Yacht Charter Antibes

Yacht Charter Antibes

On an Antibes yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore much of French Riviera and Côte dAzur within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a French Riviera yacht charter, from its high society fun to beautiful coastline, an Antibes sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

The old town of Antibes was once a fortified merchant port and is now one of the top charter destinations on the Cote dAzur. The town itself, with sights such as the the Picasso Museum in the Grimaldi Castle and Fort Carré (where Napoleon was kept after his capture) has plenty to offer. On a wander through Antibes Old Town you will be able to enjoy much, including many an excellent restaurant or cafe as you watch the world go by.

Antibes has much to offer those on a sailing holiday including some of the largest charter yachts afloat. In Port Vauban you can marvel at (or charter) the mega yachts of Billionaires Quay, where amongst other luminaries, former Chelsea FC owner and friend of Vladimir Putin Roman Abramovich kept his 86m Ecstasea superyacht. Billionaires Quay is just one visible sign of the wealth of those who love to visit Antibes, and we may yet see another future owner of Chelsea FC keep their boat here.

Port Vauban is home to the first yacht show of the West Mediterranean season, the Antibes Yacht Show in April. This is billed as an opportunity for those planning a luxury yacht charter to get charter advice for their their favourite luxury yacht to charter in the coming season.

As well as Port Vauban, you may well find your charter yacht is based in the smaller Port Gallice close to Cap dAntibes. Cap dAntibes is worth a wander in its own right, with a 5km walk along the Chemin des Douaniers footpath that takes you to many a good quality sandy beach with plenty to enjoy under the water - bring your snorkel with your boots!

So, where would you go on your Antibes yacht charter? Monte Carlo or Saint Tropez? Let's take a look in the next section...

Explore Antibes By Renting A Yacht

So, having boarded your sailing yacht or motor yacht private yacht charter in Antibes, where could you go?

Perhaps on a bespoke yacht charter you could head for Port Vauban as a base to enjoy the Monaco Grand Prix? Monte Carlo is just a few hours to the east by sea, and while society gazes at the Monaco Grand Prix you could enjoy it as part of your Côte dAzur sailing holiday out of Antibes...

Just before Monaco is the coastal retreat of the well to do, St Jean Cap Ferrat where those in the know disappear from the pace and fun of Monte Carlo. With private beaches and many private residences, St Jean Cap Ferrat is one of those places better visited if you have friends here but is no less beautiful to enjoy even if you don't.

Just 5km offshore from Cap d'Antibes are the Lérins islands, islands that are both beautiful to look at from afar and a seriously good place to chill out after the unrelenting buzz of the mainland. St Marguerite is the largest of the four, but doesn't have any hotels. This means that if you're on a day charter this will mean heading home for the evening, or on a longer charter holiday, you stay aboard your charter yacht. Ile St Honorat is smaller than St Marguerite, but is owned by a Cistercian Monastery. You can visit, perhaps buying their famous wines and liqueurs from the monastery shop...

To the west of Antibes is the top end holiday village of St Tropez. Originally a quiet fishing village, its quaint beauty made the town a magnet for society and royalty types in the 1900s. This reputation has remained and now Saint Tropez is still a popular haunt for those who move in certain circles, even as the world has shrunk considerably over the ensuing decades.

How To Get To Antibes

Nice Airport is a major regional airport with airlines flying in from much of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe and beyond.

Antibes is a short train ride from Nice Airport.

Marinas In Antibes

Port Vauban

The largest marina in Europe, Port Vauban has charter companies and boat owners working into it that offer super yachts, luxury yacht charter, bespoke yacht charter, catamaran, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht charter yachts on a bareboat or private yacht charter basis. You can day charter or do a boat rental for a week or more as your budget and time allows.

Berth Characteristics:

1642 berths

Max Length 170m (558 Feet)

Max Draught 7m (23 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, showers, WC, changing rooms, fuel, ATM, bar, restaurant, shipyard, waste and waste water collection.

Port Gallice

Port Gallice is a large marina has charter companies and boat owners working into it that offer super yachts, luxuryyacht charter, catamaran, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht charter boats on a bareboat or private yacht charterbasis. You can enjoy a day charter yacht rental or a longer sailing holiday from here.

Berth Characteristics:

525 berths

Max Length 43m (141 Feet)

Max Draught 3m (10 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, showers, WC, changing rooms, fuel, ATM, bar, restaurant, shipyard, waste and waste water collection.

Suggested Sailing Routes From Antibes

On your bespoke yacht charter or bareboat charter you can explore either the French Riviera or Italian Riviera - or both - in a two week sailing holiday. Let's explore the possibilities you have on your luxury charter yacht with two itineraries below:

7 Days - French Riviera: As a first port of call, it's just a 5km sail out to the Lerins Island archipelago. Enjoy a day's swimming off the beaches and spend the night off Ile St Honorat. West now to St Tropez for a day or two enjoying the laid back top end resort. From Saint Tropez spend the next day's sailing heading for Monaco to enjoy the unrivalled buzz of the principality. Another short sail, this time to Paloma Beach on St Jean Cap Ferrat for a spot of relaxation off this exclusive resort. Nice will be your final port of call before returning to base in Antibes.

14 Days Italian Riviera: From Antibes to the westernmost town of the 'true' Italian Riviera it is about eight hours sail on a relatively powerful motor yacht. From here you can explore the different towns as far west as Cinque Terre at the far eastern end of the region. Enjoy the luxury of Portofino and Vernazza amongst other jewels in the Italian seaside crown. Perhaps find a quiet anchorage to yourself an be all alone on the Mediterranean Sea for an evening or two, surrounded by the sheer beauty of the coastline. Either coast hopping back up the west Mediterranean to Antibes, or heading straight across the bay, return your yacht for handover.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Antibes

The sailing season in Antibes is best from May to October. The major party towns heat up to full frenzy in June to August, and so do the prices. It is very much down to what you want from a sailing holiday in the region. If partying all night is on the cards, the top DJs will hit the region in that time and you will have quite a memorable time. If the quiet life is what you seek, then do try to get out during term time - the sea is still warm in September and October too.

Sailing Weather In Antibes

The Mistral tends to build from September and eases away in May, though this can blow fiercely for several days at a time even in midsummer.

The NE breeze common to coastal Mediterranean France never really gets above 17 knots or so so there will be some boisterous sailing but never more than is fun. You will see more precipitation towards the beginning and end of the sailing season (May and October) but the temperatures rarely stray below 15-17 degrees during those times. In the height of summer (July/August) it isn't as hot as southern Europe, though you will see the odd few days in the 30+ C range. For Northern Europeans and those from other cooler climes this makes for fantastic sailing!

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

**What are the Marinas in Antibes?**

Antibes is home to the largest marina in coastal Europe, Port Vauban with 1642 berths and on Billionaires Quay, takes vessels of up to 170m LOA. The smaller Port Gallice has 525 berths for yachts up to 43m LOA.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Antibes?

The high season is in July and August. Things get expensive and restaurants competitive. The city and sailingdestinations nearby tend to relax a bit, become more friendly and cheaper outside of the peak season.

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Antibes?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Antibes?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Bring warm weather and cool weather clothing if it looks like the weather can be cool as well as warm and remember at sea it can be cool on most evenings.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skippered on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.