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 the coastline keeps changing without ever requiring enormous passages. One day we're exploring the glamorous streets of Saint-Tropez; the next we're swimming off the Îles de Lérins, followed by dinner in a medieval village overlooking the Mediterranean. The distances between the major destinations are relatively short, which gives us something very valuable on a luxury charter: time. Time for a long breakfast, time for a swim, time for lunch ashore, time to explore and, occasionally, time to do absolutely nothing. The Riviera also rewards arriving by water. Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Tropez all have a completely different character when approached from the sea, while the Îles de Lérins, Cap d’Antibes and Esterel coast give us beautiful alternatives when the famous towns become busy. Add excellent French cuisine, Provençal markets, spectacular villas, legendary beach clubs and some of the best superyacht scenery in Europe, and we have a sailing destination that manages to be both sophisticated and genuinely fun.
For a luxury sailing charter, our favorite periods are late May through June and September. June is particularly attractive: the days are long, the sea is warming up nicely, restaurants and beach clubs are fully operational, and the summer crowds have not yet reached their August peak. July and August are the classic Riviera months. The weather is generally excellent, the water is warm, and everything is happening - beach clubs, restaurants, nightlife, and events. But there is a price for that atmosphere: the marinas and anchorages become significantly busier, particularly around Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Antibes. September is arguably the sweet spot. The Mediterranean has retained the heat of summer, the light becomes beautiful, and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed. For guests who want the Riviera at its most elegant rather than its most crowded, September is difficult to beat.
The skipper will also watch the local wind patterns carefully. The Riviera can experience the Mistral, and although it can produce spectacular sailing conditions, it can also change a day's plan quickly. That's not a problem. We don't fight the Mediterranean. We use it.
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, our preferred starting point is Antibes - one of the best natural bases for exploring the Côte d’Azur. It has an excellent yachting infrastructure, a beautiful historic center, and easy access from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. It also has something that makes it particularly appropriate for a luxury yacht charter: Port Vauban. This enormous harbor is one of the Mediterranean's legendary yachting destinations and home to some of the largest yachts in the world.
Guests can arrive a day early, explore the old town and the Marché Provençal, visit the Picasso Museum at Château Grimaldi, walk along the ramparts and enjoy dinner overlooking the harbor. Then, the following morning, we step aboard the catamaran.
The contrast is wonderful. One moment you're surrounded by centuries of Mediterranean history. The next, you're sailing toward the islands. That's how a French Riviera holiday should begin.
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 → Cannes → Saint-Tropez → Port-Cros → Porquerolles → Cavalaire-sur-Mer → Saint-Raphaël → Antibes
Approximately 125–135 NM. No repeated overnight destinations. Maximum scheduled daily passage: approximately 30 NM / 6 hours
The itinerary deliberately combines the iconic Riviera with places that feel considerably more natural and relaxed. We don't want guests spending seven days simply moving between famous ports. We want them to experience the whole Côte d’Azur.
DAY 1: ANTIBES → CANNES 8 NM | approximately 1.5 hours
The Riviera makes its first impression: we leave Antibes after lunch and make the short sail toward Cannes. It is an easy first afternoon, which gives everyone time to settle aboard, swim and enjoy the coastline before entering one of Europe's most famous harbors. Cannes is all about atmosphere: the Croisette, luxury boutiques, grand hotels, beach clubs and the historic Le Suquet quarter rising above the old port. Guests can walk the Croisette, explore the old town, visit the Forville Market or take a tender across to the Île Sainte-Marguerite before returning for dinner. And yes, there is a good chance someone will casually mention that they once saw a movie star here. We recommend believing them. It is Cannes, after all.
Overnight: Port Canto / Port Pierre Canto, Cannes - marina berth, subject to availability.
DAY 2: CANNES → SAINT-TROPEZ 30 NM | approximately 6 hours
The day we enter the legend: this is our longest scheduled passage, and it's exactly where a sailing yacht earns its keep. We leave Cannes in the morning and follow the coast toward Saint-Tropez, with the Esterel mountains and red-rock coastline providing an extraordinary backdrop. Depending on conditions, we can stop for a swim along the way before continuing toward one of the Mediterranean's most famous ports. Saint-Tropez is glamorous, but it is also surprisingly charming. Guests can wander through the old fishing quarter, visit the Citadel, explore Place des Lices and browse the market before dinner. And naturally, there is the harbor itself - where enormous superyachts sit alongside traditional wooden fishing boats. Only Saint-Tropez can make that combination look completely normal.
