octopus yacht photos

The global authority in superyachting

NEWSLETTERS
Yachts Home
The Superyacht Directory
Yacht Reports
Brokerage News
The largest yachts in the world
The Register
Yacht Advice
Yacht Design
12m to 24m yachts
Monaco Yacht Show
Builder Directory
Designer Directory
Interior Design Directory
Naval Architect Directory
Yachts for sale home
Motor yachts
Sailing yachts
Explorer yachts
Classic yachts
Sale Broker Directory
Charter Home
Yachts for Charter
Charter Destinations
Charter Broker Directory
Destinations Home
Mediterranean
South Pacific
Rest of the World
Boat Life Home
Owners' Experiences
Conservation and Philanthropy
Interiors Suppliers
Owners' Club
Captains' Club
BOAT Showcase
Boat Presents
Events Home
World Superyacht Awards
Superyacht Design Festival
Design and Innovation Awards
Young Designer of the Year Award
Artistry and Craft Awards
Explorer Yachts Summit
Ocean Talks
The Ocean Awards
BOAT Connect
Between the bays
Golf Invitational
BOATPro Home
Superyacht Insight
Global Order Book
Premium Content
Product Features
Testimonials
Pricing Plan
Tenders & Equipment

LEGEND OF THE DEEP

Behind the build of paul allen's 126m lürssen explorer octopus, the barest of details have been revealed about the mysterious octopus over the past 19 years. but with a new owner and on the charter market for the first time, the 126-metre lürssen is finally ready to reveal her secrets past and present, says laura nicholls.

CAMPER & NICHOLSONS INTERNATIONAL

One of the best things about flying into the South of France is the view. The brilliant blue coastline is peppered with hundreds of yachts. On this flight, however, just one of the boats below us demands our attention: the 126-metre explorer Octopus .

The following day, in the port of Marseille where her new owner’s team is wrapping up a refit before Octopus departs for the Galápagos, I finally see her up close. Her navy-blue hull and skyscraper decks are incredibly impressive, while on the inside she is welcoming and warm. Although she has been refitted, her history is palpable. There’s much to learn about Octopus , and everyone involved in her story is finally ready to talk, after decades of silence.

CAMPER & NICHOLSONS

Why was Octopus such a secret? In 1998, strict non-disclosure agreements were issued all around to protect the privacy of her original owner, the late American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft. “It was the first time I was faced with an NDA,” says Espen Øino , who has gone on to sign hundreds over the years. “NDAs are strict and long lasting and don’t necessarily pass when the client does,” notes Jonathan Quinn Barnett , who created Octopus ’s original interior. “I had deep respect and admiration for Mr Allen, so to be able to say even a few words about Octopus now is marvellous.”

For builder Lürssen, the story started with a bit of detective work. The German shipyard’s sales director, Michael Breman, heard about a mysterious box that was loaded onto Allen’s 60.6-metre Feadship Méduse , which supposedly contained a scale model of a new vessel.

“I figured out that something was going on and we ought to be involved,” he says. “So I contacted Paul Allen’s broker, [ Fraser’s ] Stuart Larsen, to ask some questions.”

Some time after, during a trip to the South of France, Breman received the go-ahead to submit a bid and arranged for a fax containing the brief to be sent to Øino’s office in Monaco. “Put that into context, this is 1998!” Øino says with a laugh. “Michael was in our office as the fax came in and going through it, we just couldn’t believe the brief, we thought it was totally crazy.”

The brief called for an industrial-style yacht with the appearance and capability of the Finnish multipurpose icebreaker Fennica , built in 1993. Luckily, Øino knew the vessel. “I had a photo of Fennica from a few years earlier when I visited her while cruising with another client in the fjords,” says the designer. What he went on to sketch in pencil and model for the presentation was a sturdy explorer with two interchangeable options for the bow and the wheelhouse. “What is remarkable is that the original sketches and ideas are so close to what it actually became,” Breman says.

