces and dramatic dark finishes. The result is powerful without being excessive and contemporary without relying on short-lived trends.

The late Alberto Pinto created her sophisticated interior, employing a restrained monochromatic palette, tactile materials and precise detailing. The design complements the yacht’s exterior identity while establishing an atmosphere of serenity inside. Rather than competing for attention, the spaces allow the architecture, natural light and changing views of the sea to take precedence.

“OKTO demonstrates that enduring design is not about adding more,” said Dr. Lymbersky. “It is about making disciplined decisions and carrying them through with conviction. Her exterior, interior and onboard experience speak the same visual language. That coherence gives the yacht a personality that guests recognise immediately and remember long after their charter.”

OKTO’s distinctive profile has also established her as an internationally recognised design icon. She has appeared on the cover of BOAT International and remains one of the defining yachts delivered by ISA Yachts.

Her award, however, was not based on appearance alone. The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards focus primarily on how successfully a yacht converts its design, layout, crew, amenities and equipment into a complete experience for charter guests.

In that respect, OKTO is far more than an icon. She is an exceptionally capable and carefully resolved charter yacht.

A Charter Experience Built Around Balance

The defining quality of OKTO is the ease with which she accommodates very different ways of enjoying time at sea.

Guests can spend an unhurried morning beside the pool, enjoy lunch with uninterrupted views through the open main salon, retreat to the privacy of their suite, train in the gym, watch a film in the cinema or spend the afternoon using the yacht’s extensive collection of water equipment.

These experiences do not feel compartmentalised. The yacht’s layout allows quiet, social and active moments to coexist naturally, making OKTO particularly suitable for families and groups whose guests may have different interests and rhythms.

At the centre of the experience is her approximately six-metre infinity-edged swimming pool. Positioned on the aft deck, the pool can be filled with salt or fresh water, heated or cooled, and incorporates a counter-current system for active swimming.

The surrounding loungers create the atmosphere of a private waterfront resort. Retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors connect the pool deck with the main salon, establishing a fluid indoor-outdoor environment in which the pool, lounge and dining areas become one expansive social setting.

“What impressed us was not any single headline feature—not even OKTO’s remarkable pool,” Dr. Lymbersky explained. “It was the relationship between her spaces. The pool deck flows into the salon, the interior remains connected to the sea, and guests can move naturally between relaxation, conversation, dining and entertainment. The yacht feels composed around the way people actually want to live during a charter.”

Privacy, Space and Quiet Luxury

OKTO accommodates up to 11 overnight guests across six suites, supported by a professional crew of 16.

Her full-beam principal suite includes a private lobby, a generously appointed bathroom and a retractable balcony that can be opened at the touch of a button. This direct connection to the sea gives the suite a sense of privacy and openness rarely achieved within a yacht of her streamlined proportions.

An additional panoramic guest suite is positioned on deck, while further guest accommodation is located on the lower deck. Each suite follows the yacht’s restrained design language, creating an atmosphere that is elegant without feeling formal.

A guest elevator connects the principal interior levels, making movement through the yacht easy and discreet. Throughout the accommodation and social spaces, careful attention to sound and vibration reduction contributes to an exceptionally peaceful onboard environment.

This quietness was an important consideration in the judging process. Luxury aboard a charter yacht is not only expressed through materials and amenities. It is also found in the qualities guests experience continuously: acoustic comfort, privacy, smooth circulation, thoughtful service and the ability to withdraw from activity when desired.

OKTO performs particularly strongly in these less visible but essential areas.

Wellness with a View

The yacht’s wellness facilities extend beyond the aft-deck pool.

OKTO offers a fully equipped gym with panoramic views, a Jacuzzi, dedicated beauty and therapy spaces and extensive exterior decks for relaxation. A circular cinema provides an intimate setting for films and entertainment, while the yacht’s indoor and outdoor lounges support everything from informal family gatherings to sophisticated evening occasions.

These amenities give guests the freedom to establish their own daily rhythm. A morning may begin with training in the gym, followed by swimming against the pool’s counter-current and breakfast outside. An active afternoon on the water can conclude with a massage, a private dinner and a film in the cinema.

The strength of this programme lies not simply in the number of facilities but in their usefulness throughout an entire charter. OKTO offers enough variety to make every day feel different while retaining a sense of calm and continuity.

A Serious Programme on the Water

OKTO’s refined interior character is matched by an extensive and energetic water-sports programme.

Her verified charter inventory includes personal watercraft, Seabobs, electric hydrofoil boards, paddleboards, wakeboards, wakesurf equipment, water skis, towable equipment and snorkelling gear. An inflatable waterpark introduces slides, climbing and play areas that are particularly attractive to families and younger guests.

