Côte d’Azur SAILING GUIDE
THE ICONIC FRENCH RIVIERA BY SAILING CATAMARAN FROM NICE TO MONACO, CANNES TO SAINT-TROPEZ - AND THE SECRET ISLANDS IN BETWEEN
We love sailing the Côte d’Azur because almost every day gives us a completely different version of the Mediterranean. In the morning we might be exploring the colorful streets of Nice; a few hours later we're approaching Monaco, surrounded by superyachts and some of the world's most famous waterfront architecture. The next day we're swimming off Cap d'Antibes, followed by dinner in Cannes or Saint-Tropez. Then, when the glamour becomes a little too glamorous, we simply point the bow toward Port-Cros or Porquerolles and trade designer boutiques for pine forests, hiking trails and crystal-clear water. The distances are short enough that we don't spend our vacation commuting, yet every passage feels like a proper Mediterranean sail. And that's the magic of a crewed catamaran here: we can experience the legendary Riviera without becoming trapped by it. We get the glamour, the history, the food and the famous names - but also the quiet coves, empty morning swims and beautiful stretches of coastline that most visitors never see.
For this itinerary, our favorite months are June and September. June offers long days, warm temperatures, increasingly comfortable sea temperatures, and a Riviera that is fully awake but not yet overwhelmed by the August crowds. July and August are the classic Côte d’Azur summer. Everything is open, the beaches are lively, the water is warm, and the atmosphere is unmistakably French Riviera. But this is also the busiest period, particularly around Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Marina reservations become especially important for larger catamarans. September is perhaps the most elegant month of all. The sea has accumulated the warmth of summer, the light becomes softer, and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed. The Riviera is still very much alive - just with fewer elbows at the restaurant. The local wind pattern also matters. The Mistral can produce magnificent sailing conditions but can also change plans quickly. That's why we never regard an itinerary as something carved in stone. The route is ours. The weather gets a vote.
This itinerary is designed to experience the iconic Côte d’Azur, not simply sail past it. We'll walk the old streets of Nice, cruise into Monaco, explore Villefranche-sur-Mer, discover the old town of Antibes, stroll along Cannes' legendary Croisette, spend an evening in Saint-Tropez, and then disappear for a while into the protected islands of Port-Cros and Porquerolles. And because we're doing it aboard a luxury catamaran, we're not tied to the rhythm of a bus tour. We can have breakfast at anchor. Swim before the crowds arrive. Sail for a few hours. Have lunch prepared by our chef. Explore ashore. And return to the yacht whenever we feel like it. This is the French Riviera - but experienced from the best possible seat: the water.
For this itinerary, we recommend Antibes. The logistics are excellent: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is close, Antibes has a superb historic center, and Port Vauban provides one of the most famous yacht harbors in the Mediterranean. Port Vauban is particularly appropriate for luxury charter operations and is home to the legendary “Quai des Milliardaires”. Port Vauban Antibes is the natural starting point for the yacht. But we recommend arriving at least one day early. Spend the afternoon walking through the old town. Visit the Marché Provençal. Explore the Picasso Museum at Château Grimaldi. Walk the ramparts. Have dinner overlooking the harbor. Then wake up the next morning, step aboard, and discover that the Côte d’Azur looks even better from the water.
1. Reserve marinas early. The Côte d’Azur is one of Europe's busiest yachting regions, and large catamarans require considerably more planning than a small sailing yacht. Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Antibes can become particularly demanding during July and August.
2. Don't try to visit every famous town. Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Antibes and Saint-Tropez could easily consume an entire week by themselves. But then you'd miss Port-Cros and Porquerolles. And that would be a shame.
3. Use the yacht for swimming. The best swimming spots are often away from the town beaches. A crewed catamaran gives us the freedom to stop in a quiet cove, jump overboard, and have lunch with nobody around.
4. Bring comfortable shoes. The historic quarters of Antibes, Cannes and Saint-Tropez are made for walking. So are the trails of Port-Cros and Porquerolles.
5. Don't underestimate the Mistral. It can produce fantastic sailing but may require a change of plan. A good charter itinerary should always have alternatives.
6. Leave some room in the luggage. Provençal olive oil, local wine, soaps, ceramics and other temptations have a way of appearing in luggage that was supposedly already full.
7. Book beach clubs selectively. The Riviera has plenty of famous beach clubs. Some are genuinely memorable; others are expensive places to sit on a sunbed. We know the difference.
8. Explore beyond the waterfront. The Riviera isn't just yachts and designer boutiques. The hinterland is full of medieval villages, vineyards, Provençal markets and spectacular viewpoints.
Antibes → Villefranche-sur-Mer → Monaco → Antibes → Cannes → Saint-Tropez → Port-Cros → Saint-Raphaël → Antibes
Approximately 135–145 NM of sailing. 7 nights / 8 days. No daily passage exceeds approximately 30 NM. Maximum scheduled sailing day: approximately 5–6 hours.
