2025 Hong Kong Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI) Yacht Consumption and Usage Report
Reporting Institution: Pridebay (the world’s leading research institution on the lifestyle of ultra-high-net-worth individuals)
Report Date: December 2025
Abstract: Hong Kong, with its superior marine resources, mature marine infrastructure, and unique status as an international financial and leisure hub, has long been the core gathering place for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in Asia to engage in yacht consumption and marine leisure activities. In 2025, driven by the optimization of Hong Kong’s yacht industry policies, the advancement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) yacht free travel initiative, the recovery of the global luxury leisure market, and the upgrading of UHNWIs’ lifestyle demands, Hong Kong’s UHNWI yacht consumption and usage patterns have shown new characteristics of "personalization, diversification, cross-border integration, and institutionalization". Based on Pridebay’s exclusive survey of 320 Hong Kong UHNWIs (with personal assets of no less than US$30 million), combined with data from the Hong Kong International Yacht Show, Hong Kong Marine Department, major yacht clubs, and industry insiders, this report comprehensively analyzes the consumption preferences, purchase behaviors, usage scenarios, core driving factors, potential challenges, and future trends of Hong Kong UHNWIs in yacht consumption and usage in 2025. It decodes the dual value of yachts for UHNWIs—symbol of high-end lifestyle and carrier of leisure and social interaction—and presents a professional and in-depth insight into the yacht consumption market of Hong Kong’s top wealth group. This report aims to provide authoritative reference for global yacht brands, yacht clubs, high-end service providers, and UHNWI groups, and interpret the new dynamics of yacht consumption and usage among Hong Kong’s UHNWIs in the new era.
I. Preface: Hong Kong’s Position in the Global UHNWI Yacht Consumption Pattern
Hong Kong’s unique advantages—including its superior marine geographical location, well-developed yacht berthing facilities, free port policies, mature financial and professional services, and its role as a "super connector" linking the GBA and the global market—have made it an irreplaceable core hub for UHNWI yacht consumption in Asia. As one of the world’s top luxury leisure destinations, Hong Kong has attracted a large number of global UHNWIs to purchase, rent, and use yachts, forming a mature yacht consumption ecosystem covering yacht sales, rental, maintenance, berthing, and supporting services.
In 2025, Hong Kong’s yacht industry ushered in a period of rapid development, with the government continuously optimizing policies to promote industry upgrading, and the GBA yacht free travel initiative gradually landing, injecting strong vitality into the market. Pridebay’s research shows that Hong Kong’s UHNWI yacht ownership rate reached 28% in 2025, an increase of 7 percentage points compared with 2023, and the annual growth rate of yacht rental consumption among UHNWIs exceeded 15%. For Hong Kong’s UHNWIs, yachts are no longer just a luxury leisure tool, but have become an important symbol of personal taste, family status, and social interaction, and an indispensable part of their high-quality lifestyle. This report focuses on the core characteristics and development trends of UHNWIs’ yacht consumption and usage in Hong Kong in 2025, providing a comprehensive portrait of this group’s yacht-related behaviors.
II. 2025 Hong Kong UHNWI Yacht Market Overview & UHNWI Participation Status
(I) Overall Market Performance
In 2025, Hong Kong’s yacht market maintained a strong growth momentum, with remarkable performance in yacht sales, rental, and supporting services, driven by policy dividends and market demand. Key data shows that the total sales volume of yachts in Hong Kong in 2025 reached 486 units, a year-on-year increase of 19%, and the total sales volume exceeded HK$18.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 23%. Among them, super yachts (length ≥30 meters) accounted for 12% of total sales, with a total sales volume of HK$7.2 billion, reflecting the strong purchasing power of UHNWIs for high-end yachts.
The yacht rental market also achieved brilliant results: the total number of rental orders in 2025 reached 1,890, a year-on-year increase of 16%, and the total rental income exceeded HK$2.1 billion. The second sixteenth Hong Kong International Yacht Show, held from December 4 to 7, 2025, attracted dozens of well-known enterprises from Australia, Europe, the Chinese mainland, and Hong Kong, displaying nearly 50 yachts on site, including super yachts, catamarans, new energy boats, and sports speedboats, and gathering professional buyers and industry insiders from all over the world, which fully demonstrated the vitality of Hong Kong’s yacht market .
In terms of supporting facilities, Hong Kong currently has about 12,330 locally licensed pleasure boats (including yachts), with yacht clubs and private mooring buoys providing more than 4,000 berths, and the remaining boats berthing in typhoon shelters . To alleviate the berthing pressure, especially for super yachts, the Hong Kong SAR Government has planned to add about 600 new yacht berths in areas such as former Lamma Island, Aberdeen, and Hung Hom Station, and the "Airport City" project under construction by the Airport Authority will provide an additional 500 berths, some of which can accommodate super yachts over 80 meters in length .
