There are plenty of yacht brokerages in the world. Most will talk about their global reach, their client lists, their market expertise. But Roccabella Yachts has always been a little different. Not because it set out to reinvent the wheel, but because the journey that got it here was anything but ordinary.

It starts with Michael, who grew up in South Africa and never imagined his future would be at sea. A chance encounter led to his first sailing experience: a bold leap into a transatlantic crossing. With no formal training but plenty of determination, he spent thirty-four days at sea, learning fast and finding that life on the ocean suited him. Instead of being overwhelmed, he was hooked.

From there, his career spanned both sailing and motor yachts, private and charter, from the Caribbean to California. He worked aboard everything from a 1910 Dutch logger to luxury fleets in the US and Mexico. Those years gave Michael a deep love for the industry- and also a clear view of where it sometimes fell short. Too often, clients weren’t treated with the respect they deserved, and transparency was lacking. That realization shaped a conviction: if he ever started a brokerage, it would have to be different.

A beginning with a leap

When Roccabella Yachts was incorporated, the circumstances were anything but easy. There were no salaries, a newborn baby at home, and more than a few mortgages. Michael and his fiancée moved from Monaco to Mallorca, determined to take the chance. The first clients came not through advertising campaigns but through trust earned during years of working on yachts.

The aim was never to be the biggest brokerage, but to be the most trusted. From day one, Roccabella was built on honesty, transparency, and genuine communication. The philosophy was simple: yachting should be as enjoyable as the destinations themselves, and working with a brokerage should reflect that.

Boutique by design

That boutique ethos is what continues to define Roccabella. While larger houses can feel corporate, Roccabella has remained personal, approachable, and selective- small enough to stay client-focused, but broad enough to deliver globally.

Clients know exactly who they are speaking to, and they know they’ll always get straightforward advice. For Michael, that personal approach was the whole point: a chance to set a higher standard in an industry where promises aren’t always kept.

The power of partnership

As the company grew, another chapter opened with the arrival of Hemmo, an experienced and highly respected broker- and a long-time friend. Clients had been asking about management, and while Michael had reservations after years in operations at sea, Hemmo recognised the opportunity and was determined to deliver it.

With his persistence and expertise, Roccabella Management launched in 2021. It quickly became a cornerstone of the business, providing the same honesty and transparency in management as in brokerage. Michael is the first to say: Roccabella wouldn’t be where it is today without Hemmo.

Where we are now

Today, Roccabella Yachts has grown far beyond its beginnings into a boutique company with an international presence. With offices in London, Palma, Switzerland, the US, and Dubai, its reach is global, but the ethos remains unchanged.

The goal isn’t to be the biggest name in the industry- it’s to be the most trusted, the most transparent, and the most enjoyable to work with. Yachting should never feel like a burden. Whether through brokerage or management, Roccabella ensures the experience is seamless, personal, and always exceptional.

Looking back, and ahead

It’s easy to see the thread now: from that first ocean crossing, to captaining fleets, to launching a company with nothing but determination and belief. Each stage was a leap of faith, but every leap brought Roccabella closer to what it is today – a company built on trust, friendship, and the conviction that yachting should always be extraordinary.

And if there’s one lesson Michael, Hemmo, and the team carry with them, it’s this: sometimes the best journeys begin when you dare to step beyond your comfort zone.