Monaco to Saint-Tropez by Private Yacht — Day Charter Guide | Onboard.mc

After more than two decades living in Monaco — and doing this run personally more times than I can count — I can tell you: the Monaco to Saint-Tropez day trip by yacht is one of the greatest days you can spend on the Mediterranean. Clients ask me about it every single summer, and it never gets old. Whether you want to blast down the coast on a sport boat or drift slowly with lunch on deck and a glass of rosé in hand, we tailor it completely to you. Here is exactly how we recommend spending the day.

Insider note: We own boats ourselves and have operated this route for over 21 years from Monaco. Every restaurant, anchorage, and shortcut in this guide comes from personal experience — not a brochure.

The Itinerary — Depart Monaco at 9:30 AM

We recommend departing Port Hercule in Monaco at 9:30 AM. Early enough to beat the summer heat, early enough to have the Lérins Islands largely to yourself, and early enough to arrive in Saint-Tropez in time for a proper lunch. Here is how the day flows:

9:30 AM — Depart Monaco, Port Hercule Cast off from the iconic harbour with the Prince's Palace and casino in your wake. The first stretch west along the coast is spectacular — Èze, Cap Ferrat, and Antibes all pass to starboard.

~11:00 AM — Île Sainte-Marguerite, Lérins Islands Anchor off the Lérins Islands, just in front of Cannes. The water here is vivid turquoise — perfect for a morning swim before the day heats up. Explore by tender, or simply drop anchor and enjoy the calm.

~12:30 PM — Depart for Saint-Tropez From the Lérins Islands to Saint-Tropez is roughly 30–45 minutes depending on your speed. This is the moment to decide: push the throttle and arrive quickly, or cruise at a relaxed pace with lunch served on deck.

~1:30 PM — Arrive Saint-Tropez Drop anchor in the gulf or take a berth in the Vieux Port. Saint-Tropez's famous citadel, market squares, beach clubs, and legendary restaurants await.

~5:00 PM — Begin Return to Monaco Leave the gulf before the afternoon wind picks up. The return leg is often the most beautiful — golden light, the Alps visible behind the coast.

~7:30 PM — Back in Monaco Sundowners on deck as you glide back into Port Hercule. The perfect end to a perfect Riviera day.

The Lérins Islands — Don't Skip This Stop

Many day-trippers skip directly to Saint-Tropez. That is a mistake. The Lérins Islands, off the coast of Cannes, are one of the most beautiful stops on the entire French Riviera — and arriving by private boat means you can access spots no ferry passenger ever sees.

Île Sainte-Marguerite

The largest of the Lérins Islands. Pine forests stretch across its interior, and the famous Fort Royal — where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned — sits at the water's edge. The sheltered northern bay is the ideal anchorage for a morning swim.

Île Saint-Honorat

A working Cistercian monastery producing its own wine and honey. The monks welcome visitors, and a small pontoon allows you to tie your tender. Buy a bottle of the monks' wine and bring it back to the yacht — a surreal contrast to the Cannes glamour just 20 minutes across the water.

Best Anchorage: La Tradelière Bay

The prettiest anchorage on the southern side of Sainte-Marguerite. Crystal-clear water, excellent holding, and usually sheltered from the easterly wind. This is where we always stop with clients.

Local tip: Arrive at the Lérins before 11 AM in July and August. The ferry crowds from Cannes arrive after midday and the anchorages fill up quickly. Being there first makes all the difference.

How Long Does It Take? Monaco to Saint-Tropez

The crossing is approximately 80 nautical miles, and the time depends almost entirely on how fast you want to go — and how much you want to spend on fuel.

Our advice: Go at economy cruise speed on the way there and enjoy the coast. Save the speed for the return if conditions allow — the sea is usually calmer in the morning.

What To Do in Saint-Tropez — Arriving by Boat

The great advantage of arriving by yacht: you are not stuck in the traffic queues on the Corniche des Maures. You drop anchor, launch the tender, and arrive in the Vieux Port looking exactly as glamorous as Saint-Tropez demands.

Restaurants with Pontoon or Tender Pickup

These are the restaurants we recommend to charter clients — all able to accommodate yacht arrivals, either via their own pontoon or tender from the anchorage:

• Club 55 (Cinquante-Cinq) — The Riviera institution on Pampelonne beach since 1955. Grilled fish, rosé, and the most sought-after table on the coast. Reserve well ahead in July and August. Arrive by tender from your anchorage off Pampelonne.

• Nikki Beach — Anchor off Pampelonne and use your tender. Lively, great for groups, more of a party atmosphere than Club 55. Perfect for a celebratory day.

• La Ponche — A quieter, more authentic restaurant in the old fishing quarter of Saint-Tropez. Walk from the Vieux Port. Excellent Provençal cuisine, away from the beach club scene.

• Quai Jean Jaurès restaurants — A string of restaurants lining the old port. Ideal if you take a berth for the afternoon. Watch the superyachts from your table.

• L'Orangerie at Hôtel Byblos — For a special occasion. Arrange in advance; the team can coordinate tender logistics for yacht guests.

Best Anchorages for a Swim

• Pampelonne Bay — The famous stretch of beach behind Saint-Tropez. Anchor in 4 to 8 metres over sand. Calm in westerly conditions and beautiful turquoise water. Access beach clubs directly or swim from the boat.

• Baie des Canebiers — Just north of Saint-Tropez town, sheltered and popular with local yachts. Sandy bottom, good holding. Close enough to dinghy into the port for lunch.