(II) UHNWI Participation Characteristics
1. Scale of Participation: UHNWIs are the core driving force of Hong Kong’s high-end yacht market. Pridebay’s survey shows that 72% of Hong Kong UHNWIs have experience in yacht consumption (purchase or rental), of which 28% own private yachts, and 65% have rented yachts at least twice a year. UHNWIs with assets of more than US$100 million have a yacht ownership rate of 45%, and their average annual expenditure on yachts (including purchase, maintenance, berthing, and crew) reaches HK$3.5 million-8 million.
2. Participant Structure: The UHNWI group participating in yacht consumption is increasingly diversified. Local Hong Kong UHNWIs, mainland Chinese UHNWIs, and international UHNWIs account for 40%, 42%, and 18% of the total respectively. Mainland Chinese UHNWIs have become an important force in Hong Kong’s yacht market, driven by the GBA yacht free travel policy, and their proportion in high-end yacht purchases has reached 58%. In addition, the proportion of young UHNWIs (under 45 years old) in yacht consumption has risen to 38%, and they are more willing to try new yacht models and personalized services, injecting new vitality into the market.
3. Participation Channels: UHNWIs mainly participate in yacht consumption through three channels: authorized dealers of top yacht brands, high-end yacht clubs, and private yacht brokers. Among them, yacht clubs are the most important channel, accounting for 55% of their yacht acquisition and rental volume. Well-known yacht clubs in Hong Kong, such as the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Clear Water Bay Yacht Club, not only provide berthing services but also offer one-stop supporting services such as yacht maintenance, crew management, and customized travel routes, which are favored by UHNWIs .
III. Core Preferences of UHNWIs’ Yacht Consumption in 2025
(I) Yacht Brand & Model Preferences
Hong Kong UHNWIs’ yacht brand and model preferences in 2025 are more personalized and rational, focusing on brand influence, craftsmanship, comfort, and functional diversity. The top preferred brands and models are as follows:
1. Preferred Brands: European top brands and high-quality local brands dominate the market. Italian brands are the most popular, accounting for 52% of UHNWIs’ private yachts, including Sanlorenzo, Ferretti, and Princess, which are favored for their exquisite craftsmanship and fashionable design . Dutch and British brands (such as Feadship and Sunseeker) account for 23% of the market, mainly popular among UHNWIs who pursue high performance and luxury configuration. Local Hong Kong brands have also gained more recognition, with Kingship and Cheoy Lee Yachts becoming the preferred local brands for UHNWIs. Kingship, founded in 1996, combines European manufacturing technology with Asian market needs, and its custom-made yachts are well-received by high-end customers .
2. Preferred Models: UHNWIs’ yacht model choices are closely related to their usage needs. The most popular models are divided into three categories: (1) Medium-sized yachts (18-30 meters): accounting for 58% of private yachts, suitable for family leisure and small-scale social gatherings, with an average price of HK$8 million-30 million. Models such as Sunseeker Predator 60 and Princess V55 are popular in the second-hand market, with prices 30%-50% lower than new boats . (2) Super yachts (30-60 meters): accounting for 32% of private yachts, equipped with high-end configurations such as private helipads, swimming pools, luxury cabins, and smart home systems, suitable for long-distance cruises and large-scale social activities, with an average price of HK$30 million-150 million. Kingship’s Imperial series, with a maximum length of 120 feet and a starting price of HK$50 million, is favored by top UHNWIs . (3) New energy yachts: accounting for 10% of private yachts, with the concept of environmental protection and low carbon, becoming a new favorite of young UHNWIs, with brands such as Azimut Yachts launching new energy models.
(II) Purchase & Rental Preferences
In 2025, Hong Kong UHNWIs’ yacht consumption methods are more flexible, with both purchase and rental accounting for a significant proportion, and the choice is closely related to their usage frequency and needs:
1. Purchase Preferences: UHNWIs who purchase yachts mainly focus on long-term use and family legacy. 78% of them choose new yachts, emphasizing customization and exclusivity, and are willing to pay a premium for personalized configurations (such as custom interiors, advanced navigation systems, and entertainment facilities). The remaining 22% choose second-hand yachts, mainly because of the high cost performance—second-hand yachts that have been used for 3-5 years are only half the price of new ones, but their performance is almost the same . In terms of payment methods, 65% of UHNWIs choose full payment, while 35% choose installment payment or financial leasing, with the support of Hong Kong’s mature financial services.
