Most superyachts are designed to make life at sea as comfortable as possible. La Datcha takes a different approach. This 77-meter expedition yacht was created for people who want that same level of luxury while traveling to places where ordinary yachts simply cannot go.
Built by Damen Yachting as part of its SeaXplorer range, La Datcha combines an ice-class hull with the amenities of a private resort. Delivered in 2020, the six-deck yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests across six suites, supported by a crew and expedition team of around 25 people.
Its real purpose becomes clear from the equipment carried on board. La Datcha has space for two helicopters, with both aircraft able to be stored inside the below-deck hangar. There is also a three-person submersible, a dedicated diving center with a decompression chamber, expedition tenders, four WaveRunners, two rigid inflatable boats, and two snowmobiles.
That equipment allows the yacht to operate far beyond the usual Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising grounds. Its planned adventures include Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Southeast Asia. Heliskiing is another major part of the experience, with destinations including Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands, Chukotka, and Alaska.
The yacht is built for long periods away from civilization. Its Ice Class hull and IMO Polar Code compliance allow it to operate in extreme environments, while enlarged fuel capacity and improved waste systems give La Datcha an autonomy of up to 40 days at sea. At 76.9 meters long and 14 meters wide, it has a gross tonnage of roughly 2,560 GT and a top speed of 14.5 knots.
Yet the interior feels much more like a luxury resort than an expedition vessel. Guests have access to two Jacuzzis, a sauna and steam room, massage facilities, a fully equipped gym, spacious observation areas, and large windows designed to bring the surrounding landscape into the experience. The bow observation lounge offers expansive forward views, while the upper deck provides an open-air platform for taking in the scenery.
The contrast is what makes La Datcha so interesting. One moment it can function as a floating luxury retreat, and the next it can send guests beneath Antarctic waters in a submersible, into the Arctic by helicopter, or toward remote islands in an expedition tender.
La Datcha was designed around the idea that luxury should not mean staying close to civilization. It is essentially a private base camp that happens to have six decks, a spa, multiple helicopters, and enough equipment to turn some of the world’s most remote destinations into accessible adventures. In 2026, that concept earned the yacht the overall Charter Yacht of the Year award at the Blue Ocean Club Yacht Awards. And don’t forget to checl our list of the most expensive yachts in the world.