The big experiences: Nice • Villefranche-sur-Mer • Monaco • Monte-Carlo • Antibes • Cannes • Île Sainte-Marguerite • Saint-Tropez • Port-Cros • Porquerolles • Esterel Coast
This itinerary deliberately uses Villefranche and Antibes as strategic overnight bases so guests can explore Nice and Monaco properly without wasting precious sailing days on unnecessary repositioning.
DAY 1: ANTIBES → VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER 10 NM | approximately 2 hours
Welcome to the Côte d’Azur: after embarkation in Antibes, we make a gentle first sail east along the coast toward Villefranche-sur-Mer. This is one of those arrivals that immediately explains why people fall in love with the French Riviera. The bay is enormous, deep and beautifully protected, with colorful houses climbing the surrounding hills. Once settled, guests can take the tender ashore and explore the old town, the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, the narrow medieval streets and waterfront restaurants. And this is where we begin our relationship with the Riviera's famous cuisine: fresh seafood, Provençal flavors and a lunch that somehow becomes longer than originally planned. Nobody complains about that.
Overnight: Villefranche-sur-Mer - authorized harbor/mooring arrangements, subject to local availability and vessel size.
Nice experience: Villefranche is also our ideal base for Nice. A private transfer takes guests into the city for an afternoon and evening exploring the Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya, Place Masséna and Castle Hill. This is much better than trying to move a large catamaran into Nice simply because the brochure says “Nice.” We put the yacht somewhere beautiful. Then we take the guests to Nice.
DAY 2: VILLEFRANCHE → MONACO 8 NM | approximately 1.5 hours
Monaco: small country, very large attitude: we leave Villefranche after breakfast and make one of the shortest passages of the week toward Monaco. From the sea, the Principality is spectacular: apartment towers climbing the mountainside, the cliffs of Monaco-Ville, Port Hercule filled with extraordinary yachts and, somewhere above it all, the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo. Guests can explore the Prince's Palace, Monaco-Ville, the Oceanographic Museum and the legendary Monte-Carlo Casino, followed by lunch or dinner at one of the Principality's excellent restaurants. Those who enjoy cars can also follow part of the famous Formula 1 circuit. And yes, we recommend walking it. It's much cheaper than renting an F1 car.
Overnight: Port Hercule, Monaco - marina berth, subject to availability and vessel size. For a 50–80 ft catamaran, this is a berth that must be confirmed well in advance. We would never market Monaco as a guaranteed overnight without first checking the actual yacht dimensions and berth availability.
DAY 3: MONACO → ANTIBES approximately 20 NM | 4 hours
Back to Antibes - but now we know why it matters: after breakfast, we leave Monaco and sail west toward Antibes. This is a beautiful coastal passage, and there is no reason to rush. Depending on conditions, we can stop for a swim near Cap Ferrat or Cap d’Antibes before returning to Port Vauban. Once ashore, guests can explore the old town more deeply: the ramparts, the Provençal market, the Picasso Museum and the narrow streets around the cathedral. And then there is Port Vauban itself, where the world's largest superyachts regularly make our luxury catamaran look almost modest. Almost.
Overnight: Port Vauban, Antibes - marina berth. Port Vauban Antibes is particularly well suited to a luxury charter operation because of its location and extensive marina infrastructure.
DAY 4: ANTIBES → CANNES 8 NM | approximately 1.5 hours
Cannes: glamour with a Mediterranean breeze: we leave Antibes late morning and make the short sail to Cannes. This gives us an important luxury: time. Time for a swim. Time for lunch. Time to enjoy the coastline. And then we arrive in Cannes with the entire afternoon ahead of us. Guests can walk the legendary La Croisette, explore the old quarter of Le Suquet, visit the Forville Market, and admire the yachts in the old port. We can also take the tender to Île Sainte-Marguerite, home to the famous Fort Royal and beautiful wooded walking trails. Cannes is glamorous, but it doesn't have to be exhausting. We can enjoy the famous side of the city and then return to the yacht for a quiet dinner overlooking the lights.
Overnight: Port Pierre Canto - marina berth, subject to availability.
DAY 5: CANNES → SAINT-TROPEZ 30 NM | approximately 6 hours
The legendary day: this is our longest scheduled passage - and one of the most enjoyable. We leave Cannes in the morning and follow the coast toward Saint-Tropez, with the Esterel mountains and red-rock coastline providing a spectacular backdrop. Depending on the wind and sea state, we can stop for a swim or lunch aboard before continuing eastward. By afternoon, the unmistakable silhouette of Saint-Tropez appears ahead. Guests can explore the Citadel, wander the old fishing quarter, visit Place des Lices and enjoy the famous harbor. And then there is the people-watching. Saint-Tropez has perfected it to an Olympic level. The yachts alone provide enough entertainment for an evening.
