Yacht Charter Côte d’Azur
The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, offers the chance to sail and explore some of the most glamorous ports and beaches in the Mediterranean.
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Yacht charter French Riviera
Choose your ultimate escape to the famed French Riviera, departing from either our base in Port Pin Rolland or Marseille.
On your Côte d’Azur yacht charter you can visit historic ports, such as St. Tropez, as well as the spectacular Iles d’Or with their protected anchorages, beautiful beaches and spots for lounging and snorkeling.
Or head to St. Tropez, which has long been a favorite destination of artists, writers and celebrities, as well as sailors. Then relax on the sandy beaches of Mourillon, the oldest resort on the French Riviera.
For a cultured stopover on your Côte d’Azur yacht vacation, call in at Toulon, a town known for its glorious fountains and opera house. For wildlife lovers, there are the protected waters of the National Park of the Calanques, between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat, covering some 540 square miles of coastline.
You can start your French Riviera yacht charter from one of our 2 bases; Port Pin Rolland, St. Mandrier sur Mer or Marina Vieux Port in Marseille. You do not need a sailing license to sail from here, but good sailing experience is preferred. For those without experience, there’s always the option of hiring a skipper.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
Easy crewed
Fully crewed
Cabin cruise
SailShare
Aqualodge
Motor Yachts
Things to do in the Côte d’Azur
Chill out on the island of Porquerolles
Sail to the paradise of Porquerolles, where cars are forbidden and the only way to get around is by bike, boat or on foot. Take your time exploring the village and harbor.
Stroll the famous streets of St. Tropez
There are so many things to do in St. Tropez, but we’d recommend grabbing a mooring in the Baie des Canebiers, where you can rub shoulders with the jet set in the old port, or visit the citadel and charming old town. Stroll through the narrow streets and pop into the Annonciade Museum.
Spend a peaceful night in the Bay de Bonporteau
Situated on the coast between Cap Camarat and Cap Taillat, the large Bay de Bonporteau offers protected moorings, a sheltered golden sandy beach and sparkling, warm waters.
Visit the famous grave on Embiez Island
Embiez was bought by industrialist and environmentalist Paul Ricard, the founder of pastis manufacturer Ricard, in 1957. You can visit his grave on the island’s highest point. The island celebrates Ricard’s birthday on 9 July every year – perfect timing, if that’s when you’re on your French Riviera yacht charter.
Explore Port-Cros National Park
Enjoy spotting wildlife in the ecologically protected waters around the islands of Port-Cros and Porquerolles.
Weather insights
When is the best time to go to Côte d’Azur?
The best time to visit the Côte d’Azur is in the summer months, when the weather is sunny, hot and dry. The hottest and most crowded months of the season are July and August, while many locals love sailing the south of France in May, June and September.
The temperature on the Côte d’Azur in summer ranges between 78ºF and 97ºF. The sea temperature on the Côte d’Azur in the summer months can be as warm as 73º F.
What are the sailing conditions in Côte d’Azur?
The sailing conditions for yacht charters in Côte d’Azur are ideal during the hot, dry summer months. However, it’s best to stay in port when the strong winds of the mistral blow. These winds can last for several days and reach up to 40 knots.
The prevailing wind on the Côte d’Azur is westerly and blows between 10-25 knots during the day and less strongly at night. Thunderstorms in the afternoon are also common.
Sailing Côte d’Azur with Dream Yacht Charter
Yacht rental French Riviera
Sail the South of France and the coast’s most glamorous ports with our French Riviera yacht charters.
Côte d’Azur skippered charters
You don’t need sailing experience to enjoy a French Riviera sailing vacation. Just plan your itinerary and hire a skipper to sail for you.
Côte d’Azur sailing itinerary
Take a look at our Côte d’Azur sailing vacation suggestions
Useful information for a yacht charter on the Côte d’Azur
How do I get to Côte d’Azur from the US?
Fly to the Côte d’Azur via Marseille through European countries, including the UK, France and Italy. Delta and Air France have regular connecting flights to the Côte d’Azur from many cities in the US.
It can take up to 90 minutes to get from Marseille airport to our base at Port Pin Rolland. It’s recommended to arrange for a transfer directly from the airport.
What language is spoken in the Côte d’Azur?
The language spoken in the Côte d’Azur is French, although English, Spanish and German are also spoken in the most cosmopolitan areas.
What is the currency for Côte d’Azur?
The currency in Côte d’Azur is the Euro.
What are the customs restrictions for Côte d’Azur?
As long as you stay in the EU during your charter you do not need customs clearance.
What documents do I need to sail Côte d’Azur?
A valid passport is the only travel document American, UK, Canadian citizens and members of EU countries need to sail the Côte d’Azur.
How do I get around Côte d’Azur?
You can get to our bases on the Côte d’Azur by taking a taxi, train, bus or ferry.
What is the Wi-Fi like in Côte d’Azur?
The Wi-Fi on the Côte d’Azur is good and most cities and towns have Wi-Fi hotspots at bars and restaurants and hotels. Our bases at Port Pin Rolland and St. Mandrier sur Mer also have Wi-Fi available.
What regulations are there on the Côte d’Azur?
When you’re on your French Riviera yacht charter, it’s extremely important that you respect the marine environment and do not throw waste overboard. Specific regulations apply to marine and nature reserves, please check official websites.
Where can I find weather forecasts for the Côte d’Azur?
You can find Côte d’Azur weather forecasts at Windguru’s website.
What provisioning is there in Côte d’Azur?
There are plenty of choices for provisioning on the Côte d’Azur. Please refer to the base guide.
What baggage can I take on my Côte d’Azur sailing vacation?
Please take only soft bags. Large suitcases take up too much room on board.
What is the electrical current in Côte d’Azur?
The electrical current in Côte d’Azur is 220V.
What is the dialing code for Côte d’Azur?
The dialing code for Côte d’Azur is +33.
Downloads
Cote D'Azur, Marseille Marina Vieux Port
Cote D'Azur, Port Pin Rolland
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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