There’s a high urge among travelers to escape – whether it is to lush wilderness or to vast emptiness. There’s a yearning to see the yet unseen, not to boast about it, but to simply revel in. This feeling has led to a boom in experiential luxury travel that goes beyond the usual.
According to Grand View Research, the global luxury travel market size was estimated at USD 1.48 trillion in 2024 and is projected to almost double up to reach USD 2.36 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2025 to 2030.
Tie this into yachting, perhaps the embodiment of a luxury holiday (space vacations haven’t taken up that spot, yet), and you have a winning formula. Who doesn’t love the breeze and the sun? And the inexplicable views punctuated by all the shades of blue?
British company Oyster Yachts, which builds luxury bluewater sailing yachts, has tapped into this travel sentiment. Expanding from its past 50-year objective of manufacturing, Oyster Yachts has now launched the Oyster Explorers Club Rallies, which takes Oyster owners into unchartered territories, with all the bells and whistles, and creature comforts.
Adventure is about the discovery of places, yes, but also of yourself. Every passage tests you in new ways and reminds you what really matters: resilience, curiosity and connection.
The yacht company has crafted four itineraries that take travellers to hidden spots, while offering them curated, crafted experiences. The four month long Arctic Rally takes you through fjords of Norway, while the 11-month Pacific Rally follows a route through Antigua, the Panama Canal, Galápagos Islands, French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Zealand.
Then there is the Viking Rally and Cape Horn Rally. So take a pick from what tickles your imagination. A logistics team will also sail with the owners to resolve any technical challenges along the way.
“Adventure is about the discovery of places, yes, but also of yourself. Every passage tests you in new ways and reminds you what really matters: resilience, curiosity and connection,” says Richard Hadida, the owner and Chairman of Oyster Yachts, who acquired the company in 2018 after a spiral of misfortunes. We delve deeper into his vision for the rallies, what it entails, and the future of travel at Oyster Yachts.
Oyster has always stood for freedom, craftsmanship, and the call of the open sea. What was the spark that led to creating the Oyster Explorers Club and its new rallies?
Richard Hadida: The Oyster Explorers Club was born from the same spirit that drew me to Oyster in the first place — a love for discovery and a deep connection with the sea. When I bought my own Oyster 885, Lush, I experienced firsthand how sailing opens up the world in ways few things can. The Oyster Explorers Club is about sharing that feeling and bringing Oyster owners together to embark on curated adventures that go beyond sailing from A to B. It’s about exploring extraordinary places together, in comfort and confidence, while celebrating the freedom that only the ocean can give.
Was there a particular voyage or moment that made you realize there was room for a more flexible, curated form of adventure for Oyster owners?
I’ve always believed that Oyster owners share the adventure gene; they are people who love the freedom of the open sea, but also value connection, community and experience. The Oyster World Rally has always embodied that spirit and is one of the most sought-after events in bluewater sailing. But it’s a major commitment, a 16-month global circumnavigation covering about 27,000 nautical miles, and not everyone can step away for that long.
It was in a discussion with one of our current owners, who said they’d love to join “if only it were shorter,” and that really struck me. There’s an appetite for something more flexible, which is where the idea for the Oyster Explorers Club came from: to create a series of shorter, expertly curated adventures that capture the same sense of discovery, camaraderie, and wonder as the Rally, but in a way that fits more easily into people’s lives. It’s about keeping the spirit of adventure alive, whether you have two years or two weeks to explore.
But beyond the yachts themselves, we’re building a community through the Oyster World Rally, the Oyster Explorers Club, and the connections that form between owners around the globe.
We’re seeing a profound shift in what “luxury” means — from ownership to experience, from comfort to connection. How does Oyster interpret this evolution?
I completely agree that luxury has evolved. Today, it’s less about possessions and more about meaningful experiences. At Oyster, we’ve always believed that true luxury lies in freedom, the ability to set sail on your own terms, explore the world’s most extraordinary places, and share those moments with people who inspire you.
For us, it’s about creating yachts that are as comfortable and beautifully crafted as they are capable. But beyond the yachts themselves, we’re building a community through the Oyster World Rally, the Oyster Explorers Club, and the connections that form between owners around the globe. That sense of belonging, of shared adventure, is the new definition of luxury. It’s about living a life rich in stories, not just in things.
How do you personally define adventure today — especially in a world where so much feels accessible at a click?
For me, adventure today is less about how far you go, and more about how deeply you experience it. We live in a world where everything feels instantly accessible. You can “visit” almost anywhere from your screen, but that’s not living it. True adventure starts when you’re grounded in experiences, feeling the wind in the sails and immersing yourself in the rhythm of the sea and the people around you. Adventure is about the discovery of places, yes, but also of yourself. Every passage tests you in new ways and reminds you what really matters: resilience, curiosity and connection. Whether it’s crossing an ocean or exploring a hidden anchorage closer to home, that spirit of discovery is what adventure means to me today.
The rallies are curated, but not scripted.
What kind of traveller do you think the Oyster Explorers Club Rallies are speaking to — the adventurer, the aesthete, the dreamer?
