Nice Yacht Charter: Your Ideal Starting Point for the French Riviera

A Nice yacht charter is an easy way to see the French Riviera from the sea. Nice sits between Monaco to the east and Antibes and Cannes to the west, has an international airport and good marinas, and puts the best of the coast within a short cruise.

You do not have to choose between the buzz of Cannes and the glamour of Monaco. Starting from Nice, you set your own pace: a morning cruising the coast, lunch at anchor in a quiet bay, an afternoon in a Riviera town and dinner on board. It is a relaxed place to start, with nothing missing on the luxury side.

Von der Heyden Yachting arranges private, crewed yacht charters along the French Riviera and matches each client with the right yacht, crew and route. From Nice, that route can head east to Monaco, west to Cannes, or carry on to Saint-Tropez on a longer trip.
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Luxury Yacht Charter Nice

Why Nice Is a Good Place to Start a Yacht Charter

Nice is easy to reach and has the Riviera on its doorstep. Guests fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport from across Europe and beyond, and some of the best cruising on the coast starts right outside the harbour.

Its position helps on longer charters too. Monaco lies to the east and Antibes and Cannes to the west, so one charter can take in several parts of the Riviera without long days of travel.

  • Easy to reach. Good international flights into Nice, and short road links along the coast.
  • In the middle of the Riviera. Between Monaco and the western Riviera, so the route can go either way.
  • A quick start. A simple transfer from the airport or your hotel to the yacht, and you are on the water.

For the wider region, see our French Riviera yacht charter page.

What a Nice Yacht Charter Is Like

A charter from Nice is less about rushing between famous names and more about finding your own mix of cruising, going ashore and time on board. It can be as busy or as quiet as you like.

One day might start with a swim off Cap Ferrat, carry on with lunch ashore and end with an evening in Monaco. Another might be spent almost entirely at anchor, with water toys, a long lunch and drinks on deck at sunset.

Nice is calmer than Monaco but still close to it, and less taken over by events than Cannes in festival season.

A typical day might include:

  • Cruising the coast. See the Riviera from the water while the crew handle the sailing and the service.
  • Stops along the way. Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, Antibes, Cannes or a quiet anchorage, as you prefer.
  • Easy evenings. Back to Nice, a sunset at anchor, or on to a harbour with the restaurants and nightlife your group wants.

The yacht becomes part of the holiday, not just the way to get around.

Our Featured Yachts in Nice

From a fast run to Monaco to a slow week along the coast, we can offer yachts for charter in Nice for day trips and full weeks on the French Riviera. Here are some of the yachts available now.

Planning a celebration, a quiet week away or a trip around a big event? Browse the full selection, or tell us what you need and we will suggest the right yacht.

Where to Go from Nice

Monaco

The Riviera at its most glamorous: shops, restaurants, big events and the famous atmosphere of Monte Carlo. Monaco works as a day trip from Nice or as part of a longer charter, with stops along Cap Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer on the way.

Monaco Yacht Charter

Cannes

Livelier and more social, with its seafront, restaurants, boutiques and well-known festivals, especially in summer. The Lérins Islands just offshore are quieter, good for swimming and a night at anchor. Heading west from Nice, you can stop at Antibes and Cap d’Antibes before you reach Cannes.

Cannes Yacht Charter

Antibes

One of the main yachting harbours on the Riviera, and usually more relaxed than Monaco or Cannes, with the old town, Cap d’Antibes and good anchorages close by.

Saint-Tropez

Beach clubs, restaurants and the famous summer buzz. Arriving by yacht means no traffic on the coast road.

A Sample Week on the French Riviera from Nice

A week from Nice can be planned around the yacht, the weather and what your group wants. Use this route as a starting point, not a fixed plan.

Day 1: Nice

Meet the crew, settle in and take a gentle cruise along the coast before your first evening on board.

Day 2: Monaco

Head east to Monaco. Spend the day between the yacht, the town and the coast, then have dinner ashore or on board.

Day 3: Cannes

Head west to Cannes for the seafront, restaurants and shops, then on to the Lérins Islands for a swim and a quieter night.

Day 4: Saint-Tropez

Carry on west to Saint-Tropez and split the day between the town, the beach clubs and the yacht.

Day 5: Along the Coast

A free day: swim, find a quiet anchorage, or just enjoy the yacht as you cruise.

Day 6: Antibes

Cruise back to Antibes and Cap d’Antibes. Walk the old town or spend the afternoon at anchor, then head towards Nice.

Day 7: Nice

A last breakfast on board before you leave the yacht in Nice.

The route can be shorter, longer or completely different. Some guests build the week around Monaco and its events. Others want quiet bays, beach clubs and long lunches. If Monaco is the main reason for the trip, the week can start and finish around the Principality. If you prefer the western Riviera, we can focus on Cannes, Antibes and the Lérins Islands.

Types of Yacht in Nice

We offer several types of yacht, each suited to a different kind of Riviera trip.

