As Spain struggles to cope with new challenges amid the coronavirus crisis, Croatia and Turkey have emerged as the up-and-coming hotspots for the world’s ultra-rich.
At least 63 mega-yachts are sailing off the coast of Turkey, more than double the 26 that were there this time last year, Bloomberg reports.
Greece and Croatia have also seen increases in the number of super-yachts along their coasts. Both countries, along with Turkey, have been hosting their highest number of the vessels in three years.
While those in Spain still outnumber those in Croatia or Turkey, the figures show the latter two countries are catching up. Data for August 2020 shows 84 super-yachts in Spain, compared to 108 in August 2019.
The country has seen 26 vessels leaving its shores since July this year as it grapples with the potential of a new coronavirus outbreak.
Croatia, however, is now host to 64 – up from just 45 this time last year. Turkey’s 63 vessels for this month represents a sharp increase from the 26 that were there in August 2019.
At least 63 mega-yachts are sailing off the coast of Turkey, more than double the 26 that were there this time last year (pictured: Super-yachts around Europe. Purple dots represents vessels other than those highlighted
‘Scheherazade’, one of the largest superyachts in the world, anchors in Bodrum district of Mugla, Turkey on August 16, 2020
At least 63 mega-yachts are sailing off the coast of Turkey, more than double the 26 that were there this time last year (pictured: The Scheherazade)
The 280-foot Pacific belonging to Russia’s second-richest man, Leonid Mikhelson, is off the coast of Turkey
The motor yacht ‘Ulysses’ owned by Graeme Richard Hart is pictured in the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France, July 2019. The 381-foot vessel belonging to New Zealand’s richest man is now off the coast of Croatia
The Scheherazade, a 459-foot vessel, entered Turkey this weekend, along with the 280-foot Pacific belonging to Russia’s second-richest man, Leonid Mikhelson, and the 325-foot Madame Gu (pictured), thought to be owned by Andrey Skoch
Model Caprice and her family were invited onto their friends’ superyacht and were pictured cruising around Greek islands on Monday
Spain announced it was banning smoking in the street without social distancing as it stepped up restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus last week – as the country’s 7-day average cases have spiralled up in recent days
The Scheherazade, a 459-foot vessel, entered Turkey this weekend, along with the 280-foot Pacific belonging to Russia’s second-richest man, Leonid Mikhelson, and the 325-foot Madame Gu, thought to be owned by Andrey Skoch, reports suggest.
The largest super-yachts off Croatia include the 533-foot Eclipse, belonging to Roman Abramovich, and the Ulysses – a 381-foot vessel belonging to Graeme Hart, New Zealand’s richest man
The Eclipse super yacht was built by German company Blohm&Voss and designed by Terence Disdale. It was originally built at Hamburg’s Blohm Voss shipbuilders in 2010 and 2011.
Eclipse was formerly the world’s largest private yacht at 62.5 metres (533 ft 2 in) long, until it was surpassed by the 590ft Azzam in April 2013.
She has four diesel engines and a maximum speed of 22 knots, although this speed is well surpassed by some of the newer superyacht builds.
Le Grand Bleu, owned by Russian oil tycoon Evgeny Shvidler, is currently in the waters near Edinburgh, Scotland
Le Grand Bleu (pictured) was built at the Bremer Vulkan yard in Bremen, Germany and launched in 2000
Superyacht ‘Ocean Victory’, which features a helideck with lifting platform and internal helicopter hangar, an underwater observation room, six pools and a 300 square metre spa area, pictured in 2015, is currently off the coast of Nice in southern France
Ocean Victory (pictured), owned by Russian billionaire Victor Rashnikov, has a length of 459 ft
It can accommodate 36 guests in comfort, and boasts a cinema, conference facilities, children’s playroom, beauty salon, dance floor, swimming pool and sauna.
The incredible vessel also contains two swimming pools, two helicopter pads, a dedicated disco hall, around 30 cabins, a mini-submarine, and even a missile defence system.
It has armour-plating around Mr Abramovich’s master suite, bullet-proof windows and a laser system designed to dazzle long-lens photographers.
When it was ordered, the initial cost was estimated at around $500million, but by the time Mr Abramovich took delivery in 2012 it was spiralling towards the $1.5billion mark because of the extra luxury fittings and security measures.
Superyacht Symphony, owned by Bernard Arnault, is currently located near the coast of Naples, Italy
Music mogul David Geffen’s Rising Sun, with a width of 456 ft, and is currently off the north east coast of the United States
Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez were pictured aboard his luxury $7 million dollar yacht off the coast of Italy earlier this month
The largest super-yachts off Croatia include the 533-foot Eclipse, belonging to Roman Abramovich (the vessel is pictured in 2015)
The interior of luxury vessel Eclipse, owned by Roman Abramovich. Eclipse was formerly the world’s largest private yacht at 62.5 metres (533 ft 2 in) long, until it was surpassed by the 590ft Azzam in April 2013
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic’s luxury mega yacht, Eclipse, is seen anchored on the Aegean coast in October 2014 (File image)
Model Caprice and her family were invited onto their friends’ superyacht and were pictured cruising around Greek islands on Monday.
Last week Spain announced it was banning smoking in the street without social distancing as it stepped up restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Health Minister Salvador Illa unveiled new measures to be enforced nationwide, including closing restaurants and bars.
Nightclubs and late-night bars will be closed, restaurants will have to close by 1am, no new customers can enter after midnight and establishments will be limited to 10 diners.
The country’s total cases have now surpassed 330,000, while the country’s death toll is more than 28,000, prompting fears of a second wave of the pandemic in Spain.
Hospitalisations with Covid-19 had quintupled in Spain since early July, when cases were down to a trickle.
Spain imposed one of the toughest lockdowns in Europe, which stopped a first wave of the virus that had pushed the health care system to breaking point.