On the occasion of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s end-of-year cocktail reception, its President, HSH Prince Albert II, announced a collaboration between Yacht Club de Monaco and The Explorers Club of New York, marking a new milestone in the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting collective initiative. As part of this partnership, a delegation of around one hundred members from the prestigious American club, founded in 1904, will visit the Principality from 21 to 24 March 2026.
This alliance forms part of a strong international dynamic, which will be symbolically extended by the participation of Tuiga (1909), YCM’s flagship, and Viola (1908) in the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, on 4 July 2026. A unique moment in the history of Monaco’s 15 Metre International yacht.
Over four days, the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous will bring together owners, captains, scientists, institutions and innovation stakeholders around a shared ambition: positioning yachting as a platform serving knowledge, exploration and environmental responsibility.
On Sunday 22 March, an immersive day at the heart of Port Hercule will feature the inauguration of the Explorer Dock, visits to so-called Explorer yachts, and a friendly Regatta, fostering exchanges between the maritime and exploration communities.
Monday 23 March marks the scientific highlight of the event with the Day of Exploration, focusing on the deep ocean and coral reefs. Alongside reference partners such as the Monaco Scientific Centre, and Coral Gardeners, and with the participation of explorer Victor Vescovo, the day will showcase the concrete contributions of yachting to scientific research.
The rendezvous concludes on Tuesday 24 March with the 30th Captains’ Forum, dedicated to operational solutions that can be directly implemented onboard. Particular emphasis will be placed on workshops around the SEA Index®, the reference tool developed by Yacht Club de Monaco to measure and improve the environmental footprint of superyachts.
As both a highlight and conclusion, the presentation of the 6th YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts will crown these four days. Chaired by Richard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club, the jury will reward exemplary projects illustrating alternative uses of yachts as platforms for exploration, research, innovation and knowledge sharing. Awards will recognise outstanding initiatives in technology and innovation, adventure, environment and ethics, and science and discovery, complemented by a Jury Special Prize.
Through the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous, Yacht Club de Monaco and The Explorers Club affirm a shared vision of yachting in which technological progress goes hand in hand with strong scientific and environmental commitment. Exploring is no longer a privilege. It is a responsibility.
Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953 and under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II since 1984, the Yacht Club de Monaco now has 2,500 members of 82 different nationalities. They are united by the shared values embodied in the club’s motto: ‘One Spirit, One Team, One Club’. In accordance with its statutes and its role as a public service delegate, this private club enhances the appeal of the ‘Monaco’ destination by promoting all yachting activities in the Principality and internationally. Through the values of its label “La Belle Classe”, the Y.C.M. preserves a certain “Art of Living the Sea”, safeguards the environment, honours maritime heritage and promotes the most innovative technologies. It unites shipowners and all yachting stakeholders well beyond its membership circle, offering them a platform for communication and exchange. The Y.C.M. promotes and influences the Principality through its strong commitment to environmental preservation, as demonstrated by its concrete actions such as developing the SEA Index and organising the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (8-11 July 2026). These initiatives form part of the collective approach, ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’.
The Explorers Club was founded in New York City in 1904 by a group of the world’s leading explorers of the time. It is a multidisciplinary, not for profit (501c-3) organization dedicated to scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: first to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon. With over 3,500 members worldwide, the organization is headquartered at 46 East 70th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021.
