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
Charters based here typically leave from Port Hercule or Fontvieille, where berth access and tender arrangements are settled before guests board. From that starting point, a captain can plan toward Cap-Ferrat for a swim stop, Beaulieu-sur-Mer for a quieter lunch anchorage, or Villefranche-sur-Mer when sheltered water suits the day better than open coast. None of this is fixed weeks in advance: skippers read the sea state on the morning of departure and any change of plan is discussed with guests rather than assumed on their behalf.
Guest numbers and sleeping arrangements are worth confirming with a broker before booking, since capacity ranges widely across the fleet, from compact day boats suited to a small group to superyachts set up for several nights aboard. May to September is the busiest stretch on this coast, with June and September often chosen by guests who want the same waters without peak-week traffic; Grand Prix week and the yacht show period both call for earlier planning given how quickly berths fill. Fuel costs and APA, the advance provisioning allowance used to cover onboard spending, are billed differently depending on the yacht and the route length, so ask your broker to walk through the figures for the specific vessel you are weighing up.