Below Deck: 12 Best Seasons In The Franchise Ranked (2024)

With Below Deck season 11 wrapped up and Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 is currently airing, fans of the franchise have many memorable seasons to look back on. Spread across five different series, the over-the-top antics of the high-profile luxury yacht industry have made for amazing reality TV. The Below Deck series has become a hit on Bravo and continues to be one of its best franchises.

No matter what ship the audience sails with, they are guaranteed an exciting and dramatic time on the high seas. Though the shows have always been must-watch TV, some seasons of the franchise left a lasting impression on viewers due to the high-scale drama and earned much higher scores. Over the years, many Below Deck seasons went above and beyond in entertainment and drama, and here are some of the best.

12 Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2

Like its predecessor, Below Deck Med had a rocky first season but came into its own by season 2. Almost completely replacing the cast from season 1, Sirocco's crew was all-new, and what made the season great was learning about them. Hannah and Bobby's bond was tested throughout the season as the two veterans split over handling day-to-day operations in the face of a new captain and crew. Love triangles formed, and the entire season exploded when Bugsy and Hannah had a massive falling out. Though the show would get more dramatic as the years progressed, season 2 planted many seeds that would pay off later.

11 Below Deck Adventure Season 1

Below Deck Adventure season 1 was a successful spin-off that followed the high-seas adventures of the crew aboard a luxury yacht, The Mercury, and catering to the needs and demands of wealthy charter guests as they sailed through the Fjords of Norway. The crew faced various challenges throughout the season, including demanding charter guests, tight working conditions, and interpersonal conflicts. The season offered viewers an exciting and often dramatic look into the world of luxury yacht charters, showcasing the trials and triumphs of the crew as they worked together. So far, there's only been one season.

10 Below Deck Season 5

The fifth season of the flagship show was a turnover year, and a ship full of inexperienced hands was a recipe for instant drama. Because the show is a reality program and essentially runs on drama, the arrival of new crew members was like a refresh button that kept the show from growing stale. Even with new crew members, the veterans continued to grow into their characters, and Kate had a particularly illuminating season when she went ashore. Though it was tough to let go of some familiar faces, season 5 was a burst of new energy that kept the show strong.

9 Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4

Once again returning to the Sirocco, and with a primarily new crew in tow, Below Deck Med's season 4 was anything but a mid-run low point. Some familiar faces returned from season 3 to be a guiding voice, but the new crew members were what made the season shine. The coast of France was the setting for the season, and its beautiful vistas are the backdrop to some fantastic inter-crew drama. Aside from that, the antics of guests like former baseball star Johnny Damon were the cherry on top of an entertaining season.

8 Below Deck Season 7

Though the show has slowly become more and more over-the-top with each subsequent season, a perfect balance was reached in the seventh year. The ship set sail to Thailand to start the season, and the return of memorable charter guests improved the show. The humor was ramped up, but there were also shocking, dramatic moments, including Kate's near departure from the show. While it had come a long way since season 1 and was almost unrecognizable, season 7 is considered the original series's last great season.

7 Below Deck Season 3

Like Mediterranean, Below Deck's season 3 was an improvement because it was a growth and continuation of ideas in the second year. The over-the-top drama that would characterize the show started to creep in, but there was still much yachting action. Eddie's shocking return was a perfect hook for the season to come, and there was tension in the episodes that built around scandals and relationship drama. Though some of the fakest things about the show began to enter into the mix by season 3, it was never a tedious watch.

6 Below Deck Season 10

The latest installment of the original Below Deck was well-received by fans. One of the season's biggest storylines was the conflict between Alissa and Camille. Alissa was a new stew struggling to learn the ropes, and Camille was a more experienced stew frustrated by Alissa's mistakes. The two women clashed multiple times, and their feud eventually led to Camille's firing. Another major storyline of the season was Fraser Olender's coming out story. His story helped to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues in the yachting industry.

The season also featured several other memorable moments, including a boat party that got out of control, a romantic connection between Hayley and Tyler, and a surprise visit from Captain Lee Rosbach, who won't be returning as Below Deck season 11 cast member.

5 Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2

Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2 is another fan-favorite installment of the franchise. Captain Glenn Shephard returned for his second season at the helm of Parsifal III, and he was joined by a new crew of officers, including First Mate Gary King, Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, Chef, Natasha De Bourg, and Engineer Colin Macrae. The crew also included three new stews: Dani Soares and Alli Dore, and two new deckhands, Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux and Sydney Zaruba.

One of the biggest storylines of the season was the love triangle between Sydney, Gary, and Alli. Sydney had a crush on Gary, but Gary was into Alli. The situation became even more complicated when Alli found out that Gary had kissed Sydney. Alli was devastated, and she broke up with Gary. Nonetheless Gary and Ali dated after the show, but it was short lived.

