Cannes by yacht, 21 nm from Monaco
The Croisette and the Îles de Lérins, an easy cruise west of Monaco.
A yacht from Monaco to Cannes covers about 21 nautical miles in a straight line: 1 h 45 min of cruising at 12 knots, 1 h 03 min at 20. Crewed days are published from €1,500 (day boat) to €10,000 and up (superyacht); a week on a 20–30 m motor yacht runs €25,000 – €65,000, plus APA of 25–35% and VAT at 20%.
Cannes pairs the bustle of the Croisette with the calm of the Lérins islands just offshore — anchor off Sainte-Marguerite for a swim, then come ashore for dinner. In festival season the bay becomes one of the liveliest on the coast.
At about 21 nautical miles it is a comfortable day's run from Monaco, and a natural first stop heading toward Saint-Tropez.
Whether you want a day yacht hire Cannes regulars book, a yacht rental Cannes France visitors plan around the festival, or a full yacht charter Cannes France itinerary, we crew the yacht and shape the day around you.
What does a day from Monaco to Cannes look like?
At around 21 nautical miles, Cannes is one of the most rewarding day-runs west of Monaco — close enough to leave after breakfast and be anchored off the Lérins by late morning. The classic day pairs a swim and lunch at anchor off Île Sainte-Marguerite, with its fort and eucalyptus paths, with an afternoon ashore on the Croisette. We crew the yacht, time the run to the conditions, and handle lunch and beach-club bookings.
Cannes also works as the first leg of a longer cruise, a natural staging point between Monaco and the gulf of Saint-Tropez to the west.
What happens in Cannes through the season, from the Festival to September?
In May the Film Festival turns the bay into one of the liveliest stretches of the whole Riviera, with yachts moored stem to stern off the Croisette — a berth or anchorage here in festival week is among the most sought-after on the coast and is booked far ahead. Through summer the Lérins offer clear, sheltered water for swimming, while the old port and Le Suquet give a quieter, more local Cannes ashore.
Boat rental, skippered hire or a full charter — which one?
Three different things get called the same name in Cannes, and the first decision is which one you want. A bareboat rental puts you at the helm — suitable for experienced boaters on smaller craft, and subject to holding the right certificate for anything of size or power. A skippered hire adds a professional at the wheel who handles the boat, the route and the docking while you enjoy the day; that is what most guests choose here, especially in the busy season when local knowledge of the bay is worth having. A full yacht charter is a step beyond again: a larger crewed yacht with cabins, a chef and the space to make Cannes one stop on a longer cruise, arranged on a proper MYBA contract.
We explain the options plainly, match the boat to your experience and your plans, and are candid about which makes sense for the day you have in mind rather than selling up.
What does a day on the water include?
Whatever the format, we quote a single all-in figure: the boat, fuel for the day, swim and snorkel gear, and a skipper or full crew where you want one. Extras that make the day — a cool box and drinks, paddleboards, a private chef, a beach-club table booked ahead — are priced up front so nothing appears afterwards. Half-day and full-day options suit everything from a morning swim to a long cruise west.
A typical day leaves Port Hercule mid-morning, passes Cap-Ferrat and Antibes, and anchors off Île Sainte-Marguerite for a swim in clear, shallow water before lunch ashore on the Croisette. The skipper times it to the conditions and the season, slipping into the quieter corners of the bay when the festival crowds build.
How do we get there, and how far ahead should we book?
Most international guests fly into Nice Côte d'Azur, twenty minutes from the coast, and we coordinate the transfer to the quay so the boat day slots into the trip rather than becoming a project. Crews are English-speaking, everything is confirmed by e-mail before you travel, and one contact carries the booking throughout.
Tell us your date, the number of guests and whether you would like a skipper, and we return a clear quote with suitable boats, usually within the day. Days can often be arranged at short notice, though summer weekends and festival week fill quickly, so earlier is better. A deposit confirms the booking and we take care of the route, the reservations and the extras before you arrive.
How much does a yacht charter to Cannes cost?
