Singapore Yachting Festival: Sentosa show anchored by superyachts and the sweet life

SINGAPORE – A sleek fleet of superyachts and sailboats will go on display at the Singapore Yachting Festival, but the real star is a centenarian from the past. Vega, a 134-year-old Norwegian heritage ship that still sails around the world, makes a special appearance in Sentosa.

For 2026, the annual show is casting a wider net to reach new audiences, blending traditional marine displays with glitzy lifestyle experiences and family fun at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, from April 23 to 26.

Beyond the water, the festival’s lifestyle line-up features whisky tastings, oyster and cheese masterclasses and supercar parades, along with the chance to set sail on a two-hour superyacht cruise.

For history lovers, the Vega offers an on-board encounter with maritime heritage. Built in 1892, the restored vessel remains a working ship that still sails today.

“With new elements introduced this year, we are expanding how visitors experience the world of yachting beyond the vessels themselves,” says festival director Jonathan Sit.

He adds that as Asia is a significant node for the global yachting industry, “Singapore continues to serve as an important platform for regional engagement”.

The shift comes amid rapid growth in Asia-Pacific’s yachting sector as regional affluence rises. Asia, which accounts for around 30 per cent of the world’s high-net-worth population, is now among the fastest-growing luxury yacht markets globally, according to Mr Sit at a media preview of the festival in March.

The Republic’s concentration of affluent individuals reinforces its status as a luxury hub, says Mr Sit, regional general manager of the marina division of SUTL Enterprise, which owns ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove.

He notes that the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Singapore is projected to grow by 9.7 per cent by 2028, further fuelling the marine and lifestyle industries.

Strategically positioned at the crossroads of cruise destinations Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, Singapore is a gateway linking European yacht-builders with the burgeoning Asian market.

The festival continues its upward trajectory, aiming for a record 13,000 visitors this April.

The 2025 show proved the event’s diverse pull: While 30 per cent of attendees were industry insiders, the vast majority were consumers, families and tourists.

For the 2026 edition, a fresh wave of international brands – including many new entrants to the Asian market – will display a fleet spanning the entire spectrum of yachting, from entry-level cruisers to flagship superyachts.

Asia premiere and superyachts

Making their Asian debuts at the festival are the seagoing trio of Leopard 52, Grady-White Adventure 218 and Saxdor 340 GTWA.

The latter – an aerodynamic 11.8m motorboat by Finnish builder Saxdor Yachts – is a masterclass in Scandinavian design, engineered for high speed and effortless handling.

Powered by twin outboard engines, it can reach speeds of up to 50 knots (93 kmh). Its design allows passengers to move safely along both sides of the boat.

Unlike open speedboats, it features a fully enclosed glass wheelhouse that keeps occupants dry in wet conditions.

Inside, the layout includes a helm, dining area, cabin and a toilet with shower. Sliding doors and a sunroof provide ventilation in sunny weather, making it well-suited to tropical climates as well as rougher seas.

The latest model also features fold-out side balconies, expanding deck space at anchor. It is a versatile all-rounder for day trips or weekend getaways.

Unlike the Saxdor 340 GTWA, which is designed for speed, the Leopard 52 is a 15.8m luxury sailing catamaran by Leopard Yachts built for comfort, space and long-distance cruising.

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors connect the forward lounge to an airy indoor saloon, fusing the al fresco social spaces with the comfort of a dining area.

Depending on the layout, the yacht offers four to six private cabins across both hulls, all featuring en-suite bathrooms.

Powered by either sail or twin engines, the vessel can be tailored for eco-conscious cruising. Options for solar panels and hybrid-electric propulsion ensure voyages with reduced emissions and extended self-sufficiency at sea.

The smallest of the trio making their maiden appearances at the show, the Grady-White Adventure 218 is a walkaround cabin boat by American manufacturer Grady-White, known for its premium fibreglass recreational vessels.

Powered by a single outboard engine, the 6.5m boat offers versatile layouts suited for both serious fishing and family-friendly cruising.

It is versatile enough for fishing trips, day outings and light overnight stays. Premium Nautical is the exclusive distributor of Grady-White boats in Singapore.

