How to Buy a Submarine
Yes, you can actually buy a submarine. From compact personal submersibles to luxury underwater yachts, here's everything you need to know about purchasing your own submarine.
Personal Submersible (2-3 persons)
$600,000 — $3,000,000Compact submarines perfect for yacht tenders. Easy to operate, typically battery-powered with 6-12 hours of dive time. Most popular choice for private buyers.
100-300m
Triton Submarines
$600,000 — $3,000,000
Advantages
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to operate
- Fits on a yacht
Considerations
- Limited space
- Short range
- Battery dependent
Mid-Size Submersible (4-9 persons)
$2,000,000 — $10,000,000Larger submarines with room for passengers and comfort features. Popular with tour operators, resorts, and wealthy individuals who want more space.
200-1,000m
Triton
$2,000,000 — $10,000,000
Advantages
- More passengers
- Greater depth capability
- Commercial viable
Considerations
- Requires larger support vessel
- Higher operating costs
- Needs trained pilot
Tourist Submarine (20-64 persons)
$5,000,000 — $30,000,000Full-size passenger submarines for commercial tours. Large panoramic windows, air conditioning, and designed for continuous daily operations.
30-100m
Atlantis Submarines
$5,000,000 — $30,000,000
Advantages
- High revenue potential
- Many passengers
- Proven business model
Considerations
- Very expensive
- Complex regulations
- Needs port infrastructure
Luxury Submarine Yacht
$25,000,000 — $2,000,000,000The ultimate in underwater luxury. Full-size submarines with sleeping quarters, kitchens, entertainment systems, and all the comforts of a superyacht — underwater.
200-500m
Migaloo
$25,000,000 — $2,000,000,000
Advantages
- Ultimate luxury experience
- Extended underwater stays
- Complete privacy
Considerations
- Extremely expensive
- Very few manufacturers
- Long build time (2-5 years)
What You Need to Know Before Buying
Classification & Certification: All passenger submarines must be classed by a recognized authority (DNV, Lloyd's, ABS). This ensures safety standards are met and is required for insurance.
Operating Costs: Budget 5-15% of the purchase price annually for maintenance, crew, insurance, and batteries/parts. A $1M submersible costs roughly $100K-150K per year to operate.
Crew & Training: Even "easy to operate" submersibles require certified pilot training. Most manufacturers include training in the purchase price.
Support Vessel: Most private submarines need a support vessel (yacht or ship) with a crane system to launch and recover the sub.
Regulations: Submarine operations are regulated by maritime authorities. Flag state registration, periodic surveys, and operator certifications are required.
Decommissioned Military Submarines
Retired military submarines occasionally come up for sale — though without weapons systems, nuclear reactors, or classified equipment. Prices range from $100,000 to several million, depending on condition and historical significance.
These submarines are typically sold as-is and require significant investment to make habitable or operational. Most buyers convert them into museums, restaurants, or tourist attractions rather than personal vessels.