Multiple tenders support transfers, water sports and exploration away from the main yacht. A complete beach setup allows the crew to extend the charter experience ashore with seating, shade, dining equipment and activities prepared around the requirements of the guests.

This breadth of equipment makes OKTO more than an elegant platform for cruising and entertaining. She supports active days for guests of different ages and ability levels, from quiet paddleboarding and snorkelling to high-energy personal watercraft, wake sports and family competitions on the inflatable course.

“OKTO has a serious appetite for play, but it is handled with the same discipline found throughout the yacht,” said Dr. Lymbersky. “Guests can enjoy a remarkably active day on the water and then return to an environment of complete calm. That contrast is one of the reasons she works so convincingly as a charter yacht.”

Why OKTO Won

OKTO achieved an exceptional result across the complete Blue Ocean Club judging framework.

Her guest spaces provide privacy, visual coherence and intuitive circulation. Her pool and wellness facilities create a convincing resort experience. Her crew-to-guest ratio supports highly attentive service, while her extensive water-sports inventory gives guests an unusually broad range of activities.

She also possesses something more difficult to quantify: a clear and enduring identity.

From her sculptural black profile to her serene interior, OKTO feels deliberate. Her design does not overwhelm the charter experience; it gives it structure. Her amenities do not appear as isolated attractions; they combine to create a varied but coherent week on board.

This ability to unite apparently different qualities—drama and tranquillity, privacy and sociability, sophisticated design and uninhibited enjoyment—ultimately distinguished her from an exceptionally strong group of finalists.

“OKTO won because she offers one of the most complete charter propositions in her size class,” said Dr. Lymbersky. “She is visually extraordinary, but her beauty is supported by substance. She provides space without losing intimacy, luxury without stiffness and activity without sacrificing peace. She understands that the best charter is not built around one spectacular moment, but around an entire week in which every guest can find something that feels personally rewarding.”

A Transparent Award Focused on Charter Guests

The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are an annual editorial assessment of yachts actively offered for crewed charter.

Unlike awards focused primarily on naval architecture or new-build achievement, the Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards begin with the experience of the charter guest. The assessment considers how effectively a yacht supports a complete stay on board, including its accommodation, guest flow, privacy, amenities, access to the water, destination flexibility, service proposition and value within its class.

The awards carry no entry fee. Yachts cannot purchase a nomination, finalist position or winner status, and no paid placement is accepted within the selection process. Owners and managers are not required to nominate their yachts for consideration. Advertising expenditure and commercial relationships do not influence the result.

For the 2026 edition, eligible yachts were organised into five comparable size categories:

• 20–29.9 metres
• 30–39.9 metres
• 40–49.9 metres
• 50–69.9 metres
• 70 metres and above

The process began with a snapshot of the active Blue Ocean Club charter fleet, followed by the verification of each yacht’s identity, specifications, charter status, accommodation, amenities and available supporting information.

Yachts were assessed against comparable vessels within their respective size classes. Five finalists were selected in each category, resulting in a total field of 25 finalists.

The assessment was based on six published criteria:

• Charter experience and service proposition — 25%
• Guest space and layout — 20%
• Amenities and access to the water — 20%
• Design, condition and contemporary relevance — 15%
• Destination capability — 10%
• Value within the yacht’s size class — 10%

The process concluded with a final factual review before publication. The award reflects informed comparative judgment rather than artificial decimal scoring.

The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are researched and published by Blue Ocean Club. Blue Ocean Club is a yacht charter broker and may earn a conventional brokerage commission if a client charters a featured yacht. This commercial relationship is disclosed but forms no part of the judging process.

OKTO Available for Charter through Blue Ocean Club

OKTO is available for private charter through Blue Ocean Club.

Blue Ocean Club’s charter specialists can advise clients on current availability, cruising regions and the creation of a personalised itinerary aboard OKTO. Each enquiry is handled individually, taking into account travel dates, preferred destinations, guest requirements and the balance of relaxation, entertainment and time on the water envisioned for the charter.

To enquire about chartering OKTO, visit www.blueoceanclub.com or contact Blue Ocean Club directly.

About Blue Ocean Club

Blue Ocean Club is an international yacht charter advisory and discovery platform connecting clients with exceptional charter yachts and carefully selected cruising experiences worldwide.

Its yacht collection, destination intelligence and editorial resources help clients compare possibilities and identify the yacht best suited to the journey they wish to create. Blue Ocean Club combines digital discovery with personal charter guidance, supporting clients from their initial search through itinerary planning and booking.

The Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards are published annually to recognise charter yachts that deliver exceptional guest experiences within their respective size classes.

Press Contact

Sabine Klug
Blue Ocean Club
Email: press@blueoceanclub.com
Telephone: +1 505 520 3553
Website: www.blueoceanclub.com

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