IYC Insights: Superyacht Charter And Sales Mid-Year Report 2025

How Has The Charter Market Been Performing?

The first half of the year presents a largely positive picture for the charter market, with more activity in the early months. An increase in winter charters set a strong pace for Q1, with high levels of activity across the Caribbean, but in Q2, the pace slowed. This was mainly due to global economic pressures; clients held off on decisions, reducing the typical booking window. In turn, this drove an increase in last-minute bookings, particularly in June, as well as an increase in time-sensitive offers and enhanced flexibility, as the market adapted.

"We observed a notable change in client behaviour this year so far, with most last-minute decisions in charter bookings," says Mathilde de Roffignac, Managing Partner, IYC Monaco. "This change required dynamism and market insight, both of which are where IYC excels," she adds.

Clients are still chartering, but with shorter lead times, more demand for customization, and an expectation of value. In response, IYC's charter team has remained adaptable, offering quicker turnaround times, destination knowledge, and tailored options to meet last-minute demand effectively. 

Where Are The Charter Hotspots?

When it comes to the most favorable destinations for clients, the Eastern Mediterranean took the spotlight for summer 2025, accounting for 53% of total bookings, a clear sign of the wider region's growing appeal. With 31% of summer activity and 26% year-to-date, Greece retains the number one rank. Close by, Croatia also gained momentum, claiming 16% of the summer market as clients opted for island-hopping itineraries, while Turkey remained steady at 6%.

In the Western Mediterranean, France and Italy kept their top places as summer season favorites; however, the Balearic Islands saw a slight decline to 6% of market share. Further afield, the Bahamas and New England made up 4% of summer bookings for clients looking for off-season or alternative cruising.

The recent winter season (2024-2025) saw strong momentum, with activity in the Caribbean increasing once again, representing 60% of winter bookings, up from 4% the previous year. However, the Bahamas experienced a drop from a 36% to a 28% share for winter bookings, while there has been increased interest in Southeast Asia, with more yachts from the fleet offering charter availability in these waters.

How Are The Changing Charter Dynamics Developing?

Managing the largest global charter fleet (over 165 yachts), IYC continues to dominate, thanks to the 285% growth since 2015. In the first half of 2025 alone, the IYC charter fleet delivered over 4,650 charter days, with 25% of bookings closed in-house, resulting in more than $135 million in charter fees booked through our website.

While the global fleet exceeds 2,300 yachts (over 20m), this growth can be attributed mainly to more owners keen to enter the charter market, motivated by the opportunity of financial offsets. But naturally, this has caused the landscape to become increasingly competitive, with clients benefiting from more choice and a rise in expectations.

"An increasing number of high-quality yachts have entered the market, so we are raising the bar further when it comes to charter experiences. Fleet growth has intensified competition, pushing us to offer even more tailored and bespoke itineraries to maintain our edge," explains Joachim Granelli, Charter Consultant.

Overall demand for charter remains, but the influx of charter-ready yachts has led to a slight decline in the average number of charter weeks per yacht. This result welcomes more need for strategic positioning, pricing, and innovative marketing approaches. There has also been a shift in client perception - charter yachts are now viewed as important, active investments with tangible returns. 

How Has The Sales Market Performed?

When it comes to sales, there was a 7% overall decline in the global sales market, with supply exceeding demand, as 599 yachts were listed but only 425 were sold. However, experts suggest this is more a realignment and stabilization for the market rather than a downturn.

While sales were down, inventory has risen by 10% and asking prices for pre-owned yachts have increased by 9%, resulting in a buyer-driven market. "With a rising inventory, today's buyers enjoy more choice and negotiating power. This shift toward the brokerage market reflects a mindset that is focused on value and delivery times," says Jamie Swaine, Sales Consultant, IYC London.

This shift toward the brokerage market also reflects evolving buyer profiles and preferences. Today's clients are typically younger and more digitally connected, approaching ownership with a more strategic mindset. Chryssicopoulos also notes the uptick in demand for explorers and explorer-capable yachts, as well as the growing relevance of green technology. It isn't just about the lifestyle aspect of ownership, but also about future-proofing and long-term value.

The appeal for brokerage yachts, available now, is strong - 305 units have been sold so far this year, compared to 294 last year (a 4% increase), outperforming pre-pandemic figures. De Roffignac notes: "We will see many new builds that were delivered post-Covid start to become available on the pre-owned market, giving us new opportunities with new yachts entering the market."

In this pre-owned space, both Sanlorenzo and Sunseeker sold the highest number of units in the first half of the year, and Italian-built yachts accounted for the largest share of brokerage deals, at 27% of sales. For IYC, the largest yacht sold was the Italian Benetti 213' (65m) ARTISAN, with Global Managing Partner Michel Chryssicopoulos introducing the buyer.

In terms of the new build market, IYC continues to make progress, highlighted by the exclusive partnership with Moonen and the sale of the 123' MOONEN MARTINIQUE, thanks to Matthew Stone and Josh Marshall. 

Evolving Demand And Growing Yacht Sizes

IYC brought 28 new listings to market in the first half of the year and sold 20 yachts, totalling a sales volume of $322 million. Of these, four deals were closed in-house, showcasing the strength of our internal teams.

Where were most yachts sold to date? Europe maintains its status as the region in the lead for sales, with 52% of total transactions, but this has declined slightly from 60% in the same period last year.

The US market is showing an increased appetite, accounting for 28% of global sales, supported by buyer interest and favorable economic conditions. Matthew Stone, Managing Partner, IYC California, comments: "We are seeing a surge in activity in the US that is reshaping the market, and there will be even greater interest toward the end of 2025 and into 2026, especially if bonus depreciation returns to 100%."

When it comes to size segments, the average yacht sold reached 118 feet (34m), continuing an ever-expanding trend. The smaller end of the market, the 131’-164’ (40-50m), has declined slightly, but in comparison, sales of 197' (60m) and up remain healthy when set with the right pricing strategy. Richard Gray, Head of IYC UK Sales, explains: "We are seeing a lot of 60m+ vessels transacting at the moment, highlighting where current demand is.”
 

An Optimistic Future Ahead

The outlook for the remainder of 2025 and into the next year is optimistic, with the charter market remaining strong and offering opportunities in sales to well-informed buyers. "We are confident in the long-term potential of the industry and, of course, remain committed to guiding our clients through charter and sale with clarity and a future-focused mindset," concludes Sauleau. 

Contact IYC's expert charter and sales consultants to discuss your next yacht opportunity for the rest of 2025 and beyond.