A Monaco Yacht Day Trip — Five Riviera Stops
Depart Port Hercule and trace the coast from Cap d'Ail east to Villefranche-sur-Mer, covering roughly 12 nautical miles of sheltered Riviera shoreline in a single day.
From the port outwards
- 01
09:00 · Cast off — Port Hercule
Board at Monaco's central harbour and clear the breakwater heading west. The crew briefs guests on the day's route while coffee and pastries are served on the aft deck. Morning light on the Casino headland makes for excellent photographs. Allow 15 minutes for the safety briefing before the first swim stop.
- 02
10:00 · Swim and snorkel — Cap d'Ail
Anchor in the clear shallows off Plage Mala, where limestone cliffs block the westerly swell. The seabed drops to 6 metres within a short swim, ideal for snorkelling over Posidonia grass beds. Tenders can shuttle guests to the pebble beach. Arrive before 10:30 to secure space in the anchorage during summer weekends.
- 03
12:30 · Waterfront lunch — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Cruise east around the cape to Paloma Beach, where the yacht anchors in 8 metres on sand. A tender ride delivers guests to the restaurant terrace for grilled sea bass and chilled rosé directly on the waterline. Reserve a table at least 48 hours ahead during July and August — the restaurant fills quickly from the land side.
- 04
15:30 · Villa Ephrussi gardens — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Re-anchor off the western shore and tender ashore near the port. A short uphill walk reaches the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, whose nine themed gardens overlook the peninsula on both sides. The elevated terrace offers a rare two-coast panorama. Allow 90 minutes for a comfortable visit before returning to the yacht for afternoon water sports.
- 05
18:30 · Sunset aperitivo — Villefranche-sur-Mer
Glide into the deep natural harbour of Villefranche, one of the Riviera's most protected bays. Drop anchor in 12 metres and watch the sun set behind Nice's hills from the flybridge. The crew serves Champagne and local tapenade as the old town's ochre facades catch the last warm light. Depart after dark for a 20-minute return cruise to Port Hercule.
About Monaco
Port Hercule sits at the centre of the western Mediterranean's most rewarding cruising ground. Within 5 nautical miles you reach Cap d'Ail's sheltered coves and the calm bays off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Push to 30 nautical miles and Cannes, the Îles de Lérins and Villefranche-sur-Mer are all within a comfortable half-day passage. The charter season runs from late April through October, with peak demand between June and September when sea temperatures hover around 24 °C and settled conditions dominate.
The local fleet ranges from agile 15-metre day boats ideal for coastal hops to 50-metre-plus superyachts built for extended cruising toward Saint-Tropez or Portofino. Med-mooring stern-to is standard in every harbour along this coast, so guests step ashore directly onto the quay. Outside the ports, the Riviera's deep-water anchorages — Beaulieu's Baie des Fourmis is a favourite — offer reliable holding on sand and minimal swell in summer westerlies. Onshore, Michelin-starred restaurants line every harbour from Monaco to Antibes, giving chefs aboard and ashore equal billing.
Couples find a two-night escape to Èze and Villefranche effortless from Monaco. Families with young children appreciate the short transfer distances and gentle seas inside the Cap Ferrat headland. Corporate hosts use yacht hire here to entertain during the Grand Prix or the Monaco Yacht Show, with boarding just minutes from the Casino terraces. Whatever the occasion, our brokers build each itinerary around your group size, preferred pace and the ports that matter most. Reach out to start shaping your charter.