Monaco luxury yacht charter
The ultimate playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is a must-see superyacht hotspot on the French Riviera. Each summer, show-stopping events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and Monaco Yacht Show lure the yachting crowd to Monte Carlo on the shores of the Principality. Situated just 30 minutes east of Nice, Monaco marks the beginning of the Côte d'Azur, a splendid 60-mile stretch of Mediterranean coastline which is considered one of the most iconic cruising destinations in the world. A luxury yacht charter in Monaco offers the perfect jumping-off point for guests to visit famous enclaves in the south of France favoured by Hollywood starlets, international artists and European royalty including Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Juan-les-Pins and St Tropez.
Monaco yacht season and weather
Monaco enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, with balmy, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Monaco yacht charter season runs from May to September, reaching its peak during July and August. In May the water temperature can feel a little cooler but as the season continues the water warms, peaking to around 23°C in August. Spring in Monaco can be cooler thanks to the wind mistral that blows through from north west Europe.
For guests eager to sample some of Monaco’s famous nightlife, charter when the resorts, clubs and cocktail lounges (including the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo) are at their liveliest, from June to the end of August. The Monaco Grand Prix is held every May and is a headline fixture in the South of France calendar.
Monaco yacht charter itineraries
Port Hercule is one of the most famous harbours in the world and is home to 700 of the most sought-after berths in the Med. The port can accommodate yachts measuring up to 135 metres. Within the Port Hercule vicinity, a section of the harbour (known as Quai Louis II) is reserved exclusively for members of the Yacht Club de Monaco and can berth yachts up to 60 metres.
Another alternative docking spot is the recently opened Cala del Forte marina. Though technically located in Italy, the Ventimiglia harbour is just 20 minutes away from Monaco.
When you arrive in Monaco you can take your pick from luxury spas, five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and designer boutiques. After rolling the dice at the famous casino, spending a glamorous evening at the Opera Garnier Monte Carlo or hitting the unmissable Monaco sites like the Prince's Palace or the Oceanographic Museum, charters can head east to the Italian gems of Portofino or venture west and experience all the delights of the South of France.
Moor beneath the clifftop village of Eze, located five nautical miles west of Monaco, before cruising along the uber-exclusive Cap Ferrat. The stunning natural harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer should not be missed. Around 10 nautical miles west lies the famous coastline of Nice, with Antibes, Juan-les-Pins and Cannes providing easy hops cruising west. The International Yacht Club d’Antibes at Port Vauban can accommodate vessels up to 165 metres. At Cannes, opt for a little pampering at the spa at the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, one of the best luxury spas in the Mediterranean. Further south yet charters will arrive at the end of the French Riviera in Saint Tropez, where the Port de Saint-Tropez can accommodate yachts up to 70 metres.
Monaco by superyacht
Getting to Monaco
Nice Airport handles commercial and private aircraft. From there, guests can helicopter in to Monaco from Nice airport – the journey from Nice to Monaco will take eight minutes.
Charters often combine the South of France with the neighbouring Italian coast and highlights including Portofino and Rapallo. The anchorages and bays of Corsica are also 90 nautical miles south of Monaco.
Legal requirements
Customs in Monaco are overseen by French authorities. Yachts must report arrival within 24 hours of entry bu to the Direction des Ports if they arrive during the week or Pilot Station if arriving on the weekend. The Pilot Station must also be notified on departure, or the day before departure if planning to leave before 08:00 the following day.
In Monaco Harbour, there is a speed limit of 3 knots and all vessels leaving the harbour are granted priority. No vessels may be left unmanned at any time, and any works being undertaken on the yacht that could impact manoeuvrability must be reported to the Port Authority.