Another key part of the brief was for all toys and tenders, including a helicopter, a submarine and a floatplane, to be carried in a concealed way. So Øino drew a methodical general arrangement that included a two-level 36-metre-long floodable garage opening at the stern. “Launching so many toys over the side of the boat wasn’t the optimum idea and would affect the stability; a lot of heeling would occur,” the designer says.

Instead, working with the rules that oversee subdivisions inside a ship’s hull – and deal with damage stability calculations – he created one very long and tall compartment on the yacht’s centreline with a floodable dock flanked by rows of smaller garages to store the entire toy inventory of what became known as Project Octopus.

“At Lürssen, we give everything a project name, and my daughter came up with Octopus ,” says Breman. “Along with Paul’s love for diving, plus the fact that his previous yacht was Méduse [“jellyfish” in French], we thought Octopus was a perfect project name. Little did we know then that Octopus would be her name once completed and delivered.” Øino says. “She was our 15th project enquiry in 1998, and so in my office, she was known as 9815.”

The proposal Lürssen created with Øino was successful, but the German shipyard soon had to resolve its first quandary – it didn’t have a shed available. “We ended up having to build her with a partner in Kiel,” Breman says. It also had to solve the matter of the explorer’s floodable garage, which had to be approved by class. “After researching multiple alternatives, the first idea that Espen drew was the one that worked the best,” he adds. “Our in-house model department then built a scale model of the garage to demonstrate how it could work. We even tested it by driving a tender in and out.”

Octopus’ s interior, meanwhile, came from a young American designer who had recently relocated from London where he’d worked with Jon Bannenberg , to Seattle. The owner’s team chose Barnett from a small pool of interior designers to embellish the complex GA of the largest and most advanced explorer yacht ever built at the time.

“Paul Allen’s team told me the safest route would be to follow the creative direction of the owner’s two previous Feadship designs,” the designer says. “I did the opposite!” And the result was what Barnett describes as a “floating laboratory”, a timeless design perfectly suited to a creative genius. Included in the layout were out-of-the-box features such as a fully equipped medical centre, a storm cabin made to keep those who needed it comfortable in bad weather and a professional recording studio. “Back then, no yacht was capable of non-stop circumnavigation, while cutting an album for U2,” he says. Mick Jagger, Usher and Joss Stone are also said to have spent time in the studio – a claim no other superyacht is ever likely to make.

CAMPER AND NICHOLSONS INTERNATIONAL The original design took some styling cues from a Finnish multipurpose icebreaker. Octopus shares its vast, functional aft deck. Matching the impressive presence above the water, the CLX96’s hull under it incorporates a tapered, rounded keel that transitions to a fine entry at the bow

The entertainment deck hosts a cinema (bottom left), library (top right) and spa, including a beauty salon (bottom right), among other guest spaces. The former formal dining room on this deck became a wine bar (top left). On the backlit ceiling are scenes from Paul Allen’s 2015 shipwreck dive to the WWII battleship Musashi in the Philippines. The former recording studio has been converted into a bar and lounge with musical decor maintaining a connection to the past (bottom centre)

ADOBE STOCK

Top left: this suite takes up most of the owner’s deck. One level up, on the top deck, is a private observation lounge (bottom centre) that is only accessible from the owner’s suite. Bottom left: the guest observation lounge on the entertainment deck is also an excellent spot to dine. Bottom right: outside of the owner’s suite, the VIP guest cabin is the most grand and includes its own private saloon

Barnett took a simple approach to the interior decor. While some walls are painted a neutral colour, others are covered in bee’s wing-figured eucalyptus, and it’s this vast amount of wood panelling that gives the hardy explorer the warm, comfortable feeling of a home. For Allen and Barnett, the walls were just another fun puzzle to solve. “The geometry of the panels is elegant mathematics, something Mr Allen really appreciated,” Barnett says. “The handmade veneer arrived on custom-made grids, which fitted within the yacht’s own uniquely built steel frame spacing.” The walls do not just provide insulation and conceal cableways, but originally held the ever-changing art gallery on each deck. What’s on the walls today are snapshots of Octopus ’s adventures over the years: panoramas of Patagonian icebergs, portraits of local tribe members in Tahiti and landscapes of Asia’s ancient golden temples.

