Rising Sun Yacht 2026: David Geffen's Iconic Superyacht – Current Status

Few names in the world of superyachts carry the cultural resonance of Rising Sun — the magnificent 138-meter (453-foot) megayacht that has been synonymous with Hollywood glamour, Silicon Valley power, and the intersection of American wealth and nautical ambition since its delivery in 2004. In 2026, Rising Sun continues to be one of the most-followed and most-admired private yachts in the world, its movements tracked by an enthusiastic global audience of yachting enthusiasts who have made sighting this extraordinary vessel something close to a sport.

The Rising Sun yacht occupies a unique cultural position that few private vessels can claim: it has been at the center of major entertainment industry deal-making, has hosted some of the world’s most famous faces, and has been photographed in harbors from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean to the Pacific coast of the Americas. If private superyachts had a “most famous” list, Rising Sun would be on the first page.

Originally commissioned by Larry Ellison — the founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals in the early 2000s — Rising Sun was subsequently acquired by David Geffen, the legendary music and entertainment mogul behind DreamWorks and one of the most influential figures in American entertainment history. Under Geffen’s ownership, Rising Sun has become one of the most publicly prominent private yachts in the world, with the owner regularly hosting celebrity guests whose social media posts and paparazzi photographs have made the yacht globally recognizable.

In 2026, Rising Sun’s current status, confirmed sightings, and everything we know about its operations form a fascinating story — and for charter clients inspired by its extraordinary profile, comparable megayacht charter experiences are available through yachtandcoast.com.

Background and History of Rising Sun

The Rising Sun was built by the German shipyard Lürssen in Bremen-Vegesack — the same yard responsible for many of the world’s most significant megayachts including Azzam, Flying Fox, and Dilbar. The vessel was constructed under the commission of Larry Ellison, who at the time was engaged in a friendly competition with fellow billionaire Paul Allen over whose yacht would be the largest private motorized vessel in the world — a “billionaire’s yacht war” that received significant media coverage in the early 2000s.

Rising Sun was delivered in 2004 at approximately 138 meters — placing it among the largest private yachts ever constructed at the time of delivery. The exterior design is attributed to Jon Bannenberg — the legendary British yacht designer who is widely credited as the father of modern superyacht aesthetics, and whose clients included the Sultan of Brunei and numerous other UHNWI yacht owners.

The distinctive feature of Rising Sun’s exterior is its striking dark hull with dramatically raked bow — a silhouette that immediately communicates power, speed, and presence. The vessel is optimized for performance as well as luxury, with twin Rolls-Royce/MTU diesels capable of generating a maximum speed of approximately 18 knots.

David Geffen purchased Rising Sun from Larry Ellison in 2010 for what was widely reported to be approximately $590 million — a transaction that at the time represented one of the largest private yacht sales ever recorded.

Under Geffen’s ownership, Rising Sun has been used extensively — for entertainment industry entertaining, personal vacations, and as a floating power base for one of Hollywood’s most prolific dealmakers. Geffen is known so well for his yacht that the phrase “Geffen’s yacht” has become shorthand in entertainment industry circles for the ultimate symbol of industry success.

Key Features & Specifications of Rising Sun Yacht

Technical Data:

Standout Features:

• 82 rooms below decks — including 16 guest staterooms, crew accommodation, and extensive service areas
• Basketball court — remarkably, a full-sized basketball court that converts to party/entertainment space
• Swimming pool — open-air pool on bridge deck
• Gymnasium — comprehensive fitness facility
• Movie screening room — private cinema (naturally, for the entertainment industry mogul owner)
• Helipad — capable of receiving medium helicopters
• Beach club — stern platform with direct sea access
• Multiple dining areas — formal indoor dining, al fresco outdoor, breakfast terrace
• Teak deck throughout — 10,000+ square feet of teak surface
• Medical center — full onboard medical facility
• Water toys — jet skis, tenders, wakeboards, kayaks, dive equipment

2026 Latest Updates: Where Is Rising Sun Now?

The Rising Sun yacht in 2026 continues its pattern of highly visible activity under David Geffen’s ownership. Unlike privately-operated yachts that maintain strict AIS privacy, Rising Sun’s celebrity associations and prominent harboring choices make it one of the more trackable large private yachts in the world.

2025–2026 Movement Summary:

Summer 2025: Rising Sun was extensively reported in the Western Mediterranean during June–August 2025. Confirmed sightings placed the vessel in Ibiza harboring off the island’s glamorous waterfront, and later off Formentera and the Spanish Costa Brava. In late summer, Rising Sun moved eastward through the French Riviera corridor — Antibes and Monaco confirmed via social media from celebrity guests.

Late Summer/Fall 2025: The yacht was reported transiting to the Caribbean by October/November 2025 — following the classic seasonal repositioning route that many large private yachts take as the Mediterranean season closes.

Winter 2025–2026: Rising Sun’s winter 2025–2026 season appears to have been divided between US East Coast ports (notably Miami area and possible Palm Beach) and the Bahamas. Confirmed December 2025 sighting near Nassau.

