Last Update: January 14, 2026
Let’s discover Necker Belle, Richard Branson’s former luxury yacht!
One of the largest catamarans in the world, awarded in 2010 with the World Superyacht Awards and made of super-light carbon fiber, the Necker Belle catamaran, renamed Bella Vita, was built in 2003 and boasts among its owners the English tycoon Richard Branson, who owned it until 2018, when he sold it for $ 3 million.
Today, it is possible to rent this luxurious catamaran weekly, budget permitting, of course, given the great luxury it offers and the fantastic features onboard, including huge living spaces, tropical-style furnishings, and even a private submarine.
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Who is Richard Branson?
Born in London on July 18, 1950, Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is a well-known British entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, which today includes over 400 companies, including airlines, credit cards, pension associations, communications, and entertainment companies, as well as a space travel agency. His assets, according to Forbes data, exceed $ 4 billion.
Branson recently made headlines, especially for his July 11, 2021, space trip, which formally opened the era of space tourism.
Son of a lawyer and an entrepreneur, Richard had to deal with dyslexia as a child, which evidently did not make his school life easy. The rumors say that one of his principals made a sort of prediction about him: he told him he would either go to prison or become a millionaire. A life with no middle ground. The headmaster evidently got it wrong by a few zeroes. In fact, Richard would even become a billionaire.
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The Curiosity Linked to the Name Necker Belle
The name Branson chose for his catamaran derives from an island in the Caribbean.
Necker Island is located in the British Virgin Islands, north of Virgin Gorda, one of the largest islands in the country. In practice, it is an island of 74 hectares in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by turquoise waters, coral reefs, and beautiful sandy beaches.
The island is owned by Virgin, a company headed by Richard Branson, who has, over the years, diversified its investments by specializing in highly exclusive, luxury tourism.
Necker Island can be rented exclusively for groups of up to 28 people who will share the six Bali Houses, the Richard Branson Temple House, and, until recently, also the cabins of the Necker Belle catamaran.
The Necker Island area was designed to be a private refuge for its guests, a place away from the stress and tensions of everyday life, where normal rhythms are re-established in the name of total well-being.
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The Transformation from Necker Belle into “Bella Vita”
During her last refit in 2018, the superyacht Necker Belle underwent a complete restyle at the Azzura shipyard in Australia, further enhancing its already impressive features and elevating it to an exceptional level.
The technicians focused on structural problems, masterfully resolving them and making various improvements, strengthening the ship, adding a new hydraulic system to the wheelhouse, and repositioning the helm stations.
A 38-meter-high carbon mast was then added to the catamaran, and the structure of the mast base was also redesigned.
The interior of the superyacht has also been deeply revisited. The electrical system and wiring were replaced entirely, and the engine room was completely overhauled. The furnishings of the cabins and common areas, therefore all the surface materials, are entirely new, replaced, or renewed to give new life and a feeling of freshness to the catamaran.
Thanks to this complete refit, a completely different catamaran was born, more comfortable and modern, and it took the name Bella Vita.
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What are the characteristics of Necker Belle (Bella Vita)?
With a minimum draft of 5.90 feet (1.80 meters), Bella Vita is a unique opportunity to sail in areas where shallow water may limit other yachts.
At 32 meters, she is one of the largest sailing catamarans in the world, with a carbon fiber hull to ensure lightness during navigation and, therefore, high performance and speed. In fact, she reaches 14 knots with the engine, while with the sail she can even reach 20 knots.
Bella Vita can accommodate up to ten passengers in its four cabins: a master suite, a cabin with a double bed, and two single beds, all equipped with flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. A crew of 6 members guarantees the best stay on board.
The catamaran also houses a large saloon in maple wood and bamboo, creating an exotic and relaxed atmosphere.
For their entertainment, guests can enjoy attractions on board, such as a trampoline for diving into the sea, as well as numerous classic water toys that are always available.
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Necker Belle: A Catamaran is Even Equipped with a Submarine
If life on the water is not enough for you and all the activities of Bella Vita have tired you, you can board the Necker Nymph and explore the seabed.
Necker Nymph is a 3-person aeronautical submarine that can dive to a depth of 30 meters, navigate underwater, and explore ancient wrecks and exotic marine life among vibrant coral reefs.
This underwater “plane” was specially designed for Virgin Limited Edition and takes underwater exploration to a new level. Two passengers sit on either side of a trained pilot who will take the submarine to a depth of 30 meters below the surface, allowing you to enjoy a front-row view of spectacular marine life without swimming with your usual scuba gear. Necker Nymphs can travel at speeds of up to 6 knots underwater, and dives typically last around two hours.
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You can contact us by email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or at +39 33436 00997; we are also available on WhatsApp for calls and texts.
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