Aqua Expeditions is expanding its portfolio of ultra-remote destinations with the launch of Arctic itineraries aboard the 253-foot Aqua Lares. Beginning in June 2026, the vessel will operate expedition voyages in Svalbard and the Arctic Circle, marking one of the most ambitious deployments in the company’s history.
The move follows Aqua Expeditions’ continued focus on destinations largely untouched by traditional charter yachts. When the company last outlined its expansion plans, founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro was preparing to open bookings in the remote outer islands of the Seychelles and Zanzibar. The Arctic announcement now places Aqua Lares at the very edge of luxury exploration.
“With Aqua Lares, we’re setting a new benchmark for luxury exploration at the edges of the map,” Zugaro said. “No other superyacht offers this combination of access, exclusivity, and personalised service in the Arctic. From Svalbard and the Arctic Circle to East Africa, Aqua is pioneering a truly global, deeply luxurious and personal way to explore.”
Built for polar navigation, Aqua Lares is rated Ice Class 1B, allowing it to operate safely in icy waters. The Arctic charter season will run from June through September, with itineraries available as both full-yacht charters and by-the-cabin bookings. Guest numbers are limited to a maximum of 30, preserving an intimate onboard atmosphere.
Proposed voyages range from five to 14 nights and are designed to combine wildlife encounters with cultural and historical exploration. Guests may spot polar bears, migratory whales, and Arctic foxes, visit historic whaling stations, and observe dramatic seabird nesting cliffs along the rugged coastline.
On board, Aqua Lares blends expedition capability with refined comfort. Highlights include a panoramic sundeck with lounge and bar, offering uninterrupted views of the Arctic seascape – a front-row seat to one of the planet’s most remote and striking environments.
Bookings for the Svalbard and Arctic Circle itineraries open for departures starting in June 2026.
