Private Boat Tour Nice: Villefranche, Cap Ferrat & Beaulieu

Swim in the turquoise bay where the Italian and Provençal coasts meet.

A private boat tour along the French Riviera from Nice takes you past Villefranche sur Mer, St Jean Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu sur Mer, with a professional guide speaking English, Italian, French or German. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water and wine; you choose between a 2-hour or 4-hour departure. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and the boat carries safety jackets and parasols.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along French Riviera coast

• Visit Nice bay and swim
• See Nice, Villefranche, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
• Enjoy Beaulieu sur Mer views
• View Nice city and Promenade des Anglais

The Experience

What does the coast look like when you're floating on it instead of walking past it? The boat leaves the port in Nice and heads east along the Mediterranean, and the guide points out the landmarks most visitors miss from the shore. You'll see the Promenade des Anglais receding behind you, then the rocky mountains that rise straight from the water, the yachts anchored in the bays, and the villas tucked into the cliffs. Villefranche sur Mer appears first—a natural harbor so deep that it shelters the largest ships, ringed by pastel buildings and the kind of turquoise water that stops conversation.

St Jean Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu sur Mer follow, each one a different angle on the same stretch of coast. The water stays warm enough to swim in, and snorkeling equipment is on board if you want to go under. The guide shares the history and the local stories—which villas belong to whom, why the bay curves the way it does, what the rocky points are called. You get bottled water and wine during the tour, and the boat carries a parasol and safety jackets. The entire experience runs either 2 hours or 4 hours depending on which option you book; the longer tour gives you more time in the water and more of the coastline.

The boat is small enough that you're not standing in a crowd, and the guide speaks your language—English, Italian, French or German. Infants travel free on an adult's lap. The tour includes the boat ride itself, the guide, the equipment and the drinks; you're not arranging transport to the port or paying separately for entry anywhere along the way.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Italian, French or German.
• snorkeling equipment and safety jackets.
• bottled water and wine.
• parasol on board.
• hotel pickup is available through public transportation options nearby.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Happy Drive Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the 4-hour tour if you want time to actually swim and explore the underwater view, rather than just see the coast from the boat. The 2-hour option works if you're short on time but still want the guide's knowledge and a taste of the water.

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Top questions

Can I actually swim and snorkel during the boat tour, or is it just looking from the water?

The boat stops in the turquoise bays where you can swim and snorkel with the equipment provided on board. The guide decides where based on conditions and the time of year, but swimming is part of the tour, not an optional add-on.

What's the difference between the 2-hour and 4-hour boat tour options?

The 2-hour tour covers the main sights from the boat—Nice, Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu—with limited time in the water. The 4-hour tour gives you more time to swim and snorkel at multiple stops and a fuller view of the coastline.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

A professional guide is included on every departure and speaks English, Italian, French or German. You'll know which language when you book.

What happens if I'm traveling with an infant or very young child?

Infants sit on an adult's lap at no extra cost. After you book, confirm your infant's age so the operator can provide the correct safety jacket for the boat.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes the boat ride, the professional guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water and wine. You don't pay separately for entry or transport to the port; everything is arranged as part of the booking.