Walk along the pontoons at Dubai Harbour and you will see the same names again and again: Riva, Ferretti, Pershing, Azimut, Sunseeker. These luxury yacht brands come with long histories, but what matters on charter day is simpler: how many guests the boat takes, how it feels on the water and what it costs per hour.
This guide gives a short, plain profile of each shipyard and links it to the matching yacht in the Gold Water Yachts fleet, with guest capacity and starting prices. By the end, you will know which name fits a romantic sunset for two, a sporty ride with friends or a party for 50.
Luxury Yacht Brands at a Glance
The table sums up the brands you will find in our fleet. Prices are "starting from" rates per hour shown on our website at the time of writing (October 2026) and can change by season and date.
| Brand | Origin | Founded | Yacht in our fleet | Guests | From (AED/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riva | Sarnico, Italy | 1842 | Riva 82 ft (Diva) | 16 | 6,999 |
| Ferretti | Forlì, Italy | 1968 | Ferretti 670 / Ferretti 780 | 12 / 12 | 2,799 / 4,999 |
| Pershing | Italy (Ferretti Group) | — | Pershing 5X White / Shark Grey | 8 / 8 | 1,499 / 1,799 |
| Azimut | Italy | 1969 | Azimut 53 ft (Kami) / Azimut 135 ft | 15 / 110 | 799 / 3,999 |
| Sunseeker | Poole, England | 1969 | Sunseeker 56 ft | 20 | 599 |
| San Lorenzo | Italy | 1958 | San Lorenzo 82 ft | 50 | 1,699 |
| Galeon | Poland | — | Galeon 780 | 15 | 4,499 |
| Majesty / Gulf Craft | Ajman, UAE | — | Majesty 66 ft / Majesty 77 ft / Gulf Craft Black 95 ft | 30 / 40 / 50 | 899 / 1,799 / 2,599 |
Two patterns stand out. Premium Italian names such as Riva and Ferretti tend to carry fewer guests at a higher hourly rate, while brands like Sunseeker, Azimut and Majesty offer more space for the money in our fleet. The brand sets the style; your group size and budget should set the final choice.
Riva: Italian Heritage Since 1842
Riva is the oldest name on this list. The shipyard was founded in 1842 in Sarnico, Italy, and it is now part of the Ferretti Group. Its reputation rests on an iconic design heritage that goes back to its mahogany-era boats, and that classic elegance is what most guests look for when they ask for a Riva yacht.
In our fleet, the Riva 82 Diva for up to 16 guests starts from 6,999 AED per hour. It belongs to our VIP collection of signature yachts, which also includes the Lamborghini 63, the Ferretti 780, the Galeon 780, the Volare 60, the Ferretti 670, both Pershing 5X yachts and the Pearl 48. The Riva suits milestone celebrations and intimate groups who want a yacht with a famous name and plenty of presence.
Ferretti and Pershing: Two Faces of the Ferretti Group
The Ferretti Group brings together several Italian shipyards. Two of them are in our fleet, and they offer very different experiences.
Ferretti: the namesake shipyard
Ferretti was founded in Forlì, Italy, in 1968 and gave its name to the wider group. A Ferretti yacht is a natural choice for guests who want a refined Italian motor yacht with a small, select group on board.
We operate two of them. The Ferretti 670 for up to 12 guests (67 ft) starts from 2,799 AED per hour, and the Ferretti 780 for up to 12 guests starts from 4,999 AED per hour. Both carry the same number of guests, so the choice comes down to size, style and budget.
Pershing: the performance line
Pershing is the group's performance brand, built around speed and a sporty profile. A Pershing yacht is for guests who enjoy the feeling of covering the coast quickly, past Bluewaters, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab.
Our fleet has two Pershing 5X yachts (54 ft, up to 8 guests each). The Pershing 5X in pearl white starts from 1,499 AED per hour, and the Pershing 5X in Shark Grey starts from 1,799 AED. With eight guests maximum, they are ideal for couples, small groups of friends and anyone who values the ride as much as the view.
Azimut and Sunseeker: Two Builders Born in 1969
These two shipyards were founded in the same year, one in Italy and one in England, and both cover a wide range of sizes.
Azimut: from 15 to 110 guests
Azimut is an Italian builder founded in 1969. In our fleet, the brand spans both ends of the scale. The Azimut 53 ft Kami for up to 15 guests starts from 799 AED per hour, a comfortable and good-value choice for a mid-sized group. At the other extreme, the Azimut 135 ft for up to 110 guests starts from 3,999 AED per hour and is the largest-capacity yacht we offer.
