St Tropez Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in St Tropez

St Tropez occupies a unique place in the Mediterranean imagination. This small Provençal fishing village on the southern coast of the Var was barely known beyond its own bay until Brigitte Bardot arrived in 1956 to film And God Created Woman, and within a decade it had become a global byword for barefoot glamour, sun-drenched hedonism and the very idea of the Riviera summer. Today, the port is a floating exhibition of the world’s most beautiful motor yachts, the beaches of Pampelonne host the planet’s most iconic beach clubs, and the village’s cobbled lanes still hum with the same energy that drew artists, writers and filmmakers here in the first place.

What makes St Tropez so compelling for charter guests is the contrast between its two faces. From the superyacht quay, the scene is pure spectacle: gleaming hulls, immaculate crews, pavement cafés buzzing with people-watching and the faint pulse of a DJ from Pampelonne drifting across the water. But walk ten minutes into the old village and you find a place that is still, at heart, a Provençal fishing town – shuttered pastel houses, a daily fish market at the Place aux Herbes, bougainvillea climbing ancient stone walls, and the Musée de l’Annonciade (a former chapel housing an outstanding collection of post-impressionist art, including works by Signac, Bonnard and Matisse). The food scene anchors both worlds: La Vague d’Or at Cheval Blanc holds three Michelin stars, La Voile at La Réserve Ramatuelle earned two, and the beach-club kitchens at Club 55 and Bagatelle serve the kind of sun-drenched Mediterranean cuisine that tastes better with sand between your toes.

The Gulf of St Tropez offers sheltered cruising with short distances to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery on the Riviera. Pampelonne Beach is just a 10-minute tender ride from the port. Cap Taillat and Plage de l’Escalet are 5–7 nautical miles to the south. The Îles de Porquerolles – a national park island with white-sand beaches and pine forests – are roughly 25 nautical miles west. Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our St Tropez fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht in St Tropez

The World’s Most Iconic Beach-Club Scene

Pampelonne’s five-kilometre stretch of sand is the birthplace of the modern beach club, and the culture here is unmatched. Club 55 (founded in 1955 as a catering tent for the Bardot film crew, now the most discreetly glamorous lunch spot on the Riviera) serves grilled fish, Provençal salads and rosé by the magnum. Nikki Beach brings Miami-meets-Tropez energy with cabana lounging and international DJs. Bagatelle pairs a festive lunch with champagne sprays and live entertainment. Shellona offers Greek-Mediterranean cuisine on the quieter southern end of Pampelonne. Your crew arranges VIP tables, handles the tender and has you back on board for a sundowner without ever needing to find a car park.

Superyacht Culture at Its Finest

St Tropez’s Old Port is small – just 734 berths – and during peak season the waiting list for a superyacht berth is fierce. That exclusivity is part of the appeal. When you do secure a stern-to berth on the Quai Jean Jaurès (arranged well in advance by Boatcrowd), your yacht becomes part of the most photographed marina panorama in the world. The Quai Suffren opposite is lined with pavement cafés where the sport is watching the comings and goings of the yachts. It is a scene that has been running since the 1960s and shows no sign of dimming.

Provençal Character Beyond the Glamour

Step away from the waterfront and St Tropez reveals a village that has kept its Provençal soul. The Place des Lices – the main square, shaded by plane trees – hosts a famous open-air market every Tuesday and Saturday morning with local produce, olives, lavender, textiles and antiques. The Citadelle de St Tropez, built in 1602 on the hilltop above the old town, offers panoramic views over the Gulf and houses a maritime history museum. The Musée de l’Annonciade, in a deconsecrated 16th-century chapel near the port, holds works by the pointillist painters who put St Tropez on the artistic map – Paul Signac arrived by yacht in 1892 and never left.

Proximity to Hidden Gems

The Gulf of St Tropez extends far beyond the town itself. Port Grimaud – a 1960s lakeside-style village built around canals, sometimes called the Venice of Provence – sits at the head of the Gulf. Ramatuelle village perches on a hilltop above Pampelonne with medieval lanes and sweeping views. Gassin, another hilltop village, is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France. And to the south, the coastal path from Cap Taillat to Cap Lardier winds through protected parkland with beaches accessible only by foot or by yacht – your tender is the shortcut.