2. Rental Preferences: UHNWIs who rent yachts mainly focus on temporary leisure and social needs, with short-term rentals (1-3 days) accounting for 85% of total rental orders. The preferred rental periods are weekends, holidays, and special occasions (such as birthdays and anniversaries). The average rental cost per day for medium-sized yachts is HK$80,000-150,000, and for super yachts, it is HK$200,000-500,000. UHNWIs often rent yachts with family and friends, and 62% of them require customized supporting services (such as catering, crew, and cruise routes).
(III) Consumption Budget & Cost Allocation
Hong Kong UHNWIs’ yacht consumption budget is relatively stable, with a clear allocation structure: (1) Purchase Budget: The average purchase budget for private yachts is HK$15 million-80 million, of which medium-sized yachts account for 60% of the budget (HK$15 million-30 million), and super yachts account for 40% (HK$30 million-80 million). UHNWIs with assets of more than US$100 million have an average purchase budget of HK$50 million-150 million, focusing on super yachts with high-end configurations. (2) Operating Cost Allocation: The annual operating cost of private yachts accounts for 8%-12% of the purchase price, including berthing fees (35%), crew salaries (25%), maintenance fees (20%), fuel fees (15%), and insurance fees (5%). The berthing fee for super yachts in high-end yacht clubs can reach HK$500,000-1.2 million per year, and the membership fee of top yacht clubs such as the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club is as high as HK$1.5 million .
IV. UHNWIs’ Yacht Usage Scenarios & Behavioral Characteristics in 2025
(I) Core Usage Scenarios
Hong Kong UHNWIs’ yacht usage scenarios in 2025 are more diversified, covering leisure, social, family, and business, reflecting their multi-dimensional needs for high-quality life:
1. Family Leisure & Vacation: This is the most common usage scenario, accounting for 45% of total usage time. UHNWIs often take their families to cruise around Hong Kong’s waters (such as Victoria Harbour, Repulse Bay, and Sai Kung) on weekends or holidays, engaging in activities such as fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. With the advancement of the GBA yacht free travel policy, more UHNWIs choose to drive yachts to the mainland’s GBA cities (such as Zhuhai and Shenzhen) for short-distance vacations, enjoying cross-border leisure experiences .
2. High-End Social Interaction: Yachts have become an important venue for UHNWIs’ high-end social interaction, accounting for 30% of total usage time. UHNWIs often hold private parties, business talks, and friend gatherings on yachts, which are not only private and exclusive but also can show their taste and status. Some UHNWIs even use yachts to hold small-scale art exhibitions and charity activities, expanding their high-end social circle.
3. Business Reception & Negotiation: With the recovery of the global economy, yachts have become a new venue for UHNWIs’ business activities, accounting for 15% of total usage time. UHNWIs receive important clients, hold business negotiations, and sign cooperation agreements on yachts, providing a relaxed and high-end business environment, which helps to enhance business cooperation opportunities. The unique marine environment and private space make yacht business receptions more favored by UHNWIs than traditional hotel receptions.
4. Long-Distance Cruises & Exploration: A small number of UHNWIs (about 10%) choose to use yachts for long-distance cruises, mainly to Southeast Asia (such as Thailand and Malaysia) and other regions, enjoying the marine scenery of different countries and regions. Hong Kong’s local brand Kingship’s Explorer series is specially designed for long-distance voyages, with a large fuel tank and fresh water system that allows the ship to sail continuously for 30 days without docking, which is favored by UHNWIs who love exploration .
(II) Usage Behavioral Characteristics
1. Usage Frequency: UHNWIs who own private yachts use them an average of 18-25 times a year, with an average usage time of 6-8 hours each time. The usage frequency is higher on weekends and holidays, with 70% of usage concentrated in March-May and September-November (the most comfortable seasons in Hong Kong’s marine climate).
2. Supporting Service Requirements: UHNWIs have high requirements for yacht supporting services, with 88% of them requiring professional crew services (including captains, stewards, and chefs), 75% requiring customized catering services (mainly high-end Western food and seafood), and 60% requiring value-added services such as photography and water sports equipment rental. In addition, UHNWIs also pay attention to the safety and privacy of yacht services, requiring strict confidentiality of personal information and professional safety guarantees.
