You've seen the coastline from the shore. The villas, the cliffs, the little coves between the rocks that look impossible to reach on foot. The thing is, from the water, everything looks different — the scale changes, the colours change, and those impossible coves turn out to have the clearest water on the entire coast.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Whether you want a private yacht for the day, a catamaran with a skipper and a buffet lunch on board, a jet ski tour up to Monaco, or simply a small boat rented by the hour to go wherever the coast takes you — the Mediterranean is right there, and it's waiting.
Full-day or multi-day — a crew, a captain, and the whole coast to yourselves.
One of the most reputable luxury charter brokers on the Riviera. They match you with the right yacht, the right captain, and the right itinerary — whether that's a day trip to Saint-Tropez, a tour of Monaco, or a week at sea. Captain Christopher gets his own fan mail in the reviews. Groups of all sizes catered for.
Find on Google Maps Sailing & Motor · ⭐ 5.0 · AntibesA 5-star rated charter operation run by Remi, who is genuinely legendary in the reviews. He handles groups of 20, last-minute changes, restaurant reservations on the way, and every variable in between. Sailing and motor yachts available. The food on board gets its own special mention in almost every review.
Find on Google Maps Charter · ⭐ 4.9 · CannesA well-established charter company covering the whole Riviera from Cannes to Saint-Tropez and beyond. Communication is consistently praised, the booking process is clean, and the skippers know every cove worth visiting. Also covers La Ciotat and Marseille for sailing day charters. Open 24 hours for enquiries.
Find on Google MapsShared or private — lunch on board, swimming stops, and the wind doing the work.
Captain Stephan is a former executive chef for a cruise line, which explains why the food on board is described as the best meal of the week — every week. His catamaran takes groups of up to 12 to hidden bays and perfect swimming spots between Cannes and Monaco. Available for full-day charters, half-days, and private events including wedding weekends.
Find on Google Maps Catamaran · ⭐ 4.7 · 1 600+ avis · Saint-RaphaëlOver 1,600 ratings and consistently 4.7 stars. Half-day and full-day options from Saint-Raphaël, with swimming stops, snorkelling gear, paddle boards, and a dinner buffet option for evening cruises. Excellent for families and mixed groups, with plenty of shade on board. The music turns into a party on the way back.
Find on Google MapsA captain, a boat, and you decide where to go — no fixed itinerary required.
Based in the gorgeous port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, perfectly positioned between Nice, Monaco, and Cap Ferrat. Captain Simon brings the history of Monaco and the cape to life along the way. The swimming stop at Plage Mala — arguably the most beautiful cove on the entire coastline — is consistently mentioned as a highlight. 5 stars across 128 reviews.
Find on Google Maps Boat Trips · ⭐ 5.0 · CannesSkipper Joe operates private boat tours out of Cannes — to the Îles de Lérins, hidden coves, and anywhere the group wants to go. He decorates the boat for birthdays, organises food delivery on the water, brings floats and a Seabob, and has 5 stars across every single review. Genuinely flexible and fun. Bookable from 7am to 10pm.
Find on Google Maps Boat Hire · ⭐ 5.0 · MonacoCaptain Alice runs private charters out of Monaco's Fontvieille harbour — swimming in hidden coves, snorkelling gear and water toys on board, and beautiful snacks prepared for the day. One group's 10-year-old swam in both France and Italy and inside a sea cave on the same trip. Perfect for families, birthday groups, and bachelorette parties.
Find on Google MapsFrom parasailing above Mandelieu to jet skiing along the Monaco coastline at speed.
The most reviewed water sports operation on this list — 1,300+ ratings and 4.9 stars. Jet ski, parasailing, wakeboarding, tubing — all available, all run by a friendly English-speaking team. The 2-hour jet ski tour along the Estérel coastline is a highlight. Reasonable prices and an easy, flexible booking process. Open 7 days a week from 9am.
Find on Google Maps Jet Ski · Parasailing · ⭐ 4.9 · Cagnes-sur-MerRight on the beach in Cagnes-sur-Mer, between Nice and Antibes — jet ski tours with instructor-guides, parasailing, and a 1h30 coastal tour that reviewers describe as breathtaking. Beginners are made to feel completely at ease, equipment is well-maintained, and the staff are consistently praised. Open every day from 10am to 7:30pm.
Find on Google Maps Jet Ski · ⭐ 4.9 · MonacoFive minutes from Monaco at the port of Cap d'Ail — the 2h30 tour goes up to Italy, stops at Plage Mala for a swim, and returns via Monaco harbour. Bruno and Greg are named personally in almost every review. Cave swimming, dolphin sightings, and one of the most memorable afternoon activities available on the entire coast.
Find on Google MapsTwenty years on the Côte d'Azur — and still finding things nobody thought to write down. Real stories, real places, zero filter.
Riviera Reality
You researched. You planned. You packed light. The Côte d'Azur has a different agenda entirely — and it will not be negotiating.
It gets better. →
Life on the Riviera
Vicky is an English Setter of considerable beauty and absolutely zero courage. Lilou has never met a stranger. Every outing is an event.
It gets better. →
Cannes Life
Champagne with George Lucas, Karl Lagerfeld at dawn, Pete Doherty in a state, ten festivals a year — and the restaurant that told Hollywood to wait.
It gets better. →
My Story
I came to France for a summer. I stayed for twenty years. I let destiny decide — destiny picked Cannes. Obviously.
It gets better. →