Inside Johnny Depp’s Yacht: A Luxurious Look at His Floating Masterpiece

Have you ever wondered what secrets lie inside Johnny Depp’s pirate-themed luxury yacht? In this post we embark on a tour of Johnny Depp’s yacht, a true “floating masterpiece” that reflects the actor’s unique style. We’ll cover its history, standout features, Depp’s personal touches, public moments, sale to J.K. Rowling, and the legacy this luxury yacht (nicknamed Vajoliroja and later Amphitrite) has left on pop culture.

History of the Yacht

Johnny Depp’s yacht has a colorful backstory. In 2007, Depp purchased a pre-owned 156-foot Turkish-built yacht from Proteksan Turquoise Yachts. Born in 2001 as Anatolia, the yacht was already a classic design. Depp had it extensively refitted by his side – ripping out the previous interior and rebuilding it with grand, pirate-inspired decor. He renamed the vessel “Vajoliroja,” a blend of names: VAnessa (his partner Vanessa Paradis), JOhnny, LIly-Rose, and JAck (his children). The refit reportedly cost over $7 million, bringing the total value of the boat to around $30 million. Depp described wanting it to feel like “the Orient Express on the ocean,” and indeed, the lavish design earned it the reputation of being everything you’d imagine in a Johnny Depp boat.

After Depp married Amber Heard in 2015, he renamed the yacht “Amphitrite,” after the Greek sea goddess and wife of Poseidon. Less than two years later, facing mounting debts, Depp sold the yacht. In early 2016, author J.K. Rowling – who had chartered the boat for a family vacation – purchased it for roughly $27 million. Rowling listed Amphitrite for sale soon after; by 2017 it was on the market for about $19.2 million. Today the vessel sails under a new name, “Arriva,” owned by an undisclosed U.S. businessman. Over its lifetime, Depp’s yacht thus passed through two of the world’s most famous hands and even made headlines during legal drama – truly a storied sea vessel.

Features and Design

From bow to stern, Johnny Depp’s yacht is a study in luxury and whimsy. The ship has four decks (dwarfing many yachts of similar length), with a wide seven-meter beam that gives it a distinctly pirate-ship silhouette. It can accommodate 10 guests and a crew of 9, with spacious public areas on each deck. According to Architectural Digest, the boat’s three decks host four guest bedrooms plus a master suite, and five crew cabins. The yacht is equipped for all kinds of fun at sea: kayaks, snorkeling gear, windsurf equipment, wakeboards, and two tender boats are included for water adventures. Even indoor play is covered – when the weather isn’t ideal, the vessel offers Wi-Fi and video games onboard.

Inside, the style is uniquely decadent. Interior designer LM Pagano transformed the interior into a plush, steampunk-meets-Art-Deco fantasy. Rich colors and textures abound: crushed Italian velvet, silk and jacquard fabrics, custom patterned leather and chenille wall coverings, and 24-karat-gold accents. Each guest cabin even has its own pirate-themed stationery (complete with an old-style font) to complete the immersion. A private cinema and indoor dining hall offer entertainment during nights at sea. Notably, despite its grand style, the yacht has no helipad, pool, or jacuzzi – instead there’s a spacious covered dining area aft and a cozy sun deck. The overall effect is so rich and busy that Nautic Magazine warns the decor can feel “overwhelming… downright suffocating” at first sight, but it somehow all works together in this eccentric vessel.

The yacht Vajoliroja (later renamed Amphitrite) slicing through blue waters. The 156-foot superyacht features a classic hull and teak decks, reflecting Johnny Depp’s old-world design vision.

Propulsion is solid but not ultra-fast: twin upgraded Caterpillar diesel engines give a top speed around 13.5 knots and a cruising range of about 2,300 nautical miles. During Depp’s ownership it was a popular charter yacht, renting for around $130,000 per week. All in all, the yacht’s features – from its pirate-style interior to outdoor toys – make it feel like a lavish private island afloat.

Johnny Depp’s Personal Touch

This yacht is more than just a boat to Johnny Depp – it’s an extension of his persona. Nautic Magazine aptly describes it as “everything you’d imagine a Johnny Depp boat would be”. Unlike many celebrities who buy new, high-tech toys, Depp chose a used yacht with personality. He was hands-on in redesigning it. Interior designer LM Pagano recalls Depp’s direct involvement in every detail. He reportedly chose every velvet pattern (some even rewoven on original looms), handpicked antiques from around the world, and approved a pirate motif that nods to his famed Captain Jack Sparrow character. For example, after Depp married Amber Heard, he renamed the vessel Amphitrite – a symbolic gift referencing the sea goddess and reflecting his personal mythology.

Depp’s investment in this yacht was immense. He spent around £5 million on upgrades alone – installing a whole-ship entertainment system, overhauling cabins, and stocking the hold with water toys like skis and wakeboards. (Even Naytic Magazine notes that Depp spared little expense for creature comforts.) In YBW News, it’s noted Depp added a ship-wide entertainment system and motorized extras during the refit. This level of personalization makes the boat feel like a floating version of Depp’s eclectic style: one moment swanky and velvet-draped, the next clearly pirate-ish (for instance, a large British Red Ensign flag at the stern and heavy drapes throughout).

