This eastward loop departs Port Hercule after a galley briefing with your chef, threads along the quieter shoreline toward Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and returns through the late light off Monaco's seawall. It suits a crewed motor yacht of 20–50 m and works well as day one of a longer provisioned passage toward Cannes or beyond.
Board at the Fontvieille port side rather than the busier Port Hercule quay — it keeps embarkation private, especially useful for corporate groups who prefer a low-profile start. Your stewardess will have a cold-press breakfast and espresso set on the aft deck. The skipper confirms swell readings off Cap Ferrat before clearing the harbour wall. Allow fifteen minutes to clear Monaco's outer breakwater heading east.
Anchor in the calm pocket west of the Baie des Fourmis. The bay faces south and is well sheltered from any northwesterly chop, making it reliable through June and September when conditions elsewhere can be mixed. The crew lowers the swim platform and sets out towels and snorkel gear. This stop is short — forty-five minutes — giving the chef time to begin lunch prep below.
A short reposition around the cape brings you to the eastern flank of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The anchorage off Paloma sits over sand and holds well for yachts drawing up to three metres. Tender ashore if you want a walk along the coastal path; otherwise, stay aboard and let the crew open the passerelle for open-water swimming. For multi-day charters, this is also the moment to confirm your next-day provisioning order with the broker so fresh produce reaches the yacht by morning.
Rather than fighting for a restaurant table ashore, take lunch on board — your chef has had the galley stocked with fish from Monaco's Condamine market and local rosé chilled since departure. If the group prefers stillness, anchor briefly below the cliffs of Èze where the depth drops off quickly and the scenery is vertical and dramatic. Corporate hosts often use this hour for a relaxed presentation or tasting in the main saloon with curtains drawn against the afternoon sun.
Cruise slowly westward, keeping close to the Monaco coastline as the light changes. The skipper times arrival so you pass the Casino terrace and the Yacht Club from the water just as the façades catch the last warm colour. Champagne and a cheese board come out on the flybridge or foredeck. Docking back in Port Hercule by around 21:00 leaves time for a transfer to your hotel or, on a multi-day charter, the crew prepares the cabins and reviews the next day's passage plan toward Cannes.
Few ports compress so much cruising potential into such a short departure. From Port Hercule you can reach the sheltered bay at Villefranche-sur-Mer or the rocky inlets below Cap d'Ail in the time it takes the crew to set lunch on the aft deck. Push a little further and Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat open up — quieter anchorages that reward a slow afternoon. For longer formats, a westbound course to Cannes or Saint-Tropez fills a comfortable cruising day, and multi-day itineraries can extend toward the Îles de Lérins or the Corsican coast with provisioning handled before departure. Our brokers plan routes around conditions, not fixed scripts: if the mistral picks up or a cove is crowded, the captain shifts the plan while you stay on deck.
The fleet behind these routes matters as much as the water. Our portfolio of over forty yachts covers compact sport tenders for a four-hour swim stop, performance motor yachts such as the Riva 130 for pace and presence, and crewed superyachts up to 50 metres for extended voyages with full galley service. A Sunreef 80 catamaran suits families who want stable decks and generous beam; a Benetti Oasis 40 offers the stateroom count and saloon space that corporate hosts need for a private dinner off the coast. Day-charter capacity on most vessels runs to twelve guests, while overnight sleeping arrangements depend on layout — your broker confirms exact numbers and cabin configuration before you commit.
Season shapes the experience. July and August deliver the longest light and the liveliest shoreline, though popular anchorages fill early and marina berths require advance reservation. June and September trade peak energy for open water, easier provisioning, and more choice across the fleet — strong months for a three-to-five-night cruise when you want flexibility in both route and pace. The Grand Prix period and the autumn yacht show tighten availability sharply, so early enquiry is essential if your dates overlap. Charter pricing follows a day-rate plus APA structure; we detail every cost line — fuel, harbour fees, food, beverages — before confirmation so the numbers are clear from the start.