Key Destinations Near St Tropez

• Pampelonne Beach – Five kilometres of fine sand stretching south from Cap Pinet. Home to Club 55, Nikki Beach, Bagatelle and Shellona, plus long stretches of public beach between the clubs. Anchoring off Pampelonne in 5–8 metres over sand is the classic St Tropez experience. Your crew arranges beach-club reservations and tender service.

• Cap Taillat – A sandy promontory jutting into clear water roughly 5 NM south of St Tropez, within the Conservatoire du Littoral protected area. One of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches on the Riviera, accessible only by sea or a long coastal walk. Anchor in 4–6 metres over sand and snorkel the rocky edges.

• Plage de l’Escalet – A quiet, pebbly cove backed by pine and maquis scrub, roughly 6 NM south of St Tropez. A favourite lunch anchorage for yachts seeking calm and privacy. The protected coastline here is part of the Cap Lardier nature reserve.

• Îles de Porquerolles – A national park island roughly 25 NM west of St Tropez (about 75 minutes on a motor yacht). White-sand beaches (Plage Notre-Dame, Plage de la Courtade), pine forests, vineyards, and no cars. The snorkelling along the southern rocky coast is some of the best on the French coast. A rewarding full-day or overnight stop.

• Port Grimaud – A colourful canal village at the head of the Gulf of St Tropez, designed by architect François Spoerry in 1966. Cruise in by tender for a wander through its pastel-painted houses and waterside restaurants. A charming contrast to the glamour of St Tropez, and just a 15-minute cruise from the Old Port.

• Ramatuelle and Gassin – Two hilltop villages above the Gulf offering medieval lanes, panoramic views and excellent restaurants. Ramatuelle is home to La Réserve (two Michelin stars) and an annual jazz festival. Gassin is one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages. Both are a short taxi ride from Pampelonne or the port.

Best Time to Charter in St Tropez

Peak Season: July and August

The height of summer brings temperatures of 28–32°C (82–90°F), sea temperatures of 23–26°C, and the liveliest atmosphere ashore. Beach clubs are packed, the Old Port is at its most spectacular, and the nightlife runs until dawn. St Tropez is at its most expensive and most electric during these months. The best yachts and prime berths book out by February – plan early.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September–October

June is when many Riviera insiders prefer to visit – warm, sunny (24–28°C), and the beach clubs are open without the peak-season crush. September is golden: the sea is at its warmest (24–25°C), the light is softer, and Les Voiles de St Tropez (late September/early October) brings the world’s finest classic and racing yachts to the Gulf in one of sailing’s most photogenic regattas. Rates are typically 15–25% below peak. May is pleasant and increasingly popular, particularly around the Cannes Film Festival (a 90-minute cruise from St Tropez).

Early and Late Season: April and November

Mild and quiet. Temperatures around 16–22°C. Most beach clubs are closed, but the village restaurants, the Citadelle and the Musée de l’Annonciade are open, and the Place des Lices market runs year-round. Ideal for guests who want St Tropez’s Provençal charm without the summer crowds.