Everywhere you look on this vessel, there are little touches of Depp’s imagination. The namesake “Vajoliroja” itself is a personal stamp, blending family names. Inside, you’ll find lamps shaped like Venus figurines (a nod to mythology), chess sets on tables, and the kind of cluttered comforts that resemble a luxurious captain’s cabin. Even the textbooks on the shelf (like a volume of Don Quixote seen near a sofa) reflect Depp’s literary tastes. In short, this yacht wasn’t just transportation – it was Depp’s private playground and creative space on the water.

Stepping inside Johnny Depp’s yacht feels like entering a lavish parlor. Rich fabrics, ornate woodwork, and curios (like this chess set) fill the main salon. The decor combines Art Deco and pirate motifs in true Depp fashion.

Public Appearances and Media Moments

As you’d expect of a celebrity asset, the yacht has popped up in the public eye many times. In the early 2010s, Depp and his family were spotted aboard Vajoliroja on several vacations. Paparazzi captured images of Depp and then-partner Vanessa Paradis enjoying Mediterranean cruises with their daughter Lily-Rose on board. Those photos, often taken in exotic ports like Venice (see above image) or the French Riviera, showcased the boat’s glamorous appeal. In fact, Business Insider ran features with photos of Depp’s yacht moored in cities like Venice, highlighting it as a superyacht sighting.

The yacht also surfaced in news during Depp’s very public legal battles. Amber Heard’s testimony in 2022 mentioned incidents that allegedly took place in one of the yacht’s cabins; she claimed Depp had shoved her against a wall on board, a claim he vehemently denies. These courtroom revelations thrust the yacht into the headlines, as reporters cited Heard’s statements about events on Vajoliroja and Depp’s denials.

Beyond tabloid moments, the vessel has been a character in its own right in yachting media. It’s frequently featured in lists of celebrity yachts. For example, Cyprus Yachting Magazine counted Amphitrite among top celeb-owned vessels and noted its name origin and sale to Rowling. Architectural and yachting publications have toured its interiors (often calling it a “legendary” yacht) and praised its quirky design. In sum, the yacht’s public persona is inseparable from Depp’s legend – appearing in travel journalism, celebrity news, and viral social media posts by yacht enthusiasts.

Life aboard Johnny Depp’s yacht isn’t just about luxury – it’s an adventure playground. Here we see two crew tenders and a windsurfer alongside Vajoliroja, reflecting the yacht’s extensive water-sport amenities【36†】. Depp famously filled the boat with kayaks, windsurf gear and more for ocean fun.

Sale and Current Ownership

Johnny Depp’s superyacht changed hands twice after he let it go. As mentioned, he sold Amphitrite in 2015 (just a few months after marrying Amber Heard) – reputedly for about $27 million. J.K. Rowling bought it in early 2016, but her “infatuation” with the vessel was short-lived. Within a year she put it back on the market at a significant loss. YBW reported the sale price as roughly £22 million (about $34M at the time) to Rowling, who later tried to sell it for around £15 million (≈$20M).

After Rowling’s departure, the yacht found a new private owner. Recent reports indicate it was sold around 2017 to an unnamed American shipping magnate and now sails as “Arriva.” The exact identity of this owner remains private, but Nautic Magazine confirms that the Pagano interior is largely intact and that Arriva still retains its pirate-glam look. Today Arriva is not offering charters to the public; it’s a private cruise yacht. (Back when Depp owned it, he often chartered it out — Nautic notes it rented for about $130,000 per week, the same way Rowling got to know it.)

Despite these sales, the yacht’s story is tied to Depp. It’s often referred to in media as “Johnny Depp’s former yacht,” even though he’s long since turned it over. Both Architectural Digest and Nautic note its chain of celebrity owners. For instance, Architectural Digest points out that “the vessel is special for another reason: it was once owned by Johnny Depp,” when describing Rowling’s sale listing. Indeed, Depp’s name and personal touches continue to be the yacht’s biggest claim to fame.

Pop Culture Influence

Why has Johnny Depp’s yacht attracted such interest? Partly because it’s a sailing statement piece. Among celebrity-owned superyachts, Vajoliroja/Amphitrite stands out for its thematic design and rich history. It’s become a symbol of Depp’s private style – fans online love exploring its pirate flair and imagining life aboard. The yacht also pops up in TV and print: CNN ran a segment on celebrity boats that included it, and many “rich and famous” website stories feature its interiors. Even ranking sites list it among the wildest celebrity yachts.

In entertainment lore, the yacht reinforces Depp’s image as a free spirit at sea. His own quip – “Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but it buys you a big enough yacht to sail right up to it” – often accompanies articles about Vajoliroja. The boat’s tale also lives on in Johnny Depp trivia and travel channels. In short, the yacht has transcended being merely a mode of travel; it’s a floating piece of Hollywood folklore, mentioned in interviews (like Nautic’s profile) and blog posts as emblematic of Depp’s lavish life at sea.

Conclusion

Johnny Depp’s yacht is more than just a luxury vessel – it’s a floating reflection of the man himself. From the moment he christened Vajoliroja with his family’s initials to the day he handed it off to another famous owner, the yacht has turned heads. Its combination of old-world elegance and pirate whimsy makes it a unique gem in the world of luxury yachts. Whether you’re a Depp fan or just curious about celebrity life, the story of his yacht offers a rich voyage through design, pop culture, and even the tabloids. One thing’s certain: Johnny Depp’s floating masterpiece will be remembered long after the anchor has finally been dropped.

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