4 Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5

Below Deck Mediterranean season 5 followed the crew of the luxury yacht The Wellington as they chartered the Balearic Islands of Spain. Captain Sandy Yawn returned for her third season at the helm of The Wellington, and she was joined by crew including Bosun Malia White, Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier, Chef, Kiko Lorran, and Lead Deckhand Alex Radcliffe. The crew also included stews, Bugsy Drake, Aesha Scott, and Jess More, as well as deckhand Robert Westergaard and Peter Hunziker.

One of the season's biggest storylines was the conflict between Hannah and Malia. Hannah was a longtime crew member on Below Deck Med, and Malia was a new crew member eager to prove herself. The two women clashed on multiple occasions, and their feud eventually led to Hannah's firing on Below Deck Med.

3 Below Deck Season 2

Though Below Deck's season 1 was essential and helped launch it into a franchise, season 2 is where the show blossomed. Weaving its narrative quite fluently, the season set itself apart from most other reality shows by telling a complete story that includes all its characters. Relationships were formed and tested throughout the season, and whether deckhands were fighting or flirting, it seemed as if there was always something interesting going on. A good reality show needs balance, and Below Deck season 2 was able to perfectly mix its drama with the behind-the-scenes antics that made the show enjoyable in the first place. It forever remains the best installment of the series.

2 Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8

Next up as one of the best Below Deck seasons in the franchise is Below Deck Med season 8. This season aired from late 2023 to early January and quickly became one of the series' best seasons. The cast was stellar, as they brought back cast members from seasons past and other Below Deck franchises.

Kyle Viljoen appeared on Below Deck Med season 7 as a Stew and returned to the role, as well as Natalya Scudder. Tumi Mhlongo was promoted to Chief Stew after serving as the Second Stew on Below Deck Down Under season 1. Even Luka Brunton was a franchise repeat, as he was a late addition to Below Deck Down Under season 2. However, the new cast members also made a splash. Laura Du Preez was hilarious to watch and was a fan favorite, along with deckhand Max Salvador.

One of the most iconic moments from the season was Ruan Irving getting fired within the first couple of episodes. The original Bosun was fired for allegedly forging documents. He left the boat to figure out what happened and never returned, resulting in Captain Sandy giving him the boot. Also, the interior drama between Kyle, Tumi, and Natalya went down in Below Deck history as one of the best feuds. Kyle essentially started it and caused friction between Tumi and Natalya, forcing Natalya to leave the boat for good.

1 Below Deck Season 11

Lastly, the best season from the Below Deck franchise so far is Below Deck season 11. Again, amazing casting is clearly a big part of what makes Below Deck seasons so great. Below Deck season 11 saw the return of two Below Deck season 10 crew members: Chief Stew Fraser and deckhand-turned-bosun Ben Willoughby. Captain Kerry from Below Deck Adventure also replaced Captain Lee at the helm. Besides the fantastic cast, the drama was top-tier during this season.

One of the most dramatic parts of the season was Ben and fellow deckhand Sunny Marquis' relationship. The pair were hot and cold with each other, with Ben usually being at fault. He preyed on her insecurities, and she fell for it. Ben and Sunny are now in a relationship outside the show, but their boatmance is toxic. Another boatmance from the season was between Barbie Pascual and Kyle Stilles. Barbie was initially interested in Kyle, but their relationship bloomed through the season. However, it ended after Barbie felt Kyle didn't stick up for her in the final episode.

Work-related relationships were also a cause for drama this season. Ben had issues with the first Bosun, Jared Woodin, as Ben felt he wasn't good enough to lead the team. Captain Kerry didn't agree at first until he noticed Jared's personal life was getting in the way of his job, leading Jared to leave the boat. Barbie also had issues with Fraser as she felt he didn't like her.

Below Deck

Below Deck is a popular reality TV franchise that focuses on a group of crew members as they work on luxurious yachts and cater to their client's needs. After the original series proved to be a success, Bravo developed a handful of spinoff shows including Below Deck Selling Yacht, Below Deck Adventure, Below Deck Down Under, and Below Deck Mediterranean.

Created by

Mark Cronin , Rebecca Taylor Henning , Doug Henning

First TV Show

Below Deck

Cast

Kate Chastain , Gary King , Mads Herrera , Daisy Kelliher , Colin Macrae , Aesha Scott , Lexi Wilson , Glenn Shephard , Jason Chambers , Marcos Spaziani , Sandy Yawn

TV Show(s)

Below Deck , Below Deck Adventure , Below Deck Down Under , Below Deck Mediterranean , Below Deck Sailing Yacht