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

A week-long yacht charter itinerary starting from Monaco

A 7-day yacht charter from Monaco is the ideal format for exploring the western Mediterranean's most storied coastline. This sample itinerary covers roughly 120 nautical miles of cruising across the French Riviera and the Italian Ligurian coast, with daily legs kept between 10 and 25 nautical miles so guests spend more time swimming, dining ashore, and exploring than transiting. Whether you are chartering a 30-metre motor yacht or a 50-metre-plus superyacht, the route below adapts to vessel size, crew recommendations, and the preferences of up to 12 guests. Use it as a blueprint — your captain will refine each day based on wind, swell, and your mood.

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

Depart Port Hercule in the morning after a leisurely breakfast on the aft deck. The first anchorage lies just 3 nautical miles west at the sheltered bay of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, where the water is glass-clear over a sandy bottom in 6–8 metres depth. Spend the afternoon on the swim platform or take the tender ashore to walk the coastal path around the cape. By evening, reposition half a mile into Villefranche-sur-Mer's deep natural harbour. The holding here is excellent and the town's waterfront restaurants serve Niçois cuisine within a two-minute tender ride. Day 2 is yours: snorkel the rocky eastern shore, visit the Rothschild villa gardens, or simply stay at anchor and let the crew arrange a degustation lunch on board.

Day 3–4: Antibes and the Îles de Lérins

A 20-nautical-mile morning cruise brings you past Nice and into the waters off Antibes, home to Port Vauban — one of the Mediterranean's largest superyacht marinas. If you want to step ashore, the old town's Provençal market is a 5-minute walk from the quay. After provisioning, head 2 nautical miles south to the Îles de Lérins. Anchor between Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat in turquoise shallows rarely deeper than 5 metres. Saint-Honorat's Cistercian monks produce a limited-run wine you can taste at the abbey. This pair of islands offers the quietest anchorage on the entire route — ideal for a full rest day before turning east.

Day 4–5: Eastbound to Menton and Bordighera

Retrace the coast back past the Principality and continue 8 nautical miles east to Menton, the last French town before Italy. The microclimate here is noticeably warmer; lemon groves spill down to the shore. Anchor off Plage des Sablettes and send the tender in for a walk through the baroque old quarter. On Day 5, cross the border into Italian waters — a straightforward process your captain handles with advance crew lists filed to the harbour authority. Bordighera sits just 6 nautical miles beyond Menton. Its palm-lined promenade and small-boat harbour feel a world apart from the Riviera's busier ports.

What to expect each day on a Riviera yacht hire

- Morning briefing with the captain. Over coffee, review the day's route, sea state, and any restaurant reservations the crew has arranged ashore. - Mid-morning cruising. Most legs are 45–90 minutes at 12 knots, keeping fuel consumption reasonable on a 40-metre motor yacht. - Lunch at anchor. The chef prepares a seated or buffet lunch using produce sourced in port that morning. - Afternoon water sports. Jet-skis, paddleboards, and a sea-bob are standard tender-garage toys on yachts above 35 metres. - Sunset repositioning. A short 10–15-minute move to a calmer overnight anchorage, chosen for shelter from any southwesterly swell. - Evening ashore or on board. Your preference dictates the pace — Michelin-starred tables in Monaco or a private barbecue on the foredeck.

Day 6–7: Return cruise and final night in Port Hercule

From Bordighera, the return to Monaco covers roughly 14 nautical miles. Take it slowly, pausing off Cap-Martin for a last swim where the rocky seabed drops from 3 to 30 metres within a boat length — a favourite freediving spot among local crews. Arrive back in Port Hercule by late afternoon on Day 6, giving guests a final full evening in the Principality. Day 7 is traditionally a half-day: breakfast, packing, and disembarkation by midday. Browse our [charter fleet in Monaco](#) to match a yacht to this route, or see our [Riviera itinerary guide](#) for shorter 3- and 4-day variations.

Plan your charter for the 2026 season

The western Mediterranean season runs from late April through October, with July and August commanding the highest demand. Booking a 7-day luxury yacht charter along this Riviera-to-Liguria corridor early in the year secures the best vessel selection — particularly for yachts above 40 metres, which are often reserved 6–9 months ahead. Spring and September weeks offer lighter anchorages, cooler cruising temperatures, and easier berth availability in ports like Antibes and Villefranche-sur-Mer. A week aboard is enough time to feel the rhythm of the coast, and long enough to understand why so many guests return to these waters year after year. Browse our [Monaco yacht charter options](#) to begin shaping your own route.