Luxury travel is evolving, and nowhere is that shift more inspiring than on the open sea. As modern travelers crave deeper connection, meaningful adventure, and time that feels truly their own, Oyster Yachts has reimagined what world exploration can look like. At the helm of this transformation is Richard Hadida—Owner, Chairman, and driving force behind the Oyster Explorers Club.
In this exclusive interview, Hadida shares the surprising insights that shaped the Club, the emotional truths of leading global rallies, and how Oyster Yachts is redefining adventure for a new generation of sailors.
3H: Launching the Oyster Explorers Club meant rethinking what luxury sailing really means. What belief or expectation did you have to let go of to make it work, and what did that teach you?
RH: I had to let go of the idea that adventure needed to be a long circumnavigation to feel meaningful. The idea for the Oyster Explorers Club came from listening closely to our owners. The Oyster World Rally has always been incredibly popular, but it’s a major commitment, 16 months away from ‘normal life’–not everyone can step away for that long.
That inspired us to create a set of curated, shorter, more flexible rallies. These are new adventures that capture the spirit of discovery, shared experiences, and skillful seamanship that Oyster is known for, all in a way that fits more easily into busy lives.
The Oyster Explorers Club taught me that we could offer the same spirit of discovery in a way that fits modern life, while still keeping the heart of Oyster intact.
3H: What is something about leading these rallies that almost no one would guess, a truth you’ve learned the hard way that surprises even seasoned sailors?
RH: People are surprised by how emotional the journey can be. Even experienced sailors face moments where they need reassurance or perspective. Leading a rally often means supporting people through those moments, not just managing logistics. The sea brings out something honest in all of us, and helping owners navigate that side of the experience is one of the most important parts of the role.
3H: When curating routes like the Arctic, the Pacific, or Cape Horn, what emotional journey did you want each region to evoke?
RH: Each region is sure to inspire something totally individual, and the routes have been designed to capture emotions that will stay with participants long after they leave. The Arctic inspires awe–its vast scale and peace are difficult to find anywhere else, and its stunning, snowy landscapes gently unfold from fjords into mountains.
The Cape Horn rally inspires a sense of challenge, which comes with a sense of achievement. Joining a long history of sailors to round one of the great capes, it’s a bucket list adventure that requires courage and is equally rewarding.
As for the Pacific route, we know it will inspire a sense of perspective. Visiting atolls and reefs that are totally inaccessible by any means other than boat, diving with wild whale sharks, manta rays, and marine wildlife, and exploring the world’s vastest ocean and most remote spots will ground you in a sense of wonder. These experiences were designed with our owners in mind, and we can’t wait to get started.
3H: When you think about the state of modern travel, with all its rush and noise, what feels endangered, and what does sailing restore?
RH: What feels endangered is true presence. Modern travel moves quickly and rarely allows time to absorb a place. Sailing restores that. It gives you space to breathe, to pay attention, and to reconnect with the world. It slows life down in the best way and reminds you what matters, and in a world that grows louder by the day, that sense of presence is rare.
3H: If you weren’t building yachts or organizing rallies, what would you be doing instead, and how does that dream influence the way you design these adventures?
RH: If I weren’t building yachts or organizing rallies, I’d be sailing them and joining them, which is exactly what I plan to do this January. My wife, son, and I will be setting off on a 1.5-year circumnavigation. It’s a dream come true to experience the world this way, mile by mile, quietly and steadily, letting each destination reveal itself in context as we sail on.
Richard Hadida’s vision for the Oyster Explorers Club shows that luxury isn’t about extravagance—it’s about time, presence, and the freedom to explore the world with intention. By designing rallies that fit real lives while honoring the spirit of true seamanship, Oyster has created a new era of meaningful adventure on the water.