Alongside these debuts are other new models such as the Galeon 440 Fly and Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, which cater to leisure boating.

There will also be a prominent line-up of flybridge cruisers – “two-storey” boats with an upper deck for piloting the vessel and socialising – such as the Azimut Fly 62, Absolute Navetta 64 and Sunseeker Manhattan 68.

For sailing fans, models on show include the Beneteau Oceanis 54 and Hanse 460. Both are modern cruising sailboats designed for sea-lovers wishing to sail comfortably over long distances.

The event also showcases a variety of catamarans, which are boats with two hulls instead of one. The paired hulls are connected by a wide platform.

Catamarans are more stable and spacious than normal boats. Sail catamarans at the show include the Lagoon 51 and Excess 13, while power catamarans include the Prestige M48 and Leopard 53 Powercat. A sail catamaran has sails and a secondary engine but moves mainly by wind, while a power catamaran has only engines and moves like a motor yacht.

No yacht show will be complete without the sheer scale of a superyacht. In 2026, four towering vessels will be berthed at the marina. These are the Princess Y95, Nomad 101, Sanlorenzo SX100 and Sanlorenzo SD118.

Bridging the gap between these giants and the smaller cruisers is a duo of “mini-superyachts”: the Azimut Seadeck 7 and the Princess X80.

The Princess X80 is known for its “super flybridge” design, which is an expansive upper deck where the captain can steer the boat and passengers can enjoy great views.

The Azimut Seadeck 7 is famed for its hybrid propulsion system, which combines diesel engines, electric motors and batteries. It can run in pure electric mode up to 11 knots, and stay at anchor with zero emissions for up to 12 hours without running a generator.

Its technology comes closest to being the “Tesla of the seas”.

Lifestyle programmes

The most significant evolution of the festival lies beyond the yachts.

A new “spotlight zone” will be the hub for lifestyle experiences such as wine tastings led by sommeliers; whisky masterclasses highlighting heritage Scottish distilleries The Glendronach and Glenglassaugh; and culinary sessions for oyster and cheese appreciation. 

Visitors can also enjoy joy rides to the Southern Islands.

These experiences are included in the VIP passes, but visitors have to register as slots are limited.

German carmaker Porsche will host a talk on design and the connection between automotive and marine luxury.

An “experiential zone” for water sports lets visitors try activities such as electric foiling, paddleboarding, fishing and underwater scooters.

The flagship experience is a two-hour wellness cruise on a superyacht – ticketed at $200 a person – where participants will attend a wellness talk, receive massage treatments and practise meditation.

These activities are in line with Sentosa’s ongoing wellness-inspired campaign.

Beyond the marina, visitors can explore a mix of food and beverage options. Dining concepts include Skillet, known for its wood-fired barbecue, and cocktails from Lap Spirits. Foodies can feast alongside live entertainment at the festival village.

Daily supercar displays feature marques including Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, bringing glamour off the waters and onto the tarmac. Porsche will also deploy a fleet of six Taycan electric cars to transport VIPs.

Mr Sit says: “As the annual festival expands, the programme reflects that yachting is no longer seen as just a product, but also as part of a larger luxury lifestyle focused on experiences.

“The festival is more than a yacht show.”

All aboard the Vega

As a working heritage ship, the Vega continues to sail more than 6,000 nautical miles to deliver humanitarian aid to remote island communities.

At the festival, visitors can board the Vega free of charge, where they can learn from the crew about the vessel’s ongoing missions and the challenges of operating a historic ship in modern conditions.

The Vega is no stranger to these waters. When it last docked at Sentosa Cove in 2018, it was the undisputed star attraction. Its rugged, 19th-century charm made it a hit with families, with many young visitors imagining it as a pirate ship. Organisers expect a similar surge of interest in April.

Book it / Singapore Yachting Festival

Where: ONE°15 Marina, 01-01 11 Cove Drive, Sentosa Cove

When: April 23 to 25 (3 to 9pm); April 26 (3 to 8pm)

Admission: $58 for a single-day pass and $118 for a multi-day pass. VIP passes are priced at $250 for all four days of the festival. Go to singaporeyachtingfestival.com for more information