In short
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat suits yachts of moderate size in Port de Saint-Jean and larger yachts at anchor off Paloma Bay or in the neighbouring Rade de Villefranche. Monaco is twenty-five to thirty-five minutes east by sea, Nice around twenty-five west, and the Villa Ephrussi gardens sit directly above the anchorage.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026 · By the concierge desk, Luxury Yacht Charter Monaco · Monaco
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat charter — key facts
| Marina | Port de Saint-Jean (moderate sizes) |
|---|---|
| Superyacht solution | Anchor at Paloma Bay or Rade de Villefranche |
| Cruise to Monaco | About 25-35 minutes |
| Cruise to Nice | About 25 minutes |
| Landmark ashore | Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens |
| Best months | June and September |
Why charter a yacht in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Cap Ferrat is a wooded peninsula between the Rade de Villefranche and the Baie des Fourmis at Beaulieu, and it has spent a century as one of the most private addresses in Europe. Very little of it is visible from the road; almost all of it is visible from the water. That asymmetry is the whole argument for seeing it by yacht.
The eastern flank holds Paloma Bay, the anchorage that defines a Cap Ferrat charter day. It is sheltered from the prevailing westerlies, clear, and shallow enough that swimming from the yacht is simply pleasant rather than an operation. A beach club sits above it and receives tender arrivals by reservation; in July and August the good positions are taken by late morning.
Above the anchorage stands the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, built for Béatrice de Rothschild in the early twentieth century and surrounded by nine gardens — French, Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, a stone garden, a rose garden and others — laid out across the narrow neck of the peninsula with sea on both sides. It is the most rewarding shore excursion between Nice and Monaco and takes a comfortable two hours.
Saint-Jean itself is a small port village on the eastern shore: a marina, a short waterfront of restaurants, and a coastal path that runs the whole way round the Cap. The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat occupies the southern tip. The atmosphere is deliberately understated — guests who want a busy evening go to Monaco or Nice, both under half an hour away.
Ports, marinas & berths in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Port de Saint-Jean
A well-kept marina on the eastern side of the peninsula, taking yachts of moderate size. Berths are limited in number and sought after in season; where a charter wants to lie alongside here rather than at anchor, availability is checked before anything is agreed.
The village restaurants, the coastal path and the road up to the Villa Ephrussi all start at the quay.
Anchoring off Paloma Bay
The standard arrangement for larger yachts. Anchor in the bay, tender guests ashore to the beach club or the port, and enjoy an anchorage that is calm in most summer conditions.
Rade de Villefranche
Ten minutes round the western side, the deepest anchorage on the coast and the fallback for superyachts and for any day when an easterly makes Paloma uncomfortable.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco
Port de Plaisance at Beaulieu is five minutes east and takes yachts of moderate size; Port Hercule in Monaco is under half an hour and remains the berth of choice for a night ashore with more to do.
Signature anchorages & day cruises
Paloma Bay
The signature anchorage: clear water over sand and rock, pine woods above, and a beach club that takes tender arrivals by reservation. Best occupied before midday in July and August.
Passable and the western shore
The quieter side of the Cap, facing Villefranche, with a shingle beach and a restaurant that has been there for decades. A good alternative when the east side is busy or breezy.
Baie des Fourmis, Beaulieu
Five minutes east, calm and shallow, under the columns of the Villa Kérylos. Suits a late lunch and an afternoon ashore in a town that stays quiet even in August.
The southern tip
Yachts lie off the point below the Grand-Hôtel in settled weather for the view back along the coast to the Estérel. Exposed to any southerly swell, so a fair-weather stop only.
When to charter at Cap Ferrat
June and September are the best months here: warm water, gardens at their most rewarding, and anchorages that have not yet filled or have already emptied.
July and August bring the warmest sea and the most crowded bays; a morning arrival at Paloma is the difference between a good day and a compromised one.
Late May is Monaco Grand Prix week, when yachts stage along this stretch of coast and Cap Ferrat becomes an overflow anchorage — dramatic to witness, and worth planning around either way.
Sample Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat yacht charter itineraries
Itinerary 1
Cap Ferrat day charter from Monaco
The most requested single day on this coast.
- MorningDepart Port Hercule after breakfast, cruise the Cap d'Ail cliffs with a swim at Plage Mala, arriving Paloma Bay before midday.
