Planning a day (or more) on the French Riviera? Here are seven tried-and-true yacht routes that blend turquoise anchorages, easy swims, and lunch stops you’ll actually love. BedBoat Charter can run each itinerary with a skipper and crew, but the spotlight stays on the sea and your day out.
1) Antibes ↔ Îles de Lérins (Cannes)
Best for: First-timers, families, short days
Typical duration: 6–8 hours
Sea notes: Sheltered waters between the islands; great viz for snorkeling
Route at a glance
- Morning: Depart Antibes Port Vauban → cruise 45–60 min to Île Sainte-Marguerite. Drop anchor on the north side in calm weather; tender ashore for a pine-scented walk.
- Lunch: Onboard picnic at anchor or tender to a simple island restaurant.
- Afternoon: Slide over to Île Saint-Honorat for a second swim. The monastery coastline is postcard-pretty; please keep distance from shore.
- Golden hour: Slow cruise past La Croisette for Cannes skyline photos, then back to Antibes.
Skipper tip: Arrive early for the best anchor spot and fewer day-boats.
2) Cap d’Antibes & Garoupe Coves
Best for: Short, scenic hops; chilled swim-and-sip days
Typical duration: 4–6 hours
Sea notes: Rocky coves; water often crystal-clear
Route at a glance
- Morning: Antibes → round Cap d’Antibes to Baie de la Garoupe. Swim, paddle board, Seabob.
- Lunch: Onboard light lunch or beach-club reservation (tender ashore if conditions allow).
- Afternoon: Drift along the cap’s cliffs for photos, then pause by Baie des Milliardaires if it’s not too busy. Return at leisure.
Skipper tip: On windy afternoons, tuck into the most sheltered cove available—comfort first.
3) Cannes ↔ Théoule-sur-Mer & Red Rocks of the Estérel
Best for: Dramatic coastline, active guests (cliff scenery, snorkeling)
Typical duration: 8 hours
Sea notes: Typically calm mornings; fetch can build with afternoon breeze
Route at a glance
- Morning: Cannes → coastal cruise to Théoule; anchor under the Estérel’s red cliffs.
- Lunch: Fresh onboard lunch while the tender zips guests to tiny pebble coves.
- Afternoon: Swim caves and snorkel nooks along the jagged shoreline; slow return via Îles de Lérins for a short second dip.
Skipper tip: Bring reef-safe sunscreen; the water’s too inviting to stay dry.
4) Antibes/Cannes → Saint-Tropez (Day Return)
Best for: Iconic “St-Trop” arrival, shoppers, scene-seekers
Typical duration: 9–10 hours (weather-dependent)
Sea notes: Longer navigation across the Golfe de la Napoule / Sainte-Maxime
Route at a glance
- Morning: Early lines-off → cruise to Anse de Pampelonne for a swim stop.
- Lunch: Beach-club booking on Pampelonne (tender ashore) or refined lunch onboard.
- Afternoon: Enter Vieux Port de Saint-Tropez for an espresso-and-stroll or anchor off the citadel if port berths are tight. Return with sunset over the Esterel.
Skipper tip: An early start beats afternoon chop and helps secure smoother landings.
5) Saint-Tropez Bay & Cap Taillat Loop
Best for: Pure water color, nature feel, drone shots
Typical duration: 7–8 hours (start from Saint-Tropez / Port Grimaud / Sainte-Maxime)
Sea notes: Exposed if wind swings; magic in settled weather
Route at a glance
- Morning: Depart St-Tropez → swim at Pampelonne → continue to Cap Taillat (emerald sandbar vibe).
- Lunch: Quiet onboard lunch at anchor; SUP along the sand isthmus.
- Afternoon: Curve back via Cap Camarat for a last jump-in; leisurely cruise home.
Skipper tip: Respect swim zones and nature protections—keep anchors clear of sea grass.
6) Antibes → Villefranche-sur-Mer & Cap-Ferrat
Best for: Postcard bays, old-world charm, sunset lovers
Typical duration: 8 hours
Sea notes: Generally protected bays; busy in high season (for good reason)
Route at a glance
- Morning: Cruise east to Baie de Villefranche; anchor in the deep-blue amphitheatre of the bay.
- Lunch: Onboard or tender to the village quay for a bistro lunch (subject to local rules/space).
- Afternoon: Coast around Cap-Ferrat for lighthouse views, then slip into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a final swim.
Skipper tip: Depths drop fast—use plenty of scope and confirm holding before the plunge.
7) Cannes Sunset Aperitivo (Late-Day Half-Day)
Best for: Golden-hour photos, proposals, team rewards
Typical duration: 3–4 hours (late afternoon → dusk)
Sea notes: Time the forecast; light evening breeze is common
Route at a glance
- Late afternoon: Cannes or Antibes departure → short hop to Îles de Lérins.
- Aperitivo: Platter + cold rosé onboard. Swim if warm; otherwise just lounge.
- Sunset: Slow cruise between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat as the sun drops, then return under city lights.
Skipper tip: Bring a light layer—even Riviera nights can feel fresh after a swim.
Choosing the Right Boat & Add-Ons
- 12–15m sport cruisers: Agile, great for fast hops and coves (ideal for itineraries 1, 2, 7).
- 15–20m flybridge yachts: Extra deck space, comfort underway (3, 4, 6).
- Power catamarans (40–60ft): Stable platforms, huge lounging and swim decks (5, families, groups).
- Popular extras: Seabob, SUPs, snorkeling sets, drone (where permitted), hostess for service, photographer.
Practical FAQ (Quick & Useful)
- Start ports? Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Tropez (others on request).
- Timing? 10:00–18:00 is classic; earlier for St-Tropez day returns; sunset charters start ~16:30–17:30 (season-dependent).
- Lunch: onboard vs beach club? Both work. Beach clubs often need advance booking—ask us to arrange.
- Seasickness? Choose shorter routes and sheltered bays (Lérins, Villefranche, Cap d’Antibes).
- What to bring? Soft bags, reef-safe sunscreen, hats, ID for port security, and a spare layer for the ride home.
How BedBoat Charter Helps (without stealing the scene)
- Local skippers & tidy logistics: Right boat, right route, right timings for the day’s forecast.
- Restaurant & beach-club coordination: We hold/tweak reservations around weather and traffic.
- Safety & comfort first: Fuel planning, safe anchorages, swimmer-first operations.
Ready to plan your day on the water?
Tell us your group size, preferred date, budget range, and vibe (laid-back, party, luxe lunch, snorkel-heavy, proposal, family day). We’ll suggest a boat and lock in the route that matches the forecast.
Enquire with BedBoat Charter:
- Antibes/Cannes departures: Request availability →
- Saint-Tropez area: Request availability →
- Custom multi-day routes: Plan a mini-cruise →
P.S. If you’re torn between Lérins and Cap-Ferrat, do Lérins for swim-time and Cap-Ferrat for bay drama. If you want both, make it a full day with an early start.