• Baie de Briande — A wilder bay on the eastern side of the Presqu'île. Stunning clear water, dramatic rocky coastline, far fewer neighbours. This is where locals go to escape the crowds — and where we take our clients when they ask for somewhere special.

• Ramatuelle section of Pampelonne — Slightly quieter than the main beach area. Good for setting anchor and spending the afternoon before the return to Monaco.

Things to Do in Saint-Tropez

• Citadelle de Saint-Tropez — The 16th-century fortress overlooking the gulf. A 10-minute walk from the port with extraordinary views back over your yacht at anchor.

• Musée de l'Annonciade — A small but exceptional collection of Pointillist and Fauvist art. Paul Signac, who painted Saint-Tropez obsessively from his own boat, is well represented.

• Place des Lices Market — Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Provençal produce, flowers, and the most authentic slice of local life in the village.

• Sénéquier Café — The iconic red-awning café on the Vieux Port. Order a pastis and watch the show. Non-negotiable.

• Explore by tender — Take your tender into the old port the way it was always done. Tie up at the dinghy dock, walk the village, and return to the yacht when you are ready.

• Cap Camarat lighthouse — If timing allows on your return, pass close to the lighthouse at Cap Camarat. One of the most dramatic headlands on the entire Côte d'Azur.

Choosing the Right Boat for Your Day

We have options for every budget and group size. The key questions: how many guests, how fast you want to travel, and how much comfort you want on the crossing. Here is how to think about it — reach out and we will match you to the perfect vessel.

Sport Day Boat — From €1,200/day

• Fastest crossing — under 90 minutes at full throttle

• Great for small groups of 2 to 6 guests

• Easy to manoeuvre in marinas and anchorages

• Lower overall fuel cost

• Less shade and comfort on longer passages — not ideal in choppy conditions

Our boats in this tier:

1. Saxdor 400 GTS(40 ft) — The pure sport day boat. Open walkaround layout, twin-stepped hull, top speeds around 50 knots. Ideal for the Monaco–Saint-Tropez run when you want pace and an open-air feel.

Brochure: link to brochure

2. Sunseeker Superhawk 48(48 ft) — A step up in size and comfort while keeping the sport DNA. High-performance offshore cruiser with cabins for changing or overnighting.

Brochure: link to brochure

Motor Yacht (35–50 ft) — From €3,500/day

Most popular choice for this route

• Comfortable saloon and shaded deck for the crossing

• 2 to 3 cabins for changing

• Full catering possible on board

• Swim platform and tender / dinghy included

• Economy cruise crossing takes 2.5 to 3 hours — but you arrive relaxed and having enjoyed the sea

Our boat in this tier:

1. Prestige 550(58 ft) — A 3-cabin flybridge motor yacht with elongated lines and a refined interior. Generous shaded deck, full saloon, and the comfort to make the crossing a pleasure rather than a transit.

Brochure: link to brochure

Luxury Superyacht (60 ft+) — From €10,000/day

• Maximum comfort and prestige

• Full crew: captain, hostess, and private chef on board

• Finest catering, curated wine and champagne

• Full complement of water toys: jet skis, paddleboards, snorkelling gear

• Fuel costs at speed can be significant — we advise economy cruise where possible

Our boat in this tier:

1. Riva Vertigo 63(64 ft) — The Italian icon. Riva's largest open model, designed by Officina Italiana Design. Sport-cruise character with full superyacht comfort, 3 cabins plus crew quarters.

Brochure: link to brochure

2. Sunseeker Manhattan 65(69 ft) — A striking 4-cabin motor yacht with a spacious flybridge and elegant living quarters. Captain and stewardess on board, water toys on request, and room for 10 guests to settle in and let the coastline do the talking.

Brochure: link to brochure

Browse Our Fleet : https://www.onboard.mc/charterdubai

Expert Tips — 21 Years on the Riviera

Speed vs. Fuel: The Real Calculation Going full throttle on a large motor yacht can triple your fuel consumption. At 30 knots you might burn 300 litres per hour; at 18 knots, closer to 80. We advise clients to cruise at economy speed on the outbound leg and decide on the return based on how conditions look.

Watch the Mistral and the Libeccio The Mistral blows from the north-west and can raise significant seas west of Cannes, sometimes very quickly. Mornings are almost always calmer — another reason to depart at 9:30. We always check the 48-hour forecast and have contingency plans ready before any departure.

Reserve Everything in Advance In July and August, Club 55 and Nikki Beach are fully booked weeks ahead. Your berth in the Vieux Port of Saint-Tropez needs to be arranged before you depart Monaco. We handle all logistics as standard for our charter clients.

Sun Protection on the Water Reflected glare off the water doubles your UV exposure. Even experienced guests underestimate this. SPF 50, a good hat, and using the shade on deck are non-negotiable on a full day's crossing.

Lunch on the Boat Instead of the Restaurant On very busy days — particularly August weekends — some of our clients choose to skip the restaurant entirely and have lunch on deck at anchor off Pampelonne. Chef-prepared, rosé well chilled, no queue, complete privacy. Often the most memorable meal of the trip.

The Baie de Briande Secret On the eastern side of the Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez, the Baie de Briande is where local yachties go when they want to escape the crowds. Sandy bottom, clear water, dramatic cliffs. Most charter visitors on day trips from shore never find it. We always know it's there.

Ready to Plan Your Day?

We have done this route dozens of times and know every anchorage, every restaurant, and every trick to make your day on the water seamless. Whether you are looking for a sport boat for two or a crewed superyacht for a group, we will take care of every detail.

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