Monaco Yacht Day Trip — A Five-Stop Itinerary
Depart from Port Hercule and trace the coastline east toward Cap-Martin before doubling back west past Èze to the bays of Villefranche — roughly 22 nautical miles round trip.
From the port outwards
- 01
09:00 · Cast off from Port Hercule
Clear the harbour breakwater and turn east toward Cap-Martin. Morning seas along this stretch are typically flat, making it the calmest window for open-deck breakfast. The crew will brief safety procedures as the skyline of Monte-Carlo recedes behind you.
- 02
10:30 · Swim stop at Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Anchor in the sheltered bay off Paloma Beach where depths of 5 to 8 metres over sand provide excellent holding. The water here stays clear even in peak season. Use the tender for a shore visit or snorkel directly from the swim platform — arrive before 11:00 to beat day-tripper traffic.
- 03
13:00 · Waterfront lunch at Villefranche-sur-Mer
The deep natural harbour at Villefranche offers easy stern-to mooring for yachts up to 30 metres. Walk the quay to one of several seafood restaurants serving Niçoise-style catch of the day. Reserve ahead during July and August; your broker can secure a table before departure.
- 04
16:00 · Explore the Old Town at Èze-sur-Mer
Drop anchor off the narrow pebble beach below Èze village. A short, steep path leads to the medieval hilltop with panoramic views stretching from Italy to the Estérel massif. Allow 45 minutes for the walk up and back. The anchorage is exposed to southerly swell, so the crew will monitor conditions.
- 05
19:30 · Sunset aperitivo in Monaco harbour
Return to Port Hercule as the light softens over the Prince's Palace. The crew will set up drinks on the aft deck while you watch the harbour come alive for the evening. From here it is a five-minute walk to the restaurants along Quai Albert Ier for dinner ashore.
About Monaco
Monaco's position on the Riviera makes it a natural departure point for charters that range from a three-hour sunset loop off Port Hercule to a full week threading the coastline toward Cannes or beyond. Our fleet of 48 yachts — from agile 22-metre motor yachts built for half-day coastal runs to crewed superyachts above 50 metres with full hotel-service crews — means the vessel scales to the occasion, not the other way around. Day charters suit couples or small groups who want a swim stop near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and lunch on the water; multi-day voyages open up quieter anchorages along the stretch from Èze-sur-Mer to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where the morning traffic thins and the captain can hold position in a sheltered cove while the tender heads to shore.
Seasonality shapes the experience as much as the route. July and August deliver long days and warm evenings, but the bays fill early and popular berths require forward planning. June and September reward flexible clients with lighter seas, wider yacht availability and anchorages that feel private without a detour. Pricing follows a transparent day-rate-plus-APA model — the charter fee covers the yacht and crew, while the APA funds fuel, provisioning and port fees, all accounted for at voyage end. Whether the brief is a corporate afternoon for eight, a family week with shallow-water stops, or a short evening cruise timed to the light over Cap d'Ail, we build the charter around your schedule and hand the routing to a captain who knows where the coast is quiet.