7-Day Yacht Charter Itinerary from Monaco: A Week on the Riviera

A 7-day yacht charter itinerary from Monaco worth planning around

A well-planned 7-day yacht charter itinerary from Monaco covers roughly 80 nautical miles of coastline, from the quiet capes east of Nice to the legendary bays around Saint-Tropez. This sample route is drawn from real cruising patterns our team coordinates each summer season, adapted for a 30–50 m motor yacht carrying up to 10–12 guests. Every overnight stop, tender drop-off, and lunch anchorage below reflects conditions and logistics we manage regularly. Use it as a blueprint, then adjust to your group's pace.

Day 1–2: Monaco to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Depart Port Hercule mid-morning after a relaxed boarding and safety briefing. The first leg is a short cruise of roughly 3 nautical miles southwest to the sheltered waters off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Anchor in Anse de Fossettes, where the sea floor drops to a clear 6–8 metres — ideal for a first swim. Lunch on board, then tender ashore to walk the peninsula's coastal path.

By late afternoon, reposition to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and take the tender into Port de Beaulieu for dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants. Overnight at anchor here; the bay is well protected from the prevailing southwest swell. Day 2 is a slow morning — paddleboards, snorkelling gear out, no engines until midday. This gentle start lets guests settle into the rhythm of a week-long private yacht hire before longer passages ahead.

Day 3: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Nice

A 20-minute cruise brings you into the deep, calm bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the Riviera's best natural harbours. The anchorage sits in 12–15 metres over sand, and the old town is a short tender ride. Spend the morning ashore, then lift anchor after lunch for Nice.

Nice offers two options: a berth at Port Lympia for an evening exploring the Vieille Ville, or a quieter anchorage off the Promenade des Anglais if the forecast is settled. Your captain will monitor wind and swell; easterly conditions occasionally make the open roadstead uncomfortable overnight, so flexibility matters. This is a good moment to browse our [fleet in Monaco](#) and note which yachts carry stabilisers at anchor — a detail that makes a real difference on exposed stops.

Day 4–5: Cannes and the Lérins Islands

The passage from Nice to Cannes covers about 17 nautical miles, typically 60–90 minutes at 18 knots. Arrive in time for lunch at anchor off Île Sainte-Marguerite, part of the Lérins archipelago. The island's north side provides a sheltered anchorage in 5–8 metres, with pine-shaded walking trails and a 17th-century fort ashore.

Day 5: cross the narrow strait to Île Saint-Honorat, home to a working Cistercian monastery and a small vineyard. Tender landings here are straightforward in calm conditions. Return to Cannes in the evening for a berth at Port Pierre Canto or the Vieux Port — both within walking distance of La Croisette. See our [Monaco day-charter itinerary](#) for a shorter version of this Cannes loop if your schedule is tighter.

Day 6: Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne Bay

Depart Cannes early for the 25-nautical-mile run to Saint-Tropez. Arrive before the midday crowd and secure a spot at anchor in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez or, if your yacht is under 40 m, request a berth in the old port. Afternoon options include a tender to Pampelonne Bay's beach clubs or a walk through Place des Lices.

Overnight in Saint-Tropez is the social highlight of most Riviera boat charters. The harbour promenade fills after sunset, and the town retains a genuine fishing-village character behind the café terraces.

What to consider when planning a week-long yacht rental from Monaco

- Season timing. June and September 2026 offer warm water (22–24 °C), lighter winds, and fewer yachts at anchor. July and August are livelier but anchorages fill quickly. - Crew gratuity and provisioning. A typical guideline is 10–15 % of the charter fee for gratuity; provisioning is handled by the chef based on a preference sheet completed before boarding. - Cross-border awareness. Cruising from Monaco into French waters is seamless for EU-flagged yachts, but non-EU-flagged vessels should confirm customs paperwork in advance. - Swell and wind patterns. The Mistral can accelerate through the Gulf of Lion and reach the western Riviera within hours. A good captain adjusts the route; flexibility between Cannes and Saint-Tropez is key. - Tender logistics. Many of the best lunch spots — Anse de Fossettes, the Lérins Islands, Pampelonne — require a tender transfer of 3–5 minutes. Confirm your yacht's tender size and boarding platform before departure.

Day 7: Return cruise to Monaco

The final leg retraces roughly 50 nautical miles east, with an optional stop at Antibes or Cap d'Ail for a last swim. Most captains plan a 3–4 hour return at comfortable cruising speed, arriving at Port Hercule by late afternoon for disembarkation.

Plan your luxury yacht charter from Monaco

A week on the Riviera follows a natural arc: quiet capes near home port, the cultural pull of Nice and Cannes, the energy of Saint-Tropez, then a calm return along the Côte d'Azur. The route above is one version — every charter we arrange from Monaco is shaped by the group, the season, and the vessel. Browse our [charter yachts available in Monaco](#) to see which hulls suit a week-long Riviera cruise in 2026, and start building an itinerary around the coastline you want to wake up to each morning.