Signature Experiences

• Lunch at Club 55 – Tender from your yacht to Pampelonne’s original beach club, founded in 1955. Grilled fish, Provençal salads and magnums of cold rosé in the shade of straw parasols. The most discreetly glamorous lunch on the Riviera – no loud music, no champagne sprays, just impeccable food and effortless style.
• Sunset from the Citadelle – Walk up from the old town to the 17th-century Citadelle de St Tropez for panoramic views over the Gulf, the Maures hills and the open Mediterranean. The maritime museum inside tells the story of the village’s seafaring past, from its defence against a Spanish fleet in 1637 to the Allied landings in August 1944.
• Cap Taillat Wild Swim – Anchor off this protected promontory and swim ashore to a beach that feels a world away from Pampelonne’s clubs. Pine-scented air, clear water over sand, and no development in sight. Your crew serves lunch on the aft deck when you paddle back.
• Provençal Market, Place des Lices – Every Tuesday and Saturday morning, the plane-tree-shaded main square fills with stalls selling local produce, olives, goat’s cheese, lavender, textiles and antiques. Arrive early by tender for the best selection, and let your chef pick up the day’s ingredients.
• Les Voiles de St Tropez – If your charter falls in late September or early October, don’t miss this world-class regatta. Classic wooden yachts and modern racers fill the Gulf, and the atmosphere ashore – harbour parties, crew gatherings, the Quai packed with spectators – is one of the great events of the Mediterranean yachting calendar.
• Îles de Porquerolles Day Trip – Cruise 25 NM west to this national park island for a day of white-sand beaches, pine-forest walking trails and outstanding snorkelling along the rocky southern coast. No cars, no high-rises – just a small village with a handful of restaurants and a vineyard producing rosé that rarely leaves the island.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (55’–99’) – Agile and quick, ideal for covering the Gulf of St Tropez and reaching the Îles de Porquerolles or the Estérel coast in under two hours. Full crew, water toys and all-inclusive service. The most popular choice for long weekends and week-long charters based in St Tropez.

• Superyachts (100’+) – St Tropez’s Old Port is one of the great superyacht destinations. A stern-to berth on the Quai Jean Jaurès puts you at the centre of the Riviera’s most photographed marina panorama. Superyacht charters here pair resort-level luxury with beach-club culture and Provençal gastronomy.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable, spacious and perfect for groups and families. Shallow draft for anchoring close to Pampelonne’s sandy shallows and the rocky calanques of the nearby coast. Generous deck space for sunbathing, on-deck dining and water-toy storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter in St Tropez cost?

Crewed motor yachts (55’–99’) start from around $45,000–$75,000 per week all-inclusive during peak season (July–August). Superyachts (100’+) typically range from $100,000–$350,000+ per week on MYBA terms (plus APA of 25–35% and 20% VAT). Luxury catamarans (55’–80’) start from roughly $35,000–$55,000 per week. Shoulder-season rates (June, September) are typically 15–25% lower. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a quote tailored to your dates and group size.

Can I get a berth in St Tropez’s Old Port?

Berths in St Tropez’s Old Port are limited (734 berths total) and in very high demand during peak season. Superyacht berths on the Quai Jean Jaurès are particularly sought after and typically need to be secured months in advance. Boatcrowd’s team handles the berth application process on your behalf. If the port is full, excellent alternatives include anchoring in the bay (with tender access to the town) or berthing at the nearby Port de Saint-Tropez extension or Port Grimaud.

Is St Tropez suitable for a family yacht charter?

Very much so. While St Tropez is famous for its party scene, the Gulf offers calm, sheltered waters ideal for families. Pampelonne has long stretches of public beach with gentle shallows perfect for children. Cap Taillat and l’Escalet are quiet, nature-focused beaches away from the clubs. The Citadelle, the village markets and the coastal walks along the Sentier du Littoral all make for engaging family outings. Your crew tailors the itinerary and menus to suit all ages.

What is the nightlife like from a yacht in St Tropez?

St Tropez’s nightlife has been legendary since the 1960s. Les Caves du Roy at Hôtel Byblos is the flagship club – exclusive, late-night, and a magnet for celebrities and yacht guests. VIP Room on the port is another long-standing favourite. Many guests prefer a more relaxed approach: dinner on deck at anchor, then a late-evening stroll through the old town’s bars and wine bars. Your crew can arrange VIP access, transport and late-night returns by tender.

How far is St Tropez from Cannes or Nice?

St Tropez to Cannes is roughly 24 nautical miles (about 90 minutes on a motor yacht at 18 knots). St Tropez to Nice is approximately 40 nautical miles (about 2 hours). St Tropez to Monaco is roughly 55 nautical miles (2.5–3 hours). Distances are manageable for day trips or multi-day cruising along the Riviera.