Nina Dobrev and Zac Efron sparked romance speculation after being photographed looking flirtatious during a glamorous yacht trip off the coast of Italy. The Baywatch star, 37, and the Vampire Diaries alum, 36, recently split from Olympic snowboarder Shaun White last week and were seen relaxing with a circle of famous friends aboard a lavish yacht cruising the Mediterranean. The sighting comes as Dobrev hasn’t shied away from public appearances with longtime friends, and it followed a period of high-profile engagement and relationship talk surrounding her and White.
Dobrev turned heads in a plunging black lace-trimmed cut-out swimsuit that accentuated her toned figure, while Efron appeared shirtless at times, showing off his sculpted abs as he dove into the sea and zipped around on a water scooter. The duo were joined by Gossip Girl alum Chace Crawford and his model girlfriend, Kelsey Merritt, who shared affectionate moments on deck. Actor Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, were also part of the group, appearing buoyant as they soaked up the sun, sipped cocktails and took turns jumping into the crystal-clear water.
The sightings come amid ongoing romance chatter surrounding Dobrev and Efron, who have known each other for years and have teased a closer connection at various points. The two were first romantically linked in November 2024, though they did not publicly acknowledge anything on social media until mid-2025. Their bond has long been a topic of fan speculation, dating back to a 2023-24 period when Dobrev appeared in a workout video with Efron on his YouTube channel, prompting talk of chemistry between the two even before any formal confirmation.
During the recent getaway, the mood appeared relaxed and carefree as the group enjoyed the Mediterranean sunshine. The gathering also highlighted Efron’s ongoing involvement with friends who are public figures, including Crawford and Merritt, who have publicly shared their affection for one another in recent months. The male-female pairings in the group underscore how social circles around Hollywood’s younger-adult stars continue to intersect on high-profile vacations, a pattern that often fuels public fascination with potential new romances.
Public reaction to the getaway has been a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Fans on social media speculated about whether Dobrev and Efron are pursuing a romance or simply enjoying a close-knit group trip with friends. Some commenters noted that Dobrev recently endured a highly publicized breakup, while others pointed to the long friendship between the two actors as a possible foundation for a romance. Still others highlighted how the yacht trip functioned as a social hub for other couples in the circle, making it difficult to parse which moments signaled something more than friendship.
The backdrop of the trip is itself a notable context for fans and observers. Dobrev split from Shaun White last week after a highly followed engagement and relationship arc. People magazine cited a source saying the split was mutual and occurred with respect and care for one another, and insiders at Us Weekly had reported that both parties had hoped for a family and a future together prior to the decision. The timing of the breakup has kept fans watching how Dobrev’s social media and public appearances evolve in the wake of the split.
The relationship timeline involving Dobrev and White has included high-profile moments and engagement rumors. In October, White publicly celebrated his proposal, sharing a photo and caption that confirmed Dobrev had said yes to his marriage proposal. The engagement, described as a significant milestone in their relationship, followed earlier reports that the couple planned a long-term future together and wanted a family. Dobrev has discussed dating dynamics in previous interviews, including how she and White balanced scheduling during Olympic seasons and how they navigated the demands of busy careers while maintaining their relationship.
Beyond her split and the current yachting romance chatter, Dobrev’s history with Efron is rooted in years of friendship and occasional collaboration. The two were seen together in earlier years at social events and in fitness settings, with fans noting a resemblance of chemistry in on-camera workouts. Efron’s dating history since has included high-profile turnouts, including a relationship with Vanessa Valladares that drew media attention in Australia, and a range of other public appearances that have kept him in the spotlight. Analysts note that while public narratives often treat such sightings as potential beginnings of romance, many gatherings of friends in similar circles do not always signal romantic outcomes—yet they continue to captivate fans who follow these celebrity social ecosystems.
As the yacht trip drew to a close, the broader social media reaction leaned toward hopeful fan speculation rather than confirmation. While neither Dobrev’s nor Efron’s representatives publicly labeled the moment as a new romance, observers continued to watch for signs in forthcoming public appearances and posts. The dynamic remains nuanced: Dobrev and Efron have a history of strong personal and professional interactions, and their current outing fits within a pattern of high-glamour, high-profile getaways that tend to generate widespread interest.
In sum, the Italian yacht weekend delivered a high-profile blend of sun, sea and social ties, with Dobrev and Efron at the center of ongoing romance chatter. Whether the flirtation translates into a formal relationship remains to be seen, and both stars have thus far kept quiet on the subject. For now, observers will likely parse each public appearance and social-media post for subtle cues, while the broader circle of friends continues to enjoy the Mediterranean backdrop and the rotation of travel-adventure and star-studded camaraderie that defines their public lives.