An original feature that remains on the yacht to this day is an unusual timekeeping device. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel are strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck, and they function as a clock. “I combined the old tradition of having a central clock on board a ship with my client’s unique passions for modern sculpture, mathematics, art and music,” Barnett explains. “I subcontracted a 102-year-old German specialist clock company to make it, and – I’ll tell you a secret – I used digital audio software from Apple for the tunes. Sorry, Microsoft!” he says with a laugh. “I thought the clock might become a helpful visual cue to help guests find some critical orientation. Every 15 minutes, the strings could play anything from The Bells of St Mary’s to Jimi Hendrix!”

“I strove to respect the spirit of Octopus while capturing the new owner’s lifestyle and vision. It was an intense and challenging project”

Octopus was also fitted with an huge amount of onboard electronics. “Of course, the co-founder of Microsoft required more than 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment on board,” Øino says with a smile. While the bulk of the wiring went to the studio, each cabin was assigned 60 cables for computers, entertainment systems and more, including touchscreens – which in 1998, was an exciting innovation. “They were amazing,” says Øino, “so far ahead of their time.” The touchscreens are still used today by the crew, who also use iPads as infotainment control panels for elements such as lighting and music in guest areas.

When Octopus launched in 2003, it was clear she had broken new ground. With diesel-electric propulsion consisting of two ABB electric motors and eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines, she was perfectly equipped to travel anywhere in the world. “ Octopus was always on the go,” Øino says. “Diesel-electric wasn’t commonplace in the early millennium,” he observes, and “ Octopus was the first yacht with dynamic positioning.”

Top right: The 12 guest cabins, a mix of doubles and twins, are spacious in their own right, with sitting areas and lavish marble-clad en suites

The project propelled Lürssen into the large-yacht segment and her designers had a huge career boost. “ Octopus blew everyone away,” Breman says. “The idea and the design are something unprecedented.” What the first aerial photographs of the yacht could make out were her winged wheelhouse, long swimming pool, two helidecks and hangars and a basketball court. Whereas on the inside, areas such as the dive centre with hyperbaric chamber, 12 cabins and private owner’s deck with its own lift, terrace and spa pool were out of sight.

After a decade of extensive travelling, Octopus ’s engines had to be overhauled. However, her interior had worn well. “There was nothing that required a major redesign or change,” Barnett says. “All the original architecture, spaces, surfaces and design details still performed exceptionally well. Seeing it made me immensely proud.”

Although she was well-maintained and in full working order, in 2019 she was sent for a refit at the Lürssen-owned Blohm+Voss shipyard to prepare her for the market several months after Allen passed in 2018. She had spent two decades playing host to many parties, concerts, discoveries and expeditions, and the legacy needed to continue.

In 2021, a new owner came along with plans to make her available for select charters. Transforming Octopus into the remarkable charter yacht that he envisioned required a few more changes. The owner’s team enlisted Adriana Monk of Monk Design to retouch several spaces. Top of the list was replacing the recording studio.

Top left: an underwater viewing lounge is hidden away at the bottom of the boat. Bottom left: a beach club with bar and spa pool is tucked into the starboard side hull. Bottom right: with a glass bottom that raises to deck level, the pool transforms into a dance floor. It’s just outside of the former music studio, whose isolation booth makes a perfect DJ booth

“Unless you’re really into music, a studio is a niche thing to have,” says Alan Pike, one of two rotational captains. Now in the studio’s prime position – aft on the bridge deck – is a modern bar/lounge. On either side of the new bar, new guitars hang from the original wall mounts and the grand piano has stayed put. In keeping with the beach bar look Monk created, new bleached oak flooring matches the original weathered teak deck outside.

“The vocal booth is now a DJ booth,” says the captain. “We’ve kept the soundproofing, so this place is perfect for a party, or any kind of dining.” With a new sound system and outdoor lighting, “we can really go for it”. Outdoors, there’s a glass-bottom pool that, at the touch of a button, can be made into an on-water dance floor. There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven, a service bar with a beer tap and three barbecue cooking stations.

