The pristine Caribbean island of St Barths has been transformed into a floating billionaire's enclave this New Year's Eve, as an armada of superyachts belonging to the world's wealthiest individuals descended on the French territory. The influx has ignited a fierce backlash from residents, who accuse the mega-rich of making the paradise 'tacky' and obstructing their iconic views.
A Who's Who of Wealth on the Water
Pictures of the coast show the clear blue waters densely packed with vessels of all sizes. Among the notable arrivals is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, aboard his 417ft, $500 million sailing yacht Koru. He was spotted on Wednesday with his wife, Lauren Sánchez, 56, who wore a zebra-striped bikini. The couple were recently mocked online after being seen partying with bikini-clad bottle service women at Nikki Beach on the island.
The guest list reads like a roll call of global elite. NBA legend Michael Jordan is present with his $115 million yacht, M Brace. Film producer and media mogul David Geffen is aboard The Rising Sun, while OpenAI's Sam Altman was photographed holding his baby. Other confirmed attendees include WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum (yacht Moonrise), Disney CEO Bob Iger (Aquarius II), and British inventor Sir James Dyson.
Tech billionaires are out in force: Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Playrix co-founder Dmitry Bukhman (yacht Ahpo), and former Topshop owner Sir Philip Green, whose yacht Lionheart is in the harbour. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has had his yacht, Bravo Eugenia, stationed there since December 26.
Local Backlash Against the 'Floating Plastic'
For the residents of St Barths, the annual superyacht showdown is an unwelcome disruption. Locals have taken to social media to express their anger at the elite invasion, which they say ruins the relaxing atmosphere. One long-term visitor of 12 years lamented on Reddit that the island has become 'more instagrammy' and filled with a 'tacky designer crowd'.
The criticism has been biting. Commenting on a map showing the cluster of boats, one user on Instagram Threads described it as 'a lot of floating plastic in one spot'. Another shared an image of the ocean view, stating they had found a better spot to hang out so 'the big boats can't block the view!!'. On X, a user simply remarked that the billionaires were 'living in a different reality'.
Celebrity Sightings Amid the Controversy
Despite the local discontent, the party continues for the A-list. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, was seen on the island with his 27-year-old girlfriend, Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti. Television personalities Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz, as well as Kris Jenner, are also celebrating the holiday there.
The sheer scale of the vessels, many featuring multiple bedrooms, spas, gyms, and helipads, means they act as floating mansions for their owners. This visible display of extreme wealth, set against the backdrop of a small island community, has sharply highlighted the divide between the visitors and the locals who call St Barths home year-round.
As the new year begins, the debate over the impact of ultra-wealthy tourism on idyllic destinations like St Barths is set to continue, long after the superyachts have sailed away.
