A 7-day South of France yacht charter itinerary from Nice through Cap d’Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and the Îles d’Hyères, exploring Porquerolles and Port-Cros along the Côte d’Azur.
A South of France yacht charter follows one of the most iconic cruising routes in the Mediterranean. The Côte d’Azur is a luxury yacht charter favourite for many reasons: from the food to the sights. The route runs tightly between mountains and sea, forming a coastline of headlands, islands and sheltered bays that suit a relaxed one-week circuit. Distances between stops are short, marinas operate smoothly, and many anchorages sit within sight of historic Riviera towns.
The French Riviera rewards close attention. Light shifts quickly across pale stone façades. Pine forests meet clear Mediterranean water. Within a single day, you can move from elegant marinas in Cannes or Saint-Tropez to protected national park islands that feel almost untouched.
Cruising this Côte d’Azur yacht itinerary reveals the Riviera as more than a glamorous shoreline. Seen from the water, it becomes a layered landscape of culture, geography and quiet anchorages.
Day 1 – Nice to Cap d’Antibes
Distance: ~12 nautical miles south-west
Depart Nice and follow the curve of the coastline toward Cap d’Antibes. The run is short and scenic, with villas, rocky points and pine-covered headlands marking the shore.
Anchor along the western side of the Cap where the water clears over pale sand. Swim beneath limestone cliffs or take the tender along the peninsula to discover small coves tucked into the coastline. By evening, the lights along the headland begin to glow while the sea settles into calm evening colours.
Our top Cap d’Antibes yacht charter tip: Make sure you don’t miss Plage de la Garoupe, one of the Riviera’s most beautiful beaches. The water here is exceptionally clear, and several beach restaurants make it an ideal, relaxed lunch stop on any South of France yacht trip.
Day 2 – Cap d’Antibes to Cannes
Distance: ~10 nautical miles south-west
A short morning cruise brings you to Cannes. The approach opens gradually, with the Esterel mountains faint in the distance beyond the bay. Cannes balances Riviera glamour with relaxed Mediterranean rhythm. Wander through the old quarter of Le Suquet or pause at a harbour café as tenders move between yachts and shore.
Anchor off the Croisette for lunch and swim with views back toward the town’s waterfront. Later, move into port or remain at anchor depending on preference.
Our top Cannes yacht charter tip: Visit Marché Forville, Cannes’ historic food market. It’s the perfect place to pick up fresh fruit, Provençal cheeses and pastries before heading back to the yacht.
Day 3 – Cannes to Îles de Lérins
Distance: ~3 nautical miles south
Just offshore from Cannes, the Îles de Lérins provide an immediate contrast. The crossing takes only minutes, yet the atmosphere changes completely. Anchor between Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat, where pine forests meet clear water. Snorkel along rocky edges or walk shaded inland paths that circle the island.
For a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, take the tender ashore to La Tonnelle restaurant on Île Saint-Honorat. Run by the island’s monks, it serves excellent Provençal seafood and wine produced from the abbey vineyards for an unforgettable experience.
Day 4 – Îles de Lérins to Saint-Tropez
Distance: ~28 nautical miles south-west
Cruise west along the glorious French Riviera toward another South of France yacht charter favourite: Saint-Tropez. A destination filled with glitz, glamour, amazing restaurants and incredible shopping.
This longer stretch often brings a steady breeze and open water beyond the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. Arrive in the afternoon and enter the harbour or anchor just outside the port. Step ashore by tender to explore narrow streets behind the waterfront where cafés and boulangeries line the lanes, and get lost in the South of France at its best. As evening falls, the town’s pastel façades glow in warm light, and the harbour begins to fill with evening energy.
Day 5 – Saint-Tropez to Porquerolles
Distance: ~25 nautical miles south-west
Today, you will bid farewell to the allure of Saint-Tropez and continue toward the Îles d’Hyères for the next stop on your France luxury yacht trip. The coastline here becomes quieter, with longer stretches of forested shoreline and fewer towns.
Anchor off Porquerolles where pale beaches meet clear turquoise water. Swim directly from the yacht or go ashore to explore the island by bicycle along quiet paths shaded by eucalyptus and pine. Don’t miss Plage d’Argent, one of the island’s best swimming spots with soft sand and exceptionally clear water.
Evening on Porquerolles feels slower and more relaxed than the Riviera ports to the east.
Day 6 – Porquerolles to Port-Cros
Distance: ~7 nautical miles east
A short cruise brings you to Port-Cros, part of one of France’s oldest national parks and a completely different vibe to some of the coastal city stops on the way.
Anchor beneath steep wooded hills that drop sharply into deep blue water, and spend a leisurely day making the most of the pristine natural environment. Snorkelling here is excellent thanks to long-standing marine protection, with dense fish life along the rocky seabed. On land, marked walking trails lead through the forest to beautiful viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean.
Day 7 – Port-Cros to Nice
Distance: ~45 nautical miles north-east
Today is the final day of your return passage toward Nice. This is the longest leg of the itinerary and best started early while the sea remains calm. The coastline unfolds in stages as you cruise east along the Riviera, passing familiar headlands and bays from earlier in the week.
Arriving back in Nice completes your South of France yacht charter with the mountains rising behind the city and the Mediterranean stretching open beyond the harbour.
Why a Côte d’Azur Yacht Charter Endures the Test of Time
A South of France yacht charter along the Côte d’Azur is one of the tried and tested favourites of the Mediterranean. Defined by proximity and contrast, Riviera towns sit within easy reach of protected islands and quiet anchorages shaped by rock, wind and pine forests.
Over seven days, this French Riviera yacht itinerary moves between elegant marinas in Cannes and Saint-Tropez and the calmer waters of Porquerolles and Port-Cros. The coastline reveals itself not as a single destination but as a sequence of landscapes best experienced from the water. Cruising the Riviera this way allows the region’s geography and atmosphere to unfold naturally, one headland and harbour at a time.
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