On the entertainment deck, the former formal dining room became a wine bar. On the ceiling are scenes from Allen’s 2015 shipwreck dive to the Second World War battleship Musashi in the Philippines. “I was granted exclusive access to the ROV footage of the Musashi expedition to select shipwreck stills for the backlit ceiling,” Monk says.

Nearby, the guest observation lounge was, and still is, a firm favourite. “To dine here while cruising is a joy that’s hard to describe,” says Barnett. “I like to think of this area’s design as a mid-century sunken living room.” The feeling is created by two large sofas that snake around the room looking out over the bow. The seats look low, but the view is perfect. The rest of the deck is fun and social, as there’s also a 12-seat 4D cinema, the owner’s chef’s galley, a table-tennis table, gym, smoothie bar, hair and massage salons and a grand library, complete with an ethanol fireplace.

Soft beige and cream carpets with wave patterns have replaced patterned blue and green rugs, and in addition to the new custom-designed pieces, free-standing items of furniture selected by Monk have helped give the interior a feel that suits Octopus ’s new charter lifestyle. But it’s nothing dramatic. “We have kept as much as possible true to the original,” the captain says. “I strove to respect the spirit of Octopus while capturing the new owner’s lifestyle and vision,” Monk adds. “It was an intense and challenging project.”

The yacht’s charter schedule was entrusted to Camper & Nicholsons . Octopus ’s range of 12,500 nautical miles and true explorer credentials offer a huge scope for charter, and as the ripples prove on the hull’s strong plating, she is more than capable of going the distance. “She can do anything!” says charter marketing manager Gayle Patterson, who has already booked the superyacht on two excursions to Antarctica. The demand has been equal to the yacht’s renown. “We’ve grown our yacht management team to give her the care she deserves,” she adds.

Since Octopus was delivered, many more superyachts have adopted technologically forward designs and groundbreaking engineering and have undertaken impressive expeditions. But none have achieved what Octopus has. As she continues to move around the world, more people will get the opportunity to step on board. And when they do, perhaps they will feel the undeniable magic that seems to linger. One thing is for sure: wherever Octopus carries her guests, it is a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.

THE TOY CHEST

Built to explore, Octopus has an incredible fleet that revolves around the cavernous 36-metre internal wet dock where the two main tenders are stored and launched through a giant transom door. Today the main tender is an 18-metre Delta 54, built in carbon with an impressive range of 450nm at 30 knots; the original was Man-of-War , an 18-metre custom Vikal, later replaced by a 13-metre Hinckley. Sharing that space was a yellow 10-person custom submarine, named Pagoo . A new Triton 3300/6 will take that spot when it is delivered in early 2023. Most of the other tenders have dedicated garages on either side of the wet dock. They are a 9.3-metre custom Vikal limousine and two 8.7-metre custom Zodiacs, one for diving, the other for guests. Two 5.8-metre Zodiac Milpro MK-V are also available for watersports, as is an array of WaveRunners, jet skis, kayaks, surfboards, wakeboards, kitesurfers, windsurfers and electric foil Fliteboards, plus plenty of diving equipment. The icing on the cake is a remotely controlled submarine (ROV) able to dive to 2,700 metres. To conclude this impressive list, Octopus has two helipads and a helicopter hangar for two. Moving forward, helicopters will be chartered as needed.

Octopus is managed for charter by Camper & Nicholsons .

First published in the May 2022 edition of BOAT International . Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

The owner’s deck includes a private foredeck with bar and spa pool, shaded by an awning

The former recording studio is now a bar/lounge with a grand piano A seven-metre-long heated pool is aft on the bridge deck

Five of the cinema’s 15 seats feature D Box vibration Next to the gym, the spa has a sauna, steam room, hairdressing salon and massage room

The VIP suite extends the full width forward on the guest deck The owner has a private lift from the owner's deck to the guest deck A storm cabin is located in a spot that will see little movement in bad conditions

Four more guest cabins are found on this deck, which predominantly accommodates crew

A Triton 3300/6 submarine will join the 18-metre Delta in the garage in early 2023 A dive centre features a platform that opens onto the sea

OCTOPUS YACHT CHARTER

126.2m / 414'1 lurssen 2003 / 2024.