3. Cross-Border Usage Trend: With the gradual implementation of the GBA yacht free travel policy, the cross-border usage of yachts by UHNWIs has become more frequent. The Hong Kong Marine Department has set 5 overnight anchorage areas (including Repulse Bay and Stanley Bay) and launched a yacht dynamic monitoring system, allowing visiting yachts to sail freely in Hong Kong waters without pre-booking berths . UHNWIs can now drive yachts to and from Hong Kong and the mainland’s GBA cities more conveniently, promoting cross-border marine leisure and cultural exchanges.
V. Core Driving Factors of UHNWIs’ Yacht Consumption in 2025
(I) Policy Advantages & Market Ecosystem Optimization
Hong Kong’s continuous optimization of yacht industry policies has provided strong support for UHNWIs’ yacht consumption. The Hong Kong SAR Government has launched a series of measures to promote the development of the yacht industry, including optimizing the entry process for visiting yachts, increasing the supply of berths, and promoting the GBA yacht free travel initiative . In 2025, the government will further relax restrictions on visiting yachts, allowing them to sail freely in Hong Kong waters and anchor in designated areas without pre-booking berths . In addition, the government is also negotiating with the Guangdong Provincial Maritime Safety Administration to implement the "Hong Kong yachts going north" and "Mainland yachts going south" initiatives, and plans to authorize mainland institutions to conduct examinations and training for captains of visiting yachts in 2026, further facilitating cross-border yacht travel . The mature yacht market ecosystem in Hong Kong, including professional yacht maintenance, crew training, and financial services, has also reduced the threshold for UHNWIs’ yacht consumption.
(II) Upgrading of UHNWIs’ Lifestyle Demands
With the continuous growth of wealth and the improvement of quality of life, Hong Kong UHNWIs’ lifestyle demands have shifted from material enjoyment to spiritual and experiential pursuit. Yachts, as a high-end leisure tool that combines marine scenery, private space, and social interaction, perfectly meet their needs for personalized and high-quality leisure. UHNWIs pay more attention to the quality of life and work-life balance, and yachting has become an important way for them to relax, relieve pressure, and accompany their families. In addition, yachts have also become a symbol of UHNWIs’ taste and status, helping them stand out in the high-end social circle.
(III) Influx of Global Talent & Cross-Border Capital
Hong Kong’s policies to attract top talents (Top Talent Pass, High-end Talent Scheme) have attracted a large number of global UHNWIs and high-end professionals to settle in Hong Kong, further boosting the demand for yacht consumption. These groups have a strong demand for high-end leisure activities and are willing to spend on yachts to pursue a high-quality lifestyle. At the same time, the free flow of cross-border capital in Hong Kong has also provided a material foundation for UHNWIs’ yacht consumption. Mainland Chinese UHNWIs, in particular, have become an important force in Hong Kong’s yacht market, driven by the GBA integration strategy, and their cross-border yacht consumption has further promoted the prosperity of the market.
(IV) Development of Yacht Industry & Innovation of Service Models
The continuous development of Hong Kong’s yacht industry and the innovation of service models have also promoted the growth of UHNWIs’ yacht consumption. More top yacht brands have settled in Hong Kong, launching new models and personalized customization services to meet the diverse needs of UHNWIs. Yacht clubs have continuously improved their supporting services, providing one-stop services such as yacht purchase, rental, maintenance, and crew management. In addition, the application of intelligent technology in yachts (such as AI navigation systems and smart home systems) has also improved the comfort and safety of yachting, attracting more UHNWIs to participate in yacht consumption .
VI. Challenges Faced by UHNWIs’ Yacht Consumption in 2025
(I) Berthing Resource Shortage & High Costs
Although the Hong Kong government is increasing the supply of yacht berths, the shortage of berthing resources is still a major challenge. At present, Hong Kong’s yacht berths are in short supply, and the berthing fee is relatively high, especially for super yachts. The permanent berth price of Clear Water Bay Yacht Club for 100-foot super yachts is as high as over HK$20 million, and the annual berthing fee for super yachts in top yacht clubs can reach millions of Hong Kong dollars . This has increased the operating cost of UHNWIs’ private yachts and restricted the further growth of yacht consumption.
(II) Policy and Regulatory Risks
Although the GBA yacht free travel policy is being promoted, there are still some policy and regulatory obstacles in cross-border yacht travel. The differences in yacht management systems, safety standards, and entry-exit procedures between Hong Kong and the mainland have brought certain inconveniences to UHNWIs’ cross-border yachting. In addition, potential changes in Hong Kong’s yacht industry policies (such as tax policies and berthing management regulations) may also affect UHNWIs’ yacht consumption decisions.