  • Motor yachts cover more of the coast in less time. They are fast and comfortable, with plenty of deck space, which makes them a natural choice for visiting several places.
  • Catamarans are stable and roomy, with big decks. Families and groups who like time on board often choose them.
  • Sailing yachts are a quieter, more traditional way to see the Riviera, for guests who enjoy sailing, exploring the coast and evening cruises.
  • Superyachts give the most space and service: private suites, a full crew, lots of water toys and room to entertain.

A day out or a week on a superyacht: the right choice depends on your route, your group and how you like to spend time on board.

Motor Yacht Charter

Superyacht Charter

Featured Yachts in Nice

Each yacht in our listing shows its type, number of guests, cruising area and an indicative price, so you can compare them quickly. Some suit fast trips along the coast, some are made for families, and some are best for entertaining or long, slow days at anchor. If you are not sure which fits, tell us how you want to spend the week and we will help you choose.

Explore the full yacht fleet

Best Time for a Yacht Charter in Nice

The main season on the French Riviera runs from late spring to early autumn. June to August is the busiest time, with warm weather and a full calendar of events, and the most popular yachts get booked up.

May and September are often the best balance: good weather, more choice of yachts and a calmer coast. They suit guests who want a quieter Riviera.

The right time depends on why you are going. For big events, plan much earlier. If the trip is about cruising, swimming and good food, the shoulder months work well.

For the Monaco Grand Prix, book as early as you can. Nice is a convenient base for the race weekend, and the route can be planned around the race schedule and your time ashore. The same goes for the Cannes Film Festival and other big events on the Riviera.

How Much Does a Yacht Charter in Nice Cost?

Pricing guide updated September 2026

The price depends on the yacht, the season, the length of the charter, the route and the level of service on board. As a guide:

  • Motor yachts: about €30,000 to €120,000+ a week
  • Superyachts: about €100,000+ a week

Prices are similar to Cannes and Monaco, because the same yachts often work the whole French Riviera.

The charter fee does not usually cover running costs. These are paid through the APA (advance provisioning allowance), on top of the charter fee, and cover fuel, food and drinks, port fees and other agreed costs. Any money left over is normally returned, and if more is spent, you pay the difference.

Our charter team will explain the full costs before you commit. Rates change with availability, season, events and the route, so always ask for a current quote for your dates.

Client Testimonials

Nice Compared with Monaco and Cannes

Nice or Monaco?

Nice is more relaxed and easier to reach, and still close to Monaco. It suits guests who want to include Monte Carlo without the whole trip being about it.

Nice or Cannes?

Cannes is more about events and social life, especially during the film festival and in summer. From Nice you can combine Cannes with Monaco, Antibes and quieter parts of the coast.

The best starting point depends on the kind of trip you want, more than on the harbour itself.

Why Charter with Von der Heyden Yachting

The Riviera packs very different experiences into a short stretch of coast, so a charter from Nice is worth planning well. We start with what matters to you, then find the route and the yacht to match.

From our base in Malta, our charter team compares the yachts that are free, what each route needs and the options for your dates before you commit. From Nice, that might mean heading to Monaco, Cannes, Antibes or Saint-Tropez, or combining several of them.

  • The yacht fits the route. We choose it around the itinerary, the number of guests, your pace and how you want to live on board.
  • Your Riviera, planned your way. Restaurants, beach clubs, events, swimming stops, quiet anchorages, or a mix.
  • Mediterranean experience. Von der Heyden Yachting has more than 30 years in Mediterranean yachting and works from Malta across the Mediterranean and beyond.
  • One team from start to finish. We stay with you from the first enquiry through choosing the yacht, booking and planning the route, with a direct contact in our Malta-based charter division.

FAQs about Luxury Yacht Charters in NICE

Can I charter a yacht in Nice for one day?
Is Nice a good base for a longer yacht charter?
Do I need a skipper or a licence?
Can a yacht charter from Nice include Monaco and Cannes?
How long is a trip from Nice to Monaco by yacht?
Can I charter a yacht from Nice to Cannes?
Can I charter a yacht in Nice during the Monaco Grand Prix?
When should I book?

Planning Your Yacht Charter in Nice

A good Riviera charter starts with the right yacht and a clear idea of what matters most to you. We can help you decide between a motor yacht, sailing yacht, catamaran or superyacht, then build the route around your plans.

Tell us your dates, the number of guests, a rough budget and what you would like to do, from beach clubs and restaurants to quiet anchorages and big events.

Start Planning Your Nice Yacht Charter

Our team in Malta will plan a Riviera route from Nice around your dates and your group, whether that is a day on a private yacht, a week on the French Riviera or a fully crewed superyacht.

You can also look at our Yacht Charter France page, compare Nice with a Cannes Yacht Charter or Monaco Yacht Charter, or think about a wider West Mediterranean Yacht Charter or our other Mediterranean Yacht Charter destinations.

Tell us your dates, the number of guests and the route you have in mind, and we will send you yacht options and a charter proposal. Where living is an art.

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    Picture of Anuschka von der Heyden

    Anuschka von der Heyden

    Anuschka von der Heyden: Growing up closely connected to the world of yachting, she brings both insight and curiosity to her role. Her work combines strategic content development with a passion for travel, focusing on storytelling that captures the character, culture, and appeal of leading yachting destinations.

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