Antibes is one of the main yachting ports in the Mediterranean. It is home to Port Vauban, the largest superyacht marina in Europe, designed for vessels up to 170 metres in length. The city is located between Nice and Cannes, a 15-minute drive from the airport. For those planning a holiday on the French Riviera, renting a yacht in Antibes is a convenient way to see the coast from the water and reach the Lérins Islands opposite Cannes.
Prices depend on the type of vessel, season and format of the trip: from €900 per day on a small sailing boat to tens of thousands per week on a yacht with a crew. For those considering a private boat rental in Antibes with a captain, this article will be doubly useful — below is a breakdown of skipper costs.
What does the rental cost consist of?
Charter companies calculate their prices based on several components, each of which can significantly affect the final bill. The main items of expenditure are as follows:
- The basic charter rate is a fixed price per day or week, depending on the class and length of the vessel.
- Fuel consumption depends on the route. For motor yachts up to 20 meters, this ranges from €150–€400 per day.
- Captain’s services: a skipper costs €200–€500 per day. For vessels over 15 meters, a skipper is mandatory by French law.
- Mooring and berthing: A marina berth costs from €50 to several hundred euros per night during the season.
- Meals: usually not included in the price. Provisions are purchased in advance or catering is provided.
A separate item is the vessel deposit: for small boats, it ranges from €500–€2,000; for yachts over 20 meters, it can range from €10,000–€15,000. For weekly charters of larger vessels, an APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is applied—an advance payment for operating expenses, typically 25–35% of the charter cost.
Specific prices: from budget boats to superyachts
The market is divided into several price segments. The choice depends on the number of guests, the route, and the desired comfort. Approximate prices for the summer season:
- 5-7 meter motorboat without a captain: €200 to €600 per day;
- 8-12 meter motorboat with a captain: €800 to €2,000 per day;
- 10-15 meter sailing yacht: €1,500 to €4,000 per week without a crew;
- 15-24 meter motor yacht with a crew: €5,000 to €15,000 per day;
- superyacht over 30 meters: €30,000 per week and up.
A half-day cruise is 20-30% cheaper than a full day, but most companies recommend renting a full-day cruise: it offers a more comprehensive itinerary and lower hourly rates. High season runs from mid-June to mid-September, with prices 30-50% higher than in spring or fall.
Port Vauban has approximately 1,642 berths, including berths for vessels over 100 meters in length. The town is the departure point for most Riviera charters, offering easy access to Cannes and Monaco.
Catamarans are generally more expensive than single-hull sailboats of similar length due to their larger deck area and number of berths. However, they are more stable in waves, which is important for families with children.
How to choose a rental format
The format of the trip determines both the budget and the experience. For those who want to rent a boat in Antibes for a few hours, a day charter to the islands of Sainte-Marguerite or along the Cap d’Antibes is ideal. For a trip from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, a week-long charter with a crew is more logical.
In France, a licence (permis bateau) is required to operate a motorboat with a power rating of more than 6 hp. Without it, the only option is to hire a skipper. However, even experienced yachtsmen often prefer to have a captain: he knows the waters, can recommend the best anchorages and help with mooring in crowded marinas.
The Lérins Islands — Sainte-Marguerite and Sainte-Honorat — are a 15-minute walk from the port. Sainte-Marguerite is home to the fort where the Man in the Iron Mask was held prisoner. Anchorage near the islands is free — this is the most popular destination for day trips.
A boat measuring 7–10 metres is suitable for groups of up to six people. A group of 8–12 guests will need a vessel measuring 15 metres or more. When comfort and privacy are important, it is wiser to consider chartering a yacht in Antibes with a full crew: a captain, steward and chef on board will take care of all the practicalities.
Practical advice before booking
Renting a boat on the coast is a process with nuances. A few recommendations will help you avoid unnecessary expenses:
- Book in advance. In July and August, popular boats are booked up 2–3 months in advance. Early booking sometimes gives a 10–15% discount.
- Check what is included in the price. The base rate may not include fuel, mooring and food. Request a full estimate before signing the contract.
- Check your insurance. Third-party liability must be included. Personal insurance for passengers is decided separately.
- Take the weather into account. The mistral, a north-westerly wind, periodically sweeps across the coast in spring and winter. Conditions are more stable in summer, but storm warnings can occur even during the season.
It is worth deciding on your route in advance. Companies offer ready-made programmes: a tour to the Lérins Islands with swimming, lunch at Cap d’Antibes with a stop at the Billionaires’ Cove, and an evening trip to the Estérel massif at sunset. Individual routes are discussed with the captain and depend on the weather and speed of the vessel.
It is useful to know about speed limits in the water area in order to plan your time correctly:
- 3 knots — maximum speed in harbours and ports;
- 5 knots — restriction within 300 metres of the shore;
- no restrictions — in the open sea beyond the coastal strip.
Violations are punishable by fines, so it is important to remember these rules when operating a boat independently. The captain, of course, ensures compliance with these rules — another argument in favour of a professional skipper.
Antibes combines a convenient location, developed infrastructure and proximity to the main attractions of the French Riviera. A boat trip here will cost from a couple of hundred euros per day on a modest motorboat to six-figure sums per week on a superyacht with a crew. The best option for most people is a motorboat or small yacht for the day with a captain for €1,000-3,000 per group. This allows you to see Cap d’Antibes, the Lérins Islands and the coastal bays without exceeding a reasonable budget. The main thing is to book in advance and fix all costs in the contract before going out to sea.
