David Geffen’s yacht ‘Rising Sun’ spotted in Puerto Vallarta

There are yachts, super-yachts, and then there is the Rising Sun, media mogul David Geffen’s striking vessel, which we recently spotted cruising in Banderas Bay waters.

Built in 2005 by Lürssen and designed by the late Jon Bannenberg – one of the most respected yacht designers of the last century – this mega luxurious recreational ship is the 11th largest in the world given her length of 454 feet. With interior design by prominent designer Laura Seccombe, this five-deck yacht offers 8,000 square meters of living space. It accommodates up to 18 guests and a staff of 45. The super-yacht includes various luxury amenities like a gym, a cinema and even a basketball court!

The Rising Sun was originally made for Oracle Corporation co-founder, Larry Ellison, and it reportedly cost over $200 million USD. After two years, Ellison, who has recently been named the 7th wealthiest person in the world by Forbes, considered the watercraft too large for some yachting destinations and built a smaller 288-foot yacht, Mushashi.

In 2007, business magnate and philanthropist David Geffen bought a half-stake in the Rising Sun and then picked up the other half in 2010 for a reported $300 million USD. DreamWorks co-founder David Geffen is known for his many luxury acquisitions, like houses, art pieces and even more yachts. Many guest celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mariah Carey have been spotted enjoying the sumptuous amenities of the Rising Sun over the last few years.

The presence of this super-yacht in the tranquil waters of Banderas Bay is one more sign of how celebrities like the Kardashians, Britney Spears and Ewan McGregor, and tycoons like Bill Gates have chosen Vallarta • Nayarit as their favorite peaceful and private hideaway destination for a low-profile luxury vacation.