Where amazing awaits

Tailoring unforgettable experiences around the world for a wide range of clients is just a small part of how Y.CO are making yachting irresistibly cool again – Rebecca McVeigh meets the team

There’s a moment at sea when time stops. The world beyond the deck fades away, and all that matters is the thrill of the journey. This is yachting at its purest: the ultimate expression of freedom and the power of discovery. And no one understands that better than Y.CO.

Since its founding in 2004, Y.CO has been rewriting the rules of the superyacht industry. It was one of the first companies to send expedition yachts to Antarctica. Redefining modern luxury yachting? Sure. But beyond that, Y.CO has made it undeniably cool. Co-founders Charlie Birkett and Gary Wright built their company on the belief that yachts, when used to their full potential, can be platforms for adventure, exploration, and global impact.

“Yachts are physical incarnations of adventure,” says Birkett. “A means of having more fun than you ever dreamed possible. Living more exhilarating experiences in a week than you could in a lifetime. Combining that sense of fun with a strong sense of purpose. That’s what we’re all about.”

Y.CO charters are all about unforgettable experiences; from tracking polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago to off piste exploits in Costa Rica, heli-skiing in Greenland to surfing hidden breaks in Indonesia. This is super cool super yachting.

“Superyachts are a way to view the world with new eyes and return to land with memories that have shaped you – and that will stay with you forever,” says Gary Wright, Y.CO Co-Founder and Chairman.

Walk into Y.CO’s Monaco headquarters and you won’t find a stuffy brokerage firm. There’s an unmistakable energy in the air. A CEO might even zoom past on an office go-kart. Because what is yachting, if not serious fun? Creating that unique culture has always been a priority for Charlie. “Y.CO is built more like an F1 or America’s Cup team than a conventional business, driven by performance, teamwork, and continuous improvement.”

The team includes former captains, seasoned sailors, and maritime specialists who have lived, worked, and raced on the water. They know a yacht is only as good as the experience it delivers, and that experience depends on the people who bring it to life.

“Without a doubt, the crew are the most important element in any charter,” says Eleanor Bloodworth, a Y.CO yacht charter specialist. “Like with hotels and restaurants, fantastic interior design only counts for so much. If the chef isn’t good and the service is average, you’re not going to have a good time.”

Clients can choose from over 1,000 of the best yachts in the world. Quality is non-negotiable. If Y.CO can’t stand behind a yacht’s reputation, they won’t recommend it. For first-time charter clients, stepping into the world of yachting can feel overwhelming. But Eleanor finds joy in guiding them through the process. “Most first-time clients search for a new yacht with a sleek, modern interior, but that’s not necessarily the best yacht for them. What they need is an excellent and experienced captain with great local knowledge and a crew that works together like a well-oiled machine. And the chef?

The most important person on board – just don’t tell the captain that! Yachting can seem quite alien to most people, so you need to take the time to make clients feel confident in the decisions they are making. The experience always wildly exceeds people’s expectations, which I still find thrilling after doing this for 20 years.”

Creating the unforgettable

Every charter begins with a question: what can we do to make this truly unforgettable? Charlie recalls one extraordinary itinerary. “We had a group on board in Norway a few years ago – a big group that ranged in age from four to seventy years old – who gave us almost unlimited budget with a very simple brief: to create an adventure that was beyond their wildest dreams. Every time you get a request like this it’s so exciting. It’s free rein to push the boundaries of what is possible on a yacht. We spent months working with our project partners to bring this to life, which culminated in all kinds of weird and wonderful events. We had mermaids delivering riddles to the guests, leading the children on a magical fairytale treasure hunt, a dramatic classic car chase along the coast watched live from the yacht, and we even arranged an ABBA-themed party on the roof of the ABBA museum.”

The world’s most exclusive yachting destinations are shifting. While the Mediterranean remains king, there’s a rising demand for untouched, off-the-grid experiences.

“There is increasing interest in Indonesia, where we have Dunia Baru, and the South Pacific, with yachts such as JeMaSa, Kokomo, and Diana,” she says. “Meanwhile, Legend operates in the Arctic and Antarctic, offering truly one-of-a-kind expeditions.”

As yachting evolves, the company is pioneering new experiences tailored to wellness, adventure, and extreme sports. Luxury surf trips in the Maldives and Indonesia are becoming a major trend, with Y.CO curating itineraries that combine five-star comfort with world-class waves.

“All of these trends – wellness-focused experiences, sustainability, off-the-grid exploration – are shaping the industry,” Eleanor says. “But what I see most is clients wanting to pursue specific activities from a yacht, such as diving, kitesurfing, and surfing.”

It’s not just the adrenalin junkies that are catered to – the team also designs family-friendly adventures, with destinations like the Balearics, Greece, Sardinia, and Corsica especially popular for itineraries crafted with kids and teens in mind. On board, guests can expect every seagoing toy imaginable, from giant slides to high-tech underwater gear, ensuring fun for all ages.

Y.CO Managing Director Holly Bottau observes a broader shift. “Yachts are being chartered or purchased to host multi-generational family holidays, with conservationists, marine biologists, and cultural educators requested on board to add a purpose-driven element to the traditional yachting holiday.”

Navigating sustainability

Sustainability in yachting has long been a paradox. How do you make an industry that revolves around fossil fuelled superyachts more eco-friendly? Isn’t it all greenwashing? Y.CO is working to answer that question.

From supporting the launch of the world’s first biofuel-powered superyacht to partnering with RMI to bring renewable energy to coastal communities, Y.CO is actively shaping a more sustainable future. The company aims to reduce fleet emissions by 2030, advising yacht owners on low-impact travel, adopting new fuel technologies, and integrating yachts into scientific research programmes.

Adventure with purpose is Y.CO’s modus operandi. Co-founder Gary Wright is adamant that yachting should not just be about indulgence but about making a real impact.

“We want our work to be about more than luxury, to also deliver something meaningful, sustainable and socially responsible,” says Wright. “To make the experience of yachting both spectacular and worthwhile.”

Bottau echoes the sentiment. “We feel very strongly that Y.CO has a responsibility to leave our industry in a better place than when the company was founded. Our partnership with Yacht Aid Global is a good example of this, enabling Y.CO team members to work on the ground providing aid in the areas that need it most. We also work with pioneering owners to use yachts as floating research vessels, platforms for scientific exploration, or opportunities for social cohesion.”

Over the last two decades, Y.CO has grown into a full-service yachting company with offices in Monaco, London, Fort Lauderdale, and Auckland. Offering expertise in charter, management, sales, purchase, new builds, and refits. By leveraging relationships with top shipyards and designers, the team has coordinated builds ranging from 50 to over 140 metres.

Y.CO remains 100% founder-owned and led, free from conglomerates or external shareholders. What difference does that make? “Freedom to make bold decisions and implement them very quickly, resulting in an incredibly agile, responsive and flexible business,” Bottau explains.

Y.CO leads the charge in an industry defined by movement. And as the world of yachting continues to evolve, one thing is certain: if you’re ready to step aboard a Y.CO yacht, amazing awaits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca McVeigh is a French Riviera-based travel writer and producer. She’s worked for the BBC, ‘The Sunday Times’, ‘France Today’, ‘Fodor’s’ and more.