by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:20 PM ET, Wed September 17, 2025
Aqua Expeditions is sending its newest ship to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle.
Aqua Lares will launch in February 2026 as the company’s sixth vessel. With 15 staterooms, the ship will initially offer five- to 11-night voyages across the Seychelles, with select itineraries sailing to the Aldabra Atoll or onward to Zanzibar, Tanzania.
“East Africa has held a special place in my heart since my first safari at age seven, and it’s surreal to now return with our own expedition yacht,” says Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and chief executive officer. “From the wild beauty of the Seychelles to Aldabra Atoll’s 150,000 giant tortoises, this region offers a rare kind of adventure—one that perfectly complements our voyages in the Galapagos and Indonesia.”
The 253-foot Aqua Lares will be able to accommodate up to 30 guests, with accommodations ranging from 140 to 710 square feet. The ship will have a 33-person crew, including three naturalist guides.Onboard social spaces include a panoramic sun deck with bar and lounge, a cinema, boutique, gym, saloon, indoor dining room and a shaded outdoor dining area. Wellness offerings include two hot tubs, a sauna, massage room and spa.
The ship will carry five private tenders—three Zodiacs and two Rafnar tenders—as well as paddle boards, kayaks, snorkeling and diving gear and mountain bikes.
Aqua Lares will sail the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll, Zanzibar each year from November to April, with rates starting at $9,000 per person for a five-night itinerary based on double occupancy. Private charters for up to 30 guests start at $385,000 for five nights.
In addition to East Africa, Aqua Lares will sail to Svalbard and The Arctic Circle starting in June 2026. The Ice Class 1B-rated superyacht will operate in the region from June to September, with voyages ranging from five to 14 nights.
“No other superyacht offers this combination of access, exclusivity, and personalized service in the Arctic,” says Zugaro. “From Svalbard and the Arctic Circle to East Africa, Aqua is pioneering a truly global, deeply luxurious and personal way to explore."
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