Overnight: Port de Saint-Tropez - marina/port berth, subject to availability.
DAY 3: SAINT-TROPEZ → PORT-CROS 25 NM | approximately 5 hours
From glamour to wilderness: today we leave the Riviera's glamorous side behind and sail toward Port-Cros National Park. The contrast is dramatic. Port-Cros is heavily forested, protected and wonderfully quiet compared with Saint-Tropez. There are no grand hotels and very little development - just walking trails, rocky coves and exceptionally clear water. Guests can hike across the island, snorkel in protected waters or take the tender into one of the beautiful bays. The island is particularly special because it feels almost untouched despite being within easy reach of the Riviera. After Saint-Tropez, this is exactly the change of pace we want.
Overnight: Port-Cros - authorized mooring/visitor berth, subject to availability and national park regulations.
DAY 4: PORT-CROS → PORQUEROLLES 7 NM | approximately 1.5 hours
The French Riviera's secret garden: a very short morning sail brings us to Porquerolles, the largest of the Îles d’Hyères and one of the most beautiful islands on the French Mediterranean coast. The island is famous for its pine forests, white-sand beaches and remarkably clear water. Guests can explore the island by bicycle or on foot, visit Plage Notre-Dame, hike through the vineyards and pine forest, or simply spend the afternoon swimming from the yacht. The village itself is small and charming, with cafés and restaurants clustered around the harbor. This is one of those places where the correct response to the question “What are we doing this afternoon?” is simply “Whatever we feel like.”
Overnight: Port de Porquerolles - marina/harbor berth or authorized mooring, subject to availability.
DAY 5: PORQUEROLLES → CAVALAIRE-SUR-MER 25 NM | approximately 5 hours
A beautiful coastline without the crowd: we sail west along the Var coastline toward Cavalaire-sur-Mer, passing rugged headlands, pine-covered hills and long Mediterranean beaches. Cavalaire is less famous than Saint-Tropez, and that is precisely why we like it. It is a proper seaside town rather than a global celebrity stage. Guests can enjoy the waterfront, walk the promenade, explore local markets, or simply stay aboard and swim. The evening is relaxed, and the atmosphere is distinctly Provençal. For guests who have spent the previous days discovering the glamorous Riviera, this is a pleasant reminder that the Mediterranean existed long before Instagram.
Overnight: Port de Cavalaire - marina berth.
DAY 6: CAVALAIRE-SUR-MER → SAINT-RAPHAËL 28 NM | approximately 5.5 hours
The red rocks of Esterel: this is one of our favorite sailing days of the entire itinerary. We head east along the Esterel Coast, where the landscape changes dramatically. The mountains are deep red and orange, dropping directly into brilliant blue water. The contrast is extraordinary, especially in the late afternoon light. We can stop for swimming near one of the coves before continuing toward Saint-Raphaël. Guests can explore the old town, visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Victoire, and enjoy the waterfront. But the real attraction today is the coastline itself. From the yacht, the Esterel is spectacular - and there is no better seat than the front trampoline of a catamaran.
Overnight: Port Saint-Lucia, Saint-Raphaël - marina berth.
DAY 7: SAINT-RAPHAËL → ANTIBES 27 NM | approximately 5.5 hours
One last sail through the Côte d'Azur: our final sailing day takes us back toward Antibes, but there is no reason to rush. Depending on conditions, we can stop for a final swim near Cap d’Antibes and cruise past some of the most spectacular villas on the coast. We then return to Antibes and secure the yacht in Port Vauban. Guests have the afternoon to revisit the old town, shop for Provençal specialties or simply enjoy one last stroll along the ramparts. And then comes the final dinner aboard. After seven days of turquoise water, medieval towns, islands, vineyards, glamorous ports and quiet coves, the Riviera has done what it does best: made everyone wonder why the charter wasn't fourteen nights.
Overnight: Port Vauban, Antibes - marina berth.
COME SAIL THE RIVIERA BEYOND THE POSTCARD
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The French Riviera has been photographed millions of times. But photographs don't capture the feeling of approaching Saint-Tropez from the sea. They don't capture the silence of Port-Cros early in the morning.
They don't capture swimming off Porquerolles with the yacht floating behind you. They don't capture the extraordinary red cliffs of the Esterel glowing in the afternoon sun. And they certainly don't capture the pleasure of sitting on the aft deck at sunset, having dinner prepared by your private chef while the Mediterranean stretches away in every direction. That's why we sail here.
Not simply to see the Côte d’Azur - but to experience it 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.