March 2026: Current reports suggest Rising Sun is likely in Caribbean or US East Coast waters as of mid-March 2026, potentially attending or near the Palm Beach boat show area.

Charter Options, Prices & Availability in 2026

Rising Sun is not publicly available for charter and has never been listed through commercial charter brokerages. As one of entertainment’s most high-profile private yachts, Rising Sun is used exclusively by its owner and personal guests — the level of discretion and exclusivity attached to the vessel reflects David Geffen’s own approach to his most personal possessions.

However, for charter clients profoundly inspired by Rising Sun’s scale, profile, and Hollywood glamour aesthetic, the market offers truly spectacular alternatives:

Top Megayacht Charters Comparable to Rising Sun (2026):

All of the above offer scale, glamour, and Lürssen/top-tier construction quality comparable to Rising Sun. Explore these and more at yachtandcoast.com.

Best Destinations & Dream Itineraries (Hollywood Style)

Rising Sun’s documented cruising grounds suggest David Geffen prefers the world’s most glamorous and high-profile locations. Charter clients wanting the “Rising Sun experience” should consider:

The Western Mediterranean Glamour Circuit (10–14 days): Monaco Grand Prix Harbour → Antibes (Cap d’Antibes, Eden Roc) → St-Tropez (Pampelonne Beach, Club 55) → Île Sainte-Marguerite → Cannes Film Festival anchorage → Ibiza (Es Vedrà, D’Alt Vila old town) → Formentera

The Italian Dolce Vita Route (14 days): Portofino → Santa Margherita Ligure → Cinque Terre hiking + sea → Livorno (Florence by car) → Civitavecchia (Rome Vatican, Colosseum) → Naples → Amalfi → Positano → Sorrento → Capri (Blue Grotto by tender)

Caribbean VIP Circuit (7–14 days): St. Barts (Gustavia harbor, Nikki Beach) → St. Martin/Maarten (Orient Bay, Maho Beach) → Anguilla (Cap Juluca, Malliouhana resort) → Barbuda (Pink Sand Beach) → Antigua (English Harbour, 18th century dockyard)

Bahamas Celebrity Style (5–10 days): Nassau → Paradise Island → Exumas private cays → Staniel Cay → Big Major Cay (swimming pigs) → Thunderball Grotto (James Bond film location)

Why Rising Sun Captivates the World’s Imagination

• The Hollywood Connection: David Geffen’s ownership gives Rising Sun a cultural significance beyond yachting — every sighting of the vessel carries the suggestion of extraordinary conversations, unannounced celebrity guests, and entertainment deals being conceived over champagne.
• The Jon Bannenberg Legacy: Jon Bannenberg is to superyacht design what Frank Lloyd Wright is to American architecture. Rising Sun is one of his final and greatest masterpieces — a design so influential that its silhouette is instantly recognizable 20 years later.
• The Basketball Court: No detail in the history of private yacht amenities has captured public imagination quite like the fact that Rising Sun has a one. A full-sized basketball court. On a yacht.
• Billionaire History: Rising Sun has been owned by two of America’s most significant billionaires — Larry Ellison (14th richest person globally at time of sale) and David Geffen (net worth est. $8 billion+). Few possessions have changed hands between two people of comparable stature.
• Scale and Presence: At 138 meters, Rising Sun remains one of the 25 largest private yachts in the world. Its arrival in any harbor is an event.

Insider Tips for Guests Inspired by Rising Sun

Research the Bannenberg portfolio. Jon Bannenberg’s other major superyacht designs — many of which are still sailing — offer a school of aesthetic that defines classic superyacht glamour. Ask your broker specifically for Bannenberg-designed charters.

Choose Lürssen-built charter vessels. The craftmanship, engineering sophistication, and long-term quality standard that produced Rising Sun is carried through Lürssen’s entire client list — vessels like Kismet, Solandge, and others offer comparable quality levels.

Prioritize the French Riviera summer season. The Mediterranean’s most glamorous social circuit — Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, St-Tropez — is exactly where Rising Sun has been most consistently seen. A comparable charter in this region places you in the same social geography.

Consider the Bahamas for a Rising Sun-style winter escape. The Bahamas are discreet, staggeringly beautiful, and accessible from Florida — exactly why they appeal to American celebrities and entertainers as a winter retreat.

Conclusion

The Rising Sun yacht in 2026 remains one of the most iconic private vessels in the world — a 138-meter Bannenberg masterpiece with a basketball court, a Hollywood ownership story, and a cultural footprint that extends well beyond the world of yachting. While Rising Sun is private and will never be available to charter, the megayacht charter world it inhabits offers extraordinary alternatives that deliver comparable scale, glamour, and life-defining experiences.

The world of the Geffen yacht — the French Riviera at sunset, the crystalline Bahamas, the glamour of Monaco harbor — is available to you through yachtandcoast.com’s extraordinary charter fleet.

Ready to charter a magnificent megayacht in 2026? Visit yachtandcoast.com today to explore comparable superyacht charters inspired by the legendary Rising Sun!

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Image Sourcing & Placement Guide

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