A DAY ON THE WATER: YACHTING, BOAT CLUBS & COASTAL EXPERIENCES
Monaco lives in constant dialogue with the sea — calm mornings, luminous horizons, and a coastline shaped by elegance and motion.
A day on the water is not an activity here.
It is the Riviera experience.
Whether on a private yacht, a boutique boat club, or a coastal cruise toward Cap-Ferrat, the Mediterranean offers a perspective of Monaco that cannot be seen from land.
This is your curated MonacoVITA guide to experiencing the Principality from the water — serene, cinematic, and beautifully Riviera.
⭐ THE MORNING — THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LIGHT
🌤 8:30 — Departure from Port Hercule
Begin early, when the sea is glassy and the yachts are still.
From Port Hercule, you’ll move between some of Monaco’s most iconic views:
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The cliffs of Le Rocher
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The sweeping curve of La Condamine
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The elegant façades around the harbor
Your skipper takes you out of the port and into open water within minutes—suddenly Monaco becomes a golden silhouette behind you.
🌅 9:00 — Cruise Toward Cap d’Ail & Èze
Glide along the coast toward Cap d’Ail, passing the legendary coastal path of Mala.
The water here turns a deep turquoise, framed by dramatic cliffs and quiet Mediterranean coves.
Continue toward Èze-sur-Mer, where the mountains rise steeply from the sea — a view that feels almost cinematic.
⭐ MIDDAY — HIDDEN COVES & SWIMS
🏊 11:00 — Swim Stop at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Cap-Ferrat is the Riviera’s crown jewel.
Drop anchor in front of Paloma Beach, one of the most beautiful bays on the Côte d’Azur.
Expect:
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crystal-clear water
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quiet coves
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elegant villas overlooking the sea
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soft coastal breezes
This is where locals spend their weekends: swimming, sunning on the deck, or simply watching the light play on the water.
🍇 12:30 — Lunch Onboard or at Paloma Beach
Two refined options:
Onboard Lunch (Quiet Luxury Experience)
Your skipper arranges a light Mediterranean spread:
fresh burrata, focaccia, olives, citrus salads, or seafood from local markets.
Lunch at Paloma Beach Restaurant
A short tender ride brings you to a sunlit terrace overlooking the sea.
Expect refined Mediterranean cuisine served in one of the most iconic Riviera settings.
⭐ THE AFTERNOON — RIVIERA COLOURS
🌤 14:30 — Sail to Villefranche-sur-Mer
One of the Riviera’s most picturesque bays.
The water shifts into rich sapphire tones as you approach the pastel-colored village, backed by the steep hills of Beaulieu and Mont Boron.
Take photos from the deck — this is one of the Côte d’Azur’s most photographable panoramas.
⛵ 16:00 — Optional Experiences
Choose your style of afternoon:
Yacht Day — Full Riviera Glide
Cruise gently along the coast toward Beaulieu, admiring private villas that cascade toward the sea.
Catamaran Experience — Calm & Spacious
Perfect for groups or couples wanting a soft, floating day.
Sea Toys — Monaco-Style Leisure
Depending on your charter:
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paddleboards
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seabobs
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snorkeling around Cap-Ferrat coves
⭐ SUNSET — THE MOST MAGICAL MOMENT
🌅 18:00 — Return to Monaco Waters
Glide back toward Monaco as the light turns bronze and the cliffs ignite with warm colour.
The skyline glows — Hôtel de Paris, the Casino, and the terraces of the Fairmont soften into an evening silhouette.
It is one of the most beautiful returns on the Riviera.
🍸 19:00 — Aperitivo at AMÚ or Nikki Beach (Fairmont Rooftop)
End your day above the sea, where the glow of sunset meets modern Riviera elegance.
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AMÚ by Mauro Colagreco — sunset cocktails with Mediterranean–Peruvian notes
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Nikki Beach (Summer) — a chic, luminous rooftop atmosphere
✨ CONCLUSION
A day on the water reveals Monaco at its most serene and breathtaking — the cliffs, the coves, the quiet bays, and the horizon that blends seamlessly with the sky.
This is the Riviera rhythm — slow, luminous, and unforgettable.
