A Selective Fleet of Crewed Yachts for the French Riviera

Charter pricing follows a day-rate or weekly-rate structure depending on the vessel and format. A half-day aboard a 17-metre sports cruiser sits at one end of the range; a week-long cruise on a 40-metre superyacht sits at the other. On top of the base rate, crewed charters use an APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), usually 25–35 % of the charter fee, deposited in advance to cover fuel, port fees, food and drinks. At the end of the charter the captain provides a full accounting and any unspent balance is returned. We walk every client through the cost breakdown before any commitment so there are no surprises once you step aboard.

The core season runs from May through September. July and August bring the warmest water and the liveliest coastline, but they also bring the highest demand — particularly around the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes events calendar, which require early booking. June and September are excellent alternatives: lighter winds, fewer boats at anchor and more flexibility on vessel choice. For clients who prefer a quieter pace, September along the stretch from Èze-sur-Mer to Beaulieu-sur-Mer can feel like a different coast entirely.

For a crewed charter, no. The professional captain and crew handle all navigation, mooring and safety procedures, so guests need no certification at all. If you are considering a bareboat arrangement on a smaller vessel, a valid boating licence may be required depending on the flag state and the boat's length. The large majority of our fleet operates with full crew, so most clients book without presenting any qualification.

Day charters on commercially coded yachts generally allow up to 12 guests on the water. Sleeping capacity for overnight or multi-day cruises is lower and depends on the yacht's cabin layout — a 20-metre flybridge might accommodate six guests across three cabins, while a 40-metre superyacht can sleep ten or more in dedicated staterooms. We match vessel size to your group so that both daytime deck space and overnight comfort work properly.

Absolutely. Port Hercule is well positioned for itineraries heading west along the Riviera — Cannes and Saint-Tropez are natural overnight stops — or east toward the Italian coast. Multi-day charters follow a flexible routing plan agreed with the captain before departure, covering preferred anchorages, lunch stops and evening ports. If the itinerary crosses into Italian waters, the crew manages any customs formalities on your behalf. We typically suggest a minimum of three nights to make the most of a longer route, though shorter two-night options can work depending on the season and vessel.

For peak weeks — Grand Prix, late July, early August — booking several months in advance is strongly recommended, especially for larger yachts. Outside those windows, lead times of a few weeks are often sufficient. Last-minute day charters do come together when a vessel is already positioned in or near Monaco; our fleet of around 29 yachts means we can usually identify an option at shorter notice than agencies working with a broader, less locally concentrated roster. That said, the closer to the date, the narrower the vessel choice.

Every crewed charter begins with a planning conversation where we outline route options suited to conditions, group size and interests — whether that means a calm swim stop off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a beach-club lunch near Cap d'Ail, or an evening cruise back into port at sunset. Once underway, the captain retains full discretion to adjust for weather or swell, swapping an exposed anchorage for a more sheltered bay without disrupting the day. Provisioning, dietary preferences and any specific requests — from water sports gear to onboard catering — are arranged ahead of departure so the crew is fully prepared before guests arrive.