Previous Yacht

Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

Stunning interiors with 13 guest suites
Vast owner's deck, including bar, jacuzzi, alfresco dining area and private elevator
Large aft swimming pool with loungers and full cocktail bar
Cinema suite, library, sports bar and music studio
Superb wellness amenities, including Hammam
Glass-bottomed observation lounge
Personal submarine
Dive centre with hyperbaric chamber
12,500nm range

With a range of 12,500nm, Octopus is ideal for the adventurous at heart

The 126.2m/414'1" 'Octopus' expedition yacht built by the German shipyard Lurssen is available for charter for up to 12 guests in 13 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by American designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

Explorer yacht Octopus is the ultimate vessel for exploring far-flung corners of the globe, and whether you're traversing the tropics or the poles, you'll be in capable hands. With a wealth of spectacular onboard social and dining options coupled with charter-rich amenities and a highly-attentive crew, you'll be in seventh heaven on a luxury charter aboard this phenomenal yacht. Her features include a helipad, spa, elevator, underwater lights, beach club and gym.

Guest Accommodation

Octopus offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 13 suites comprising a master suite and twelve double cabins.

The spacious full-beam master suite features a sitting area, twin bathroom, and a private lounge with Fritz Hansen Egg chairs facing floor-to-ceiling windows. The suite also includes a master observation lounge and a private dining deck that seats six guests, perfect for intimate gatherings. The private deck space offers an elevated circular hot tub and whirlpool set within a teak surround, a bar, and additional banquette seating.

A crew of 45, who specialize in creating exceptional charters, are on hand to provide guests with a yacht charter vacation to remember.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Staying comfortable and entertained on Octopus is easy with its wide range of amenities. Celebrate in style on the dance floor, or unwind in the dedicated movie theater after a day on the water. Relax in the sauna, indulge in the spa, or challenge a friend to a game of table tennis. The swimming pool is perfect for exercise and the beach club offers indoor-outdoor living, while the well-equipped gym helps you maintain your fitness routine, with Hammam facilities to aid with recovery. For a relaxing soak, enjoy the deck Jacuzzi with amazing views.

Musically inclined guests will find the bridge deck studio a highlight aboard. A selection of instruments, including guitars and a piano, awaits their use. Vetra armchairs with footrests offer comfort and relaxation, complemented by a well-placed bar and a large cream leather sofa that adds to the inviting atmosphere of this unique space.

A stylish space for cocktails and conversation is found in the Sports Bar. Embracing a dark wood and leather aesthetic, the well-stocked bar is attended by a mixology-trained crew. Comfortable leather bar stools and banquette seating create a convivial atmosphere for pre-dinner drinks or late-night conversation.

The Library offers an intimate setting with Draga & Aurel tufted leather armchairs and a large sofa nestled in front of a fireplace. Ambient lighting and wood-paneled walls with library shelves create a calm and relaxed space for literary indulgence. Adjacent is the Musashi Bar, featuring an impressive wine collection displayed behind a stylish backlit bar. The bar area includes Molteni Chelsea armchairs, occasional tables, and sofa seating, providing a comfortable setting for guest gatherings.

Octopus integrates impressive features to enhance your charter experience, with a particular highlight being the underwater observation lounge. In this intimate, comfortable space with deep sofas and ambient lighting, you can fully engage with marine life through the unique underwater observation window. Other amenities include an elevator for convenient access to all parts of the yacht and a helipad for easy transfers. Stay connected with satellite communications and on-board Wi-Fi. Underwater lights make evenings magical, and air conditioning ensures complete comfort throughout your charter of Octopus.