Sunseeker: the British name
Sunseeker was founded in 1969 in Poole, on England's south coast. It is the British name in our fleet. Our Sunseeker 56 ft for up to 20 guests starts from 599 AED per hour, which makes a Sunseeker yacht one of the most accessible ways to charter a well-known brand for a birthday, a family outing or a sunset cruise with friends.
San Lorenzo, Galeon and the UAE's Own Gulf Craft
Beyond the five headline brands, three more names appear in our fleet.
- San Lorenzo: an Italian shipyard founded in 1958. The San Lorenzo 82 ft for up to 50 guests starts from 1,699 AED per hour, a strong option for large celebrations.
- Galeon: a Polish builder. The Galeon 780 for up to 15 guests starts from 4,499 AED per hour and is part of our VIP collection.
- Majesty / Gulf Craft: built in Ajman, here in the UAE. Our Gulf Craft yachts include the Majesty 66 ft for 30 guests from 899 AED per hour, the Majesty 77 ft Diamond Dust for 40 guests from 1,799 AED and the Gulf Craft Black 95 ft for 50 guests from 2,599 AED.
One more name deserves a mention: the Lamborghini 63, built by Tecnomar and styled after the carmaker's supercars. It is a story of its own, told in our guide to the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 in Dubai.
How to Choose a Yacht by Brand
Luxury yacht brands are part of the pleasure, but a famous name should not be the only filter. Here is a practical way to decide.
- Start with your guest count. A Pershing 5X takes 8 guests, a Riva 82 takes 16 and a San Lorenzo 82 takes 50. Rule out any yacht that is too small before you look at the badge.
- Set your budget per hour. Starting rates range from 599 AED for the Sunseeker 56 ft to 6,999 AED for the Riva 82. For a full picture of what drives charter costs, read our guide to yacht charter costs in Dubai.
- Decide on the feel. Want speed and a sporty ride? Look at Pershing. Want heritage and an iconic look? Riva. Want space for a big group? Azimut 135, San Lorenzo or Gulf Craft. Need one big open deck for 40 or more? Compare with our catamarans in the catamaran and motor yacht comparison.
- Remember what does not change. Whatever the brand, the price includes the yacht, a professional captain and crew, fuel, bottled water, ice and soft drinks. Every yacht has a Bluetooth sound system, and decorations, catering, a live BBQ chef and water sports equipment can be added.
- Pick your time slot. Daytime suits tanning and water activities, sunset is the most popular slot as the sun goes down behind Palm Jumeirah, and evening shows the lit skyline of Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which yacht brand is considered the most luxurious?
There is no single answer, as luxury depends on what you value: heritage, design, speed or space. In our fleet, the highest starting rates belong to the Lamborghini 63 (7,899 AED per hour), the Riva 82 Diva (6,999 AED) and the Ferretti 780 (4,999 AED), at the time of writing (October 2026). All three are in our VIP collection.
Are Riva, Ferretti and Pershing made by the same company?
They belong to the same group. Riva, founded in 1842 in Sarnico, and Pershing, the performance brand, are both part of the Ferretti Group, which takes its name from Ferretti, founded in Forlì in 1968. Each brand keeps its own identity, which is why a Riva, a Ferretti and a Pershing feel quite different on board.
Is Sunseeker a British or an Italian yacht brand?
Sunseeker is British. The shipyard was founded in 1969 in Poole, on the south coast of England. In the Gold Water Yachts fleet, the Sunseeker 56 ft carries up to 20 guests and starts from 599 AED per hour at the time of writing (October 2026), with prices varying by season and date.
Does a more famous brand change what is included in the charter?
No. On every Gold Water Yachts charter, the price includes the yacht, a professional captain and crew, fuel, bottled water, ice and soft drinks, whatever the brand. The brand affects the design, the feel on the water, the guest capacity and the hourly rate. Optional extras such as catering and decorations are available on all yachts.
Can I book a specific yacht brand for my date in Dubai?
Yes. Each yacht is listed by name on our fleet page, so you can choose a Riva, a Ferretti, a Pershing or another model directly. Online booking lets you select the yacht, date and time. Availability depends on the date, and our team confirms the details and suggests alternatives if your first choice is taken.
Book Your Trip with Gold Water Yachts
Now that you know the stories behind these luxury yacht brands, choose the yacht that matches your group and your occasion: a Pershing 5X for a sporty ride, a Riva 82 for a celebration with presence, a Sunseeker 56 for great value or an Azimut 135 for a crowd. Most charters leave from Dubai Harbour Yacht Club. You can choose your yacht, date and time online, and our team is available 24/7 for advice.
