Nice Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Nice’s position at the gateway to the eastern Riviera means world-class anchorages are within 30 minutes in every direction. The 3-day and 4-day itineraries below cover different ground and can be combined into a 7-day voyage without repeating a single stop. Every route is customisable by your captain and Boatcrowd charter specialist.

Day Charter Routes from Nice

Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cap Ferrat: The Essential Loop

Depart Port Lympia mid-morning and cruise east to Villefranche-sur-Mer (4 NM, 15 minutes). Anchor in the deep, sheltered bay for a morning swim and snorkel in the warm, calm water. Take the tender ashore to explore the old town’s covered lanes and the Chapelle Saint-Pierre (decorated by Cocteau). After lunch on the aft deck overlooking the bay, cruise around Cap Ferrat to anchor off the peninsula’s eastern coves. Tender ashore for a walk through the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens. Return to Nice as the sunset turns the Baie des Anges golden. Duration: 6–8 hours.

Nice to Monaco: Glamour and History

Cruise east past Villefranche and Cap Ferrat to Monaco (8 NM, 25 minutes). Berth at Port Hercule or anchor in the Anse du Portier. Explore the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Océanographic Museum and the Prince’s Palace. Lunch at Café de Paris on the casino square or at one of the port’s waterside restaurants. In the afternoon, taxi up to Èze Village for the panoramic views and exotic garden. Return to Nice by early evening. Duration: 7–9 hours.

Nice to Antibes: Art and Markets

Head west from Nice across the Baie des Anges to Antibes (9 NM, 30 minutes). Visit the Musée Picasso inside the medieval Château Grimaldi, stroll the Provençal market on the Cours Massena, and let your chef source fresh provisions. Anchor off Cap d’Antibes for a swim in the sheltered waters near the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Return to Nice via the coast, pausing at Cagnes-sur-Mer if time allows. Duration: 7–8 hours.

3-Day Nice Yacht Charter Itinerary: Eastern Riviera Gems

Day 1: Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu

Board at Port Lympia by mid-morning. Cruise to Villefranche-sur-Mer (4 NM) for a morning swim and old-town exploration. Tender to the Chapelle Saint-Pierre and lunch on the aft deck overlooking the bay. In the afternoon, cruise to Beaulieu-sur-Mer (3 NM) to visit the Villa Kerylos – an extraordinary reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa with mosaic floors and an open-sky atrium. Anchor overnight in Beaulieu’s sheltered harbour. Dinner at a waterfront restaurant or on deck.

Day 2: Cap Ferrat, Èze and Monaco

Cruise east past Cap Ferrat, pausing to anchor off the peninsula’s eastern coves for a morning swim. Tender ashore to walk the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens. Continue to Monaco (5 NM from Cap Ferrat). Berth at Port Hercule and explore the principality: the Casino, the Océanographic Museum, the Prince’s Palace. Taxi to Èze Village for a sunset visit and dinner at Chèvre d’Or with panoramic views. Return to the yacht in Monaco for the night.

Day 3: Menton and Return to Nice

Cruise east to Menton (7 NM from Monaco), the Riviera’s most Italian-feeling town. Explore the Italianate old town, visit the Musée Jean Cocteau on the harbour, and walk through the Jardin Serre de la Madone. If time and reservations align, lunch at Mirazur (three Michelin stars, overlooking the Italian border). Cruise back to Nice (15 NM, about 50 minutes), arriving by mid-afternoon. Guests wanting a full week can add the 4-day westward itinerary for a 7-day cruise covering the entire Côte d’Azur.

4-Day Nice Yacht Charter Itinerary: West to Cannes and the Estérel

Day 1: Nice to Antibes and Juan-les-Pins

Depart Port Lympia and cruise west to Antibes (9 NM, 30 minutes). Explore the Musée Picasso, the Provençal market and the old town. Your chef sources fresh provisions. After lunch on the aft deck, cruise to Cap d’Antibes and anchor off the southern tip for a swim. Continue to Juan-les-Pins (2 NM) for an evening berth. Dinner ashore at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Day 2: Îles de Lérins and Cannes

Cruise west to the Îles de Lérins (5 NM from Juan-les-Pins). Anchor between the islands for a morning swim, then explore Île Sainte-Marguerite (Fort Royal, the Man in the Iron Mask) and Île Saint-Honorat (monastery, wine tasting). After lunch on the aft deck, cruise to Cannes (2 NM). Berth at the Vieux Port for an evening along the Croisette – dinner at La Palme d’Or or a bistro in Le Suquet.

Day 3: Estérel Coast

Cruise west from Cannes into the Estérel (10–15 NM). Spend the day exploring the red volcanic calanques – swimming, snorkelling and lunching among crimson cliffs and deep blue water. Anchor in the Rade d’Agay or off Théoule-sur-Mer for an overnight. Dinner on the aft deck as the setting sun turns the red cliffs to copper and gold.

Day 4: Return to Nice via the Croisette

Morning swim in a final Estérel calanque, then cruise east back to Nice (roughly 25 NM, about 75 minutes). Stop at Cannes for a quick market visit or coffee on the Croisette if time allows. Arrive at Port Lympia by mid-afternoon with time for a farewell stroll through Vieux Nice and a last bowl of socca. Guests wanting the full Riviera experience can combine this 4-day western route with the 3-day eastern route for a 7-day coast-to-coast cruise.