Performance & Range

Built with a steel hull and steel superstructure, she offers greater on-board space and is more stable when at anchor thanks to her full-displacement hull. Powered by 8 x MTU engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 19 knots with a range of up to 12,500 nautical miles from her 1,034,000 litre fuel tanks at cruising speed. An advanced stabilisation system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Set against the backdrop of your chosen cruising ground, you and your guests can enjoy endless days of fun on the water with the exceptional collection of water toys and accessories aboard Octopus. The principal among these are Triton 3300 submarines for exploring amazing marine life. Take to the sea on a jet ski offering you an exhilarating ride on the water. Guests can experience the thrill and adventure of riding one of the four Yamaha FX140 WaveRunners. Octopus also features towable toys, waterskis, a kite surfer, kayaks, windsurfers, and much more. When it comes to tenders, Octopus has you covered - with five tenders, including an 18.1m/59'5" Delta Powerboats tender.

Octopus and her crew are available for charter this summer for cruising within the South Pacific. She is already accepting bookings this winter for cruising in Antarctica.

With a highly experienced and talented crew of 45, you can be sure that each and every need will be met and exceeded while on board this prestigious expedition yacht.

TESTIMONIALS

There are currently no testimonials for Octopus, please provide .

Octopus Photos

Length	126.2m / 414'1
Beam	21m / 68'11
Draft	5.76m / 18'11
Gross Tonnage	9,932 GT
Cruising Speed	12.5 Knots
Built	\| (Refitted)
Builder	Lurssen
Model	Custom
Exterior Designer	Espen Oeino
Interior Design	Jonathan Quinn Barnett

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Octopus has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Octopus is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

1 x 18.1m / 59'5 Delta Powerboats 54' Tender
1 x 9.34m / 30'8 Vikal Custom Limo Tender with 2 x 260 HP engines
2 x 8.7m / 28'7 Zodiac Custom Tender
2 x 5.8m / 19' Zodiac Milpro MK-V Tender Volvo 70 HP engine
1 x 4.7m / 15'5 Zodiac RIB

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

+ shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Octopus' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

$2,200,000 p/week + expenses

High Season

Cruising Regions

South Pacific French Polynesia, Tahiti

Winter Season

October - April

Charter Octopus

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

Update your yacht

Yacht Owner, Captain or Central Agents - Send us latest Photos, Charter Rates or Corrections Send Updates

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

88m | Schichau Unterweser

from $482,000 p/week ♦︎

69m | Svendborg Skibsvaerft

from $129,000 p/week ♦︎

Bleu De Nimes

72m | Clelands Shipbuilding Co

from $525,000 p/week ♦︎

85m | SilverYachts

from $938,000 p/week ♦︎

67m | Shadow Marine

from $120,000 p/week

77m | IHC Verschure

from $638,000 p/week ♦︎

from $960,000 p/week

78m | Piriou

from $480,000 p/week

67m | Benetti

from $680,000 p/week

75m | Abeking & Rasmussen

from $804,000 p/week ♦︎

71m | Richards Shipbuilders

from $311,000 p/week ♦︎

71m | Royal Denship

from $392,000 p/week ♦︎

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

Share on Facebook
Share Yacht

SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS

Here are a selection of yachts which are similar to the current charter yacht. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Find us on LinkedIn
Add My Yacht
Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

St Tropez Yacht Charter
Monaco Yacht Charter
St Barts Yacht Charter
Greece Yacht Charter
Mykonos Yacht Charter
Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
Wheels Yacht Charter
Victorious Yacht Charter
Andrea Yacht Charter
Titania Yacht Charter
Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

Find anything, super fast.

Destinations
Documentaries

Motor Yacht

Octopus is a 126.20m (414.04ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2003 and last refitted in 2008.

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology.

Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft.

The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths.

Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

With a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, this giant is owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. With a full-time crew of 60 including former Navy Seals, maintenance and salaries on the ship cost a rumoured $200 million. Octopus is well-known for hosting famous faces onboard its well-equipped decks, serviced only by world leaders in their fields.

Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts View profile
Exterior Designer Espen Oeino View profile
Interior Designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other lurssen yachts, related news.

