7-Day Yacht Charter Itinerary From Cannes: A Day-by-Day Guide

A 7-day yacht charter itinerary from Cannes — what to expect

Planning a week-long yacht charter from Cannes gives you enough time to explore the full breadth of the French Riviera without rushing a single anchorage. This sample 7-day itinerary covers roughly 120 nautical miles of coastline, from the red-rock inlets of the Esterel massif west of town to the principality of Monaco near the Italian border. Each day balances cruising time, shore excursions, and calm hours at anchor. Whether you're aboard a 24-metre motor yacht or a 40-metre sailing vessel, the routing below adapts to vessel type, crew size, and the prevailing summer southwesterly. Use it as a framework — your captain will fine-tune departure times around swell, wind, and harbour traffic.

Day 1–2: The Lérins Islands and the Golfe de la Napoule

The smartest first move after departing the Vieux Port is a short 1.5-nautical-mile crossing to Île Sainte-Marguerite. Arriving before 10:00 secures a sheltered spot on the island's north side, where the seabed is sandy and holding is reliable in 4–6 metres of depth. Spend the morning swimming off the stern platform, then tender ashore to walk the eucalyptus-lined trails and visit the Fort Royal.

On Day 2, cruise west into the Golfe de la Napoule. The bay between Théoule-sur-Mer and Mandelieu-la-Napoule offers protected anchorages with views of the Esterel's rust-coloured cliffs. A 30-minute tender ride reaches Calanque du Petit Caneiret — a narrow cove best accessed before the midday charter traffic arrives. Return to the Cannes roadstead for the evening; the city's waterfront restaurants are a five-minute tender ride from the anchorage zone.

Day 3–4: Antibes, Cap d'Antibes, and Juan-les-Pins

Head east along the coast. Port Vauban in Antibes is the largest marina in the western Mediterranean and a natural overnight stop. Med-mooring stern-to on the main quay puts you steps from the Marché Provençal and the Picasso Museum. Allow 20 minutes for harbour entry procedures during peak July and August weeks.

Day 4 belongs to the Cap d'Antibes peninsula. Anchor off Plage de la Garoupe on the eastern side, where depths drop to 8–10 metres over rock and sand. Conditions here stay calm when the afternoon thermal blows from the southwest. After lunch, a leisurely 6-nautical-mile cruise south rounds the cape and brings you to Juan-les-Pins for a sunset cocktail ashore. Browse our [fleet in Cannes](#) to find a vessel whose beam and draft suit these shallower anchorages.

Day 5: Saint-Tropez — timing and approach

The run from Antibes to Saint-Tropez covers roughly 35 nautical miles. On a motor yacht cruising at 18 knots, that's under two hours. Depart early to reach the Golfe de Saint-Tropez before the harbour fills. Rather than berthing in the crowded old port, consider anchoring in the Baie de Pampelonne — the wide bay south of town where beach clubs line the shore and tender access is easy.

Saint-Tropez rewards a single well-planned day more than a hurried overnight. Walk the Citadelle for long views across the gulf, lunch at one of the portside terraces, and weigh anchor by late afternoon. The return leg to the Cannes area is smoother in the evening, when sea breeze subsides and the coastline lights up at dusk. See our [Cannes day-charter itinerary](#) for a condensed version of this route.

Day 6: Monaco and the Moyenne Corniche coast

From Cannes, Monaco lies roughly 28 nautical miles northeast. The passage follows the dramatic cliff-backed coast past Nice's Baie des Anges, Villefranche-sur-Mer's deep natural harbour, and Cap Ferrat — one of the most exclusive residential headlands in Europe. Villefranche's roadstead is a classic lunch stop: the bay is deep, calm, and ringed by pastel façades.

Arrive in Monaco's Port Hercule by mid-afternoon. Berths for visiting yachts above 24 metres are managed by the Société d'Exploitation des Ports de Monaco; your broker coordinates the reservation in advance. An evening ashore in Monte-Carlo adds a distinct change of pace before the final day's return cruise.

5 essentials to consider before booking a week-long Riviera charter

1. Yacht size and guest count. A 7-day cruise for 6–8 guests is comfortable on vessels from 25 to 45 metres. Larger groups may need a second tender for shore excursions. 2. Season timing. Late June and early September offer warm water, lighter harbour traffic, and wider berth availability than the peak July–August window of 2026. 3. Provisioning lead time. A week-long charter requires a full provision order 48 hours before embarkation. Your crew chef plans menus around port-market stops in Antibes and Saint-Tropez. 4. Cross-border customs. A quick hop into Monaco is straightforward for EU-flagged yachts, but Italian waters beyond Menton require advance crew-list notification. 5. Fuel planning. A 30-metre motor yacht burning 250 litres per hour at cruising speed will consume roughly 6,000–8,000 litres over a week, depending on routing. Bunkering is available at Port Canto and Port Vauban.

For vessel options suited to this route, browse our [Riviera charter yachts](#).

Plan your Riviera yacht charter

Seven days along this coastline reveal why the stretch between the Esterel and Monaco remains the most requested private yacht hire route in the western Mediterranean. Each anchorage offers a different character — from the quiet pine-scented shores of Île Sainte-Marguerite to the energy of Saint-Tropez and the polished waterfront of Monte-Carlo. A well-matched yacht and a captain who knows the local timing make the difference between a good week and a flawless one. The 2026 summer season is already shaping up, and the best vessels tend to confirm early.