Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, is enjoying the fruits of his labor – and perhaps seeking respite from a challenging period for his metaverse ambitions – aboard his recently launched, $300 million superyacht, Launchpad. The vessel, along with its $30 million support ship, Wingman, has been spotted off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a renowned surfing destination.
The sighting comes as Zuckerberg’s net worth hovers around $225.3 billion, according to recent estimates. While the tech mogul’s foray into the metaverse hasn’t yielded the immediate returns some anticipated, his personal investments continue to generate substantial wealth, allowing for extravagant purchases like the 387-foot Launchpad. The yacht’s arrival in Cabo has sparked interest, fueled by reports that Zuckerberg may be attempting to “rinse away the stress of his $70 billion metaverse slump” by catching some waves.
Zuckerberg’s connection to surfing isn’t new. He’s known to incorporate the activity into his routine as a stress reliever. He previously demonstrated his surfing skills – albeit a unique version – in a video shared with Bloomberg, showcasing his wake surfing technique on Lake Tahoe. During that session, he offered technical advice, explaining the nuances of wake surfing compared to traditional surfing: “Unlike a normal surf wave,” he explained, “a surf wave pushes forward. This pushes a little to the side. So, you have to lean into it a little bit.”
More recently, Zuckerberg posted a video of himself hydrofoil surfing a large wave in Hawaii, garnering praise from professional surfers like Zeke Lau, Jamie O’Brien, and Kai Lenny. Lau commented, “Hell yeah. Charging, bro,” while O’Brien simply stated, “Looks like a blast.” Lenny playfully challenged Zuckerberg, asking, “We on for Jaws next week?”
Launchpad is a significant addition to Zuckerberg’s portfolio of assets. The yacht, completed in 2024, boasts a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. It’s equipped with four diesel engines that consume approximately 291 gallons of fuel per hour, emitting an estimated 40 tons of carbon dioxide during operation. This substantial fuel consumption has drawn criticism, particularly given Zuckerberg’s public advocacy for climate change policies and his philanthropic contributions – exceeding $100 million – to climate advocacy initiatives.
According to reports, Launchpad burned over 528,000 gallons of diesel fuel in the nine months following its launch, releasing over 5,300 tons of carbon emissions. This figure is equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of approximately 400 US households. The yacht is frequently accompanied by Wingman, a 220-foot support vessel capable of carrying a helicopter, a miniature submarine, and several smaller boats, further amplifying the logistical scale of Zuckerberg’s maritime excursions.
The juxtaposition of Zuckerberg’s climate advocacy and the environmental impact of his yacht has led to accusations of hypocrisy. While he publicly supports initiatives like the Paris Agreement, the operation of Launchpad and Wingman raises questions about the practical application of those principles. The controversy underscores the challenges faced by high-net-worth individuals in reconciling their lifestyles with their stated environmental concerns.
Whether Zuckerberg is currently aboard Launchpad, actively pursuing the waves of Baja, remains unconfirmed. However, the presence of his impressive vessels in Cabo San Lucas has undoubtedly turned heads and sparked conversation, highlighting the intersection of wealth, technology, and environmental responsibility in the 21st century. For those in the area, keeping an eye out for a pale-faced foil surfer in the lineup might just yield a glimpse of the Meta CEO seeking a moment of respite.