Impressions

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology. Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft. The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths. Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

Do you wish to talk about yacht design?

We would love to hear from you

Paul Allen's 414-foot superyacht is for sale for $325 million. Take a look at the late Microsoft cofounder's yacht, which has 2 helipads and a glass-bottomed underwater lounge.

Paul Allen's former 414-foot superyacht is for sale for 295 million euros , or about $325 million, yacht brokerage Burgess told Business Insider.
The Lürssen-built yacht, Octopus , has eight decks, an elevator, a cinema, two helipads, and a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge.
The yacht, which Allen reportedly paid about $200 million to have built, has been spotted cruising all around the world in places like Cannes , Hong Kong , Argentina, the Philippines, and even Antarctica .
The late Microsoft cofounder was known to throw lavish themed parties on board that were attended by A-listers including George Lucas , Mick Jagger, Karlie Kloss , and Chloe Sevigny.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

A superyacht that belonged to late Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen has hit the market for 295 million euros, or about $325 million, yacht brokerage Burgess told Business Insider.

The 414-foot yacht, Octopus, has eight decks, an elevator, a cinema, two helipads, and a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge. Allen reportedly paid about $200 million to have the superyacht built by Lürssen. It was officially launched in 2003.

Allen was known for hosting star-studded parties on his yacht during the Cannes International Film Festival in France. Guests have reportedly included George Lucas, Mick Jagger, Karlie Kloss, and Chloe Sevigny.

The vessel is one of several assets the late billionaire's estate has put up for sale since his death, including a $110 million Beverly Hills property and a MiG-29 fighter jet.

Take a look at Allen's superyacht and the places it's cruised, from Cannes and London to Argentina and Hong Kong.

Paul Allen's superyacht, Octopus, has hit the market for 295 million euros, or about $325 million.

The Microsoft cofounder, who died in October 2018 , reportedly paid about $200 million to have the superyacht built by Lürssen.

The 414-foot yacht, which was built in 2003 and refitted in 2019, has some truly lavish amenities spread out over its eight decks.

On its entertainment deck , the yacht has a cinema, gym, spa, and a basketball court.

It also comes with a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge and a hyperbaric chamber.

On its dedicated owner's deck, Octopus has a private elevator, a private bar, a hot tub, and an al fresco dining area.

The yacht can sleep up to 26 guests across 13 cabins, as well as 63 crew members in 30 crew cabins.

The superyacht has plenty of room for toys. Octopus comes with two helipads and storage space for seven tenders, two submersibles, and a large SUV.

It comes with a Pagoo , a submarine that can accommodate eight guests and two crew for dives of up to eight hours.

Octopus is "one of the most well-traveled yachts in the global fleet," according to Burgess.

It's an ideal explorer yacht for those who want to travel to some of the world's most remote locations, according to the yacht brokerage firm.

The superyacht has been spotted all over the world, from the coast of Turkey ...

... to London, England ...

... to Hong Kong ...

... to southern Argentina.

According to Burgess, the superyacht has also traveled to Antarctica, the Philippines, and traversed the Northwest Passage.

Allen was known for throwing star-studded parties on board Octopus during the Cannes International Film Festival in France.

The exclusive parties had a different elaborate theme each year, from Bollywood to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," as Raisa Bruner previously reported for Business Insider.

Guests reportedly included "Rolling Stones" frontman Mick Jagger, model Karlie Kloss, and Hollywood A-listers George Lucas, Mischa Barton, John C. Reilly, and Chloe Sevigny.

At the Bollywood-themed party in 2015, dancers performed musical dance numbers for the guests.

On va dire un groupe de #danse #indienne un peu particulier... Ils dansent sur la piscine recouverte pour la soirée... #Yacht #Octopus #PrivateParty #Cannes #Bilionnaire #Lifestyle #India #Bollywood A post shared by Céline Victoria Fotso (@celinefotso) on May 19, 2015 at 4:45am PDT May 19, 2015 at 4:45am PDT

For the "A Midsummer Night's Dream" party the next year, the yacht was transformed into an enchanted garden.