At 21 nm, Cannes is a day charter: a crewed day is published from €1,500 (Pirelli 1100, excluding fuel) to €6,600 (Prestige 680) and €10,000 and up for a superyacht. As a stop on a longer charter the weekly brackets below apply.
| Yacht size | Weekly rate | APA (25–35%) |
|---|---|---|
| Motor yacht 20–30 m | €25,000 – €65,000 | €6,250 – €22,750 |
| Superyacht 30–40 m | €65,000 – €180,000 | €16,250 – €63,000 |
| Premium superyacht 40–45 m | €140,000 – €320,000 | €35,000 – €112,000 |
| Megayacht 45 m+ | €280,000 – €800,000+ | €70,000 – €280,000+ |
APA — 25–35% of the fee, median 35% across MYBA listings — covers fuel for the run to Cannes, harbour dues, food and drink, and the balance is returned. VAT at the standard 20% rate applies to charters starting in France or Monaco; crew gratuity is customary at 5–15% of the fee (MYBA guidance).
- International Yachts Charter & Brokerage — Monaco Yacht Show 2026 charter rates — retrieved 2026-09-05
- Monaco Boats (The S Collection) — Yacht charter prices in Monaco — retrieved 2026-09-05
- Vital Charters — What's included in a yacht charter fee: MYBA contract (2026), survey of MYBA listings — retrieved 2026-09-05
- service-public.gouv.fr — Taux de TVA (fiche F23567, "Vérifié le 18 juin 2025") — retrieved 2026-09-05
- Gouvernement Princier de Monaco — monentreprise.gouv.mc, TVA — retrieved 2026-09-05
Rates retrieved 2026-09-05.
Which harbour and anchorages does a yacht use in Cannes?
Vieux-Port de Cannes
- From Port Hercule
- 21 nm (straight line) · 1 h 45 min at 12 knots · 1 h 03 min at 20 knots
- Operator
- Marina du Vieux port de Cannes
- Berths
- over 700 berths plus 100 superyacht berths
- Max length
- up to 140 m
- Anchorages
- Îles de Lérins · Golfe de la Napoule
Distances are computed between the OpenStreetMap positions of Port Hercule and Vieux-Port de Cannes; the actual coastal route is a little longer.
- OpenStreetMap / Nominatim — retrieved 2026-09-06
- Wikipédia — Vieux-Port de Cannes — retrieved 2026-09-06
- OpenStreetMap / Nominatim — retrieved 2026-09-06
When is the best time to charter a yacht to Cannes?
Recommended season: May–September.
The season runs April to October, the warmest water from June to September. July and August fill the anchorages of Cannes; June and September give the same sea with more room. Monaco Grand Prix week (late May) and the Monaco Yacht Show (23–26 September 2026) pull departure rates toward high season, even for a day to Cannes.
- Monaco Yacht Show — official site (home + billetterie) — retrieved 2026-09-05
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cannes from Monaco by yacht?
About 21 nautical miles in a straight line — a comfortable run of roughly an hour to two depending on the yacht and sea state. It is an easy day-charter from Monaco, leaving after breakfast and returning by evening, or a natural first stop on a longer westbound cruise.
Can I charter a yacht for the Cannes Film Festival?
Yes, but festival-week berths and anchorages off the Croisette are among the most in-demand on the coast and book far in advance. We secure the yacht and the position early and plan the week around the events you wish to attend.
Do I need a licence to rent a boat in Cannes?
Not if you take a skipper, which is how most guests go out. A professional handles the boat, the navigation and the docking, so no licence and no experience are needed. A bareboat rental where you helm yourself is possible on smaller craft if you hold the right certificate — tell us your experience and we will advise honestly.
What does a day boat in Cannes cost, and what is included?
Every day is quoted as a single all-in figure covering the boat, fuel, swim gear and the skipper or crew. Extras such as a chef, paddleboards or a beach-club lunch are arranged on request and priced up front. Costs vary with the size of the boat and the season, rising sharply in July, August and festival week.
Can you arrange a boat in Cannes at short notice?
Often yes, sometimes for the next morning. Summer weekends and the Film Festival are the exception — those fill months ahead. Send us your date and guest numbers and we will tell you straight away what is genuinely available.
Which harbour does a yacht use in Cannes?
The Vieux-Port below Le Suquet, run by the Marina du Vieux port de Cannes, with more than 700 berths plus a hundred for superyachts up to 140 m; Port Canto at the eastern end of the Croisette is the alternative. Most day charters from Monaco anchor off the Îles de Lérins rather than berth.
Tell us your dates.
Every charter and sale is by quote, built around you. We reply within the day.