The volcanic island of Saint Barthélemy has once again transformed into the ultimate New Year's Eve playground for the world's wealthiest individuals. A glittering armada of private jets, helicopters, and colossal superyachts has descended upon the Caribbean, carrying tech titans, retail magnates, and sports icons for the annual celebration.
A Who's Who of Billionaires and Their Floating Palaces
The climax of the festivities will be the traditional midnight fireworks display over Fort Oscar, illuminating Gustavia Harbor. As the clock strikes twelve, a chorus of foghorns from hundreds of megayachts will echo across the water. The party atmosphere is already in full swing, with US tech billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, spotted dancing at the celebrity hotspot Nikki Beach.
Bezos's presence is marked by his $500 million, 417-foot sailing yacht, Koru, notable for its wooden figurehead carved in Sanchez's likeness. Accompanying it is his 246-foot support vessel, Abeona. They are joined by an extraordinary fleet of luxury vessels. NBA legend Michael Jordan is aboard his 244-foot, £115 million M Brace, while WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum arrived on the 328-foot Moonrise.
British business figures are well-represented. Sir James Dyson is cruising on his classic 300-foot Nahlin, and retail tycoon Sir Philip Green is present with his 295-foot Lionheart. His daughter, Chloe Green, was seen on a double date with her husband and brother, Avengers actress Tessa Thompson.
Exclusive Onshore Parties and Celebrity Spotting
On the 9.7-square-mile island, the social calendar is packed. Insiders point to parties at Gyp Sea with headliner DJ Calvin Harris, Hotel Le Toiny featuring Blond:ish, and Nikki Beach with DJ Diplo as the top picks for ringing in 2026. Luxury travel advisors are in high demand to navigate the exclusive scene. "For nightlife, knowing where to sit matters as much as where you go," noted Henley Vazquez of Fora Travel.
The celebrity sightings extend beyond the billionaires. Supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband, Tom Kaulitz, were photographed swimming and relaxing on a beach, while Kris Jenner was seen boarding a luxurious motor yacht in a crisp white outfit.
The Staggering Scale of the Superyacht Fleet
The gathering is a showcase of unimaginable maritime wealth. Other notable vessels in the region include:
- Rising Sun (454 feet): Owned by media mogul David Geffen, featuring a basketball court and a two-storey cinema.
- Bravo Eugenia (358 feet): Belonging to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, complete with two helipads and a spa.
- I.J.E (354 feet): The $200 million yacht of Australian billionaire James Packer.
- Ahpo (378 feet): Owned by Playrix gaming co-founder Dmitri Bukhman.
- Ulysses (337 feet): The vessel of New Zealand's richest person, Graeme Hart.
Other billionaires en route or already in the surrounding islands include Capri-Sun's Hans-Peter Wild, hedge fund magnate Edward Lampert, and Phones 4U founder John Caudwell. The fleet underscores a tradition where the global elite choose the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean to see in the new year amidst unparalleled luxury and privacy.