#enchantedgarden party aboard #myoctopus with a basketball hoop behind me and a #yellowsubmarine below and a helicopter in front! Thanks #paulallen for another incredible night aboard #octopus #cannesfilmfestival A post shared by DANIEL BENEDICT (@danielbenedict) on May 17, 2016 at 7:13am PDT May 17, 2016 at 7:13am PDT

Guests were given flower crowns and the vessel was decked out with floral arrangements and illuminated trees.

What a dreamy night thanks #PaulAllen for yet another spectacular evening. #octopus #superyacht #cannesfilmfestival #cannes2016 #festivaldecannes 🍾🍾🍾 thanks to @ivanbittonstylehouse @ivanbitton for styling me 💞💞 A post shared by Sheila Shah (@iamsheilashah) on May 16, 2016 at 8:20pm PDT May 16, 2016 at 8:20pm PDT

While performers were always brought on board, Allen was known to get onstage himself and rock out to some Led Zeppelin.

Paul Allen is really cool! Playing Led Zeppelin himself for guests on Octopus yacht A post shared by Vasily Klyukin (@vasilyklyukin) on May 17, 2016 at 6:56am PDT May 17, 2016 at 6:56am PDT

Allen's $325 million superyacht is among several sizable assets that have been put up for sale by the late billionaire's estate since his death.

The estate is also selling a $110 million plot of land in Beverly Hills that Allen owned for more than 20 years and his MiG-29 fighter jet.

Main content

Join our Newsletter

Awesome New Images From Inside Superyacht M/Y ‘Octopus’

As with many luxury superyachts, glimpses of their interiors are reserved only for the eyes of those lucky enough to step aboard.

We’re almost never privy to any footage or images snapped through a phone camera from the inside. So when a professional photographer gains access to one of the biggest and grandest explorer yachts in the world, it’s worth a flick through at the least.

After being listed for sale last September for a sail-away price of AU$477 million, central sales agents Fraser and Burgess have now shared a closer look inside Octopus for prospective buyers.

The eight-deck yacht can accommodate 26 guests across 13 cabins, comprising of a master suite, two VIP suites, seven doubles and three twins. The master suite features a king-size bed, two ensuite bathrooms and a private observation deck. There’s also an additional 28 cabins for the 60 staff that Allen employed.

This is a Bond villain setup if we’ve ever seen one.

RELATED: Paul Allen’s 126m Lürssen Superyacht ‘Octopus’ Up For Sale

Subscribe to B.H. Magazine

Share the article.

Driven: Tesla’s Model 3 Performance Is The Brand’s Sharpest Evolution Yet

Driven: The Lotus Eletre Is A Tantalising Taste Of An Electric Future

This 80km/h Kid-Sized Porsche Dakar Is The Coolest Toy We’ve Ever Seen

Daikoku: A Window Into The Soul Of Japan’s Mythical Car Scene

Farewell, Fellas: 10 Classic Moments From Clarkson, Hammond, & May

The Most Jaw-Dropping Cars Revealed At Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2024

The 16 Best Electric Bikes In Australia In 2024

Uber Boat Is Launching Just In Time For Your Euro Summer Antics

INTERVIEW: Lance Stroll On Aston Martin F1 & The New Vantage

Lance Stroll On F1’s Future & The New Aston Martin Vantage

MrBeast Lands In Sydney — And He's Giving Away These 10 Cars

MrBeast Has Officially Landed In Sydney — And He’s Giving Away These 10 Cars

Yachts for Sale

Selling a Yacht

Tenders & Toys

Recent Sales

NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN

Yachts for Charter

Destinations

Experiences

Charter Management

Charter Deals

Yacht Marketing

How to Charter

Superyacht Management

Crew Structure

Crew Management

THE WELLESLEY

Superyacht Construction

New Yachts for Sale

Yacht Design

Yacht Shipyards

Custom Construction

Built on Trust

Heesen 55m Steel

Benetti Oasis

Yacht Shows

News & Blog

OCTOPUS Yacht for Charter

2006 / 2021