Inside the 126m superyacht that recently docked in Cape Town

Cape Town has welcomed its share of impressive vessels over the years, but few can make an entrance quite like Octopus, Cape {town} Etc reports.

The enormous superyacht, originally commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, recently spent several days in Cape Town, arriving in Table Bay on 27 October before departing on 1 November.

It was last seen in the shores of Cape Town back in 2018.

At 126 metres long, Octopus is difficult to miss. Built by German shipyard Lurssen and delivered in 2003, the vessel was designed to combine the comforts of a luxury yacht with the capabilities of an ocean-going explorer.

And the list of features is anything but ordinary.

Octopus has eight MTU diesel engines, twin propellers and a reported cruising range of around 12 500 nautical miles at economical speed. That gives it the ability to undertake lengthy journeys without needing to make frequent stops.

Its exploration equipment is just as impressive. The yacht has two helicopter landing areas, a hangar, a dedicated dive centre and a collection of tenders, smaller boats used to transport passengers and equipment between the yacht and shore.

There is even a hyperbaric chamber, a specialised facility used in diving-related medical treatment.

Life aboard is equally extravagant. The vessel includes a library, cinema, sports bar, swimming pool and gym, among its other leisure facilities. It was also designed with space for a basketball court, adding another unexpected feature to what is essentially a floating luxury estate.

Despite its enormous size, Octopus is marketed for a relatively small number of guests. Its current charter accommodation is designed for up to 12 people, with a crew of more than 40 looking after the vessel and those on board.

The yacht’s history is also tied to one of the world’s best-known technology entrepreneurs. Allen, who co-founded Microsoft alongside Bill Gates, commissioned Octopus and owned it until his death in 2018.

It later changed hands, entering a new chapter under private ownership and becoming available for luxury charter experiences.

For Cape Town, the recent visit was another opportunity to see one of the world’s most recognisable explorer yachts up close. Although Octopus has now left the Mother City, its appearance in Table Bay was a reminder that some of the world’s most extraordinary vessels occasionally pass through local waters.

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**Picture: **Oli Scarf / Gallo Images

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