Beaulieu-sur-Mer: Solar Boat Tour & Riviera Villas

See the Riviera's grandest villas from a boat that runs on sunlight

You board a quiet, solar-powered catamaran with a professional captain who adjusts the route to weather and your interests. The boat reaches shallow waters where you see Villa Kerylos, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Èze village, and Fort du Mont Alban from angles you can't get from land. Summer brings snorkel gear. Winter brings blankets. The whole tour is private, even for two people, and departs from Beaulieu with easy access by public transport from Nice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private solar boat tour highlights

• Meet in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
• See Villa Kerylos from sea
• View Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and David Niven's villa
• Admire the harbor
• Discover Fort du Mont Alban history from sea
• Enjoy views of Eze village from sea

The experience

The captain was already checking the weather when we arrived: wind was picking up, so the plan shifted. That's the thing about a private solar boat tour from Beaulieu-sur-Mer: it's not locked into a fixed route. Your professional captain customizes the whole thing based on conditions and what you actually want to see. The solar-powered catamaran itself is quieter and more stable than a fuel boat its size, which matters when you're trying to get close to the water without the noise and smell that usually comes with it.

You meet in Beaulieu, which sits right on the French Riviera between Nice and Monaco: close enough to reach by train, bus, or taxi from downtown Nice. The boat navigates shallow, clear waters that bigger vessels can't reach, so you get an angle on Villa Kerylos and Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild that land tours simply don't offer. You see the harbor, Fort du Mont Alban rising from the coast, and the hilltop village of Èze from the sea, where the perspective shifts everything. The captain knows the history and the villas: David Niven's place, the architecture, how the light hits the stone at different hours.

The boat is certified by the French Maritime Administration for private excursions and has won international awards for its design. In summer, snorkel gear and foam noodles are on board. In winter, blankets. The cork deck means you might be asked to remove your shoes: a small thing that protects the boat and keeps it feeling like a real vessel, not a tourist shuttle. No smoking, and food and drinks stay below deck if there's any wind or chop, which is just practical seamanship.

What’s included

• A private solar-powered catamaran certified by the French Maritime Administration.
• A professional captain who customizes the route based on your interests and weather.
• Views of Villa Kerylos, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Èze village, Fort du Mont Alban, and the harbor from the water.
• Snorkel gear and foam noodles in summer, blankets in winter.
• The boat is quiet, odorless, and stable, with shallow-water access that larger vessels cannot reach.

Options for this experience

3 options

2-hrs best sellerGuide in English or French · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Duration: 2 hours. Two anchoring options: possible anchoring at Paloma beach and at the David Niven villa, with striking views of Eze and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

3-hour Paloma Beach and Eze Beach tripGuide in English or French · 09:00 and 13:00Duration: 3 hours. Three anchoring options: possible anchoring at David Niven's villa, Paloma Beach and Eze Beach, plus spectacular views.

4-hour trip up to Nice or MonacoGuide in English or French · 08:00 and 12:00Duration: 4 hours. The longest solar boat excursion, reaching Nice or Monaco. Several anchoring options: Cap Ferrat and Villefranche up to Nice, or La Mala up to Monaco. Larger boat with more room to relax and a shower.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (1 to 17 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by SeaZen®

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Riviera's famous villas and coastline from the water without being herded onto a crowded group boat: the private format and the captain's flexibility mean the tour shapes itself around what you actually came to see and the day's conditions.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (1 to 17 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

Duration is not fixed: the captain customizes the itinerary based on your preferences and weather conditions. Plan for a half-day or full-day experience depending on what you want to see.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Snorkel gear and foam noodles are provided in summer. Swimming depends on the day's conditions and the captain's assessment of safety.

How do I get to Beaulieu from Nice?

Direct train, city bus, or taxi from downtown Nice. Beaulieu is the most accessible departure point on this stretch of the Riviera.

What if the weather is bad?

The captain adjusts the route and itinerary based on conditions. Food and drinks stay below deck in wind or rough water.

Do I need to bring anything?

Sunscreen in summer, warm clothes in winter. Dress for the sea. You may be asked to remove your shoes to protect the cork deck.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Contact the operator about specific accessibility needs before booking.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

You can bring food and drinks, but they stay below deck if there's wind or waves.