How far would you go for the sake of your hobbies? To the garden, the library, or the local club? Centibillionaire Mark Zuckerberg can go as far as Tahiti. No, the tech tycoon hasn’t sailed the 4,200 miles from San Francisco to Tahiti, but his stunning superyacht has. The Launchpad motor yacht arrived at Papeete Harbor on November 10, 2024, according to Rare Tahitian Air/Port Views. The $300 million vessel completed an exhaustive 12-day journey to reach French Polynesia, known for its natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and beautiful waves.
It’s clear that the world’s third-richest man, worth $202 billion, would not have 12 days to spare from his busy schedule to indulge in surfing. Instead, he’d zip in James Bond-style on his $71 million Gulfstream G650ER private jet. At the same time, his shadow vessel, Wingman, worth $30 million, follows suit to the pristine destination.
The Meta boss is indeed passionate about the sport, whether it’s donning a tuxedo with a flag in hand for Fourth of July celebrations or sporting Meta Ray-Ban glasses and hopping onto a surfboard six months after surgery, or sending his superyacht Launchpad on a lengthy journey, he does it all.
The yacht, with an impressive range of 6,000 miles and a fuel tank capacity of 420,000 liters, would have consumed at least 400,000 liters (105,668 gallons) of diesel fuel for the long transoceanic journey. To offer some perspective, that’s enough fuel to heat 200 American homes for a year, but that’s how billionaires operate.
The Launchpad, seen in the images with a helicopter atop, has served as the venue for nearly all milestones that were not celebrated on land, from his 40th birthday to Father’s Day celebrations, hosting his entire family aboard. It’s clear that the Facebook co-founder doesn’t shy away from using his yacht and support vessel, the $30 million Wingman, to enjoy a passion he has pursued for years. Zuckerberg has frequently been spotted riding the waves in Hawaii, where he owns a home.
In 2020, the 40-year-old was spotted on a $12,000 electric surfboard in Hawaii, with ample sunscreen shielding him from the harsh rays. A fitness enthusiast, Zuckerberg has since incorporated the sport into his routine, as paddling into the ocean helps him stay focused. He has also embraced showing off his surfing skills, particularly on the 4th of July, revealing a fun and adventurous side to his personality. While Zuckerberg has mastered the waves in Hawaii, Tahiti stands unmatched with its breathtaking surf, home to one of the world’s most iconic spots.
Tahiti, a true surfer’s paradise:
The island also offers numerous surf locations where both locals and visitors can find waves of all levels. Rightfully called a paradise for board sports, French Polynesia, with its big waves, is ideal for a seasoned surfer like Zuckerberg. The legendary Teahupo’o has even hosted surfing events at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Known as the birthplace of surfing, it’s a fantastic place to get Zuckerberg’s daughters interested in surfing, one of the oldest sports practiced in The Islands of Tahiti.
As the tycoon once said, “When you’re out there in the water, it’s pretty hard to focus on anything else. When you’re on the board, you’re focused on making sure you stay on the board and don’t mess something up.” It’s hard to imagine a better way to instill focus, undivided attention during family time, and skill all at once.
Moreover, now that he has invested millions in the Launchpad superyacht and the Wingman support vessel, he might as well cruise to the most exotic and beautiful locations in the world to make the most of it with his family.
