Monaco Yacht Day Charter: A Five-Stop Riviera Itinerary
Departing from Port Hercules, this route traces the coastline west toward Cap d'Ail and east to Beaulieu-sur-Mer — roughly 18 nautical miles of sheltered Riviera cruising.
From the port outwards
- 01
09:00 · Cast off — Port Hercules
Board your yacht at the main quay and settle in as the crew clears the harbour breakwater. Morning light along the Monaco sea wall is ideal for photos from the upper deck. Your chef serves a continental breakfast underway while the captain briefs the day's route and wind forecast — expect light south-westerlies under 10 knots through midday.
- 02
10:15 · Swim stop — Cap d'Ail
Anchor in the turquoise shallows off Plage Mala, where limestone cliffs shelter the bay from open swell. Depths of 6–10 metres over sand make this a secure hold. The crew deploys the swim platform and paddle boards for a relaxed hour on the water. Visibility often reaches 15 metres here in summer, so bring a mask for the rocky ledges below.
- 03
12:30 · Waterfront lunch — Villefranche-sur-Mer
Cruise ten minutes east to the deep natural harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The tender drops you at the old port steps, a short walk from the quayside restaurants along Rue du Poilu. Reserve a table facing the bay for grilled sea bass and chilled rosé. Return to the yacht by 14:00 to avoid the early-afternoon tender traffic that builds during peak season.
- 04
15:00 · Cultural shore visit — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Anchor off the western cape and tender ashore to visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine themed gardens overlooking the peninsula. Allow 90 minutes for the grounds. The anchorage here is exposed to easterly chop after 17:00, so the captain will reposition if conditions shift. Back aboard, the crew sets up afternoon cocktails on the foredeck.
- 05
18:30 · Sunset aperitivo — Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Glide into Baie des Fourmis as the sun drops behind Mont Boron. This east-facing bay catches the last golden light reflected off the hillside villas. The stewardess serves Champagne and canapés on the aft deck while the yacht holds a gentle swing anchor in 8 metres of water. After dark, the captain motors the short return leg to Port Hercules, arriving by 21:00.
About Monaco
Port Hercules places you at the geographic centre of the western Mediterranean's most coveted cruising corridor. Within 20 nautical miles you reach the sheltered capes of Cap d'Ail and the botanical shores of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Push further and a morning cruise delivers you to the Îles de Lérins off Cannes, while an easy day passage covers the 35 nautical miles to Saint-Tropez. The charter season runs from late April through October, with peak demand in July and August when the principality's social calendar is at its densest.
Motor yachts between 30 and 80 metres dominate the local fleet, purpose-built for Mediterranean stern-to mooring in compact harbours and open-water passages alike. The Ligurian Sea offers reliably calm conditions from June to September, with prevailing south-westerlies rarely exceeding 12 knots along the coastal shelf. Anchoring is the preferred mode at quieter stops such as Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, where depths of 8–15 metres over sand allow comfortable swinging. Ashore, the Michelin-starred restaurants of Monte-Carlo and the fresh-catch bistros of Menton provide a culinary range few coastlines can match.
A private yacht hire from the principality suits couples seeking a discreet weekend on the water, families who need space and tender access to shallow bays, and corporate hosts entertaining during the Grand Prix or the Monaco Yacht Show. Consider a five-night itinerary east to Portofino and back, or a long day charter west to the red cliffs of the Estérel. Whatever the format, our brokers shape the route around your schedule. Contact the team to begin planning your Riviera charter.