Honestly, all three. Our owners are curious by nature. They love adventure, but they also appreciate beauty, craftsmanship and culture. The Oyster Explorers Club is designed for those who want to explore the world deeply, not superficially. They want to sail, but also to connect with the places they visit and the people they meet along the way.
How do you weave the emotional side of sailing — the solitude, the vastness, the intimacy with nature — into something structured like a rally?
That’s the art of it. The rallies are curated, but not scripted. We handle the logistics so our owners can fully immerse themselves in the moment, whether that’s a quiet sunrise at anchor or a shared dinner under the stars. The structure is there to support freedom, not restrict it. That’s what makes it special.
The idea of having a dedicated team to curate excursions — from Arctic hikes to island cooking lessons — feels very hospitality-driven. Is Oyster evolving into a lifestyle brand as much as a yacht builder?
I think that’s a fair observation. Oyster will always be a yacht builder first, but what we’re really building is a way of life.
Our yachts are “homes for the high seas,” and the Oyster Explorers Club extends that lifestyle beyond the boat into experiences, destinations and community. It’s about offering a complete world of discovery and belonging around the brand.
Could you describe what a day might feel like on one of these rallies — what moments you imagine will stay with guests long after they return home?
No two days will be the same, which is the beauty of these adventures. For rallies in the colder climes, you might wake up to a sunrise over Arctic glaciers and enjoy a coffee in the cockpit, accompanied by the sound and sight of walruses swimming alongside the hull; yet in Polynesia, it may be the same sunrise, but over a coral reef, accompanied by whales breaching across the bay. It’s mornings relaxing in the saloon with the sunlight spilling through the seascape windows, with infinite possibilities ahead of you, plotting your day’s itinerary with your crew over breakfast.
By lunchtime, you may be sailing to a remote atoll that can only be accessed by boat, and lying on white sand beaches uninhabited by anything other than the wildlife. Afternoon hiking ashore with local guides, sharing stories and knowledge native only to their home lands, before sundowners on deck with new friends and alfresco dinners under the stars, enjoying a local catch together and raising a glass to relive your experiences.
Those are the memories that stay with you, not just of the places you’ve been, but of how it felt to truly live in the moment. That, to me, is the essence of what Oyster offers: the rare luxury of time, connection, and discovery.
After years of isolation, people are craving connection; we want to have stories to tell and to belong to something bigger than ourselves.
In an age where most luxury is about privacy and seclusion, why do you think shared adventure is becoming so appealing again?
Because shared adventure is real. It’s not manufactured. After years of isolation, people are craving connection; we want to have stories to tell and to belong to something bigger than ourselves. When you’re sailing in a fleet of Oysters, supporting one another, exploring together. That’s the essence of human connection.
What’s the most memorable encounter you’ve had at sea — with a person, a place, or even a moment of silence?
We are anchored off of Guadeloupe when my 10 year old son James saw a shark and immediately jumped off our yacht Lush, and started chasing it. I had no option but to jump overboard and chase him, but I would rather not have.
Oyster has rebounded impressively in recent years, cementing its place as the benchmark for bluewater luxury yachts. How do the Oyster Explorers Club Rallies fit into your broader growth strategy?
They’re a natural extension of what Oyster stands for. We’re not just building yachts; we’re building a lifelong relationship with our owners, and creating unforgettable adventures and memories together. The Oyster Explorers Club strengthens that connection by offering experiences that keep people engaged between purchases. It’s a chance for owners with boats in build to prepare for something great, and to be motivated by those plans, while owners who are already enjoying their yachts on the water are given energy in looking forward to the shared adventure. It reinforces the lifestyle that owning an Oyster represents.
How do you balance scalability and exclusivity? Oyster’s rallies feel intimate and rare — can they expand without losing that spirit?
That’s a very important balance. The answer is: carefully. We’ll always keep these experiences as exclusive as possible to preserve their intimacy and authenticity. It’s about quality over quantity, making sure every event feels personal and special, and that every owner can be fully supported throughout the journey.
From a business standpoint, how does offering curated adventures deepen brand loyalty or influence repeat ownership?
It’s about trust and belonging. When owners share unforgettable experiences with us, when they feel supported, inspired, and part of a family, they stay with the brand. Many go on to buy another Oyster, not just because of the yacht itself, but because of the lifestyle and community that come with it.
I see a future where more people discover that sailing isn’t just a mode of travel, it’s a way of life.
With global interest in sustainable luxury growing, how is Oyster innovating in areas such as materials, energy use, or responsible travel?
Sustainability is central to everything we do. Sailing is inherently sustainable: wind-powered, low-impact, and deeply connected to nature. We’re also integrating solar technology, hybrid systems, and efficient energy management to make our yachts even more self-sufficient. Beyond that, the Oyster Explorers Club promotes responsible travel, leaving every destination as we found it, supporting local communities and fostering respect for the ocean.
Looking ahead, what’s your long-term vision for Oyster — and for the future of luxury sailing as a whole?
My vision is to keep Oyster at the forefront of bluewater luxury by building yachts that inspire confidence, freedom and adventure. I see a future where more people discover that sailing isn’t just a mode of travel, it’s a way of life. For Oyster, that means continuing to innovate while staying true to craftsmanship, community and a deep love for the sea.
