Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and world-renowned billionaire, has made waves—quite literally—with the debut of his $500 million superyacht, Koru. As the largest sailing yacht ever built, Koru isn’t just a symbol of extreme wealth; it’s a floating palace that represents engineering excellence, personalized luxury, and a growing trend among billionaires to own jaw-dropping seafaring vessels.
Meet the Beast: Design and Dimensions
Koru stretches an astounding 417 feet (127 meters) in length, making it longer than a football field. Built by the famed Dutch shipyard Oceanco, the yacht features three towering masts, a sleek black hull, and an ultra-modern, eco-conscious design. With a beam of 70 feet, Koru offers ample space for everything from a helipad to a swimming pool, cinema, and more.
Despite its sails, Koru isn’t a traditional sailing vessel. It uses a hybrid propulsion system that allows for silent cruising and impressive maneuverability, combining the aesthetics of a classic sailboat with the technology of a modern megayacht.
Annual Costs: The Price of Prestige
While the $500 million price tag for construction is jaw-dropping, what’s even more astonishing is the annual maintenance cost. Experts estimate that the yearly upkeep, including staffing, fuel, dockage, and repairs, could exceed $25 million.
- Crew salaries alone can run up to $5 million per year, as Koru requires a full-time staff of 45+ highly trained individuals.
- Fuel and travel costs can add several million dollars more, depending on the yacht’s usage and global cruising schedule.
- Docking fees, particularly in elite marinas like Monaco or the Maldives, can cost tens of thousands of dollars per night.
- Maintenance and upgrades are constant, with luxury yachts demanding precision care.
Features Fit for Royalty
Koru was designed with Bezos’ tastes in mind, offering unparalleled comfort and privacy. Among the most impressive features:
- Infinity Pool: Located on the aft deck, with views that merge seamlessly with the ocean.
- Beach Club: A lounge area near the waterline for swimming, sunbathing, and launching smaller watercraft.
- Glass Elevator: Connecting all decks while offering panoramic views.
- Private Cinema: For personal screenings, complete with luxury recliners.
- Helipad: To allow for easy arrival and departure without stepping foot on land.
Koru is also accompanied by a support yacht named “Wingman,” which houses helicopters, Jet Skis, additional staff, and possibly security personnel.
A Personal Symbol
The name “Koru” is derived from the Māori word for “loop” or “new beginning,” symbolized by the spiral of a new fern frond. The yacht is widely interpreted as a symbol of personal transformation for Bezos following his 2019 divorce from MacKenzie Scott and his growing relationship with fiancée Lauren Sánchez, who is rumored to have helped design some of the yacht’s interior.
The Yacht Arms Race Among the Elite
Bezos isn’t alone in the billionaire yacht game. The past decade has seen a dramatic rise in megayacht construction by the ultra-wealthy. Other prominent examples include:
- Eclipse – Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, once the world’s largest private yacht.
- Azzam – A 590-foot yacht owned by the Emir of Abu Dhabi.
- Flying Fox – Reportedly linked to Amazon-related charters.
These superyachts are not merely luxury toys—they are status symbols, floating cities that offer ultimate seclusion and serve as moving representations of wealth and influence.
Environmental and Ethical Backlash
Bezos’ yacht, while a marvel of design, hasn’t escaped criticism. Environmentalists point out the hypocrisy of owning a vessel that burns significant fossil fuel while pledging to fight climate change. Even with its sailing capability and hybrid power, the yacht’s carbon footprint is massive when compared to standard transportation or even private aviation.
In 2022, a controversy erupted when it was revealed that a historical bridge in the Netherlands might be temporarily dismantled to allow Koru to pass through. Public backlash was swift, and the plan was reportedly abandoned, but it left a lasting stain on the yacht’s origin story.
Economic Impact and Industry Growth
The superyacht industry has seen exponential growth in recent years. Shipyards across Europe are booked years in advance with orders from high-net-worth individuals. Koru’s construction alone provided hundreds of skilled jobs and poured millions into the local Dutch economy.
The vessel’s presence in ports and marinas worldwide also brings secondary economic benefits—from hiring local provisioning services to increasing tourism wherever it docks.
Inside Bezos’ Floating Empire
While much of the yacht’s interior remains under wraps due to tight security and NDAs signed by workers, a few details have emerged:
- Interior décor is rumored to feature a mix of Scandinavian minimalism and Polynesian inspiration.
- Artwork and finishes are said to include rare woods, handcrafted furnishings, and bespoke design elements.
- Luxury accommodations for over 18 guests and a master suite reportedly covering nearly an entire deck.
The yacht even includes onboard business facilities, allowing Bezos to conduct meetings or teleconferences while cruising remote waters.
A New Chapter in the Luxury Era
Bezos’ yacht represents more than extravagance—it marks a cultural shift in how the ultra-wealthy spend, travel, and protect their privacy. In a world of rising digital surveillance and crowded commercial travel, the superyacht is the ultimate escape pod.
It’s a floating fortress, an office, a party venue, a private retreat, and a very loud declaration that the owner is in a class of their own.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Yacht
Jeff Bezos’ $500M superyacht Koru is a vessel of contradictions. It is both a technological marvel and a lightning rod for criticism. It symbolizes freedom, yet is heavily guarded. It claims sustainability through sails, yet emits thousands of tons of CO₂ annually.
Still, it is impossible to deny the awe Koru inspires. Whether viewed as an obscene indulgence or an engineering achievement, it tells a powerful story about where ambition, money, and personal identity collide. In that sense, Koru is more than a yacht—it’s a mirror reflecting the 21st-century billionaire ethos.
