Boat & yacht charter in Cannes & Antibes
Twenty minutes to an island monastery, fifteen to Billionaires' Bay, and the red rock of the Estérel just beyond. Nowhere on this coast are the distances shorter.
This is the practical end of the Riviera. Cannes and Antibes are eight miles apart, both are properly equipped, and everything worth seeing sits inside a triangle you can cover in a morning. It makes the area unusually forgiving: a half-day out here is a real outing, not a transfer.
The ports
Vieux Port de Cannes puts you in front of the Croisette; Port Canto, at the eastern end of the bay, is the quieter alternative a few minutes away. Port Vauban in Antibes is one of the major yachting harbours of the Mediterranean and the base for much of the large-yacht activity on the coast. Golfe-Juan and Juan-les-Pins sit between the two and are the pragmatic choice for a day-boat.
The short runs
The Îles de Lérins — Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat — are about twenty minutes off Cannes: pine, clear water, a working monastery, and the calmest anchorage in the bay. Round Cap d'Antibes and you reach the Baie des Milliardaires, a quarter of an hour from Port Vauban. West of Cannes, the Estérel drops red porphyry straight into the sea between Théoule and Saint-Raphaël — the most dramatic stretch of coast between here and Italy.
Why it suits a first charter
Short distances, sheltered water, and ports every few miles make this the easiest part of the Riviera to start on. It is also the busiest in August — the anchorages off the Lérins fill by mid-morning, and leaving early is worth more here than anywhere.
Where to board
Vieux Port de Cannes
In front of the Croisette, at the heart of the town.
Port Canto
Eastern end of the Cannes bay — quieter, minutes from the Vieux Port.
Port Vauban, Antibes
One of the Mediterranean's major yachting harbours.
Golfe-Juan
Between the two towns. The pragmatic day-boat base.
Where to drop the hook
Îles de Lérins
Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, ~20 minutes off Cannes.
Baie des Milliardaires
Around Cap d'Antibes, about fifteen minutes from Port Vauban.
Massif de l'Estérel
Red rock into deep water between Théoule and Saint-Raphaël.
Cap d'Antibes
Anchorages on both sides depending on the wind.
April to October — the season runs longer here than further west. May, June and September are the best balance of weather and space.
Day-boats and walkarounds for the Lérins run, and a very deep crewed fleet out of Antibes for the week — this is where much of the Mediterranean's charter fleet is based.
Half-day and full-day charters are the norm here and start modestly by Riviera standards; the crewed yachts out of Port Vauban span the entire range.
Orders of magnitude observed on the market, not quotes. The real price depends on the boat, the week and what is included.
Frequently asked questions
How long to reach the Lérins islands?
About twenty minutes from the Vieux Port de Cannes. It is the shortest worthwhile run on the whole Riviera, which is why a half-day charter here actually works.
Cannes or Antibes?
Cannes for the Lérins and the Estérel, Antibes for Billionaires' Bay and for anything large — Port Vauban has the depth of fleet. They are eight miles apart, so neither is a wrong answer.
Is a half-day enough?
Here, yes — uniquely on this coast. The Lérins or Cap d'Antibes fit comfortably into four hours including swimming stops.
Request a boat in Cannes & Antibes
Tell us your dates, how many of you there are and what kind of day you have in mind. We come back with two or three boats that actually fit — from our network of owners and vetted fleets.