Cannes Yachting Festival 2023: Everything You Need To Know

Returning to the French Riviera for six days between 12-17 September 2023, the Cannes Yachting Festival is the unmissable start of the international season.

Europe’s largest in-water show, running since 1977, features over 700 boats, including 140 previews, to delight nearly 55,000 expected visitors at Vieux Port and Port Canto.

Buy tickets for Cannes Yachting Festival 2023

A significant new feature for 2023 is an area afloat in the Vieux Port, which will accommodate over 50 smaller boats from 8-12 metres.

“As the show’s DNA is to offer the most eclectic offer possible, it seemed natural to us to host in the best way its small units, traditionally displayed ashore on the Quai Max Laubeuf, in a dedicated floating area,” says Sylvie Ernoult, director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.

The ‘Green Route’, initially launched in 2021, also returns this year to highlight those exhibitors developing eco-friendly innovations, whether in alternative engine power, a consumption-reduction system or eco-friendly materials. Firms already on the Green Route include Silent-Yachts, BlueNav and Fountaine Pajot.

The innovative Austrian shipyard Silent-Yachts is continuing its journey into an eco-friendly future with the world debut of its new flagship yacht at Cannes 2023: the Silent 62 3-Deck solar electric catamaran.

“Once again this year, our visitors will enjoy discovering some real gems in-water and on land, boats of all sizes and types, equipped with ‘traditional’ or carbon-free engines with the first onboard electric, hybrid or hydrogen power systems,” says Ernoult.

Port Canto hosts the leading players in the sailing industry. At the heart of the sailing area, the start-up village, launched in 2021, highlights marine start-ups working on breakthrough technologies. Also, for 2023, a selection of previously owned boats over 22 metres long will be available for sale or hire at the nearby brokerage area.

The Vieux Port focuses entirely on the motorboat industry. It has over 480 boats in the water and on land, while the Jetée will welcome the legendary international shipyards and large vessels over 22 metres.

At Cannes 2023, Benetti presents the first unit of the Motopanfilo 37M. This fibreglass and composite yacht takes its timeless design from the motoryachts of the 60s.

Azimut presents the world premiere of the new Magellano 60, a crossover that promises a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This 60-footer stands out for the large spaces on board, generous without compromising the elegance of Ken Freivokh’s lines.

From the Verve Series, Azimut’s new Verve 48 makes its global debut at the Cannes Boat Show. This sport-weekender presents interesting developments designed by Azimut in collaboration with Francesco Struglia, who designed the interiors and exteriors.

The New Fly 72 joins the Magellano 60 and Verve 48 as the shipyard’s third international premiere at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival. The New Fly 72, the latest addition to the Fly Series, features exterior lines by Alberto Mancini and interiors by architect and designer Fabio Fantolino — making his debut in the marine world.

The S7, Azimut’s sport yacht with a green soul, is also to be featured on the water for the first time. Other Azimut vessels slated for display include the S8, Atlantis 51, Fly 68, and Grande Trideck.

Semi-custom yacht builder Arcadia has chosen Cannes for the world premiere of its crossover A96. Evo Yachts will also present the world premiere of R+, a sporty and functional yacht with an aggressive profile.

Sacs Tecnorib debuts with the new Pirelli 30 appearing for the first time in the water. Sunreef presents three world premieres, including the solar-powered 80 Sunreef Power Eco, capable of extended voyages anywhere in the world.

Beneteau Sailing Yachts premieres its Oceanis 37.1 alongside models including Oceanis Yacht 60 and First 53. Joining Beneteau in Port Canto is Cantiere del Pardo, which marks its 50th anniversary by showcasing two new sailing models from Grand Soleil for the first time: the Grand Soleil 65 and the Grand Soleil 72, both in the Long Cruise version.

Following its successful debut at Boot 2023 in Dusseldorf, Italian shipbuilder Invictus will showcase the Vouge White special edition of its best-selling Invictus TT420, created by designer Christian Grande.

The world’s leading jet tender specialist, Williams Jet Tenders, will showcase two of its most popular models at Cannes. Visitors will have the opportunity to view a fully custom SportJet 345 on the stand, as well as a classic DieselJet 565.

British boatbuilder Princess Yachts has announced the world premiere of its all-new Y80 among an eight-strong yacht lineup.

Prestige introduces two brand new models: the M8 flagship and the first model in the new generation of the F-Line.

The all-new Wallywhy150 is set to make its international debut at Cannes, while Riva’s 82’ Diva, the entry-level model in Riva’s flybridge range, also makes an appearance.

Sirena Yachts’ smallest model to date, the Sirena 48, is also ready to make its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Despite the model’s official launch happening next month, Sirena Yachts has already sold 18 hulls of the Sirena 48 to date.

Fountaine Pajot is preparing to debut its new flagship superyacht, the NEW 80. The sailing catamaran has features including retractable side decks, expansive fore and aft cockpits, expansive flybridge, twin helm stations, and a master cabin with Jacuzzi.

Other Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans on display include the Astréa 42, Elba 45, Tanna 47, Aura 51 and the Samana 59, while it will showcase three models from its motor yacht range: the MY4.S, MY6 and Power 67.

Dufour Yachts will also premiere two new models at the event with the Dufour 41 and Dufour 530 Smart Electric expected to enjoy strong attention. Additional models available for inspection include the Dufour 37, Dufour 430 and Dufour 470.

Pershing launched the second hull of its GTX116 this summer, and the 35m ‘sport utility yacht’ also makes its world premiere at Vieux Port this September.

Absolute Yachts will have a presence at the show with a range including the 48 Coupe, 52 Fly, 56 Fly, 60 fly, Navetta 48, Navetta 52, Navetta 58, Navetta 64 and Navetta 75.

Luxury motor yacht brand Bluegame is preparing for the upcoming debut of its first power multihull yacht, the Bluegame BGM75, from the new BGM line. 

The premier model in this unconventional boat builder’s new BGM range, the BGM75 is built around the founding design principles of the Bluegame brand; maximum comfort, refinement and exceptional liveability.

Benefiting from increased stability, large volume, and reduced fuel consumption, the BGM75’s luxury accommodation is offered across two hulls.

Sunseeker’s 75 Sport Yacht — billed as the ‘ultimate social boat’ — made a low-key debut at Boot Dusseldorf in January but is re-appearing on the water at Cannes for a second hurrah.

And Sanlorenzo is set to make waves by unveiling the Sanlorenzo SX100, the latest edition to the SX crossover range, for the first time at Cannes 2023. The new SX100 has an expansive saloon with large floor-to-ceiling windows affording panoramic views, minimising the division between the interior and exterior of the yacht.

When it’s not being used as a sundeck or beach club, the transom design on this 30.5-metre yacht allows for the storage of multiple water toys and a large tender up to 5.65 metres. Up to eight guests can be accommodated in the four-cabin lower deck layout, which is divided into an owner’s cabin, a VIP cabin and two twin guest cabins.

A unit of the much-anticipated Sanlorenzo SX100 was sold to Southeast Asia shortly after its announcement at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival and is expected to be delivered in April 2024.

Finally, celebrating the success of one of its most popular models, Lagoon Catamarans is launching its 1000th Lagoon 42 during the yachting festival.

The global catamaran brand will also be presenting its Lagoon 46, 51 and 55 models at the show as well as its Sixty 5 and Seventy 7. 

Tickets to Cannes are now on sale, ranging from €31 for a single-day pass to €1,375 for two people for six days, including VIP services.

This year, the ticket sales desk is exclusively online, and no tickets will be sold at the festival entrances.

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