(III) High Operating and Maintenance Costs
The operating and maintenance costs of yachts are relatively high, which is a major burden for UHNWIs. In addition to berthing fees and crew salaries, yachts also need regular maintenance, fuel supply, and insurance, and the annual operating cost accounts for 8%-12% of the purchase price. For super yachts, the annual maintenance cost alone can reach millions of Hong Kong dollars, which has become a key factor restricting some UHNWIs from purchasing yachts.
(IV) Safety Risks & Professional Talent Shortage
Yachting involves certain safety risks, including marine weather changes, navigation accidents, and equipment failures. Although UHNWIs require professional crew services, the shortage of professional yacht captains and crew in Hong Kong has affected the safety and quality of yachting services. In addition, the lack of standardized safety management systems for some small yacht rental companies has also increased the safety risks of UHNWIs’ yacht consumption.
VII. Future Trends of UHNWIs’ Yacht Consumption & Usage in Hong Kong (2026-2030)
Pridebay predicts that Hong Kong UHNWIs’ yacht consumption and usage will continue to develop in the direction of diversification, intelligence, cross-border integration, and sustainability in the next five years, with the following key trends:
1. Continuous Growth of the High-End Yacht Market: Driven by the GBA yacht free travel policy and the influx of global UHNWIs, Hong Kong’s high-end yacht market will maintain steady growth. The total sales volume of yachts is expected to exceed 700 units by 2030, and the total sales volume will exceed HK$30 billion. The proportion of super yachts and new energy yachts in sales will continue to rise.
2. Popularization of Cross-Border Yachting: With the full implementation of the GBA yacht free travel policy and the improvement of cross-border regulatory coordination, cross-border yachting by UHNWIs will become more frequent. The Hong Kong government will further optimize cross-border procedures, realize data interconnection between Hong Kong and the mainland’s yacht monitoring systems, and promote the free flow of yachts in the GBA . UHNWIs will have more cross-border cruise routes to choose from, including Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Shenzhen and other short-distance routes.
3. Intelligence and Personalization of Yachts: The application of intelligent technology in yachts will become more widespread, including AI navigation, smart home control, and remote monitoring systems, improving the comfort and safety of yachting. At the same time, personalized customization services will become the mainstream, and UHNWIs will pay more attention to the uniqueness of yachts, including custom interiors, configurations, and functions.
4. Development of Sustainable Yacht Consumption: With the popularization of the concept of sustainable development, new energy yachts (such as electric yachts and hybrid yachts) will become more favored by UHNWIs. Yacht brands will focus on environmental protection and low-carbon research and development, and UHNWIs will pay more attention to the environmental protection performance of yachts in consumption. In addition, the recycling and reuse of yachts will also become a new trend, reducing the environmental impact of the yacht industry.
5. Improvement of Yacht Supporting Services: The yacht supporting service system in Hong Kong will be further improved, including the expansion of berthing facilities, the improvement of maintenance technology, and the training of professional talents. Yacht clubs will launch more personalized supporting services, such as customized cruise routes, high-end catering, and health care services, to meet the diverse needs of UHNWIs. The development of yacht financial services (such as yacht leasing and insurance) will also reduce the cost pressure of UHNWIs’ yacht consumption.
VIII. Conclusion
In 2025, Hong Kong’s UHNWI yacht consumption and usage market maintained strong vitality, with UHNWIs showing more personalized, diversified, and cross-border characteristics in their consumption and usage behaviors. Yachts have become an important part of UHNWIs’ high-quality lifestyle, not only a tool for leisure and social interaction but also a symbol of taste and status, and a carrier of family legacy and business development.
Hong Kong’s unique policy advantages, mature market ecosystem, and superior marine resources have laid a solid foundation for UHNWIs’ yacht consumption. Although the market still faces challenges such as shortage of berthing resources, high operating costs, and policy obstacles, with the continuous optimization of policies, the improvement of supporting facilities, and the upgrading of market services, the yacht consumption market of Hong Kong’s UHNWIs will usher in broader development space.
In the future, with the in-depth advancement of the GBA integration strategy and the continuous growth of global UHNWIs’ wealth, Hong Kong will continue to consolidate its position as a core hub for UHNWI yacht consumption in Asia. UHNWIs’ yacht consumption and usage will show more new characteristics and trends, driving the continuous upgrading and development of Hong Kong’s yacht industry.
Pridebay will continue to pay attention to the development dynamics of Hong Kong’s yacht market and UHNWIs’ yacht consumption and usage behaviors, conduct in-depth research on market trends and consumer needs, and provide more professional research reports and consulting services for global UHNWIs, yacht brands, and high-end service providers, helping to promote the healthy and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s yacht industry.
