Aqua Expeditions to Launch Arctic Superyacht Voyages in 2026
The ice-class yacht will carry just 30 guests on Arctic voyages following an inaugural East Africa season.
Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions, best known for charting boutique-scale journeys on the Amazon, Mekong, and Galápagos, will extend its portfolio north in 2026 with a new season in the high Arctic. Beginning in June, the superyacht Aqua Lares will sail through Svalbard and the Arctic Circle, marking the company’s first polar deployment.
Rather than compete head-on with the larger expedition operators, Aqua is introducing a model built on intimacy and exclusivity. Aqua Lares will carry just 30 guests and operate as the only superyacht in the Arctic offering both private charters and individual bookings. The approach blends the privacy of a yacht with the framework of a scheduled expedition, a combination rarely seen at this latitude.
The 15-cabin vessel is Ice Class 1B-rated, enabling access to ice-covered routes beyond typical cruise itineraries. Summer voyages will range from five to 14 nights and include remote corners of Svalbard, the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, and surrounding fjords. Wildlife sightings—from polar bears and whales to Arctic foxes and seabird colonies—anchor the programming, complemented by historic landing sites and daily guided excursions.
Onboard, Aqua Lares mirrors the hallmarks that have defined the company’s reputation in other regions. Guests will find three Owner’s Suites, expansive lounges and dining areas, and a wellness deck with spa, sauna, and indoor-outdoor Jacuzzis. A 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and twice-daily outings by tender or on foot bring the experience closer to private yachting than conventional expedition cruising.
The Arctic launch follows an inaugural season in East Africa in early 2026, with itineraries through the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll, and Zanzibar. Linking two regions rarely connected in the same deployment reflects a wider strategy among luxury operators: maximizing utilization of specialized vessels while offering guests a global calendar of destinations that extend beyond the traditional poles.
“With Aqua Lares, we’re setting a new benchmark for luxury exploration at the edges of the map. No other superyacht offers this combination of access, exclusivity, and personalized service in the Arctic,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
Interest registration for the Arctic program is open now, with detailed itineraries, rates, and booking availability to be released Oct. 15.
