You know you live in an amazing place when the world’s 2nd largest, newly-built sailing yacht chooses your backyard as its first vacation destination in the United States.
Koru is a 416-foot sailing yacht that was commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It reportedly cost $500 million to build and is accompanied by Abeona, its 246-foot support vessel. Both boats are currently anchored near Mingo Cay, which is roughly a five-minute boat ride from Cruz Bay. This is the same area where The Rising Sun, David Geffen’s 453-foot mega yacht, spent time last month. (Click here to read that story.)
Koru, a Maori word meaning “new beginnings”, is the largest boat ever built in the Netherlands. It was delivered in April and spent time in the Mediterranean before making the 4,400-mile crossing to the United States. It arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on November 22nd where it was forced to dock in a seaport beside oil tankers and a cruise ship due to its massive size. It arrived in St. Thomas on December 5th and spent five days in Charlotte Amalie before sailing over to us.
Koru is reportedly one of the most ecological megayachts in the world due to its sails and technology on board.
Abeona, its “dinghy”, will serve as a support boat, essentially a toy hauler. It will carry luxury cars, smaller boats, a helicopter, and additional crew.
Is this boat excessive? Yes. Did many of us shop way too often on Amazon, which in a way contributed to its creation? Yes. However it is a beautifully-designed sailboat, and it’s pretty darn cool that they chose to come here for their first vacation on this side of the world. Those of us who call St. John home are pretty darn lucky, and those of you who are able to visit this beautiful island are pretty darn lucky too.
Have a beautiful day everyone, and a big thanks to Palm Tree Charters for these great pics.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with us!
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
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Thank you for all the informative information you provide. We just got back home from 12 beautiful days on island. (First 3 rained ALL day) I have read your e mails for 1/ 1/2 years and learned so much. We have been to STJ 8 times and always learn something new!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
We’re in St Thomas this week (Jan 27-Feb 3, 2024) The yacht is docked in Charlotte Amalie. We have a view of the beautiful boat, and his support ship (with all the toys) from our balcony