Overnight: Port de Saint-Tropez - marina berth, subject to availability. The official French tourism site describes Saint-Tropez as one of the legendary ports of the Côte d’Azur, with modern facilities and an extraordinary concentration of yachting activity.
DAY 6 — SAINT-TROPEZ → PORT-CROS 25 NM | approximately 5 hours
From jet set to national park: today we deliberately change the scenery. We leave Saint-Tropez and sail toward Port-Cros, one of the protected islands of the Port-Cros National Park. The contrast is remarkable. Yesterday we were surrounded by superyachts and luxury boutiques. Today we have pine forest, rocky coves, hiking trails and extraordinarily clear water. Guests can hike across the island, snorkel in protected waters and explore the tiny village. This is one of those places where the yacht itself becomes part of the experience: swimming straight from the catamaran, enjoying lunch on deck and watching the sun disappear behind the hills.
Overnight: Port-Cros - regulated port/organized mooring, subject to vessel-size restrictions and advance reservation. There is an important operational caveat for our 50–80 ft fleet: the National Park currently states that the ordinary buoy field is restricted by vessel length, while the stone quay can accommodate vessels over 15 m and under 30 m by reservation. The park also has specific rules governing navigation and anchoring. For some larger Emerald Sail catamarans, we would therefore substitute a nearby authorized overnight berth rather than compromise safety or regulations. That is precisely the sort of detail a professional charter operator should resolve before promising the itinerary.
DAY 7: PORT-CROS → PORQUEROLLES → SAINT-RAPHAËL approximately 7 NM to Porquerolles + 27 NM to Saint-Raphaël approximately 5.5–6 hours total sailing
Porquerolles - our final secret: we leave Port-Cros early and make the very short sail to Porquerolles. This is not a rushed “drive-by.” We spend several hours exploring the island before continuing west.
Porquerolles feels like a Mediterranean fantasy: pine forests, vineyards, white beaches, turquoise water and quiet cycling paths. Guests can walk or cycle to Plage Notre-Dame, visit the village, explore the island's trails or simply swim from the yacht. The National Park currently regulates anchoring around Porquerolles to protect the Posidonia meadows; free anchoring on suitable sandy bottoms remains possible under the current framework, while a larger organized mooring system is being developed.
After our Porquerolles experience, we continue toward Saint-Raphaël, following the spectacular Var coastline. By late afternoon, we enter the harbor.
Overnight: Port Santa Lucia, Saint-Raphaël - marina berth. This gives us a proper marina for the final night and, importantly, keeps the following day's return to Antibes comfortably within our distance limit.
DAY 8: SAINT-RAPHAËL → ANTIBES approximately 25 NM | approximately 5 hours
The final sail - Esterel in the morning: we don't rush the final morning. We leave Saint-Raphaël and follow the Esterel Coast, where the mountains drop dramatically into the Mediterranean. The red and orange rock against the deep blue sea is one of the most beautiful landscapes on the French Riviera. Depending on conditions, we can make one final swimming stop before rounding Cap d'Antibes and returning to Port Vauban. The yacht arrives in Antibes with enough time for a final lunch, a walk through the old town, or simply one last hour on deck. And then comes that inevitable moment. The crew starts preparing for disembarkation. Someone looks at the itinerary. Someone looks at the weather. Someone looks at the yacht. And eventually says: “We should have booked two weeks.” We won't argue.
THIS IS THE FRENCH RIVIERA YOU CAME TO SEE
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We want guests to experience Nice at sunset. To stand above Monaco and look down over Port Hercule. To walk the medieval streets of Villefranche. To see the superyachts of Antibes. To stroll the Croisette in Cannes. To arrive in Saint-Tropez from the sea. To swim off Porquerolles. To discover Port-Cros. And then to sail back along the red cliffs of Esterel with the morning sun on the water. Because the French Riviera is not just one destination. It is a collection of legends packed into one coastline.
And a luxury catamaran gives us the freedom to experience the famous ones without sacrificing the beautiful, quiet ones in between. So come for Nice. Come for Monaco. Come for Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Come for the yachts, the food, the history and the glamour. But stay for the moment when the engine goes quiet, the sails come up, the coastline slips slowly behind us, and there is nothing ahead but blue Mediterranean and seven days of possibilities. That's the iconic French Riviera.
And it is considerably better from the water.
Come aboard in Antibes. We'll take care of the sailing. We'll show you why we keep coming back. Let Emerald Sail put you on a luxury catamaran with a shallow draft and full comfort, with a skipper who knows every cut and a chef who knows every conch shack. You just need to decide whether tomorrow's lunch should be in Saint-Tropez, on a deserted beach, or right here on the yacht. And honestly? All three are excellent choices.