The turquoise waters of Mallorca never go out of style. As usual, the largest of the Balearic Islands is once again establishing itself as one of the main hubs of international luxury yachting for the summer. Last Friday, July 3, two of the world’s most spectacular mega-yachts, the Rising Sun and the Kaos, were moored at different points along the Mallorcan coast, attracting the attention of both sailing enthusiasts and onlookers who follow the movements of these impressive vessels.
Although both are currently in Balearic waters, their relationship with the island is very different. The Rising Sun has made Mallorca one of its regular summer stops for more than a decade, while the Kaos continues to consolidate its presence in the western Mediterranean after having previously stopped in the Balearic Islands. On this occasion, the former was docked off El Toro, in the municipality of Calvià, while the latter was in Palma Bay, near the Bellavista residential complex.
Rising Sun: just another local
The Rising Sun was moored off El Toro, a popular spot for this type of vessel thanks to its protected waters and its proximity to Puerto Portals, Port Adriano, and other marinas in the southwest of the island. According to several reports, passengers included talk show host Oprah Winfrey and businesswoman and television personality Kris Jenner, who were guests of the yacht’s owner, American producer David Geffen.
Built in 2004 by the prestigious German shipyard Lürssen, the Rising Sun measures 138 meters long and is among the most renowned private superyachts in the world. It originally belonged to Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, although Geffen acquired the vessel in 2010. It has five decks, about 8,000 square meters of living space, 82 rooms, and nine cabins for a maximum of 16 to 18 guests, as well as a permanent crew of 45. Its exclusive amenities include a private movie theater, a climate-controlled wine cellar, a spa, a gym, and a basketball court that also serves as a helipad. It is valued at over $400 million, and its annual maintenance costs can reach up to $40 million.
His visits to Mallorca have practically become a tradition. The first documented visit dates back to 2013, when Bruce Springsteen toured the island from his yacht, and he has returned on numerous occasions since then, especially since the pandemic. Celebrities such as Barack and Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, and Jeff Bezos have spent time on board, before Bezos launched his own mega-yacht, the Koru. During their stays in Mallorca, the Rising Sun often serves as a base for sailing along the coast of the Serra de Tramuntana, anchoring in hard-to-reach coves and offering its guests the utmost privacy.
Chaos: extreme luxury in Palma Bay
The Kaos remained anchored off Bellavista in Palma Bay, although it has not yet been revealed who is on board. The yacht belongs to Nancy Walton Laurie, heiress to the Walmart empire and one of the richest people in the United States. Her visit to Mallorca is part of her summer tour of the Mediterranean, during which she usually alternates stops on the French Riviera, Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearic Islands.
With a length of 110 meters, a width of 16.4 meters, and a fuel capacity of about 390,000 liters, the Kaos is valued at around $300 million. It was built in the Netherlands for the Emir of Qatar under the name Jubilee, although he died before receiving it. In 2019, it was acquired by the Walton family, who renamed it and carried out a comprehensive refit. It can accommodate 30 guests in 15 suites and requires a crew of more than 40 people. Its amenities include a swimming pool, a helipad with a refueling system, a gym, a spa, a hammam, a panoramic elevator, a movie theater, a beach club, and even a small hospital.
The Kaos had already made headlines in the Balearic Islands during the summer of 2023, when activists from the Futuro Vegetal collective painted it black and red while it was docked in Ibiza, in a protest against the environmental impact of excessive luxury. After that incident, the vessel continued its journey to Mallorca. On this latest visit, the mega-yacht is using Palma Bay as a strategic base from which to enjoy the Mallorcan coast, take boat excursions, and offer its guests the privacy and exclusive services that characterize the island as one of the leading destinations for high-end nautical tourism.