- MiddayLunch at anchor or ashore by tender at the beach club, table reserved in advance.
- AfternoonTender in for the Villa Ephrussi gardens or the coastal path; final swim on the western shore before returning to Monaco for the evening.
Itinerary 2
Nice to Monaco via Cap Ferrat — two nights
A short charter that uses the peninsula as its centre rather than a waypoint.
- Day 1Embark at Nice, cruise to the Rade de Villefranche for a swim, overnight at anchor with dinner on board.
- Day 2Round to Paloma for the morning; gardens in the afternoon; overnight in Port de Saint-Jean or at anchor off Beaulieu.
- Day 3Slow cruise east past Cap d'Ail with a final swim, arriving Port Hercule in time for lunch ashore.
Best yachts for Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Day boats of 20-25 metres — the ideal instrument for a Cap Ferrat day from Monaco or Nice.
Motor yachts of 30-45 metres anchoring at Paloma and tendering ashore.
Superyachts using the Rade de Villefranche as their base with tender runs round the headland.
Sailing yachts and catamarans, whose shallower draught opens the quieter western coves.
On board & ashore
Beach-club and restaurant reservations at Paloma, Saint-Jean and Beaulieu, with tender timings arranged.
Villa Ephrussi visits requested on your behalf, subject to the villa's own arrangements.
Chef's provisioning and a menu built around long lunches at anchor rather than formal dinners.
Watersports appropriate to the yacht — Paloma is one of the calmer bays for them.
Cars on the quay at Saint-Jean for the coastal path, Beaulieu or an evening in Monaco.
Charter costs, APA and VAT
Rates are set by the yacht's central agent and depend on size, age, crew and season; we quote indicative 'from' figures and confirm the actual rate in writing.
MYBA terms apply, with an Advance Provisioning Allowance typically 25-35% of the base rate covering fuel, food, drink, berthing and communications.
French VAT applies to the charter fee, with reductions available on qualifying itineraries; the contract sets out the position.
Day charters here are quoted as a day rate plus fuel and provisioning, which is usually the more economical way to see Cap Ferrat if you are already staying ashore nearby.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat yacht charter FAQs
Can a yacht berth at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat?+
Port de Saint-Jean is a genuine marina but a modest one; it takes yachts of moderate size rather than large superyachts. Bigger vessels anchor off Paloma Bay or in the Rade de Villefranche on the other side of the peninsula and tender guests in.
What makes Paloma Bay special?+
It is sheltered, clear and shallow enough for easy swimming, with a beach club above it that receives tender arrivals by reservation. Its position on the eastern flank of the Cap keeps it calm in the prevailing westerlies, which is why it fills first on summer weekends.
How far is Monaco?+
Around twenty-five to thirty-five minutes by sea, and roughly twenty-five minutes by car along the Basse Corniche. Nice airport is about thirty minutes by road.
What should we see ashore?+
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine themed gardens, the coastal path around the Cap, the small port and village of Saint-Jean, and the Villa Santo Sospir's neighbourhood on the western shore. The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat sits at the southern tip.
Is Cap Ferrat suitable for a day charter?+
It is one of the best day-charter destinations on the coast, precisely because everything is close: leave Monaco or Nice mid-morning, swim at Paloma, lunch at anchor, walk the coastal path in the afternoon and be back by early evening.
Can we visit the Villa Ephrussi gardens privately?+
The villa operates its own visiting arrangements and private access is subject to its policies and availability. Your concierge makes the request and confirms what is possible for your dates rather than promising it in advance.
Where do we swim if Paloma is full?+
The western side of the Cap towards Passable, the Baie des Fourmis at Beaulieu just to the east, or the wide Rade de Villefranche. All are within ten minutes.
When is Cap Ferrat at its best?+
June and September. The gardens are at their finest either side of high summer, the sea is warm from July through September, and the anchorages are far calmer outside August weekends.
Related destinations & guides
- Yacht charter Villefranche-sur-MerThe deep anchorage on the other side of the Cap
- Yacht charter Beaulieu-sur-MerFive minutes east, under the Villa Kérylos
- Yacht charter MonacoUnder half an hour east
- Yacht charter NiceThe nearest international gateway
- French Riviera charter itineraryThe full coast, day by day
By the concierge desk · Monaco